With years of restaurant experience, co-owner Lorenzo Serna partnered with his youngest daughter, Lorena, to embark on his latest business venture in Magnolia last fall. The duo opened Lorenzillo’s Mexican Grill and Cantina in November.

“We have three things: good food, good service and good prices,” Lorenzo Serna said. “I tell people to just come and try us once.”

Lorenzillo’s offers authentic Mexican and Tex-Mex dishes, such as tampiquena, fajitas, fish tacos and enchiladas. Lunch specials start at $7.75, and happy hour drink specials are also available. Patrons can enjoy a patio for outdoor dining, and Lorenzo said he plans to add live music on the weekends this summer.

Lorenzo has owned five restaurants in the Greater Houston area and has more than 30 years experience.
Lorenzo, who was previously retired, said the success of Lorenzillo’s is important in terms of establishing Lorena’s future. He opened La Cabana Mexican Restaurant in Spring with his oldest daughter, Rossy, in 1999. Later, the two opened another Houston site.

“I am doing this for my daughter,” said Lorenzo, the father of five daughters. “I always said whenever [Lorena] was ready, we would come together and open a restaurant.”

However, Lorena is not new to managing her own establishment. After she graduated from high school, she opened a snow cone shack in Spring and later sold the business. She also worked at the Tex-Mex chain Lupe Tortilla to learn more about the industry. Additionally, Lorena graduated from Lone Star College-Tomball with a business degree in May.

Now that she has completed school, Lorena will focus full time on running the establishment, she said. While she is thankful for her father’s time and guidance, Lorena said she is ready to put in the work.

“I have honestly learned everything from my dad,” she said. “He is such a great role model and businessman. He is good at negotiating. I am not like that, but I hope to take on that quality. I look up to my dad a lot.”

Lorenzillo’s Mexican Grill and Cantina
32823 FM 2978, Magnolia
832-521-5787
Hours: Sun.-Thu.11 a.m.-9 p.m., Fri.-Sat.11 a.m.-10 p.m.