Blue Iguana Taco House—then known as Blue Iguana Mexican Restaurant—closed down for remodeling about three years ago, Manager Odilon Gonzalez said. The restaurant, located off Buddy Riley Boulevard in Magnolia, reopened in March under the new name with a new concept, he said.

Gonzalez said the restaurant’s original layout was more of an order-at-the-front setup rather than a full-service restaurant, which Blue Iguana Taco House now features.

“When we first opened [as Blue Iguana Mexican Restaurant], it was [a] different concept and different service. A lot of people didn’t like that,” Gonzalez said. “But now we have full service.”

The new restaurant operates under the same ownership, Assistant Manager Gustavo Escobar said.

The eatery’s best-selling dish, Escobar said, is the Chicken Diablo—four grilled chicken slices with queso fresco and pickled jalapenos, wrapped in bacon and served with pico de gallo, guacamole, rice, beans and tortillas. The restaurant also serves enchiladas, salads, fajitas, burritos, burgers, wings, desserts and margaritas as well as a children’s menu.

Happy hour and lunch specials are offered Tuesdays through Sundays as well, Gonzalez said. The restaurant also has live music and outdoor patio seating, he said.

Escobar, who grew up in Magnolia, said he has worked in the food industry for seven years. He previously worked as a waiter and bartender before his promotion to assistant manager in March, and he said he enjoys getting to see his regular customers.

“The environment [here] is a little different. We have unique artwork and our food is always fresh. We have our own thing,” Escobar said. “I see a lot of people that I know and get to catch up on a lot of things. It makes me feel at home.”

Blue Iguana Taco House
18635 Buddy Riley Blvd., Magnolia
281-789-7005
www.blueiguanatacohouse.com
Hours: Tue.-Wed. 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m., Thu. 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m., closed Mondays