Couple brings Californian fare to area

Mario Abascal pointed around the dining room of Mario's Taco and Burger House at a handful of black and white photos hung on the walls, and proudly explained the history of each family member in the pictures. It is clear he also thinks of his customers as family, as he greets almost every visitor who comes in the front door by his or her first name.

"When we finalized the name of the business—House—we decided to put up the photos," Abascal said. "We treat everyone here like family."

After he retired in 2007, Abascal and his wife, Norma, decided to open Mario's Taco and Burger House a year later to give Northwest Houston residents a chance to experience authentic Mexican cuisine—something Abascal learned about many years prior.

While in college to become a doctor, he spent a year completing his social services requirement in a Mexican village, while simultaneously learning about the country's authentic cuisine. When Abascal moved to Los Angeles to pursue his degree, he began working part-time at a local restaurant, and became the head operator for a fast food business.

"It looks like the restaurant business won, because after that I worked in the industry for 32 years," Abascal said.

Before he opened Mario's Taco and Burger House, he decided to combine his love for Mexican fare and decades of experience in fast food.

"My wife said, 'Mario, you sold burgers your whole life, why don't you add that? So that's why we split the authentic Mexican [cuisine] with the American burgers," Abascal said.

For the couple's first two years in business, only 10 items were available on the menu. Then, the Abascal's added several California-style recipes per customer requests.

The California burrito [$6.99] is served with sauted shrimp, Certified Angus Beef, fries, avocado, jack cheese, pico de gallo and chipotle sauce. Based off Abascal's hometown, the Veracruz Fish Taco [$2.39] is served grilled or crispy and topped with vinaigrette cabbage, jack cheese and chipotle salsa.

The Abascal's serve breakfast all day, and customers have several choices—ranging from house-made chorizo to pork or bacon—from which to choose. For guests with a larger appetite, the breakfast taco meal [$4.39] is served with one taco, tater tots and a drink.

The burgers at Mario's are prepared fresh to order, and are made with Certified Angus Beef. The Mexican cheeseburger [$6.19] comes with cheese, ham and avocado, while the Certified Angus Burger [$5.19] includes mayonnaise or mustard, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles and onions. Guests may also customize any of the burgers with bacon, avocado, mushrooms, fried eggs or ham.

"We enjoy serving our customers, and our goal is always going to be to satisfy everyone," Abascal said. "One of the things we are going to continue saying and doing is that we are authentic Mexican food."

Owner Recommendations

• Certified Angus Burger: Mayonnaise or mustard, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles and onions are served on top of a Certified Angus Beef patty ($5.19)
• Gourmet Burrito: Sauted shrimp, Certified Angus Beef, fries, avocado, jack cheese, Pico De Gayo and chipotle salsa ($6.99)
• Veracruz Fish Taco: Served grilled or crispy on double corn tortillas, this dish is topped with vinaigrette cabbage, jack cheese and chipotle salsa ($2.39)
• Norma Nachos: Homemade tortilla chips loaded with carne asada, melted cheese, guacamole and sour cream ($5.19)

Mario's homemade salsa

Owner Mario Abascal makes fresh batches of salsa daily.

• Mild tomato is a mixture of roasted tomatoes and onions
• Pico de gallo is made with diced tomatoes, onions, cilantro, lime and jalapeo
• Mario combines avocados and cilantro for the avocado salsa
• Green tomatillo is added to spicy chilies to make the roasted tomatillo salsa
• Roasted chipotle is made with tomatoes, garlic, onions and chipotle
• Roasted habanero is a spicier version of the roasted chipotle sauce, just without the chipotle

Mario's Taco and Burger House, 11049 FM 1960 W., Houston 281-970-8811, www.marioshouse.com

Mon.–Fri. 7 a.m.–8 p.m., Sat.–Sun. 8 a.m.–3 p.m.