Tex-Mex News

Dallas Tex-Mex Mi Cocina closes Houston outlet after less than 2 years

Mambo Taxi not beloved everywhere, it seems

Kevin Marple

Dallas' favorite Tex-Mex Mi Cocina has closed its only restaurant in Houston. According to a note on their website, the chain closed the location at 4410 Westheimer Rd. on Thursday, March 20.

The note expressed thanks to customers, stating that "As we wrap up operations at this location, we want to express our sincere appreciation to everyone who dined with us and to our incredible team who brought the Mi Cocina experience to life."

Mi Cocina opened the location in November 2023. It was the company’s third attempt at establishing a foothold in Houston, following a Memorial location that opened in 2004 and a Woodlands outpost that opened in 2011.

Prior to the opening, Edgar Guevara, president and CEO of Mi Cocina parent company M Crowd Restaurant Group, told CultureMap that the company felt confident that the third time would be a charm.

“I don’t know what happened with the past openings we had in Houston. I think when you’re going into a market you want to pick someplace that’s similar to where you operate,” Guevara said at the time. “I happen to like the location we’re in. That’s why we landed there. It was data driven and then there were similarities to what we do in Dallas.”

A Dallas staple for more than 30 years, Mi Cocina is known for its upscale Tex-Mex fare and the Mambo Taxi, a frozen margarita with a swirl of sangria. Signature items include the brisket tacos, Mama’s tacos, and the Rico salad that’s topped with sliced chicken fajitas.

The closure leaves the chain with 24 locations, 23 of which are in the DFW area; there is also a location in Tulsa.

Mi Cocina did not respond to a request for comment.

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Cheesesteak News

N.Y. cheesesteak restaurant opens in Dallas in former Sal's Pizza spot

G's Cheesesteaks

A legit cheesesteak concept from New York is now open in Dallas: Called G’s Cheesesteaks, it's part of a small chain from Staten Island, and occupies a space with foodie legacy: the former Sal’s Pizza at 2525 Wycliff Ave. #116, where it opened in early March.

G’s Cheesesteaks comes from restaurateur Giacomo Pisano, who founded the concept on Staten Island in 2015 when he was only 20 years old. There are four locations in New York and New Jersey. Dallas is the fifth location, and the first in Texas.

It's the culmination of a family legacy that stretches back to Giacomo's grandfather, Giacomo Sr., who emigrated from Carini, Sicily, and opened a pizzeria in New York. Giacomo's father, Jack, continued the pizza tradition, as did his uncles who opened their own pizzerias in New York city and Pennsylvania.

G's specialty is Philly-style cheesesteaks including a classic with fried onions, Cooper sharp cheese, and cheese wiz. But they also offer the sandwich in 11 varieties, with trendy additions such as the Mike’s Hot Honey steak with pepperoni, sliced steak, bacon, and cheese wiz; and a veggie with fried onions, peppers, mushrooms, broccoli, marinara sauce, and cheese.

The sandwiches are served on sesame seed-topped long rolls which they proudly bake in house. Prices range from $10 for a half sandwich to $18 for a full prime rib or cutlet sandwich.

But there's lots more on the menu than cheesesteaks, with appetizers like fried mac & cheese bites, plus smash burgers, chicken tenders, wings, fries, and onion rings loaded with options like black truffle or BBQ sauce and cheddar.

There are milkshakes, as well as alcohol including beer and wine on tap.

Introducing the concept to Dallas is franchisee Enoc Soltani, a Dallas native who's been in the hospitality and restaurant industry for the past 10 years. He was previously a general manager and junior partner at Nick & Sam’s steakhouse. G’s Cheesesteaks is his first restaurant.

Pisano is a close friend and business partner; Soltani was inspired by his brand and growth of the restaurant.

“Giacomo has been coming down here to Dallas the last three or four years and talking about opening up, and we decided to take a leap of faith,” Soltani says. “I believed in him and what his visions are, so I thought why not open in the city that I know best. It's fast food, but we like to consider ourselves elevated fast food with a level of hospitality.”

The location in the former Sal's Pizza was also appealing, closing after 42 years due to rent costs, and Soltani had gotten to know owner Sal Jakova personally. (Sal's has since opened a stand at the Maple Street Food Hall, a food court at 4711 Maple Ave.)

"We loved the spot and we've seen the area grow and flourish over the years," Soltani says. "So it meant a lot to me taking this as my flagship store, and knowing a lot of Sal's clients and the area, it just called to me."

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