Cascadas Mexican Restaurant

by Gretchen L.

While I'm giving this Mexican restaurant 4 stars, I do want to forewarn that its NOT because the food tastes authentically "Mexican". A bit americanized, but still worthy to try out. The ambience is chill, and quite nice for a cantina. In tune with their name Cascadas (espanol for "waterfalls"), there is a waterfall on the outside patio with additional seating.The chips were decent, and the salsa was pretty tasty and a bit spicy. I ordered the veggie burrito, which I was surprised to find actual zucchini and squash inside (instead of the typical beans, rice, corn, and cheese I find at other restaurants trying to tout "veggie" in their descriptions). It was huge, and the leftover half I heated up the next day actually was tastier than when I first ate it. My boyfriend has the beef enchiladas, and they were mediocre. We really wanted to try the margaritas, or at least some wine (they have a decent list), but our hangovers begged us to wait for another visit..The service was excellent, our drinks were always full, and the manager even came by to check on us. There was someone always available for our needs, without seeming like they were bothering us during our dinner.There is an enclosed glass room for larger, private parties. Furthermore, there were people smoking out of a hookah on the patio. (I know, I know, I was thinking... "what is this doing in a MEXICAN restaurant). But apparently, the owners also are affiliated with the Mediterranean restaurant next door, which we heard has 1/2 price wine bottles on Tuesday nights... so you know where to find me next week!

by will l.

I really enjoy this place.  to the comments i read about the margaritas being mediocre try the perfect or the hornritta, there both great. As far as the food goes the fajitas rock and the carnitas are unmatched anywhere in houston. everything is always fresh and service has never been a problem everytime we go (once or twice a week).  I would deff. refer anyone craving mexican food to check out this joint.

by Steph D.

I recently moved back to the area and arranged to meet two old friends on the patio at Cascadas for a early, Sunday night drink and light dinner.  The atmosphere on the patio is quite relaxing. An urban oasis.The margaritas are average at best. Though the staff was friendly, the service was slow and not very attentive.  I feel like we would have had better service inside the restaurant.Our chips were crisp and came with a red and a green salsa. We ordered an assortment of appetizers. We decided to get a second order of the Bacon-wrapped shrimp, but we were told they were now out of shrimp.I'd go back, but it's not at the top of my list.

by Liz S.

I came here for drinks and appetizers on the patio, and left having had...I'm not sure.  My margarita was ok, bordering on too-sweet and just uninspiring.  Chips were stale and oily, and whatever enchiladas I got were cool and evidently unmemorable.  The waiter left our glasses empty for a solid 15 minutes, long enough for us to decide that we wouldn't chance another drink.  (We weren't sloppy or rude or anything, as if you had to ask.)I did definitely enjoy the patio - the waterfall for which this place is named does a nice job of masking the adjacent Westheimer traffic.  I'd like to say I'll be back to update my opinions soon, but I also know that life is too short to drink lame margaritas.  I know a lot of people love the drinks and atmosphere here.

by Camille N.

I went to this place on a Friday evening at 7pm.  Right when you walk up to the restaurant, you see to your left the outdoor seating area.  Most of the patrons were outside.  My hubby and I wanted to sit inside because it was excruciatingly hot outside!  One of the waiters/busboys greeted us as we walked into the restaurant.  The decor inside was weird, dark and almost depressing.  There are 2 bar areas.  One area was open and serving people.  The other bar seemed to have been closed down and used as storage.  Our table was next to a window that looks out to the outdoor seating area.  We liked it because we could do some people watching!  On to the food...Appetizer: Chicken Tortilla Soup - this is a cream based soup.  It was thick and warm.  For $8, it was a pretty good serving.  My husband ordered the fried shrimp dish.  It came with 10 jumbo shrimp fried in a light batter.  It came with some rice in the middle with a jalapeno cream sauce and some romaine garnishing the plate.  It was good.I ordered the grilled fish taco.  The fish was fresh.  It came with a good mango dip and fresh fruit.  Quite healthy!I didn't have room for dessert so there is no comment on that.Although the food was good, I do not think that I will go here again because it was just too depressing.  They didn't have the music on until about 5 minutes before we left.  The inside seating had a few folks, but the decor and the emptiness was just a drag.  Maybe I should have ordered a margarita so that I could forget about the decor!!!!!

by Lauren J.

We heard they had margarita specials (per the person we talked to on the phone just that afternoon), but were shocked to find out, come bill, that they had just stopped the specials. I am not sure if it was for good or just for a short while, so you should probably check on that if your reason for visit is cheap ritas. I like their food, but there are other Tex-Mex places I would frequent before this one.

by John B.

Cascadas on V-Day.I picked Cascadas for V-Day for my wife because it was marked as "romantic" in another guide.  We'd been to the restaurant about twice over the last two years, sat on the nice patio each time, and I sure did not remember the place as romantic...but thought I'd give it a shot.The only thing they messed up was a little odd:  I called two weeks in advance for reservations and they told me they'd have a fixed-price menu on V-Day ($35 per person for numerous courses, wine, etc).  I mentioned that my wife is a vegetarian and they told me they'd accommodate her and call me back on the 12th or 13th to let me know her menu options.  They did not and, when I called them midday on the 14th, they told me that they "hadn't had time to figure out a fixed-price menu" and that it'd just be their normal menu with some V-Day drink dessert specials.  Whatever.  My wife has more options this way.I think they must be under new management or something because they've installed numerous touches to their unique dining room that made it quite romantic: candles, nice linens, huge flower arrangements, gold plates, window treatments, etc.My fajitas were excellent: tender and aggressively spiced.  My wife enjoyed her veggie burrito.Following up on Liz S' comments:"My margarita was ok, bordering on too-sweet and just uninspiring."My wife had a great mojito and I enjoyed a V-Day special "martini" made from vodka, raspberry liquor, and grapefruit juice."Chips were stale and oily,"Our chips were crisp and fresh.  Maybe they're better when not exposed to Houston humidity?"The waiter left our glasses empty for a solid 15 minutes, long enough for us to decide that we wouldn't chance another drink."Maybe it was because it was V-Day, but it seemed as though there were two waitstaff for every table.  We did not have this problem.

by patrick c.

I havent been here in a couple of years... maybe 5 or 6 so im not sure how relevant my review is... Im surprised at all the mediocre and negative reviews. I came here when it first opened and loved it! and came a few more times while away for college but ive never been let down here. It was great alternative to pappasitos and etc for me since it was sort of near by. And since it wasnt packed there wasnt a wait. I had the fajitas and their tortillas were homemade. But it sounds like this place has gone down hill. Thats a little unfortunate especially the area seems to be booming every time i come home. New complexes are exploding up everywhere and everytime i pass by i always see it empty. Surprised its still around i guess... but when i had it. it was pretty good and I LOVE fajitas/ tex mex.

by L. M.

I must give this place 1 star as I was not allowed to eat there. I picked up my girlfriend at noon and ran to Whole Foods for some vitamins. Deciding that sustenance was in order and we were in need of a patio, we chose Cascadas as it was close and we had heard how pretty the patio was. We pull up at 12:30 and there are NO cars out front. I say to me self, hmmmm, maybe they don't serve lunch on weekends. As it is 12:30...past the noon witching hour.....My friend and i note that the reader board with specials is outside so we attempt to venture in. We walk in, and the restaurant is EMPTY except for a waiter doing side work and a bartender. As the bartender is the only one I really need, I address him asking if we can sit outside. And get this....He tells me that they are not open. I comment "Oh, I did not realize you were closed for lunch" and he states that they are in fact open for lunch...Beginning at 1pm???WTF? Who opens at 1? Why couldn't you serve me a drink at (now) 12:40 and take my lunch order at your precious witching hour of 1?? Why Cascadas, Why?