Taqueria Elena: Your Neighborhood Go-To for Authentic Mexican Eats in Houston

Taqueria Elena Introduce

Introduction / Overview

In a city as rich in Mexican food as Houston, finding a spot that feels both authentic and approachable is a real treat. Taqueria Elena, located on South Wayside Drive, is just such a place. This classic Mexican restaurant is a no-frills, no-fuss establishment that focuses on what truly matters: delicious, satisfying food. It’s the kind of place where locals go for a quick bite or a full meal, knowing they'll get a taste of genuine comfort food. With a casual atmosphere and a focus on simple, well-executed dishes, Taqueria Elena is a dependable choice for anyone in the Houston area looking for a satisfying meal without a lot of fuss. It's the perfect spot to grab a breakfast taco to start your day or a hearty plate for dinner.

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Location and Accessibility

Taqueria Elena is conveniently situated at 2312 S Wayside Dr #2264, Houston, TX 77023, USA. Its location makes it easily accessible for residents and visitors alike, particularly those in the southeastern part of the city. Parking is a breeze, with both a free parking lot and free street parking available to customers. This means you can pop in and out with ease, whether you're grabbing a quick meal on your way to work or settling in for a relaxed lunch. The restaurant also provides a wheelchair-accessible parking lot, ensuring that it is welcoming to all members of the community.

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Services Offered

Taqueria Elena focuses on a straightforward and effective approach to service, ensuring customers can enjoy their food in a way that best suits them. The services provided include:

Dine-in: The restaurant offers a casual and comfortable setting for those who want to sit down and enjoy their meal. The simple, no-frills atmosphere is perfect for a relaxed dining experience.
Takeout: For those on the go, the takeout option is quick and convenient. You can place your order and have it ready to pick up, making it a great choice for a fast, delicious meal at home or at the office.

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Features / Highlights

While Taqueria Elena keeps things simple, it has some notable highlights that make it a favorite among its regulars:

Fast Service: One of the key aspects of the dining experience is the speed of service. The staff works efficiently to get your food to you quickly, a major plus for anyone with a busy schedule.
Comfort Food Focus: The menu is built around classic Mexican comfort food. This means you can count on satisfying, hearty meals that feel like they were made with care. The offerings lean towards quick bites and small plates, which are perfect for a satisfying and easy meal.
Popularity for All Meals: Taqueria Elena is a popular choice for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Its versatile menu and convenient service options make it a go-to spot for any time of day, whether you're starting your morning with a taco or ending your evening with a plate of your favorite Mexican dish.
Good for Kids: The restaurant is considered a good place for kids, making it a family-friendly spot where everyone can find something to enjoy.
Flexible Payments: The restaurant accepts credit cards, providing a convenient and modern payment option for customers.

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Contact Information

For inquiries, to place an order for takeout, or to learn more about the menu, you can contact Taqueria Elena at:

Address: 2312 S Wayside Dr #2264, Houston, TX 77023, USA
Phone: (832) 388-2655

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What is worth choosing

The strength of Taqueria Elena lies in its ability to deliver delicious, classic Mexican food that feels like a home-cooked meal. While the menu is simple, the quality of the ingredients and the flavorful preparation are what keep people coming back. Patrons often praise the authentic feel of the dishes, from the tacos to the larger plates. Though specific menu items were not provided, a taqueria's reputation is built on the quality of its fundamental offerings. Customers should look for classic staples like tacos and burritos, which are the heart and soul of any taqueria.

Based on the type of restaurant, it’s a safe bet that the tacos are a highlight. Mexican restaurants like this often have a range of options for fillings, from traditional carne asada and al pastor to grilled chicken or steak. Don't hesitate to ask for a specific preparation or to inquire about vegetarian options, as the staff is known to be accommodating. The emphasis on "quick bite" and "small plates" also suggests that you can try a variety of different items without feeling overwhelmed. This makes it a great place for solo diners or groups who want to share and sample different flavors.

Ultimately, what's worth choosing at Taqueria Elena is the experience of authentic, simple, and satisfying Mexican food. It's the kind of place you go when you want a reliable and tasty meal that reminds you of the best of Houston's local food scene. The friendly, casual atmosphere makes it a great spot for a casual meal, whether you're grabbing a quick lunch break or settling in for dinner with the family.

Taqueria Elena Details

Service options
Takeout
Dine-in
Delivery

Highlights
Fast service

Popular for
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Solo dining

Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible parking lot

Offerings
Comfort food
Quick bite
Small plates

Dining options
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Table service

Amenities
Restroom

Atmosphere
Casual

Planning
Accepts reservations

Payments
Credit cards

Children
Good for kids

Parking
Free parking lot
Free street parking

Taqueria Elena Photos

Taqueria Elena Location

Taqueria Elena

Texas Harris County Houston Lawndale / Wayside South Wayside Drive

2312 S Wayside Dr #2264, Houston, TX 77023, USA

Taqueria Elena Reviews

An average rating of ★4.1 from 164 user reviews.

tacosgorditascorn tortillashandstaco truckfajitaphonechicharrontortasasado de puerco

★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1

This specific visit is of late March 20th, in the evening:I came here in the evening with a loved one to order a cactus gordita with refriend beans and cheese (in spanish). I waited about ten minutes and I left with my order. Once my loved one ran an errand and getting home about to eat, I noticed that my gordita had GROUND BEEF in it. 😧 So I called them to explain the problem and told them I'd be on my way. I got in my car and drove back to the food truck, I had something to do that evening but had to push it aside for *this*. There was an older heavy set Hispanic Woman and a teenager with a baby blue regular undesigned shirt as well, Hispanic. I told her the problem and she fixed it after another ten minutes and I was on my way.Saturday, March 29th, 2025: On March 29th at around 5PM, I came back for another order, again, cactus gordita with refriend beans and cheese. This time, the *same* older lady from the other night and another adult Woman were in shift. After two people, the new lady took my order. After about ten minutes, I got my order. By the time I got back to my car my intuition was telling me to CHECK IT, not only logically because of the past disappointment but because my feelings were TELLING ME TO AS WELL. I checked andLo and behold, GROUND BEEF AGAIN. 🤦🏽‍♀️ By the time I got back to the food truck, the line was PILED UP, I waited patiently anyways, which took about 5 minutes, once I told the lady the problem, they were bewildered. She gave me a smug look after and the lady from the other night looked at me, and they shared a few words between eachother. Knowing that they were surprised because I was complaining about my order, and I was Hispanic as well, I explained to her that I was kosher vegetarian, and that everyone's diet is different, I also commented that they *need* to take the customer's orders *seriously*, as some may have a specific diet like me, or may be ALLERGIC to a certain food. She responded that they "NEVER serve food with cactus alone", I explained to her about how they *did* the other night I was there, and she just nodded her head and restated the same thing again. I followed by asking her for a refund and she states that "she has many orders" and her ignoring was the answer to: "Go kick rocks". I stood on the side while people continued ordering, fuming and thinking of my options.I partially knew she walked over me because I am patient and HAVE the "kind face". So I decided to get revenge. I threw the gordita at the truck and *happily* left, then went to Mucho Mexico off North Wayside to get my order RIGHT! 😋I also recommend Michoacana off Canal and the other one on Lawndale street, they'll LISTEN to you and GET YOUR ORDER RIGHT. 😊PS. I apologize to the lady that parts of the food from the gordita I threw splattered on you.
April 19 · Tiffany Autumn Luna
Horrible service, rude, and they don't wear gloves while making your food. The lady working was touching her phone and everything without washing her hands and then proceeds to touch my food. That's a big no no. When asked for my money back she was rude and arrogant
May 08 · Michael Rojas
Years ago this place was really good, not sure who own it now but It has definitely gone down hill. Meat is hard and old, hardly any meat in the tacos. Flour tortillas are store bought and probably the cheapest there is. I don’t mind paying more for quality food but not more for so little.
February 17 · Kennedy Hernandez
Really good food, the owners are really kind people & their food is really good. Really good tortillas and breakfast tacos.
May 04 · KIMEthePLAYER
The lady was so rude didn’t even call me to tell me my order was ready and gave me a attitude
May 16 · Valarie Gonzales