Cochinita & co.
A vibrant Houston gem offering authentic Mexican flavors with innovative vegan options and exceptional coffee.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Blue hour photography, calmer galleries
Cochinita & co.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A vibrant Houston gem offering authentic Mexican flavors with innovative vegan options and exceptional coffee.
"This Houston Mexican Restaurant Deserves to be on the Houston Michelin Guide!"
Try the Lattes
Pair your meal with a horchata latte or vanilla latte for a sweet breakfast treat.
Happy Hour Specials
Consider visiting during happy hour for special deals on drinks.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
Mexican
Price
Mid-range
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Authentic Yucatecan Flavors
Experience the rich, authentic taste of the Yucatán Peninsula with their signature Cochinita Pibil.
Innovative Vegan Options
Savor creative vegan dishes like the mushroom tinga tacos, a delightful twist on traditional flavors.
Exceptional Coffee & Brunch
Enjoy expertly brewed lattes and brunch favorites like chilaquiles and French toast.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Menu
Most Popular Items
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Try the Lattes
Pair your meal with a horchata latte or vanilla latte for a sweet breakfast treat.
Happy Hour Specials
Consider visiting during happy hour for special deals on drinks.
Don't Fear the Fideo
If you're not a fan of fideo soup, explore other delicious options like mushroom tostaditas.
Consider Seating for Large Parties
If you have a group larger than four, finding seating during busy hours can be challenging.
Tips
from all over the internet
Try the Lattes
Pair your meal with a horchata latte or vanilla latte for a sweet breakfast treat.
Happy Hour Specials
Consider visiting during happy hour for special deals on drinks.
Don't Fear the Fideo
If you're not a fan of fideo soup, explore other delicious options like mushroom tostaditas.
Consider Seating for Large Parties
If you have a group larger than four, finding seating during busy hours can be challenging.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Cochinita & Co. is highly praised for its authentic and flavorful Mexican cuisine, with many diners willing to travel far for a taste. The service is consistently described as friendly and fast, and the atmosphere is vibrant. While prices are noted as being on the higher end, the quality of the food is considered to justify the cost.
"Stopped in for some tacos around 5p (mid-week) while on the way out of town, based on the Eater "Best Tacos in Houston" list - and I was not disappointed. Definitely an authentic Mexican experience, versus the Tex-Mex thing. Staff seemed friendly and happy (they were celebrating an employee's birthday while I was there, so spirits were high). Pictured are the mushroom tacos with side salad, and a side of papitas (potatoes). Mushrooms had a great meaty texture and paired very well with the crema and pickled onions. Fresh corn tortillas were a hit. Salad was sparingly dressed and delicious. And the papitas were basically thick potato-chips / fries with a smoky dipping sauce. The space was airy, clean and lively - note that it's counter service, and they bring the food to you once it's complete. Highly recommended!"
Paul K
"We live in the northwest side of Houston (Cypress area) and were on this side of town running some errands on a Saturday.
We were craving Mexican food and were nearby and stumbled upon this location completely by accident. Thankfully it was a great accident.
The food here was really good. So good, we would be willing to make the hour long drive every week.
Staff was super friendly and helpful. It was super busy when we went but wait times were not very long. If you have a large party (I would say over 4 people) you will probably have a hard time finding seating during busy hours. Which speaks volumes regarding the place.
I could easily say that everything we ordered tasted really good. The main reason we came was because we wanted Mexican food with coffee (as weird as that sounds) it’s common in our culture. And someone has posted photos of the lattes. And we love lattes.
The lattes here were very good which was a surprise given that it’s not really a coffee shop. Hats off to whomever the barista was the day we went.
All of our food came out warm and our order was right on the first go around. It didn’t take very long from when we placed our order to when we received it but you can tell the food is made to order and not reheated.
Prices are on the higher end of things (I was shocked by the $6 price tag of the chocolate chip cookie) but honestly I think it’s fair given the quality of the food.
Place is small and quaint, a bit on the louder side (busy), but would still suggest it as a spot to catch up with a friend or as a brunch date with a loved one.
Really enjoyed my experience at this location and I’m looking forward to visiting again soon.
I would highly recommend this place at least once so that you can make a decision for yourself whether it is worth it or not."
Cristian V
"I was pleasantly surprised, the service, quality of cuisine was superb! My husband was craving real authentic mole - well he found it. I had the pulled pork, we topped it off with cappuccino's! I must say, we were astounded. What a jewel of a place!"
Jean-Monique Maciel-Frdz
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
The Cochinita Pibil tacos, vegan tinga de hongos tacos, chilaquiles, and various lattes are highly recommended by diners and critics.
Yes, they offer several popular vegan dishes, including the vegan tinga de hongos tacos and a vegan option for chilaquiles.
Absolutely! They are known for their delicious breakfast tacos and popular brunch menu, including chilaquiles and French toast.
The restaurant has a vibrant, open-concept atmosphere with brightly colored decor, outdoor seating, and a lively ambiance.
Reservations are not typically mentioned as required, but the restaurant can get busy, especially during brunch hours.
The restaurant is located in a small shopping strip with limited parking spaces.
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Featured in these publications
The 13 Best Lunch Restaurants In Houston - Houston
For tacos with a side of kombucha and a fresh nopalitos salad, the place to go is Cochinita & Co. in the East End. This Mexican cafe serves cochinita pibil tacos on handmade tortillas, grilled pineapple shrimp rice bowls, crispy vegan flautas with earthy oyster mushrooms, and pints of kombucha thanks to the nearby Kickin’ Kombucha cafe. Everything here tastes so good it’s frankly rude that more food doesn’t automatically regenerate on the plate.
Top 5 Latin American Restaurants in Houston
Ranked among the top 25 restaurants in Houston by the Houston Chronicle and recognized as a James Beard Award Semifinalist, Cochinita & Co. is a captivating showcase of Mexican cuisine. Chef and founder Victoria Elizondo, a DACA recipient, shares her perspective:'Cochinita & Co. has given me the opportunity to bring Mexico to me and share my love for our rich culture in a city as diverse as Houston, TX. The dining menu features Mexican 'tacos' and salad bowls as the starring options. View this post on Instagram
Best Houston restaurants for summer 2023: Where to dine, right now
Chef Victoria Elizondo could’ve continued running her business as a taco truck and diners would have followed. But from the forge of the pandemic came this East End original: a serious taqueria-and-more inside a kombucha factory and hyper-local food market. Elizondo and her team draw on Gulf Coast ingredients for such standouts as tacos cradling a spicy tinga of locally-grown Lion’s Mane and oyster mushrooms; or cochinita pibil with citrus achiote that would do honor to a fancy restaurant.
10 best places for breakfast tacos in Houston
If you've never considered tacos to be soul food, it's time to rethink that notion. Victoria Elizondo makes her tacos "with love," and as both a James Beard Award nominee and Houston Chronicle Top 100 member, she's got the accolades to prove the soulful approach works. Head to her East End taqueria (located inside a kombucha market) to snag breakfast tacos stuffed with fixins like nopalitos and chorizo and egg, alongside epazote kissed frijoles campesinos and crispy seasoned potatoes.
Five Houston-area restaurants make Texas Monthly’s top 50 Texas tacos
Cochinita & Co is located in the East End at 5420 Lawndale and is the final of the five Houston-area restaurants to make the list. It made the list for its vegan tinga de hongos taco plate served with Lion’s mane & oyster Mushrooms, chipotle en adobo, caramelized onions, vegan avocado cream, cilantro, pickled red onions. Ralat's full list of all 50 tacos, along with a detailed description of the restaurant's atmosphere and food offerings can be found on Texas Monthly's website.
The Best Mexican Restaurants in Houston
Brought to Houston by James Beard Award semifinalist Victoria Elizondo, this Mexican restaurant has been cultivated into the ultimate community gathering spot. If you’re heading there for weekend brunch, be sure to try the chilaquiles (which also have a vegan option)—and get a mimosa to sip on while you’re at it. Other great plates include the nopalitos scramble and El Desayuno, which comes with two eggs, bacon, potatoes, black beans, queso fresco, pico, and buttered toast.
Tacos Houston - 25 Must-Try Taquerias and Taco Spots
Cochinita & Co. brings the authentic flavors of the Yucatán Peninsula to Houston with their signature Cochinita Pibil. This slow-roasted pork dish, marinated in achiote and citrus, offers a taste that’s both tender and tangy, a true standout in Houston’s taco scene. Where: 5420 Lawndale St #500, Houston, TX 77023 Operating Hours: Monday – Saturday 8 am – 9 pm | Sunday 8 am – 3 pmPrice Range: $10 – $20
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