I’m always in search of restaurants that check all three boxes in my personal trifecta: food quality, atmosphere, and service. There are a bunch of spots in the Lone Star State that fit the bill, and one of my favorites also happens to be among the best affordable restaurants in Texas. Tacos Doña Lena in Houston is a family-owned establishment boasting countless accolades — and the best part? The tacos start at just $2.50 a pop, so you can enjoy a full meal for under $10.

The restaurant’s namesake, Doña Lena, began selling tacos in her hometown of Salamanca Guanajuato, Mexico in the 1980s. Upon moving to America the following decade, she continued doing business out of her home until her dream of opening a restaurant was finally realized in 2020.

Despite being a relatively new restaurant, Tacos Doña Lena operates as if it’s been around for decades. The service is both friendly and efficient (but not so fast to make you question how much time and effort went into preparing the food), the menu is extensive, and the atmosphere is lively and rich with culture, featuring colorful decor like papel picado hanging from the ceiling.

As I mentioned, the menu couldn’t get any bigger. There are over a dozen protein options to fill your tacos (or gorditas, quesadillas, tortas, tostadas…you get the idea) with, ranging from barbacoa — my personal favorite — to tinga de pollo to even meatless options like soy-pastor. No matter where your dietary preferences lie, you can rest assured nobody goes hungry at Tacos Doña Lena.

There’s even an entire section dedicated to all things birria, from tacos to quesadillas to ramen and everything in between. I'm so grateful this food trend is still a thing - the photos alone are enough to make me crave Mexican food.

Visit the website for Tacos Doña Lena for more information about the restaurant, including current hours of operation and a full menu. The Facebook page for Tacos Doña Lena also has tons of helpful information.

Have you ever eaten at this cozy taco joint? If so, do you think it’s one of the best affordable restaurants in Texas? Tell us your thoughts in the comments! If you need a place to stay nearby, The Houstonian tops my list of recommendations. This swanky hotel pulls out all the stops, and you can book a room on Booking.com.