Tex-Mex News

El Tiempo Tex-Mex restaurant brings Houston-style fajitas to Arlington

El Tiempo tacos al carbon

Courtesy photo

A Houston-based Tex-Mex restaurant has made its DFW debut: Called El Tiempo Cantina, it's open at 1011 Nolan Ryan Expy. inside Choctaw Stadium in Arlington, which is headquarters for sports teams Arlington Renegades and Dallas Jackals.

El Tiempo is a family-owned chain founded by father-and-son Roland and Domenic Laurenzo, who opened the first location in 1998 as an offshoot of the famous Mama Ninfa's Tex Mex chain; Roland's mother was "Mama" Ninfa Laurenzo. (Mama Ninfa was briefly a part of the Dallas dining scene before it filed for bankruptcy in the late 1990s.)

Arlington represents the first El Tiempo outside Houston, where there are 14 locations.

Featured menu items at El Tiempo include filet mignon fajitas, skirt steak fajita quesadillas, nachos, ground beef enchiladas, and crispy or soft tacos, with flour tortillas made in-house daily. A full bar includes margaritas made with agave tequila and mezcal.

Arlington will have the same festive atmosphere as the El Tiempo locations in Houston, with bright yellows and blues on the walls, silver trays, and colorful plates.

The idea to open in Arlington came after El Tiempo opened a concession inside Minute Maid Park, home to the Houston Astros.

“Someone at Texas Rangers got wind of it and they wanted El Tiempo,” family member Rafael Laurenzo told Houston Public Media. “They are really trying to help grow that specific part of Arlington.”

Here's a quote to prove it:

“The Laurenzo family has a long history of creating unique and delicious Mexican food," says Rangers Executive VP Rob Matwick in a statement. "Their fajitas, margaritas and fresh, hand-made tortillas are signature items on an amazing menu that will give sports fans and visitors a reason to keep coming back for more."

They're currently open for dinner service and will add lunch hours starting Monday, July 8.

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Party Like It's 2024

Ring in New Year's Eve 2024 at these Fort Worth restaurants

Photo by WJNPHOTO

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The New Year is getting closer, now less than a week away, so if you're looking to nail down a place to get a meal and celebrate right, now's the time. At least, before all the reservation slots fill up.

If you're looking for a party-party, we have a list of classic New Year Eve celebrations events.

But these suggestions below let you ring in the New Year in Fort Worth with a bite:

Cafe Americana. Arlington restaurant will host a 5-course dinner and sparkling wine flute featuring mini lobster roll with Meyer lemon confit; whipped house ricotta with roasted squash, pears, & tangerines; red shrimp with rose risotto & leeks; scallops with Heirloom carrot & lollipop kale; salmon with pomme puree, asparagus, & Bordelaise; and passion fruit panne cotta with white chocolate, raspberry, & pistachio. Vegetarian option also available. $105 plus $50 for wine pairings. Two seatings: 5-8 pm and 8:30 pm-12:30 am. 682-270-0041.

Cat City Grill. Magnolia Avenue restaurant will be open with a limited dinner menu with starters and steaks. 5 pm-8 pm. 817-916-5333.

Cut & Bourbon. Steakhouse at Live! By Loews Hotel Arlington will feature select items from the traditional dinner menu or special features including roasted venison with black truffle, pear-parsnip puree & root vegetables, seared halibut with Brussel sprouts, or Wagyu beef filet with crab & black truffle potato pave. Prices are la carte. 5-10 pm. 682-277-4950.

El Chingon. Mexican restaurant restaurant will be open with its regular menu of tacos, bowls, tortas, burritos and desserts. 3 pm- 2 am. 817-870-9997.

Ellerbe Fine Foods. Magnolia Avenue restaurant will have a four-course menu featuring Escargot Rockefeller, Louisiana Sunburst Salad or Cajun Potato & Southern Greens Soup, Cornmeal Crusted TX Redfish or Pecanwood Grilled Chef’s Choice Steak and Louisiana Black Strap Molasses Cake for dessert. $150. 5-9 pm. 817-926-3663.

Emilia's. The restaurant's Blue Room is hosting a five-course dinner featuring shiso cured black bass, paired with uni and fermented gooseberries, filet or Butter Poached Lobster Tail with coal roasted squash and black truffle, and honey & vinegar panna cotta. $250. Seatings at 6 pm and 9 pm. 817-661-1855.

Fitzgerald. Coastal-inspired restaurant will have a three-course menu featuring gumbo verde, crab cake, harvest salad, flat iron steak, lobster risotto, pork ribeye, and a choice of creme brulee or flourless chocolate torte for dessert. $49. 11 am- 9 pm. 817-349-9245.

Free Play. Both Arlington and Fort Worth locations will feature a fun midnight brunch buffet as part of their NYE party package. $25-$39. 9 pm-2 am. Arlington 817-242-8483, Fort Worth 817-242-8487.

Hooligan’s Pub. Irish pub is ringing in 2025 with a cash balloon drop, live music and a DJ, a midnight toast, giveaways, and prizes. VIP section includes unlimited charcuterie grazing table 8 pm–2 am. $100-$400. Arlington 817-975-655.

Le Margot. Open and serving their regular menu, including oysters, soups, salads, grilled tenderloin frites, and linguini and caviar. Prices are a la carte. 11 am-10 pm. 817-720-9060.

Lili's Bistro. Magnolia Avenue bistro will have a New Year's Eve menu featuring three salads, harvest soup, and small plates, such as escargot and deviled eggs. Prices are a la carte. 5:30-9:30 pm. 817-877-0700.

Quince Riverside. International-inspired seafood restaurant hosting a five-course chef's dinner featuring half shell oysters, citrus-poached jumbo shrimp, chicken and sausage gumbo, surf and turf, and baked Alaska for dessert. Guests will also be treated to a welcome cocktail. $150. 7:30 pm -1 am. 682-385-9073.

Simply Fondue. Downtown restaurant will have extended hours and a special couple's menu featuring a shared appetizer, individual salad, shared cheese fondue, entrées such as beef Worthington or soy citrus salmon, and a shared chocolate fondue dessert. The adult package also includes a champagne toast. Early seating $75, regular seating $95, or $41-$61 for under 14. Seatings start at 4 pm.

Social House. Restaurant is open with regular menu, including skillet meatballs, mascarpone chicken pasta, braised short rib pasta, fish and chips, and flatbreads. 11-12 am. Fort Worth 817-820-1510.

Toro Toro. Latin steakhouse will host a five-course dinner featuring lobster tacos tan, hamachi, choice of NYE mignon steak or wood grill halibut, and NYE corn cake bamba for dessert. $150. 5-10:30 pm. 817-975-9895.

Wicked Butcher. Sinclair Hotel restaurant will have a 3-course menu with steak tartare, oysters, white truffle Caesar, duck a l'orange, ginger miso Chilean sea bass, filet mignon, green curry salmon, and NY strip. Dessert features choice of mango lavender crème brûlée, olive oil cake, chocolate tart, or banana pudding. $150, optional $75 wine pairing. 11 am-11:45 pm. 682-231-8214.

Winslow's. Wine cafe will be open by reservation only with their regular menu of charcuterie boards, pizzas, and chicken and seafood entrees. 2-10 pm. 817-546-6843.

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