Cafe Red Onion

The pineapple salsa really isn't that appealing, and neither is the regular salsa. I ordered a plate with everything on the side (since I am pregnant and there are a lot of things that I can't eat right now), but the only person at the table whose order was wrong was mine! Two other people asked for items on the side and their orders were correct. The funny thing was that the waiter said, ""Oh no, the flautas are not served over beans, the beans always come on the side."" The menu said otherwise, and apparently the menu was correct, so it was obvious the waiter just got his information wrong and didn't even ask the cook to alter my plate. Normally I wouldn't care, but being pregnant is hard on my stomach! ;o) Plus, we made a reservation, which they had no record of when we showed up, and really, the food wasn't that tasty anyway. I think this is one of the worst Mexican restaurants I have ever visited, unless you count Taco Bell, but at least there they don't mess up your order. more

Some of the menu items are on the slightly pricey side...but the food is good! Especially the Pineapple salsa! I got a delicious seafood dish here...beautiful plating, delicious sauces. Gotta try it out! more

If your a plantain lover this is the place for you. They have a wonderful mix of Latin dishes. I had the Chicken Tikal w/ fried plantains & sour cream. It was my first time eating at this venue and I have to say I will be back for more. \r \r I work on Kirby so this is a very good spot to meet a friend or client for lunch. The service was quick and they staff was very helpful in helping me pick something off of the large menu. Best of all, the prices were very affordable $10 will buy you an amazing lunch.\r Pros: Plantains more

Red Onion is a favorite of my fiancee and I. We have frequented both Kirby and 290 locations. We had a very poor experience this weekend at the Kirby location. As we came in we were excited about a special posted with our fave entree for only $7.77 (usually $14). We were seated and then waited for 15 minutes, in the abnormally hot dining room, for the water we ordered because there were no clean glasses available in the kitchen. Upon our suggestion our waitress got glasses from the bar, and finally we got water! Before we ordered I asked the waitress if the Mayan Chicken was indeed included in the special, pointing to the poster at the front of the restaurant. She replied yes, it was on special, so we both ordered it. Our cocktails then arrived...sub par. Our entrees arrived and then we had to wait to ask for silverware setups. Food was ok. Check arrived and the entrees were regular price. When we pointed it out to the waitress she told us the special was only offered at the Northwest location. Information that would have been useful when I asked her about it as we ordered... We asked her to speak to the manager. He never came out to speak to us but told her that he couldn't do anything for us. Not a good day for Kirby Red Onion! Pros: Other locations available Cons: poor service at this location more

I went to dinner here with a bunch of my girlfriends and the overall opinion was good. I had the pupusas which aren't as good as the ones I had in Belize from a true El Salvadorian but tasty nonetheless. I think this is a good place to go when you want to try something with different flavors and have a different experience. I would recommend trying it. Pros: Menu variety more

On my first visit I can't say it was the transformational dining experience others seem to think it was but it was a solid performance that will warrant another visit. Great service and a refreshingly original approach to Latin food. They borrow nicely from authentic Mexican and Carribean preparations. They go crazy with side items though. I had the coffee crusted beef filet which was very flavorful (a bit undercooked) but the side items were: a mound of french fried onion rings on a pool of queso, roasted corn, grilled zuchini and yellow squash, and limp fried plantains. The sides took up most of the plate. My dining companion had a chicken relleno special which was very tasty but also came with a flotilla of unneccesary side items.\r \r Not sure what the fuss is about regarding the pinapple salsa. Ours had no heat at all...it tasted like pureed pinepple. Having said all of this, their menu, drinks and service deserve another visit. Pros: Menu variety, drinks, service Cons: bizarre and overwhelmingly large portions of side items more

I've lived in Houston for about 5 months now and the Red Onion was the best dinning experience I've had so far! We got there Fri night at 8pm and only had to wait about 5 minutes to be seated. Our waitress was on the ball, being a waiter myself, I could tell she was keeping track of all her tables and timing everything perfect, drinks, food, orders, the bill, everything! The food was very unique, sort of a central american/tropical style, many of the dishes came with plantains which my girlfriend loves. The Chicken Brazil was out of this world! Go there and get it! One of the best dishes I've had. The entrees range from $10-$18 (not $30 like citysearch says, although I would have expected to pay $30 for this quality of food). Overall a great experience. I'm going back! more

This place is amazing. from the pinaple salsa, to the seafood enchaladas. very up beat great service. very nice menu, something defferent for everybody. yes you might have to wait for a table, but worth it. i highly recomend this place. pluse desert is awsome Pros: pinapple salsa!!! Cons: you have to wait until you whole party is there to be seated more

Excellent choice of margaritas! Food is presented very nicely and taste great. Good service. more

My boyfriend and I live near the cafe and stopped in one night for an early dinner. Absolutely loved everything from start to finish. It was his birthday, and we were surprised to get a free shrimp appetizer as well as a delicious piece of pie for dessert. The servers were very gracious and knowledgeable with the menu. THe margaritas are great (both frozen and on the rocks)....and the pineapple salsa was a great treat. Definitely recommend this place for a unique twist on latino cuisine. Pros: ambiance, service, value more

Have enjoyed our dinners at this new location. The salsas are very nice, especially the pineapple salsa. The Margaritas are also very good. The dishes are quite inventive and although not original Latinamerican dishes, they are quite lovely to look at (great presentation) and delicious. The place can be a bit loud, especially one it's full. Our waitress was very sweet, but seemed so busy that sometimes she seemed to neglect our table. Perhaps more wait staff is needed? Keep up the good work and please make sure the plaintain are nice and ripe before frying! Pros: Tasty food, Beautiful presentatio, Good value Cons: Noisy environment more

Ate lunch here a few times .... nice little upbeat place for a quick casual lunch. The food reminds me of cali - very light and colorful. The pineapple salsa is awesome. If your meeting someone, just remember everyone in your party must be present to be seated. Thats my only complaint considering I had to wait 10 minutes for my other half to get there. I guess you have to do it that way bec. its always busy :) Pros: food, friendly staff more

What a lovely surprise this place was. We stopped in there basically to get out of a bad storm. Knew nothing about the place, and were blown away. The mango margaritas are wonderful, and all of the entrees we ordered--from chicken quesadillias to seafood enchiladas to the Chicken Brazil--were beautifully presented and very flavorful. A lot of bang for your buck. I'll be going back next time I'm in Houston! Pros: bright atmosphere, great presentation, interesting food more

Cafe Red Onion is a breath of fresh air to the Houston Dining Scene. The combination of Latin and Carribean flavors create a salsa inpsired cance for your tastebuds. I have eaten there once a week for the past month and each meal has been a delicate balance of carribean herbs with latin spices that makes me want to lick my plate clean! Pros: Good Parking, Short Wait Time, Fast Service more

My family and I visited the Kirby location on Friday, March 7, 2003 to celebrate wedding anniversaries and a birthday, and we had a good time. My only complaint is the seating. We were a party of ten (10) and we were seated near a corner and we were extremely crowded and uncomfortable. Other than that, I recommend this restaurant if you want a great meal. Pros: Food, Affordable, Service Cons: Crowded, Wait more

A very cozy restaurant with excellent attentive service. The mango salsa is too die for and chicken brazil is excellent. Prices were great and the serving amounts on the food were perfect. We have been 3 times and every one was excellent. Pros: inexpensive, great bar, good food Cons: more tables, noisy, comfy chairs more

Finally got to dine here, and I will certainly be back! We just had lunch and it was great. Chicken Brasil was outstanding. The food was great, presented creatively, and affordable! I will be back for dinner to check out the wine list and desert menu for sure. more

I have eaten at the 290 and Kirby locations, as well as the new Eldridge location and I have always had an enjoyable experience. Sure you have to wait sometimes, but you have to in a lot of places. The food has always been good and the waitstaff has always ranged between good and great. Now if they would just expand the menu and the dining area a bit I'd be happy. Definately worth a try! Pros: nice atmosphere, good food, fun Cons: wait, limited menu, crowded dining more