MOLINA’S CANTINA Honors 85-Year Anniversary with Specials for Diners
MOLINA’S CANTINA CELEBRATES 85 YEARS OF TEX-MEX, FAMILY AND HOUSTON HISTORY
Houston’s Oldest Family-Owned Tex-Mex Restaurant Marks Major Milestone with Summer Specials & Tribute to Its Legacy
Founded in 1941 by Raul and Mary Molina, the restaurant began as the Old Monterrey at a time when there were only a handful of Mexican restaurants in the city. Today, Molina’s Cantina remains a family operation, now led by the founders’ grandsons, Raul Molina III, Ricardo Molina and Roberto Molina.
Anniversary Happenings:
To thank Houstonians for 85 years of support, Molina’s Cantina will celebrate in July:
June-July 31: Once-a-Week Anniversary Deals
Throughout June and July, Molina’s will offer a special one-day anniversary deal each week. The surprise deals will be announced on Molina’s Instagram and Facebook accounts and will include limited-time throwback menu pricing, buy-one-get-one deals and more.
July 1: Molina’s Cantina Day
Officially proclaimed “Molina’s Cantina Day” in Houston by former Houston Mayor Annise Parker, July 1 holds special meaning for the Molina family. To mark the occasion, all Molina’s locations will offer a $38.95 fajita special for two and happy hour pricing on drinks all day.
Molina’s Cantina History:
A Houston Tradition Since 1941: For the Molina family, the milestone is a commitment to family. It is a tribute to their grandparents’ vision, their parents’ dedication, their loyal patrons and the hardworking team members who have helped make Molina’s feel like home for decades.
“When I think about 85 years, I think about all the people who have been part of this story,” said Ricardo Molina. “Our grandparents started with a small restaurant and a lot of hard work, and somehow that grew into a place where generations of Houstonians have celebrated birthdays, first dates, family dinners and ordinary Tuesday nights. That means a lot to us. We know Molina’s doesn’t belong only to our family. It belongs to the staff who have given so much of themselves here, and to the guests who have made us part of their lives.”
From longtime regulars who grew up eating Molina’s enchiladas to families now bringing their children and grandchildren, Molina’s has remained a constant through Houston’s tremendous growth.
Several dishes from the restaurant’s earliest years remain on the menu including Old-Fashioned Chili con Carne, Enchiladas de Tejas, the Mexico City Dinner and handmade Tamales. Other menu favorites tell the stories of people who have helped shape Molina’s over the years, including Nancy Ames’ Special Nachos, Berly’s Burrito and the C.W. Special. The restaurant is also known for its famous Jose’s Dip, margaritas, fajitas and warm, familiar style of service.
Molina’s has also been a gathering place for notable Houstonians and visitors through the decades including President George H.W. Bush and first lady Barbara Bush, who were longtime guests. President Bush, who shared a June 12 birthday with Molina’s anniversary, maintained a special connection with the family and restaurant throughout the years.
Many Molina’s employees have been with the restaurant for decades, including beloved veteran servers, kitchen staff and bartenders who know guests by name and often remember their favorite orders. That sense of familiarity has become one of the restaurant’s defining traits, establishing Molina’s as a lasting neighborhood gathering place even as the city grows and changes around it.
AWARD RECOGNITIONS:
The 85th anniversary follows two major honors recognizing Molina’s place in Houston and Texas history.
In 2025, the Texas Historical Commission honored Molina’s Cantina with the Texas Treasure Business Award, which recognizes businesses that have operated for at least 50 years and made a lasting contribution to the state’s economic growth and prosperity. In 2026, Preservation Houston bestowed Molina’s with its Family Legacy Award as part of Savoring History: Houston’s Legacy Restaurants, a new program celebrating restaurants that have helped define the city’s cultural and culinary identity.
“Molina’s is more than a long-running restaurant—it’s part of Houston’s living history,” said Jennifer Kapral, executive director of Preservation Houston. “For 85 years, the Molina family has preserved not only recipes and traditions but also a sense of hospitality that generations of Houstonians have made their own.”
MORE INFORMATION:
Molina’s Cantina offers full-service lunch and dinner daily, Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. at its Bellaire, Westheimer and Fulshear locations. Weekday happy hour runs from 3 to 7 p.m. For more information, visit molinascantina.com and follow @molinascantina on Instagram and Facebook.
Photos courtesy of Molina’s Cantina