The Original's staff chops top quality fresh vegetables every morning which simmer with a special blend of spices to create their sauces.

The Original is not a fast-food restaurant and your entree is prepared at the time it is ordered to ensure freshness.

They take no shortcuts in providing a healthier approach to eating by cooking with skinless chicken, olive oil and 100% cholesterol free Nutrifry for frying our chips.

And their ranchero beans, refried beans and tamales are cooked without fat.

You'll notice the difference at The Original.

Galveston.com Review
We’ve enjoyed this venerable Galveston icon for many years, but I usually order the same dish, my favorite chicken fajita salad, served without the taco shell. That’s a great dish for the weight-conscious. However, for reviewing purposes I branched out.

By the way, because it is a Mexican restaurant we had to test the margaritas. I had the “Original”, on the rocks. They make great margaritas and have a fine happy hour Monday through Thursday evenings. Soon appeared the bottomless basket of tortilla chips, with homemade spicy-and-roasty salsa. The accompanying bean dip was new to me; I found it rather bland.

For starters we ordered seafood empanadas, which are fried pastries filled with shrimp, veggies and rice. They came in a generous portion, had a nice medley of flavors and weren’t too spicy for this faint-hearted eater. The accompanying jalapeño pepper sauce provided a kick for those who like something more picante. Although fried they were not greasy.This made a delicious appetizer.

As an entree I selected Tacos al Carbon, house-made tender tortillas filled with chicken and beef fajita meat and grilled onions, with guacamole, Mexican rice and ranchero beans on the side. The meat was a little on the dry side. Rice was flavorful. Guacamole was fresh and well-seasoned. Guacamole is my personal favorite food; I could make a meal of it (and sometimes I do).

My dining companion ordered the Carne Asada, marinated with roasted jalapeños and served with Mexican rice, ranchero beans, pico de gallo and guacamole. The meat was well marinated and tasty but a bit chewy. I think he was jealous of my tacos.

For dessert we chose the flan, which was creamy and rich but a bit firmer than we’re used to.

We had our “usual” waiter, a friendly fellow who seems always to be in a good mood. We had no wait and service was quick. The Original has three dining rooms plus a bar so they can handle small gatherings as well. This is a Galveston tradition so if you haven’t tried it you must. Friendly service, reasonable prices, and some good Tex-Mex. Oh, and great margaritas.

Galveston.com Visitor Ratings & Reviews RATE AND REVIEW BY CLICKING HERE

Rating Rated by Date Review Leta Kreminski 10/6/2008 5:30:00 AM This was great food nice atmosphere. We'll go back as soon as the Island is back up and running. Hope they get to open soon. Renee' 7/25/2008 4:00:00 PM We eat here everytime we visit the island. Great food, cozy setting. A gem not to be missed. Margie 7/14/2008 11:33:00 AM Food was wonderful...the salsa was excellent! Fast friendly service...we're definitely going back! We loved it! Jeff & Emily 7/13/2008 10:24:00 PM A friend of ours recommended this resturant and we're glad he did! The service, atmosphere and food is awesome! We loved it! Northern white 6/16/2008 8:07:00 AM If you wanted to slight a customer, wouldn't it be me? Let's get that out of the way right now. Two problems with this place; 1. what to order out of the multitude of choices and 2. where to put all of the food. I had chicken mole because I make it at home. This place is OUTSTANDING! It's NOT a quiet intimate setting. It's down home, one big family, outstanding food and prices. We WILL be back. Wait staff was ON IT and excellent. If you want a quiet, dark corner, an over priced glass of lousy tasting wine and a couple of beans on a piece of iceberg lettuce, don't come here!! Otherwise, come, partake, enjoy!! PL 6/1/2008 12:48:00 AM Been eating here several yrs. Never had a problem. Top Notch! Food is Excellent!! Waiters are nice. To JMMC. What place isn't noisy? We always sit in the front dining area and have never been turned away; ever! You've been eating there 10 years and you say the price and the food aren't good! If the food was bad, but it's not. It took you 10 yrs to figure out that the food was bad and the prices are bad! This place rocks. Best place on the island. Ate at Salsas once and hardly no one was there. Bad food and poor service. If you haven't noticed that the Original is packed Friday and Saturday nights! It's the best place for food & drinks. jmmc 5/27/2008 3:13:00 PM After eating there for the past 10 years, when our family of 5 asked to be seated in the original dining area, we were told that no table would be made available - only groups of 4 or less would be seated there on Friday and Saturday evening, so we would have to sit in the noisy back dining room - even though the main area was half empty. Guess we know when we're not welcome, and since neither the food or the prices are that good, we left and had a great meal and great service at Salsa's on the Seawall. hs 5/18/2008 1:12:00 PM Best Mexican food around! Dancer_16 5/14/2008 7:01:00 PM I ate there a little while ago for my birthday and LOVED IT!! The Food and Service was GREAT!! beverly 5/8/2008 11:44:00 AM Extremely disappointed in service and quality of food on our April 26, 2008 visit. Lee Roane 2/21/2008 2:21:00 PM The best margarita on the island.