We were excited to watch the construction of the new building for Gloria’s Latin Cuisine, and as it looked more and more complete, we were counting the days until they opened. On Wednesday, May 8, 2024, that day arrived! The wait was over.
Gloria’s is a successful Latin food group based in the DFW area. For over 30 years they’ve been feeding hungry Texans, and they’ve grown to over 20 locations. Their cuisine is an amalgamation of dishes from all over Latin America, from South America to South Texas. Those craving Tex-Mex will find several options, and those with more adventurous palates will find dishes from south of Mexico.
We applaud this approach. Sadly several restaurants focusing on authentic Mexican and Latin cuisine have opened and closed in the Woodlands area; Texans love their Tex-Mex. We feel that the inclusion of Tex-Mex dishes greatly broadens the appeal of a Latin restaurant to area patrons.
We arrived around sunset, and parking was convenient and easy. Walking inside, we were greeted by a contemporary, expansive setting. Light colors, plenty of wood, and modern furniture fills the building, and welcomes the guest.
As we entered, directly ahead we saw the large, wrap-around bar, an inviting spot to meet friends for a cocktail. Behind the bar is a door to the roomy covered patio.
To the left is the main dining area, with ample seating for parties both large and small. An interesting lighting feature crowns the room, and draws the eye. A selection of tables, booths, and banquets provides a variety of settings.
We were seated at a booth facing the bar; a wall separated us from the main dining area. This was a strategic location to observe the goings-on; everyone seemed to be having a wonderful time. The restaurant was approximately 3/4 full when we arrived, and the crowd was bustling. Sound levels were moderately high; the plethora of hard surfaces insures a lively atmosphere.
Shortly after we were seated, our beverages arrived, along with a basket of warm chips and a selection of three table salsas: Red, Green, and Black Bean. We can’t overemphasize the importance of chips and salsas in the minds of diners going out for Latin food here. Most of us around here grew up on Tex-Mex, and we’re accustomed to a big basket of chips, tasty salsas, and free refills. Gloria’s are excellent. Warm, crisp chips, strong enough to withstand a pass through the salsa bowl. A superb Red Salsa, served chilled (as God and Felix intended) with minimal heat and a rich, savory flavor. A tangy Green Salsa, not hot, but with a piquant tang of tomatillos. An utterly unexpected Black Bean Salsa, thick with pureed black beans and redolent with an earthy flavor and a beautifully smooth texture. Gloria’s is making a case for the best chips and salsa service in the Woodlands; we could have devoured several baskets. But there was more to come.
Shortly thereafter, our mains arrived. We were in the mood for meat.
The Plato Salvatex straddles the line between El Salvador and Texas: A perfectly seared flank steak stretched across the plate, a ramekin of Gloria’s excellent chimichurri nestled right beside it. A ground beef enchilada with soulful chili con carne gravy represented the Lone Star State.
The flank steak was cooked perfectly mid-rare (not easy with a slab of beef so thin), was beautifully tender, and expertly seasoned. The provided chimichurri compares to the best we’ve sampled, and was a beautiful complement to the delicious slab of beef. This is a superb example of a traditional Latin American steak, and it compares well to the best we’ve had in the Houston area.
The Ground Beef Enchilada had big shoes to fill, and fell a bit short. The enchilada’s flavor was pleasant and the parts were well prepared, but we wanted the flavor to be turned up a bit; it was extremely mild. This is by no means a bad enchilada, but it had a tough time comparing to the superb flank steak. The plate was finished with an artfully arranged mound of very good rice with plenty of veggies, and a pool of smooth black beans that were well seasoned and savory. Considering the very reasonable price ($19) for this dish, we were incredibly impressed by the value offered. We’ve had similar dishes around town for twice the price that weren’t as well executed.
Moving on to the Mar y Tierra platter. we discovered a slightly different approach to beef, more traditional for Texans. A 10oz top sirloin is presented with two large grilled shrimp perched atop; it’s flanked by a bowl of black beans, rice, and an arrangement of plantains and yuca. The sirloin was tender, cooked perfectly to order (rare, in this case) and nicely seasoned. The shrimp were plump, flavorful, and perfectly executed. The sides were an adept accent to the proteins, and this plate was another great value at $25. If you love a great surf ‘n’ turf, this is your dish.
Service at Gloria’s, even on their first day open, was prompt and professional. Two different managers came to check on our enjoyment, and were anxious to get customer feedback. Food came out promptly, and our water glasses were never allowed to get anywhere near empty.
To say we were impressed with this DFW import is an understatement. Gloria’s has been doing what they do for over 30 years, and they’re very good at it. We think they’re a great addition to the Woodlands area, and an outstanding destination for those looking for an outstanding Latin meal that will exceed expectations while not breaking the bank. We look forward to our next visit.
