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Houston / Guides / Latin American
Latin American · West Houston

The Original Marini's Empanada House

Casual family dinner or authentic Latin comfort food.

Open until 8 PM $$ Local FavoriteFamily FriendlyCasual Vibes
7.6/10
Excellent Scored by Rosa Delgado · How we score
№ 01 · The Brief

Buenos Aires flavor, Westheimer address, no fuss

The Original Marini's Empanada House brings authentic Argentine flavors to Westheimer Road, offering Houston diners a taste of traditional South American comfort food in the heart of the city. This family-owned establishment has earned its reputation as one of Houston's premier empanada destinations, serving hand-crafted pastries that transport visitors straight to Buenos Aires with each perfectly golden bite.

The menu showcases traditional Argentine empanadas with over a dozen varieties, from classic beef and onion to spinach and cheese, chicken and olives, and ham and cheese. Each empanada features house-made dough that's rolled thin and filled generously with authentic ingredients before being baked to perfection. Beyond empanadas, the kitchen also prepares traditional Argentine sides like chimichurri sauce, provoleta, and fresh salads that complement the main offerings beautifully.

The restaurant's warm, inviting atmosphere reflects its Argentine heritage with rustic wooden tables, colorful Latin American artwork, and an open kitchen where diners can watch the empanada-making process. The casual dining room accommodates both intimate dinners and larger groups, while the friendly staff creates a welcoming environment that makes every visit feel like dining at a neighbor's home.

The Original Marini's Empanada House serves as the perfect destination for anyone seeking authentic Latin American cuisine without pretense or high prices. Whether visitors are grabbing a quick lunch, enjoying a casual dinner with family, or introducing friends to Argentine flavors, this neighborhood gem delivers consistent quality and genuine hospitality that keeps locals returning week after week.

№ 02 · What to Order

The order, from the record

№ 03 · Insider Tip
!

Order a variety pack to try multiple flavors, and don't skip the house-made chimichurri sauce for dipping.

Rosa Delgado · Top of Houston
№ 04 · The Verdict

What earns the 7.6

01
Argentine, not Tex-Mex

Marini's holds a distinct lane: Argentine empanadas and chimichurri, not fajitas or queso, which matters in a city that flattens Latin American food into one category.

02
Volume as strength

A dozen-plus empanada varieties, from beef and onion to ham and cheese, shows a kitchen built for repetition and consistency rather than a short novelty menu.

03
Everyday price point

Moderate pricing and a casual room make it a realistic weeknight stop for families, not a special-occasion splurge.

How we score

The Insider Score is our own 10-point editorial rating, set by the writer who covers the room. It is never an average of other sites’ stars, and it is never for sale. It weighs three things:

01Track record

How highly a kitchen rates, across how many diners, over how long.

02Consistency

Whether recent diners still agree with the long-term verdict.

03Distinction

What the kitchen does that its category does not.

The Original Marini's Empanada House earns a 7.6, excellent on our scale for Latin American in Houston.
Rosa Delgado
Rosa Delgado
Mexican Editor

Rosa works the taquerias and the East End: the breakfast-taco counters, the interior-Mexican kitchens, and the Tex-Mex rooms Houston grew up on. She maps the strip-mall standouts by the salsa and the tortilla, not the marquee.

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Five rooms, every Friday.

The new opening, the sleeper the score just flagged, and the one room worth booking this week. Free.