The beloved Houston eatery Villa Arcos is back in full swing, celebrating its first year since reopening after an uncertain hiatus. Established in 1977 and recognized for serving stupendous breakfast tacos, Villa Arcos had to shut its doors during the pandemic and remained closed until last year. "This was soul-mending stuff," Alison Cook reminisces about her recent visit in an article for the Houston Chronicle, highlighting the spot's comforting Tex-Mex cooking. Cook's favorite, the Velia’s Burrito, along with the renowned Bacon Super Taco, confirms the food retains its acclaim.
Meanwhile, embracing the city's broad taco culture, Chris Shepherd, has been showcasing Houston's taco scene in his show, “Eat Like a Local with Chris Shepherd”. Aside from featuring Villa Arcos, Shepherd's picks include a variety of taco havens such as Tacos el Bigotes, known for its distinct trompo tacos and birria ramen. "This is definitely one of my new favorites," Shepherd professed after indulging in Tacos el Bigotes' offerings, according to an episode of his show. Shepherd's culinary adventures air Saturdays on KPRC 2, directing taco enthusiasts to new and vibrant eating experiences.
Still serving breakfast all day, Villa Arcos has embraced modern conveniences such as online ordering and credit card payment options. With its string pull from the rich fabric of Houston life, the restaurant stands as a testament to the city's culinary heritage. The east end establishment boasts both refurbished surroundings and traditional flavors that harken back to its founding days when Velia Arcos Rodriguez Durán started the business.
Villa Arcos is situated at 3009 Navigation Blvd., maintaining its old-school charm blended with novel comforts like strong air conditioning and improved coffee quality. Despite the modifications, the presence of its preexisting idiosyncrasies, like a major crack in the red-tiled floor, ensures the soul of Villa Arcos remains intact. Hosting patrons in work shirts and tool belts, the venue continues to draw a diverse, down-to-earth crowd while standing as a social and culinary pillar in the community.
