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Tex-Mex · Upscale Casual

Pappasito's Cantina Menu 2026: Full List, Fajitas & Best Value

Pappasito's Cantina is the Pappas family's flagship Tex-Mex concept, delivering upscale Mexican-American cuisine with a focus on mesquite-grilled fajitas, Gulf seafood, and house-made margaritas. Since opening its first Houston location in 1985, Pappasito's has earned a loyal following across Texas and Colorado for dishes like the Famous Shrimp Brochette and Slow-Smoked Ribs.

~15 TX & CO locationsUpscale Tex-MexMesquite-grilled fajitasPappas family restaurants
Sample · $$$

Signature items

Chicken FajitaMarket price
Beef FajitaMarket price
Pappasito's Famous Shrimp BrochetteMarket price
Homemade Tres LechesMarket price
Quick answers

What to order — at a glance

Most iconic dish
Famous Shrimp Brochette Market price

Mesquite-grilled, bacon-wrapped, stuffed with cheese & jalapeño

Signature fajita
Beef Fajita Market price

Served with guacamole, pico, rice & fresh flour tortillas

Best appetizer
Queso Fundido Market price

Melted quesillo cheese with mushrooms & poblano

Popular dessert
Homemade Tres Leches Market price

Mexican vanilla cake soaked in three milks

Combo meals

Pappasito's Cantina combo and meal deals

CoronadoMarket price

  • Brochette-style shrimp (3)
  • Cheese enchilada
  • Crispy Ixtapa beef taco

A classic sampler of Pappasito's signature dishes

El SombreroMarket price

  • Beef fajita taco al carbon
  • Cheese enchilada
  • Guacamole
  • Pico de gallo

Crowd-pleasing beef & cheese combination

TulumMarket price

  • Chicken fajita taco al carbon
  • Cheese enchilada
  • Tamale with chile con carne
  • Guacamole & pico de gallo

A full tour of Tex-Mex favorites in one plate

ManzanillaMarket price

  • Half-rack slow-smoked pork ribs
  • Choice of fajita
  • Guacamole
  • Pico de gallo

Best of ribs and fajitas together

Full menu with prices

Pappasito's Cantina full menu and current prices

Prices vary by location and are not listed on the official website. Visit your nearest Pappasito's or call ahead to confirm current prices.
Price comparison

How Pappasito's Cantina compares to other Tex-Mex restaurants

Pappasito's is upscale Tex-Mex — entrée prices are higher than fast-casual competitors but reflect the full-service experience, mesquite grilling, and premium ingredients.

CategoryPappasito's CantinaChili'sChuy'sQdoba
Price range$$$$$$$$
Fajita plateMarket price~$17–$20~$16–$19N/A
Enchilada entréeMarket price~$13–$15~$12–$15~$9–$12
Appetizer / quesoMarket price~$8–$10~$8–$10~$4–$6
DessertMarket price~$7–$9~$6–$8N/A
About

About Pappasito's Cantina

Pappasito's Cantina is the premier Tex-Mex concept within the Pappas Restaurants family, one of the largest privately-held restaurant groups in the United States. The first Pappasito's opened in Houston, Texas in 1985, built on the same philosophy of quality ingredients and generous hospitality that defines all Pappas properties. The restaurant quickly gained a reputation for its mesquite-grilled fajitas, which arrive at the table on sizzling cast-iron skillets accompanied by fresh flour tortillas, house-made guacamole, and frijoles a la charra.

The menu at Pappasito's extends well beyond fajitas to include Gulf seafood, slow-smoked ribs, handmade tamales, and an expansive list of enchiladas and tacos. The Famous Shrimp Brochette — bacon-wrapped shrimp stuffed with quesillo cheese and fresh jalapeño, grilled over mesquite — has become the restaurant's most recognizable signature dish. Pappasito's also celebrates traditional Mexican flavors through dishes like Birria Beef Tacos with Morita peanut sauce, Queso Fundido with roasted mushrooms and poblano peppers, and Homemade Tres Leches for dessert.

With roughly 15 locations spanning the Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and Austin metro areas along with select Colorado outposts, Pappasito's occupies a unique position in the Tex-Mex landscape: it offers the warmth and boldness of traditional Tex-Mex cooking in a full-service, upscale-casual setting. The restaurant is frequently cited among the best Tex-Mex dining experiences in Texas, earning loyal regulars who return for the handcrafted margaritas as much as the food.

~15TX & CO locations
1985founded in Houston
$$$price range

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is Pappasito's Cantina known for?

Pappasito's Cantina is best known for its mesquite-grilled fajitas, the Famous Shrimp Brochette (bacon-wrapped shrimp stuffed with cheese and jalapeño), handcrafted margaritas, and upscale Tex-Mex cooking in a full-service setting. It is part of the Pappas family of restaurants headquartered in Houston, Texas.

Where are Pappasito's Cantina locations?

Pappasito's has roughly 15 locations concentrated in the Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and Austin metro areas in Texas, with select locations in Colorado. Because the chain is regionally focused, you can find your nearest restaurant using the location finder at pappasitos.com.

Does Pappasito's post prices on its menu online?

Pappasito's does not publish prices on its website — the online menu lists dishes and descriptions but notes that prices, specials, and features vary by location. To get current prices, use the location finder on the official site to pull up your nearest restaurant's menu, or call the location directly.

What is the Famous Shrimp Brochette at Pappasito's?

The Famous Shrimp Brochette is Pappasito's most iconic appetizer or entrée: jumbo shrimp are stuffed with quesillo cheese and a fresh jalapeño slice, wrapped in bacon, and grilled over mesquite wood on a skewer. It is served with pico de gallo and is consistently ranked among the best dishes in the restaurant.

Does Pappasito's have vegetarian options?

Yes. Pappasito's offers several vegetarian-friendly dishes including Chile con Queso, Queso Fundido, Guacamole Fresco, Cheese Enchiladas, Ensalada de Casa, and Sopapillas for dessert. The restaurant also accommodates dietary needs — ask your server for details on modifications.

What fajita options does Pappasito's offer?

Pappasito's offers an extensive fajita menu including Chicken Fajita, Beef Fajita, a combined Beef & Chicken Fajita, Pork Carnitas Fajita, Shrimp Fajita, and several premium combinations like the Beef Fajita with Quail & Shrimp Brochette or Jalapeño Cheese Sausage & Shrimp Diablo. All are served with guacamole, pico de gallo, rice, frijoles a la charra, and fresh flour tortillas.

Is Pappasito's Cantina good for large groups or family dining?

Absolutely. Pappasito's offers Family Platters designed to serve groups, combining beef fajita, shrimp, ribs, quail, and grilled chicken in shareable formats. The restaurant also has private party rooms at many locations and full catering and delivery services through Pappas Catering and Pappas Delivery.

How does Pappasito's compare to other Tex-Mex restaurants in price?

Pappasito's is priced in the upscale-casual tier (typically $$$), meaning entrées generally run higher than chains like Chili's or Chuy's. The difference reflects the full-service experience, mesquite grilling, premium seafood offerings like Texas Redfish and Atlantic Salmon, and the elevated quality of ingredients throughout the menu.

Does Pappasito's have desserts worth ordering?

Yes — Pappasito's dessert menu features three notable options: Homemade Tres Leches (Mexican vanilla cake soaked in three milks and topped with meringue), Sopapillas (light pastries with cinnamon, powdered sugar, and honey), and Cajetas (coconut pecan-crusted vanilla ice cream with cajeta sauce). The Tres Leches is particularly well-regarded and a popular way to end the meal.