Grotto Downtown - (Near Houston, TX)

Jones December The overall experience was nice. The waitress was friendly and attentive. The gentleman that brought our appetizers to the table just sat them down and walked away. Although we said thank you, we were not acknowledged by him. The overall meals were great. One minor issue was that the loaded fries were kinda soggy, but still edible. Despite the two minor things...I suggest a visit to this spot. Please be sure to try the mac and cheese, wings, and waffles. Oh yeah and be sure to order a strawberry lemonade. We will definitely be going back!

Ashleigh Emberson Vernon Parts Bar & Grill is the hidden gem you pretend you “just stumbled upon” so you sound cool—but let’s be honest, once you know, you’re hooked. The food? Ridiculously good. The kind of good where you’re planning your next meal here before you’ve finished your current one. Whether you’re snacking or feasting, everything hits the spot. I’ve seriously considered proposing to the menu. But the real magic? The people. Kayla and Maddie are absolute legends behind the bar—fast, friendly, and always ready with a great recommendation (or a reality check when you probably don’t need that third round). And Kath, the owner, is the heart and soul of the place. She makes you feel like you’re part of the family, even if it’s your first time in. And don’t even get me started on the live music—local talent rocking the stage, good vibes all night, and zero cover charge? Yes, please. Whether you’re there for dinner, drinks, or just the vibes, Vernon Parts delivers every single time. Go once and you’ll be a regular before you know it!

Juan Centeno Atmosphere was great, Christmas deco was outstanding. Owner or manager was fantastically friendly and was giving off a family vibe. Made us feel welcome. He checked on us through the night even with a packed house. He was adamant if we didnt like anything he would make it right. Food was good and the cheese dripping onto the entree was a great touch! Waiter was friendly and kept checking to see if we were good. For a fairly new place they have the customer service down pat. We will definitely be back and enjoy this great place again.

Richard Combs The service was excellent. The bread was amazing. The salad bar was excellent. The main buffet had a lot of thanksgiving dinner items on it which would be my only complaint. I would have preferred a more traditional buffet menu but it makes sense for them to offer that at this time of year. Brisket was good. I liked the chicken fried steak of the buffet. They also had homemade style pies (coconut, chocolate, pumpkin). They were excellent.

Rose Mahaffey Came here with my husband and my parents for their anniversary. Everything we had was so good. It was so hard to pick what to eat! I had about 5 different things I wanted to try. Ended up getting the pan fried fish and Im so glad I did! It was FANTASTIC. The flavor on the fish and the breading was so good, and the tartar sauce was something special. It came with the jalapeño and peanut coleslaw which was also incredible. Its hard to see it as a coleslaw though and more like a cabbage salad. I was so glad it came with my meal because it was so tasty and it balanced out the fish so well! Great place for special nights out. I tried a bite of my familys choices too and there wasnt a bad bite. The Trout Almondine was seasoned so well, the miso salmon was flaky and the rice was so good. I tied my husbands garlic rosemary fries and they were so decadent. The calamari was a great appetizer as well. Cant recommend this place more!

Tricia Claiborne ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A Mexican buffet that’s actually authentic in Texas?? I thought I was dreaming. Imagine my surprise when I stumbled upon Hacienda Buffet in Fort Worth — a true hidden gem that feels like someone dropped a slice of Mexico right into the heart of Texas. From the moment I walked in, I knew this wasn’t your average buffet. The food? Amazing. A wide selection of Mexican-style meats, fresh fruit and veggies, seafood, salads, salsas, traditional desserts — I could go on. Just a heads-up: no guac or avocado, but honestly, with this many delicious options, you won’t miss it. The service was friendly and fast, and the whole place was clean and inviting. But here’s the twist: the outdoor area is a total vibe. We braved the heat to check it out and were met with shaded patio seating, an outdoor bar, a peaceful water fountain, a waterfall (yes, a waterfall), and picture-perfect spots everywhere. I could totally see this place hosting weddings, birthdays, or spontaneous dance parties. I only wish I lived closer, because this would be a regular weekend ritual. Fort Worth, y’all are lucky. Don’t keep this place a secret! #HiddenGem #AuthenticMexicanBuffet #WorthTheDrive #WaterfallsAndTacos