Progressive Lunch in Houston: The Original Marini's Empanada House

What is a progressive meal? A progressive meal is when you go to more than one place for a single meal. Often people do it by courses, my friends and I tend to do it by what is best known by the restaurant.

A few weeks ago Cindy, Thomas, and I convened for another one of our progressive lunches. (Read about our first and second of four stops.) Our third stop, Original Marini’s Empanada House, was where we spent the most time and sampled the most eats. We also welcomed a few stragglers to our group who couldn’t wake in time for our first two stops. I bet they’re glad they didn’t sleep through Marini’s!

10001 Westheimer Rd
Houston, TX 77042
(713) 266-2729
http://www.theoriginalmarinis.com

We paced ourselves pretty well for this lunch, allowing us more room to indulge at The Original Marini’s Empanada House. Swell because the list of empanadas available was overwhelming!

From Left: Texas Barbecue ($3.00), Tomato Basil ($2.50), Linda’s Chicken ($3.00)

I don’t have closeups of the Tomato Basil or Linda’s Chicken. Tomato Basil is filled with diced roma tomato, fresh basil, and mozzarella and provolone cheese. One of my favorite combinations of flavors! Tomato, basil, and cheese. Classic combination. Linda’s Chicken (My chicken!? Hee.) was filled with chopped chicken in a tomato chipotle sauce with American and Monterrey Jack cheese. Delightful and piping hot!

Texan Barbeque: chopped brisket cooked in their own barbeque sauce

Thomas really wanted this one. He practically squealed (a manly squeal) when he read it on the menu. The brisket was moist and sauce was decent with some tang.

Italian â€œMarcelloâ€: Italian sausage, pizza sauce, mozzarella, and provolone cheese; $3.00

Italian “Marcello” was awesome. Kind of obvious since it’s comprised of Italian sausage, melted cheese and pizza sauce. Come on now. It could be my favorite savory one thus far.

Nacho Macho: ground beef, sautÃ©ed onions, refried beans, American, Monterrey Jack cheese and jalapenos; $3.00

Mmm Mexican flavors. Mmm Mexican flavors with jalapenos.

Dulce de Lechee: diced banana, dulce de leche, and Ghiradelli chocoalte; $2.50

The Dulce de Leche was the star empanada. Just close your eyes and imagine warm bananas, dulce de leche, and melted Ghiradelli chocolate just swimming in your mouth while hints of powdered sugar flirt with your palate. Do you see what I mean?

Man, I want to come back and try more empanadas but will definitely order the Dulce de Leche again.