FOOD
FAMILY FARE
MOLINA ’ S CANTINA ’ S NANCY AMES NACHOS
For members of the Molina ’ s Cantina family , mi familia , “ my family ,” embraces not only relatives but employees and customers as well – really anyone who ’ s walked through the door since they first opened in 1941 . “ My grandfather just wanted a little business where people could walk in and feel like they were wanted ,” says RAUL MOLINA III , who along with brothers RICARDO and ROBERTO , represents the third generation to run Houston ’ s oldest family-owned and operated Tex-Mex restaurant . “ I don ’ t think he expected Molina ’ s to play such an integral role in Houston ’ s culinary landscape .”
This summer as the Molina family celebrates the restaurant ’ s 77th anniversary , Raul Molina , Sr .’ s deep love for his family and his customers continues to permeate the restaurant . Many of the employees have been a part of the Molina ’ s family for 10 , 20 , even 30 years or more . Customers who grew up with Molina ’ s now bring their children and grandchildren to the restaurant . And still , a member of the Molina ’ s family visits each restaurant every day , meeting and greeting patrons and checking in on employees .
Although the restaurant offers many of the same traditional menu items as when they first opened in 1941 , more than a few local folks have enjoyed a taste of fame by being honored on their menu . When your name is on the menu , fame lasts a lot longer than 15 minutes . Which brings us to the restaurant ’ s famed NANCY AMES NACHOS .
As the famous Houston folk singer prefers them , these nachos are arranged as individual chips layered with perfect distribution of each topping for complete experience on every bite – topped with spicy beef , refried beans , fresh guacamole , melty Chihuahua cheese , diced tomatoes and pickled jalapeños . To share as a starter or keep all to yourself .
Its origin , as Ricardo Molina tells it : " Nancy Ames is an American folk singer / songwriter / entertainer who had a morning show here in Houston . Our dad was a guest on the show and was demonstrating how to make nachos . Nancy told Dad how she liked her nachos , with each individual chip layered with refried beans , spicy beef , cheese , guacamole , diced tomatoes and jalapeños . So Dad added the dish to the menu and named it after her .”
Dig in !
Photography by Kimberly Park
18 LOCAL | 4 . 2018