Tampico Refresqueria

Houston, United States

4.3

Closed now

20 reviews

Does not accept credit cards

Contacts

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Telephone:
+1 713-880-3040
Address:
4520 N Main St, Houston, TX, 77009
The Heights
Nearby public transportation stops & stations:
0.9 miCavalcade
0.9 miMoody Park
1 miLindale Park (Northbound)
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Bussiness info

Take-out
Yes
Accepts Credit Cards
No
Parking
Private Lot
Bike Parking
Yes
Wheelchair Accessible
Yes
Wi-Fi
No

Today

Today 10:00 am – 11:00 pm
Closed now
Local time (Houston) 03:59 Sunday, 22 June 2025

Business hours

Monday 10:00 am – 11:00 pm
Tuesday 10:00 am – 11:00 pm
Wednesday 10:00 am – 11:00 pm
Thursday 10:00 am – 11:00 pm
Friday 10:00 am – 11:00 pm
Saturday 10:00 am – 11:00 pm
Sunday 10:00 am – 11:00 pm

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20 reviews of Tampico Refresqueria

No registration required
Place rating: 2
Houston, TX
Came here on a late Friday night for a big snack/​small dinner and ordered a Corn in a Cup and a Frito Pie. I was NOT a fan of the corn; as someone who is new to authentic Mexican food, I had a difficult time handling its large amounts of mayonnaise and cheese, which did not sit well with my stomach nor my taste buds (maybe cause I’m used to eating corn fresh off the cob, or in my Chipotle bowl). The Frito Pie, on the other hand, was quite good. It’s heavy in flavor with tons of queso, but not nearly as ratchety as the corn. The jalapenos were a nice touch as well.
Given it’s winter, I was a bit hesitant to try any of their colder snacks, which is apparently what they’re well known for. For those who are less experienced with authentic Mexican food, I’d recommend treading softly with some of the food here, as they are quite heavier than expected. All in all, I’ll be returning for the colder snacks once the weather warms up and update my review accordingly.
Place rating: 5
Baytown, TX
A local treasure! I went there a lot growing up & it is exactly as I remember it! One of the few things in the neighborhood that doesn’t seem to have changed one bit. I took my kids there when they were too small to see over the counter & back again recently as adults. Drinks are SO good, food is excellent & the staff is warm & welcoming! It’s not a fancy place by any stretch of the imagination-​but to me, it feels like home. Will go back every chance I get! Give it a try, you won’t be disappointed!
Place rating: 5
Houston, TX
It’s our quick Sunday treat spot.
He always gets strawberry with cream while my flavor depends on my mood.
He gets elote and I just have to have hot Cheetos pie. Quick filling snack that doesn’t hurt your wallet.
Place rating: 5
Houston, TX
What can I say, it can be hard to find a snow cone stand inner city! Growing up in suburbia they are on every corner. This place never disappoints, their food looks great I have not tried it though. There is always a line at this location but they are quick and efficient. The Orange dreamsicle is dreamy and the rootbeer with cream was interesting, I am used to the «cream» being sweetened condensed milk (I think), not so sure what this cream was. It was ok. Probably would not try it again though. The gf loves the blue coconut :)
Place rating: 5
Richwood, TX
Great, reasonable price. It was only $ 3.50 for a big one. I got the watermelon and it tasted like the ripest watermelon you could imagine. Sweet, but not too sweet, and tastes natural.
Place rating: 4
Houston, TX
Decided to try out this spot due to our normal spot Mango Beach being closed this past Saturday. We pulled up, but before we got out I wanted to scan over their reviews. I saw a reviewer basically stating if you didn’t speak Spanish you may not want to come here. Well that was kinda true this past Saturday, we walked up to the window, which was actually three windows in one, as we looked over the menu we noticed most things were in fact in Spanish. To not embarrass myself or fluster the ladies in the back, I just spit out large strawberry raspas lol, hey I was just reading the sign. She laughed, but she understood. After all was said and done, I enjoyed myself, the prices were super great, and the customer service was great as well. Mango Beach is still our spot, but this place is still nice.
Place rating: 5
The Heights, Houston, TX
Watermelon water and raspado de leche y guayaba (mixed together are delicious! Makes me feel at home :)
Place rating: 5
Houston, TX
I grew up going to this refresquería every Sunday, and I love every chance I get to go back. :)
Place rating: 4
Houston, TX
Yes it may look kinda sketchy, and you have to park in the dirt parking lot, and you may have to bust out with a little Spanish or point away, but if you’re need of an elote or cool refresher fix and you’re around the Heights, this little stand is it!
The two things I love here are the elote (corn, mayo, cheese & chili powder) and the raspas (snow cone). But there are also other goodies but that’s what I come to this place for.
A great pit stop with friends and family. Make sure to bring cash!
Place rating: 2
Houston, TX
Cheap, sugary crushed ice.
This place is also known as Raspas Sno-​cones to some others. There isn’t anything special about this snocone stand other than its cheap prices. They also serve snacks like elotes (Mexican corn in a cup) and gas station-​style nachos. If you’re looking for a cheap cold treat this is the place. Otherwise it isn’t worth the drive if you’re not in the neighborhood. Overall, it’s okay but better can be had else where.
Side note: it’s cheap.
Place rating: 4
Houston, TX
After skimming this place’s Unilocal reviews prior to my visit, I was so ready to break out my español skillz from my college days. Unfortunately, they understood my English well enough to take my order, so I guess I’ll have to bust out my pathetic broken Spanish another day.
Everything here is cheap, cheap, cheap! They have a huge dirt lot, so parking is easy. The melon (cantaloupe) agua fresca is sweet, refreshing, and HUGE! They definitely don’t skimp on portions. We also ordered a mangonada, which was unbearably sour. We tried mixing it and waiting for the ice to melt down and dilute it, but it was still too much to handle for the bf and me. We will be back to try other items!
Mosquitoes swarm this area, so bring some repellant if you’re here in the summer!
Cash only!
Place rating: 3
Highland Village, Houston, TX
This place is great and I hate to give them 3 stars, but I wish they had candy or fruit to add to their sno-​cones.
I came here this afternoon after discovering that Mam’s was closed. They have a small menu and I hope I get to try their corn and hot Cheeto pie next time I come over. I’ve read so many good things about the savory portion of their menu. I can’t complain about a small cone for only 75 cents! But the lady did add an absurd amount of syrup. I didn’t end up finishing my cone although I really wanted to. I’ll definitely be back with an updated review!
Place rating: 5
Houston, TX
I love their fresh fruit cup with chile, and the elote (corn). Everything is very affordable and I’d recommend bringing cash.
Place rating: 5
Cypress, TX
I’ve come here since I could remember, and I will keep doing so until someone removes me from this city — it’s that great.
I am a sucker for their corn in a cup, it is the best I have ever had! Their raspas are so good, always ask for some condensed milk on top of it. And their nachos… Oh good god.
This location is so far away from me, but it’s amazing! They are super nice and although it looks a little sketchy, it’s not far from amazing. Give it a try if you are in the area!
Place rating: 4
Houston, TX
Love Tampico. Be prepared to order in Spanish or Broken Spanish.
I come here for the fruit cups and corn in a cup. I usually tell them to go light on the mayo or just skip it completely together.
Also, it is pretty cheap for both items. Granted they aren’t too hard to make but I know back in CC, they have increased the prices! Sad day!
Place rating: 5
Houston, TX
So I had a hankering for some Elote (corn) and Raspas (snow cones). Bf lives around here and told me that I could keep my southwest paleteras to myself because I was about to taste awesomeness… hate to admit it but he was def right. First off being Indian, I am cheap and pride myself on it… so this place def fits the bill! Only place where the raspas actually taste like the fruit and not sugar syrup. They have these little frito pies that I at first didn’t think I would like but hit the spot especially after a raspa. The liquados (milkshakes) are great! I had the Sandia (watermelon) and Mango. Def bring cash though since they do not take credit and it def gets packed in the summer. I have become so obsessed with this place that I make him bring me once a week.
Place rating: 4
Houston, TX
You order at the window and they offer picnic tables outside. This is cash only. The small raspas are $ 1 and they also offer elote, nachos, frito pie, and some other snacks. Place is usually crowded but has a decent size parking lot to accomodate. Raspas are good and you can add crema (condensed milk) for additional charge. I always venture here whenever Im in the Heights area.
Place rating: 4
Houston, TX
One word: Elotes. Just fyi, this corn ain’t on the cob like I had expected. But that didn’t affect the flavor much. No sir. Elotes here comes on a cup with all the necessity fixins: corn, mayo based sauce, chili powder and lime. I was missing the roasted flavor you get from the cob though.
On a recommendation of a friend I also got the licuado. Do yourself a favor and get you some too. I can vouch for banana (platano) flavor.
FYIs: bring cash, be prepared to order in Spanish. Google translate words well here.
Place rating: 5
Houston, TX
I’m not gonna sugar coat it – this place smells. No, really, there’s an unidentifiable funk near the façade of the building. Someone should look into it. That being said – five stars!
The raspas are awesome. There is a respectable list of flavors and a variety of ways to get them. My poison is condensed milk. If I was forced to choose a food related death or hit on myself, condensed milk on a raspa would be pretty high up on the list. One from here would do the job just fine.
Tampico’s real star, however, is the Cheeto Pie. I had to do a double take.. . and then I had to order it. Cheeto Pie became a need and is a true thing of beauty. I stared at it a few seconds in disbelief and then felt sheltered and then got over it until the last spicy cheeto and jalapeño was gone from the styrofoam cup I’d been handed.
Ah, blessed day!
Place rating: 5
Houston, TX
Still lovin’ Tampico. I’m gonna have to start coming here a good one-​to-​two times per week. I just realized that they have SHAVED ice — soft, fluffy, shaved ice.
But they have more than just snocones (from artificial and natural flavors):
*CHEETOS Pies. We’ve all heard of Frito Pies … and Dorito Pies … but Tampico took it one step further and offer Cheetos Pies.
*I still love the liquados. I enjoyed a banana shake last week after a workout. Doubt it was low cal, but it was so damn good. Banana, cinnamon. Thick and cold.
*Fruit cups are ginormous and topped with lime juice and Lucas (if that’s your thing)
And it’s still dirt cheap. Bring the kids, your date or just yourself and spend just a few dollars a person on simple summer snacks. Nachos, hot dogs and churros included.