Galveston, the time has finally come to get a taste of El Tiempo Cantina. After years of planning an outpost on the Gulf Coast, the Houston-based Tex-Mex restaurant is holding a grand opening event in the Strand District on Nov. 16.
“Get ready for our legendary sizzling fajitas, ice-cold margaritas, authentic Tex-Mex favorites, and the hospitality you know and love, now in beautiful Galveston, Texas,” El Tiempo teased Tuesday on social media. “From Houston to the Gulf Coast, we’re excited to welcome a whole new community into the El Tiempo family.”
The new El Tiempo, located at 2301 The Strand in the historic Thomas Jefferson League Building, marks the company’s 19th Houston-area location since opening in 1996—and one that has been in the works since 2023.
Renovations were underway at the site in September 2023, when the company had hopes of opening in April the following year, Chron previously reported. By December 2025, the Galveston County Daily News was reportedly told that the renovations were close to 80 percent complete, pinning the projected opening to “early 2026.” In August, general manager Mark Elam told Chron that he expected the restaurant to open early to mid-October.
Up until now, the nearest El Tiempo to Galveston has been in Webster, though that location is temporarily closed. But in the words of El Tiempo’s team, “the wait is over” and soon, Galveston locals and tourists will be able to indulge in the Tex-Mex restaurant that has been a Houston-area staple since 1998.
Dining and Cooking