El Paisa BBQ

9360 Richmond Ave., Houston, TX 77063, United States
+1 713-914-0491
$$$ Colombian restaurant , Barbecue restaurant
(1029 Reviews)
Price Range $10–20

El Paisa BBQ operates more like a fast-casual spot rather than a traditional sit-down restaurant. Located on Richmond Avenue, this Colombian barbecue eatery specializes in hearty, straightforward dishes packed with rich flavors that reflect the Paisa region’s culinary heritage. You won’t find extensive indoor seating here—instead, orders are placed at a window and food is ready to go, making it a solid choice for quick lunches, casual dinners, or late-night bites.

The atmosphere is informal and no-frills, with some outdoor seating available. It’s common to find a modest crowd, especially during peak hours, so calling ahead is a smart move if you want to skip the wait. The pace tends to be relaxed but steady, fitting the style of a neighborhood staple that locals rely on to satisfy their craving for comforting Colombian barbecue classics.

The menu leans into familiar dishes like the Bandeja Paisa (available in different sizes), Mojarra Frita, and Carne Asada Plate, with sides such as arepas and fried yucca rounding out the plates. A standout seems to be the empanadas, which are both filling and affordable, making them popular among those looking for a handheld snack or quick meal. Natural fruit juices such as maracuya and guanabana offer a refreshing balance to the richness of the grilled meats.

Given the primarily takeout nature of El Paisa BBQ, it suits folks who want a taste of home-style Colombian barbecue without the hassle of a formal dining experience. The parking situation is convenient for drive-up and pickup, and payments via cash, Cash App, or Zelle accommodate different preferences. Just be prepared for the occasional wait, especially on weekends or late evenings when the place draws in small groups and friends looking to share a satisfying, no-frills meal in the area.

Popular for
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
What they serve
Serves coffee
Serves comfort food
Serves late-night food
Quick bite
Serves small plates
Best for
Serves brunch
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Has seating
Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Free parking lot
Plenty of parking

Openings Hours

Checking

Monday

09:00 AM - 11:00 PM

Tuesday

09:00 AM - 11:00 PM

Wednesday

09:00 AM - 11:00 PM

Thursday

09:00 AM - 11:00 PM

Friday

09:00 AM - 12:00 AM

Saturday

09:00 AM - 12:00 AM

Sunday

09:00 AM - 11:00 PM

1029 Reviews
codie corado

20 Dec 2025

I’ve been coming here for years, I remember when the Bandeja Paiza used to be $6 and now it’s $12 due to inflation. You can never go wrong with this place when it comes to the amazing food, especially the empanadas that’s $1.50 each and it will fill you up. I highly recommend ordering over the phone before hand since there’s multiple other people waiting in line. Whenever i order over the phone, it takes 10 minutes to get there and the food is already ready. I highly recommend if your looking for a great amount of food for a low price

Melissa Castillo

01 Dec 2025

This place has some of the best burgers I have ever tasted. Their empanadas are $1 and really good. You do have to wait a bit, so don't come here on a rush. It's a cool place to come with friends late night to grab something to munch on.

Evelyn Lewis

21 Nov 2025

Super cute outdoor seating The empanada’s were super tasty. Cash is preferred Cash app & Zelle available for orders over $5 Plenty of parking available

Nicole Vargas

08 Oct 2025

Paisa BBQ is less of a restaurant and more of a fast food style stationary food truck for food to take to-go. You never go “inside”, it’s a small place and You order your food at a little window, wait sometime between 10-20 minutes and then they call your name to get your order and you’re on your way. The menu is straight forward and has a lot of options. We’ve been here many many times and I almost always order the Paisa burger. It’s so good and filling. It’s a great size and it’s so flavorful. My husbands favorite is the bandeja paisa, not only is it a great portion size but it’s also a great price. We’ve also tried many other things on the menu and have never been disappointed. It’s definitely a “hole in the wall” type place, not exactly fancy or nice. But the food is really good. I’d say one thing that could use a lot of work is the customer service. They aren’t really friendly or helpful, and can sometimes be dismissive, which are all bad qualities to have as a business.

Maria P.

17 Sep 2025

The wait is LONG, the quality and portions of the food are good, prices aren’t bad, customer is service is meh. I’ll still give them 5 ⭐

Jaime Gualy

14 Sep 2025

Great food at a reasonable price. Bandeja Paisa was amazing and so was the Picada. I loved the rellena(morcilla). Very flavorful. Mainly a take out place with very limited seating. Open until 11PM on weekdays.

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