At This Houston Mexican Steakhouse, the Drinks, Performers, and Steaks Are on Fire

The vibe dining destination Toca Madera opens its largest location today on Houston’s Allen Parkway

Houston saw an onslaught of “vibe dining” restaurants in 2023, but none are quite like Toca Madera. The restaurant, which bills itself as a “modern Mexican steakhouse,” officially opens on Tuesday, June 18, but Eater Houston got a sneak peek last week when Toca Madera pulled out all the stops with fire-dancers, shots and cocktails set on fire, and a live guitarist who performed at tables throughout the night.

A product of international hospitality group Noble 33, Toca Madera — the name loosely translating into the hopeful phrase “knock on wood” — has locations in Los Angeles, Scottsdale, Arizona, and fittingly, Las Vegas, but for Texas, it’s a first. Mikey Tanha, Noble 33’s CEO and co-founder, said in a statement that this recent location has been a longtime goal, with Houston being a particular draw thanks to its “international flare and palate.”

The 14,000-square-foot restaurant — the largest of any of its locations — is influenced by design and architecture trends in Mexico City, with decor featuring lush greenery, custom woods, and moody lighting that help elicit the restaurant’s strong party vibe. With space for more than 300 people, diners can choose from Toca Madera’s two full-service bars (one of which gives glimpses into the buzzing kitchen); the front “Bird’s Nest” lounge that envelopes diners in a nest-like structure; the private dining room; or its outdoor patio that overlooks Eleanor Tinsley Park. Those with a membership can enjoy the restaurant’s private club, where special “members only” items are served. But the dining room, which is bustling no matter where you’re sitting, is where much of the action happens, with live entertainment, including fire dancers, live musicians, and DJs performing nightly.

Depending on what diners order, the menu also proves to be a performance. Executive chef Christian Brennen brings many of Toca Madera’s signature and most popular dishes, including its bite-sized A5 Wagyu tacos, made with a crispy wonton shell with a hint of kizami wasabi, plus its smoky hamachi appetizer and pomegranate-dotted guacamole served with plantain chips. While many items veer from what some may expect of canonical Mexican cuisine — the truffle mac and cheese features truffles shaved tableside — the restaurant also features dishes grounded in traditional Mexican foodways like the Mayan prawns, served with a chipotle mezcal butter and cilantro lime rice, and its street corn. It also adheres to its steakhouse schtick with prime cuts of meat, including American and Japanese wagyu, like a buttery 8-ounce top cap ($185); a Japanese steak flight that includes slices of A5 Kobe and a rare Olive Sanuki wagyu ($85); and a flashy flaming tomahawk ($325), that is set on fire and sliced tableside.

Desserts and drinks are also a necessary part of the experience. Helmed by beverage director Carla Lorenzo, the restaurant uses seasonal ingredients and juices made fresh in-house to craft its cult-favorite cocktails like the tequila and fruit-infused Como la Flor, served with edible flowers and a steamy rose air; and the dark and moody Los Muertos, a mix of tequila, blood orange, lime, and activated charcoal agave that is set a flame with a dash of cinnamon. Desserts like the crunchy cinnamon- and sugar-coated churros, plated with five sauces to choose from, including brown toffee, cream cheese, and spicy chocolate, and its mini-tower of tres leches layered with fluffy strawberry mascarpone offer a sweet ending.

But diners, let it be known: the restaurant is quite spendy, as many steakhouses and vibe-dining restaurants are, but the theatrics and overall ambience make it a worthy destination for a special occasion or celebratory night out.

TJ Perez

And Noble 33 doesn’t plan to stop there with the extravagance. The hospitality group is looking to expand its footprint in Houston with the opening of Meduza Mediterrania, a restaurant serving eastern Mediterranean cuisine, later this year. They’ll also open additional locations of Toca Madera and sister restaurants Casa Medera and Sparrow Italia in Miami, plus 1587 Prime in Kansas City, a steakhouse owned in partnership with NFL players Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce.

Toca Madera is located on the ground floor of The Allen Lifestyle Pavilion at 1755 Allen Parkway, Suite 101, 77019. The restaurant is open from 5 p.m. to midnight Tuesday through Thursday and on Sundays; on Fridays and Saturdays, it’s open from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m.