In the state of Hidalgo, barbacoa means lamb, marinated in chile, wrapped in maguey leaves and cooked slowly in a pit. El Hidalguense has made it exactly that way on Long Point Road since 1994, decades before national critics caught on, and in 2023 The New York Times put it on its Restaurant List of 50 places across the country. The barbacoa de borrego falls from the bone and comes with a cup of rich consomé and a bright cactus salad. The other showpiece is cabrito asado al pastor, grilled young goat. Pay the small upcharge for the house-made tortillas. The early weekend opening makes this a serious barbacoa breakfast.
What to expect
- It sits on an industrial stretch of Long Point Road in Spring Branch.
- It is a sit-down room with table service and a kids' menu.
What to order
- Barbacoa de borrego with consomé and cactus salad
- Cabrito asado al pastor
- House-made corn tortillas
- 1994Since
- Hidalgo-style lamb barbacoa cooked in maguey leavesSpecialty