It’s that time of the year when we all need a little Christmas, right this very minute. After putting up two large, shaggy Frazier firs, I wanted to do something festive that did not involve me having to cook. So this past weekend, my husband Classic Rock Bob and our adult daughter took a drive to the Lindale Park area of Houston to check out the Christmas cocktails and seasonal tamales at Monkey’s Tail. It’s nowhere near our home in the Cypress ‘burbs, but we were looking for some holiday cheer, and this quirky little bar, which opened in 2019, seemed to be chock full of it according to its online photos.
Parking was fairly easy, though the adjacent METRORail was a little worrisome. I can’t help it. The METRORail always instills fear in me, because I never know when and from where it seems to be coming. However, we safely parked in the lot, finally got the front door opened and entered into a world of shiny papel picado and glittering tinsel.
Surprisingly, CRB and I were not the oldest folks there, though the clientele skews on the younger side, but not in a tragically hip way. This is a legit neighborhood hangout, without pretense.
I was on a mission for seasonal cocktails and Monkey’s Tail has a dedicated menu for just that. It also has special glassware for the drinks which requires a credit card deposit to ensure that guests return the specialty glasses and tiki tumblers. Ordering for drinks and food is all done at the bar.
We grabbed a table in the main area, where all the chairs were covered in cloths resembling Santa hats. Monkey’s Tail has shown no restraint in its holiday decorations, making for whimsical eye candy wherever you look. From a neon Santa overhead to Frida Kahlo gazing suspiciously over a winter wonderland, it’s a lively atmosphere for sipping on cool drinks.
My daughter is what we call a “lightweight” when it comes to cocktails, so she ordered the fresa margarita ($12) on the rocks. It was a refreshingly light drink, but one was enough for her. Thankfully, we were also ordering food.
Classic Rock Bob and I both chose a cocktail from the seasonal menu. I went for the Horchata Eggnog ($12) while he opted for the Santa on Vacay ($14). My eggnog was more horchata than nog, with a slight hint of cinnamon. It was not particularly strong, despite having Tres Generaciones anejo tequila, Madeira, and Oloroso sherry. CRB’s Santa on Vacay was served in an adorable Santa tiki tumbler, with Santa in full-on island wear. It was a tropical drink of Worthy Park rums, Giffard apricot, vanilla, pepita orgeat, pineapple and guava tepache sazon. That’s a lot of ingredients, but they all added up to a delicious and fruity beverage.
The food menu at Monkey’s Tail is brief, which works well with its casual counter service set-up. Personally, I’d prefer a server or two, because the bar can get a little backed up when it gets busy. There are staff members delivering food and cleaning off tables, so I assume they share in the tips that the bartenders receive.
My daughter wanted to try the grilled cheese hot dog. It sounded a bit strange to me, but she was all in on the bacon. CRB and I ordered a Chango Burger, double meat, to split. We also ordered a half dozen ($9) of both pork and chicken tamales.
The tamales are a seasonal item at Monkey’s Tail and these were serviceable, if not awe-inspiring. The masa was almost too soft, but the fillings were tasty. My daughter liked the green chili chicken, while CRB and I preferred the red chili pork. The tamales were served with tiny plastic ramekins of salsas. The green was aromatic, smelling like the pure essence of jalapeno. I thought it was spicy, until I tasted the red guajillo version. I often moan about the lack of heat in some supposedly “spicy” dishes around town. This orange, smoky sauce delivered the heat and then some. It was the kind of burn that stays in your mouth for a few minutes. I liked it. The Horchata Eggnog was the perfect antidote to the peppery spice.
My daughter’s grilled cheese hot dog was a funky dish that resembled a hot dog in no way, shape or form. Basically, it’s a juicy beef wiener, wrapped in bacon and poblano pepper on a soft brioche bun, then topped with a crispy lid of jack cheese. It’s not the easiest thing to eat, but it was surprisingly delicious. And it’s a cheap eat at only $7.
The Chango Burger is similar to many smashburgers around town, except that its “secret sauce” is mayonnaise tinged with Valentina hot sauce. I am glad we chose the double patty, which gave it some heft. CRB and I both loved it and would definitely order it again. I do agree with CRB that it could have used more pickles, but then we are both big fans of that particular condiment. It can stand toe to toe with many of its local competitors, and at $10, it also comes in at a fair price.
After eating, we moved into the lounge area and took a seat on the sofa. CRB was still working on his Santa cocktail while our daughter was taking advantage of the ice cold water that is set out for guests. A second cocktail was out of the question for her, but I am a more seasoned drinker. I ordered the Not Coquito ($13). It was similar to my earlier drink, except that it was made with rum and had the fruity flavors of mango and passion fruit, plus the coconut milk of a Puerto Rican coquito. I couldn’t decide which I liked better, but the Not Coquito seemed to have more of a kick than the Horchata Eggnog.
We checked out the back patio briefly, because it was a tad chilly. There were a couple of basset hounds lounging with their owners, so it is dog-friendly. And there’s a gorgeous Christmas tree that adds to the festive feel.
Our visit was a quick one. We don’t close down the bars anymore, but it was a pleasant start to the holidays and the food was really good for a bar that only serves a few items. The next day, we reheated the leftover tamales and they were actually better than the night before. Maybe they just need a little extra time. I am tempted to go back with friends to try out the tacos.
And I kind of wish that I had ordered the grilled pineapple and jalapeno cream cheese tamales to go. It sounds like a strange combination, but so did the grilled cheese hot dog. And that was a hit.
Monkey’s Tail
5802 Fulton
713-842-7188
This article appears in Jan 1 – Dec 31, 2025.