Tex-Mex option that rarely gets mentioned: Agave Taqueria at C33
Agave Taqueria sits in Terminal C by gate C33, post-security, yet it barely shows up in trip reports compared with Pappasito’s or La Tapatia at IAH. It runs as a casual Mexican counter with quick-griddle tacos, burritos, and breakfast plates aimed at people shuffling between United banks in Terminal C. Expect fast-casual pricing in the $10–$18 range for mains, plus standard airport markups on beer and soft drinks.
Hours usually track the morning and evening departure waves in Terminal C, with doors open by the first 6:00–7:00 a.m. bank and food still going into the later night pushes around 9:00–10:00 p.m. Being post-security in C means you’re fine if your boarding pass shows gates C1–C45, but walking here from E or B via the Skyway can chew 15–20 minutes each way. Build that into your plan if you’re connecting off a tight 45-minute United itinerary.
Menu focus is basic Tex‑Mex: tacos on flour or corn tortillas, burrito-style wraps, quesadillas, and a couple of rice-and-beans combo plates that land around $14–$16 with protein. Expect standard fillings like chicken, ground beef, or carnitas, plus airport-friendly extras like chips with salsa or queso in the $5–$8 range. Portions run bigger than a snack but smaller than a full sit-down Pappasito’s meal, which works if boarding starts 30–40 minutes out from C33.
There isn’t much data on standout dishes, so treat Agave Taqueria as a practical option when lines at Pappasito’s in Terminal E or La Tapatia in Terminal A look like a 25-minute delay. If your gate is in the low C30s, it beats wandering back to C12 for fast food and then sprinting 10 minutes to board. One tip: order at the counter, ask how long your plate will take, and only then check your app for any last-minute gate changes in the C20–C40 range.