History of Houston's Famous Ninfa's

Words cannot describe the rich taste of Tex-Mex flavors especially served from the original Ninfa's.  Ninfa's on Navigation was started by Mamma Maria Ninfa Laurenzo.  She started the tortilla business in 1949 before developing her small shop into a gourmet restaurant in 1973.  Laurenzo is credited for popularizing fajitas into "tacos al carbon".  Navigation is the street in the heart of the Houston warehouse district where it all came together. Laurenzo was prominent in Houston's political scene sitting on various boards including the Houston Hispanic Forum and the Houston Community College System Foundation.  The Genuine Texas Handbook listed Laurenzo in the Texas Chef's Hall of Fame.  A devoted Catholic, in 1984, she was appointed as goodwill ambassador by Vice President Bush, welcoming Pope John Paul in Puerto Rico.  Laurenzo born in 1924 in Kingsville, Tx died in Houston, 2001.  Her legacy continues through the natives of Houston, restauranteurs, and her children.