Pennie’s Tex Mex
Take Out
1713 37th Street
Galveston, TX 77550
409-765-6726
Hours of Operation:
Mon – Thu 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Fri – Sat 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Pennie’s Tex-Mex Take Out sits at 1713 37th Street in a building that’s borne meat markets since at least 1913. In 1978 Israel “Pennie” Ochoa and his wife Connie transformed it into a community hub famous for barbacoa and her hand-made tamales2. After Hurricane Ike shuttered the original market in 2009, their descendants Louis and Isis Moreno revived the legacy in 2017—adding Hill Country-style barbecue to the menu while preserving those treasured family recipes.
Family Roots & Rebirth
Now run by the Ochoa–Moreno clan, Pennie’s is proud to remain a family-owned pillar of Galveston’s dining scene. Connie still supervises tamale production (they close three days each week just to make them right), Louis tends the smoker with his original rubs, and their son Cameron keeps neighbors and tourists lined up at the take-out window.
Signature Plates That Pack a Punch
- Tamales: A perfect pork-and-beef blend wrapped in scratch-made masa—these sell out fast, so order ahead.
- Barbacoa: Braised beef cheeks slowly cooked overnight, world-class shredded beef you’ll crave on a Sunday morning🌮.
- Smoked Brisket & Ribs: Oak-smoked to order with just enough bark, tender enough to cut with a fork.
- Sausage & Chicken: Hill Country flair on the side—spiced chicken and plump sausage rounds that balance the heavier cuts.
- Sides & Sweets: Pinto beans and green beans steeped in Connie’s seasonings, plus banana pudding or trifle for a sweet finish.
Service That Feels Like Home
There’s no dining room rush—Pennie’s is take-out only, with picnic tables out back and curbside service for those in a hurry. Lines form quickly on weekends, but the crew moves with practiced warmth: a quick greeting, order accuracy that borders on telepathy, and that rare willingness to chat about Grand-Ma Ochoa’s original corn-husk wrapping technique.
Why Pennie’s Is Galveston’s Best-Kept Secret
With a 4.5-star Tripadvisor rating (Travelers’ Choice) and praise from Texas Monthly’s barbecue editor, Pennie’s thrives on authenticity, not hype. These tamales and slow-smoked barbacoa hit some deep soulful notes. Pull up, place your order, and prepare to carry home a plate of family history—spiced just right for the Gulf Coast.
Author: Galveston County
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