Irma Galvan has served her famous fajitas and enchiladas to downtowners for 20 years, and she's done it her way — no menus, dishes made to order and only open on weekdays until 3 p.m., 7 p.m. on Houston Astros game days.
But now Galvan is shaking up her routine and opening Irma's for dinner on Thursday, Friday and even Saturday from 4-10 p.m.
"I wanted to add dinner because I want to get people to this area, the warehouse district," Galvan says. "At night you go downtown and Sambuca is packed, Cielo, other places. I've been in this neighborhood for 22 years and I want more people to experience it as a pedestrian destination."
Galvan also notes that many businessmen want to bring in clients from out of town to experience the landmark Houston hideaway, and aren't always able to come at lunch.
Galvan is expanding her space, adding an airy new dining room and bar in the adjacent warehouse to be opened in November. The space will seat about 20 tables and be outfitted with a large bar and several TVs that will show sports. The decor will mirror her current space, a mix of warehouse style , Mexican and New Orleans influences, with tin exterior walls and potentially additional patio seating.
The new space will also be used for private events and parties. (Galvan says she already has several Christmas parties booked, so move quickly!)
In addition the raison d'etre of Irma's will be changing a bit at night. Galvan is offering a full, written menu with prices.
"A lot of people want that, but the regulars want to keep everything the way it is and not change" Galvan says.
She's also adding steaks to the menu, including a ribeye marinated overnight in a chipotle sauce, as well as new strawberry and blue curaçao margaritas.
"It's kinda like starting over again. I had to learn to crawl before I could walk, and I'll be doing the same thing with dinner service," she says.