Houston's annual celebration of Latin-owned food businesses has returned. Latin Restaurant Weeks is currently underway now through July 21.

Now in its fifth year, the event includes more than 80 restaurants, cafes, coffee shops, food trucks, and bakers. Diner will find a range of Latin and South American countries represented, including Mexico, El Salvador, Ecuador, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, Venezuela, and Peru.

“Each year brings a new level of excitement,” co-founder Karinn Chavarria said in a statement. “In five short years, we’ve grown tremendously, which means our LRW participants are experiencing growth too. Seeing them return, especially those who have been with us since year one, has been heartwarming because we know this mission is making a difference.”

In addition to promoting restaurants through media appearances and social media outreach, Latin Restaurant Weeks has partnered with food service giant Sysco and the non-profit Feed the Soul foundation to award four, $10,000 grants to participating businesses. Recipients use the money to further grow their establishments.

"We are thrilled to partner with Latin Restaurant Weeks once again," Warren Luckett, co-founder of Feed The Soul Foundation, added. "Through our collaboration last year, we were able to provide LRW participants with invaluable support in areas such as brand development, operating procedures, and business expansion. Latin Restaurant Weeks goes beyond being a marketing vehicle; it fosters connections for restaurateurs, granting them access to vital resources, industry experts, and financial assistance opportunities."

To help diners get started on their LRW dining plans, here are six of our favorites from this year’s roster of participants.

Cochinita & Co.
Located in the East End, the restaurant is serving a $25, three-course meal. It features three appetizer choices (papitas, nopalitos salad, or elotes), three entree choices (cochinita pibil, chicken mole, or vegan flautas) and two dessert choices.

The Lymbar
David Cordua’s Midtown restaurant has LRW specials for both lunch and dinner. At lunch, get a $14 Vendo box comes with a choice of empanada, choice of salad, choice of entree — hummus, gemelli pasta with chicken and mushrooms, shawarma taco, or fried chicken bites — and a choice of dessert. At dinner, The Lymbar will serve a $88 dinner for two that includes ceviche, an empanada trio, and seafood paella.

Mykuna
Located within Railway Heights Market, Mykuna is chef David Guerrero’s ode to Latin and Asian flavors. The restaurant’s LRW menu includes a four-piece Aji de Gallina egg roll made with pulled chicken and peanuts; pork belly fried rice bowl (Chaufarin); and grilled royale king mushrooms over garlic noodles.

Ojo de Agua
Newly opened in River Oaks District, this cafe from Mexico City has an extensive menu of breakfast and lunch items that it pairs with juices, cocktails, and more. For LRW, it’s featuring chicken enchiladas that are topped with roasted green sauce and melted manchego.

Tacos Doña Lena
The Spring Branch restaurant has earned raves for its traditional Mexican flavors. For LRW, it will feature a choice of three, $12 entrees that come with an agua fresca. They are: three tacos in corn tortillas with rice and beans; three birria tacos; or three cheese enchiladas topped with grilled potatoes.

TJ Birria Y Mas
Located in Stafford and the Heights, the restaurant is offering two specials. Choose a Birria Ramen Combo with two birriadillas or a Deluxe Platter that comes with a Birriadilla (corn), a Mini Quesabirria (flour), a Mulita Mini (corn tortilla) and, a Vampiro (birria tostada) topped with onion, cilantro, and salsa roja.