One of Houston’s most popular taquerias is coming to Lazybrook/Timbergrove. Tacos Doña Lena has claimed the former Dak & Bop space at 1805 W. 18th Street for its second location.

“We’ve been hard at work remodeling and getting everything together to bring y’all another location full of authentic and delicious Mexican flavors,” owner Angel Cabrera wrote in a Facebook post announcing the restaurant’s plans. “We have a few surprises 🍸 coming for y’all and we couldn’t be more elated to now be part of this wonderful neighborhood.”

Named for Cabrera’s mother, Magdalena "Doña Lena" Cabrera, Tacos Doña Lena serves its take on Mexican street food. Diners praise the restaurant’s birria tacos, quesabirria, and fiery homemade salsas. The menu also includes tortas, gorditas, and more — all of which can be served with more than a dozen protein or vegetarian options.

Located in Spring Branch, it has earned considerable acclaim since it opened in 2020. The restaurant made Yelp’s list of America’s Top 100 Restaurants twice — in 2024, it ranks 38th.

That reputation has generated considerable enthusiasm on social media for the restaurant's announcement. Cabrera's Facebook post has generated more than 1,000 likes as of Thursday evening. A corresponding Instagram post has more than 3,500 likes in the same time frame.

In an interview with CultureMap news partner ABC13, Cabrera credited the restaurant’s success to his family, all of whom work there in some fashion. His mother cooks in the kitchen.

"My mom is the key ingredient to the restaurant," he said. "It's all her recipes, all her adobos. Because of her, I'm here, and she's the key component to the success."

Korean fried chicken restaurant Dak & Bop operated in the space from early 2020 until the

end of 2023 when it moved back to its original location in the Museum District’s Parc Binz building. Prior to that, Italian restaurant La Vista briefly operated in the building, which originally housed a Pizza Hut.