The Velvet Cactus
The Velvet Cactus
Made fresh daily with Hass avocados, pico de gallo, lime, cilantro, and roasted jalapeno.
A creamy blend of cheese, tomatoes, roasted onions, jalapenos and topped with green onions. Enhance it with molida ground beef or chorizo for an additional charge.
A combination of our refried beans, queso blanco, and guacamole. Sorry, no substitutions.
Our awesome queso with pico de gallo, guacamole, and molida ground beef.
Citrus-cured gulf shrimp, avocado, sweet yellow onion, Roma tomatoes, lime, cilantro, serrano, and jalapeno pepper.
Spicy, creamy cheesecake filled with shrimp, chorizo, smoked jalapenos and seasonings, topped with salsa verde and drizzled with aioli sauce - served warm.
3 chicken skewers marinated in Jerk spices, seared and served with honey-lime sour cream.
1 beef flauta, 1 Tex Mex egg roll, and 1 crawfish bandito served with raspberry-chipotle sauce, chipotle aioli sauce, and queso. Sorry, no substitutions.
2 flour tortillas stuffed with your choice of molida beef or chicken with Monterey Jack and cheddar cheeses and served with chipotle aioli.
2 flour tortillas stuffed with crawfish, mixed cheeses and a blend of seasonings; rolled up and fried. Served with guacamole and sour cream.
Grilled chicken blended with fire-roasted corn, black beans, mixed cheeses, and cilantro. Served with raspberry-chipotle sauce.
Seasoned corn masa, smoked pork mixed with peppers and steamed in a corn husk, served with Ranchero sauce. Make it smothered: topped with queso, sour cream, pico de gallo, and guacamole for an additional charge.
Thinly sliced and crispy. Dip made from tomatos and onions.
Thinly sliced and crispy.
Dip made from tomatos and onions.
A creamy queso filled with Louisiana crawfish tails, onions, celery, garlic, and lots of spice!
Crisp tortilla chips, fire-roasted corn and black bean salsa, queso blanco, Monterrey Jack, and cheddar cheese, sour cream, pickled jalapenos, pico de gallo, guacamole and black olives.
Low carb! Roasted cauliflower florets, tomatoes, bell peppers, jalapenos, cilantro, cheese, and avocados. Add toppings for an additional charge.
Pork pibil with jalapeno and pepper jack cheese and grilled pineapple relish served with a side of BBQ dipping sauce.
Fajita steak, fire-roasted corn and black bean salsa, Monterey Jack and cheddar cheese.
Grilled gulf shrimp, applewood bacon, fire-roasted corn, mango, Monterey Jack and cheddar cheese.
Monterey Jack and cheddar cheese. Add protein for an additional charge.
Grilled or fried tilapia, Creole slaw, pickled red onion, pico de gallo, cilantro and topped with chipotle aioli, pickled red onion, and Creole slaw are served chilled.
House smoked brisket, fried onions, horseradish cream sauce, and cilantro.
Fried chicken strips, diced avocado, applewood smoked bacon, Monterey Jack and cheddar cheese and topped with agave-Creole mustard.
Grilled or fried shrimp, Creole slaw, pickled red onion, pico de gallo and topped with chipotle aioli, pickled red onion, and Creole slaw are served chilled.
Portobello mushrooms sauteed in garlic, smoked Gouda, truffle oil, toasted pine nuts and topped with salsa and green onions. Remove Gouda for vegan.
Fajita steak, Monterey Jack and amp; cheddar cheese, mango salsa and topped with chipotle aioli.
Smoked pulled pork, char-grilled onion and red peppers, cilantro and topped with chipotle aioli.
Seared ahi tuna with avocado, red onions, queso fresco, Creole slaw, raspberry chipotle sauce. Pickled red onion and Creole slaw are served chilled.
Molida beef or grilled chicken, romaine lettuce, pico de gallo, black olives, mixed cheese and topped with chipotle aioli.
2 tacos served on soft flour tortillas with choice of 2 sides.
2 tacos served on soft flour tortillas with a cup of tortilla soup.
Choose any 2.
Choose any 2.
Fried Brussel Sprouts tossed in sweet chili glaze and topped with pumpkin seeds and bacon.
Steak and ckicken fajita, jumbo Gulf shrimp, smoked jalapeno and cheese sausage, pico de gallo, sour cream, mixed cheese, whipped garlic butter, Creole slaw, grilled pineapple, and your choice of 4 sides. Feeds 3 to 4.
Mesquite smoked chicken topped with roasted portobello, grilled onions, pico de gallo, jalapeno cream sauce.
Mesquite smoked chicken topped with roasted portobello, grilled onions, pico de gallo, jalapeno cream sauce.
Deep-fried burrito filled with house-smoked brisket, rice, black beans and topped with queso sauce. Served with horseradish dipping sauce.
Deep-fried burrito filled with house-smoked brisket, rice, black beans and topped with queso sauce. Served with horseradish dipping sauce.
Yellowfin tuna seared rare with grilled pineapple habanero relish.
Yellowfin tuna seared rare with grilled pineapple habanero relish.
Fried poblano pepper stuffed with mushrooms, charred corn, and chorizo sausage. Topped with queso and ranchero sauce.
Fried poblano pepper stuffed with mushrooms, charred corn and chorizo sausage Topped with queso and ranchero sauce.
Fajita chicken and steak, pulled pork, jalapeno cheddar sausage (sorry, no substitutions). Served with chipotle BBQ sauce.
Fajita chicken and steak, pulled pork, and jalapeno cheddar sausage (sorry, no substitutions). Served with chipotle BBQ sauce.
Grilled honey-soy marinated chicken, roasted onion, bell peppers, and topped with grilled pineapple.
Grilled honey-soy marinated chicken, roasted onion, bell peppers and topped with grilled pineapple. Served with choice of soup or chili.
Jumbo shrimp sauteed with garlic, Worcestershire, lemon juice, jalapenos on top of chipotle cheese grits. Served with warm tortillas.
Jumbo shrimp sauteed with garlic, Worcestershire, lemon juice, jalapenos on top of chipotle cheese grits. Served with warm tortillas.
Lettuce, tomato, black olives, Monterey Jack and cheddar cheese.
Crispy tortilla bowl, chopped romaine, tomatoes, fire-roasted corn and black bean salsa, black olives, Monterey Jack and cheddar cheese, guacamole, and sour cream.
Wild lettuces, romaine, sliced orange, mango, queso fresco, spiced toasted almonds and served with agave-Creole mustard dressing.
Spring mix, romaine, sliced avocado, roasted red pepper, applewood bacon, Monterey Jack and cheddar cheese. Served with cilantro-lime vinaigrette and topped with crispy tortilla strips.
Crisp romaine, shaved Manchego cheese, crisp tortilla strips and tossed in grilled green onion Caesar.
Breaded and fried.
1 beef, chicken, or bean.
Melted cheese in a grilled flour tortilla. Add chicken or beef for an additional charge.
Hot sandwich filled with cheese that has been pan cooked or grilled.
Chicken or beef enchilada.
Tortilla chips with melted cheese. Add chicken or beef for an additional charge. Tomatoes, olives, or jalapenos upon request.
Chicken or beef. Served with meat and mixed cheese.
Vegan.
Drunken beans, cooked with dos Equis, chorizo, and bacon.
Topped with Chipotle Aioli.
Served with bacon and mixed cheese. Does not contain potatoes.
Zucchini, Squash, Mushrooms, Bell Peppers, and Red Onions.
Topped with queso.
Topped with queso.
Topped with mixed cheese and green chili sauce.
Topped with mixed cheese and green chili sauce.
Topped with mixed cheese and ranchero.
Topped with mixed cheese and ranchero.
Topped with mixed cheese and green chili sauce.
Topped with mixed cheese and green chili sauce.
Smoked brisket with mixed cheese and green chili sauce.
Smoked brisket with mixed cheese and green chili sauce.
Topped with jalapeno cream.
Topped with jalapeno cream.
Mexican yellow rice, Monterey Jack and cheddar cheese, black beans and topped with choice of ranchero, green chili or jalapeno cream sauce plus sour cream and green onions. Add protein for an additional charge. Want it naked? Just hold the tortilla. Try it exploded! Drenched with queso.
2 enchiladas and a taco.
2 enchiladas and a taco.
2 enchiladas and 1/2 quesadilla.
2 enchiladas and 1/2 quesadilla.
1/2 quesadilla and 2 tacos.
1/2 quesadilla and 2 tacos.
1 enchilada and 2 tacos.
1 enchilada and 2 tacos.
Ceviche, 1/2 Caesar or Tampico salad and a grilled Diego's fish taco.
Ceviche, 1/2 Caesar or Tampico salad and a grilled Diego's fish taco.
Roasted chicken, tomatoes, jalapenos, cilantro and topped with crisp tortilla strips, pico de gallo and sliced avocado.
Chorizo sausage, beef, pinto and black beans, chipotle peppers and fire-roasted tomatoes. Topped with crisp tortilla strips, mixed cheeses, and green onions.
Served with a poached egg on top. A traditional Mexican peasant dish of fried tortillas bathed in green salsa until tender. Garnished with raw onions and Cotija cheese. Add shredded chicken for an additional charge.
Served with scrambled eggs. Chorizo sausage pico de gallo and Cotija cheese.
Topped with cheese, tomatoes, fresh jalapenos, avocados, diced onions and topped with sour cream. Add jalapeno cream sauce.
Churros dusted with powdered sugar and cinnamon, topped with sliced strawberries and Mexican chocolate sauce.
Tostados topped with guacamole, salsa, queso fresco, and scrambled eggs.
Sliced avocados with tomatoes, bacon, Cotija cheese, and a poached egg.
Chorizo potato hash with black beans with salsa Verde topped with poached eggs and Cotija cheese.
Scrambled eggs with chorizo sausage, jalapenos, garlic, onions, and bell peppers topped with pepper jack cheese and served with warm flour tortillas. Served with breakfast potatoes and chipotle cheese grits.
Citrus braised pork served on Texas toast and topped with 2 poached eggs and a red pepper hollandaise. Served with breakfast potatoes and chipotle cheese grits.
Filled with scrambled eggs, chorizo sausage, pinto beans, rice, onions, peppers, and cheddar cheese. Topped with ranchero sauce.
Our choice of either 2 chicken or 2 pork enchiladas topped with scrambled eggs, green chili sauce, and Jack cheddar cheese. Served with breakfast potatoes and chipotle cheese grits.
Eat Fit. Grilled onions and peppers on a sizzling skillet, pico de gallo, sour cream and jalapenos. Served with 4 corn tortillas. Served with Creole slaw and grilled veggie skewer.
3 milk-soaked butter cake.
Chicken skewers marinated in Jerk spices, seared and served with honey-lime sour cream.
Citrus-cured gulf shrimp, fresh fish, avocado, sweet yellow onion, Roma tomatoes, lime, cilantro, serrano, and jalapeno pepper.
Mesquite smoked chicken topped with roasted portabello, grilled onions, pico de gallo, jalapeno cream sauce. Served with Creole slaw and grilled veggie skewer.
Grilled honey-soy marinated chicken, roasted onion, bell peppers and topped with grilled pineapple. Served with Creole slaw and grilled veggie skewer.
Sliced chicken served with grilled onions and peppers, pico de gallo, sour cream and jalapenos. Served with 4 corn tortillas. Served with Creole slaw and grilled veggie skewer.
Chips & Salsa
Chips & Salsa
Naked Margarita
a tree decorated with lights
Painkiler
a woman lounging on a couch
Great vibe!
Patio
interior
outside
chips and salsa
Tex Mex Eggrolls
Outdoors
Outside
Art
Margarita Mimosa and Watermelon Mint Margarita
Kids Crispy Taco
interior, cupcakes
Tacos
tacos, food
Scott K.
Jan 5, 2025
How have I not reviewed The Velvet Cactus yet? I eat here at least once every two months!Ok, my fault. I started coming to this place before the pandemic. It has remained remarkably consistent and I have always enjoyed it.The wait staff is always very friendly, although they seem to have a good deal of turnover. I have always had good service though, no matter what. One of my favorite things about the Velvet Cactus is that they serve their salsa warm. I don't know what it is about warm salsa but it just tastes better that way!We usually have an order of the queso with Molida beef, although we didn't get that tonight (trying to at least pretend to be keeping up with resolutions). Instead we went straight for the entrees. I'm sure a huge portion of the menu is great, but I can't seem to order anything other than the Big Burrito. It's filled with proteins, rice, and all sorts of deliciousness, and if I have perfection, why try something else? Ok, the truth is I've sampled some of the other dishes and they all have been terrific, I just really like the burrito. I have a couple of observations about the bar. First, their drink service used to be very slow. However, it's improved every time Ive been here, and now it's very fast, and I mention it only because it's very good now. The second thing is that I'm not a huge fan of their margaritas. It's 100% personal taste, but something about their recipe doesn't work for me. Lots of people I have talked to heartily disagree with me and really enjoy them. Again, it's personal taste, so I stick to their beers and everyone is happy!
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Juliette M.
Jan 4, 2025
Velvet Cactus is the most unique Mexican gem in the city! The ambiance of this place is unbeatable, with excellent indoor and outdoor seating. A great place to dress up for a girls night, or dress down for a casual dinner. Especially during the Christmas season, they offer bubble tents and transform the place into a winter wonderland. Everything I have tried here has been great! But my all time favorites are the salsa and the cheese grits. I crave both of them! I recommend getting the taco plates. They are super yummy with a better portion. Most of the plates they offer are big portions so I normally have a lot to take home. They also have yummy margaritas with a great happy hour!The service is great too with very nice and thoughtful servers. Our server came to check on us and refilled anything we needed. Love love love!!
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Michelle Q.
Dec 16, 2024
This is a great place to hang out with your friends and family. The service was very good. Our server was friendly and attentive. I love the fried fish taco and steak taco. Plantains and Brussels were tasty. My son loved playing connect four. I wish that they still had ceviche on the menu!
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Danielle K.
Sep 19, 2024
This place is so beautiful like a jungle oasis at the beginning of Harrison coming from the park. They have a happy hour that offers 2 for 1 margaritas frozen and house and I was happy with the strawberry frozen set I got for $12.95.
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Nicole D.
Dec 4, 2024
I've received 10/10 service here every time. I even celebrated my birthday here and they gave me a free desert!! The happy hour is a great deal (2 for 1 rocks or frozen cactus margs!) I personally like the enchiladas (brisket enchiladas w cheese.) The small queso is actually quite large so that's a huge plus! They don't skimp you in the salsa either! The drinks are also decently strong. In a good way! My friend did not like her taco salad, but I think she was expecting something different. The chicken was not shredded and the salad was more fresh than some of your other typical Mexican restaurants. So, it is really what you prefer when it comes to the taco salad. Another dish that I expected to be different was the smothered tamales. I think I would've enjoyed the regular tamales that were not smothered and maybe had a side of sour cream or used some of the leftover queso. It was almost too much sauce on the smothered tamales, but again that is not what I was expecting. So, in their defense - the word smothered is very accurate! Lol. I also really enjoy the outside area. I want to come for a drink once it gets warmer, and sit in the chairs.
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Breaynn T.
Feb 11, 2024
This place is such a vibe!!! Came here on our girls night and the vibes were just so cute. We came the week after Christmas and all the decorations were still up with all the heaters. Our server, Jonathan G, was the best!! He was super cool and asked us all about our night plans & if we were out for any special occasion. Drinks were good!
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Greg M.
Aug 6, 2024
My first ti.e trying the Velvet Cactus. I went with some seasoned pros. The food was on point. The service was very good. Our server, knowing it was my first time, was helpful with suggestions. The ambiance was amazing. The outdoor seating, of course, would be better in the fall, and spring was truly delightful. I rate it a 10/10 and will definitely return.
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Lexi M.
Apr 19, 2023
My sister recommended the is place and we checked out the photos on Yelp and immediately said "let's go"!Because the weather was starting to dip, we had to sit inside, but the outside area was absolutely stunning!We sat under some beautiful artwork and stated to read over the menu. I noticed a phone charging station in the table top. Very nice option! I really liked this place because they had Mexican dishes with some New Orleans twists. Since I'm a crawfish lover, I ordered the crawfish banditos as my meal. I asked the server what margarita they recommended and they said the watermelon was a top choice. It was absolutely delicious and I'm not a big watermelon fan. The food came out and my dish was ok. There wasn't much crawfish and there was a ton of the pastry. Very tasty, but not much meat. That's my reason for the 4 stars.
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Arielle M.
Jun 28, 2024
I've been dining at Velvet Cactus for years. Sometimes the service for drink or chip refills can be a little slow but that's completely understandable with how busy they get. Regardless, the food itself always comes out fast, in my experience. It can get a bit loud sometimes, so heads up to people looking for a quiet spot. They have plenty of patio seating, complete with blankets and heaters for the few chilly days we may have down here. Overall, great place to grab a bite to eat!
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Hannah M.
Feb 14, 2025
Great atmosphere. Delicious chips and salsa. Their fajitas are never a miss...always so good!
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