Spanish Flowers Responds to Chips and Salsa Uproar at The Woodlands Location

Fans of the popular Tex-Mex restaurant chain Spanish Flowers in Houston are upset that they were charged extra for chips and salsa without telling them. They have taken to social media to complain.

The trouble started with Facebook posts in two foodie groups from people who had eaten at the Spanish Flowers restaurant in The Woodlands and the original restaurant on North Main and said they were charged extra. People quickly and strongly disagreed with the practice, calling it "shady" and "unethical," and some said they would never go back.

A person who works at Spanish Flowers but did not want to be named told the Houston Chronicle that the negative feedback has been hard on the restaurant's staff. "We're just trying to stay alive." Since we're a Mexican diner, we don't charge for most things. "But we're just trying to keep going," they said, adding that fewer people come for lunch since the policy started.

But the Hernandez family, who own all three Spanish Flowers sites, says the fuss is too big. The family told Chron in a follow-up call that the tortilla chips and salsa are only $2.99 at The Woodlands store, and that the price is written on the menu.

At the North Main branch, manager Ximena Hernandez made it clear that customers only get charged when they ask for too many refills. She said, "Some people ask for five rounds of chips and salsa." "This can't go on forever."

The family also talked about how the restaurant business as a whole has changed. They said that even high-end places no longer give away free appetizers like bread.

Restaurant expert Jon Horowitz told Chron that being honest is very important. "You should let your guests know if you're charging for something that's usually free," he said.

For now, Spanish Flowers hopes that better communication will help calm things down and keep people coming back for more than just the free chips.

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