Around 11:30 on a Tuesday, the parking lot at Navarrete’s on West Houston Street starts filling up with pickup trucks and contractors still wearing their work gloves. That’s usually when I know it’s time to head over. The lunch crowd at this long-running Sherman spot is as reliable as the food — and the food is very reliable.

Navarrete’s has been a part of Sherman’s Mexican food landscape for years, sitting in a strip center on the west side of town that you’d drive past without a second thought if someone hadn’t already told you to stop. Inside, the dining room is casual and comfortable — booths, family-sized tables, a salsa bar that gives you fair warning about what’s ahead. It’s a working restaurant that takes the cooking seriously without turning it into a performance.

Here’s what I always order: the beef enchiladas in chili gravy. This is old-school Tex-Mex the way it should be — the sauce is dark, smoky, and has that slow-cooked depth that you just can’t fake with a packet. The cheese pulls properly. The tortillas hold their shape. It sounds simple because it is simple, but simple done right is its own kind of skill. They come with rice and refried beans that are properly seasoned, not bland filler.

If you want something with a little more fire, the chile relleno plate is worth the detour. Big, stuffed, battered correctly — not greasy, not soggy. The salsa bar up front lets you customize as much as you want, and the options go beyond the standard pico. There’s a roasted verde that pairs well with just about everything on the menu.

The chips come out hot and salty, and the portions are generous enough that lunch leftovers are almost guaranteed. Prices sit right around $10–$14 for a full plate, which feels fair in 2024 and especially fair for how much food you get. Service is quick at lunch; dinner tends to be a little more relaxed, which is honestly a nice gear shift if you’ve had a long day.

Friday and Saturday evenings get busy, so if you’re going for dinner on a weekend, arrive before 6:30 or plan to wait a short bit. The wait is not unpleasant — the chips help — but knowing that going in makes the experience easier. Weekday lunches are when the place really hums. Fast, efficient, friendly without being over-attentive.

I’ve steered a few out-of-towners here when they ask where to eat in Sherman, and nobody has come back disappointed. It’s not the flashiest recommendation in town, but Tex-Mex this grounded and consistently good is worth knowing about. West Houston Street, easy parking, open most days for lunch and dinner. That’s all you really need.