Order the Margarita, Skip the Wine List
Downtown Waco · Waco · Mexican, Southwestern · Visit Website ↗
Updated June 2026
Reviewed April 7, 2026
Wingman Metrics
The drink menu at Ninfa's is built for margaritas — and honestly, that's the right call. When you spot the wine section, it reads less like a curated list and more like a fallback for guests who don't drink tequila. Seven options, all house pours, with Chloe Chardonnay as the lone named bottle.
This is a California-only situation, and not the interesting part of California. You've got house Chardonnay, house Merlot, house Cabernet, house Pinot Grigio, house White Zinfandel, house Champagne, and a single step up to Chloe Chardonnay — that's the whole map. No Tempranillo, no Malbec, no Grenache, nothing that actually plays to the bold, spiced flavors on the food menu. For a Mexican restaurant with this much kitchen credibility, the wine program is essentially an afterthought. The regional blind spot here is glaring — Spanish and South American wines would be natural fits and they're completely absent.
All seven options are by the glass, which sounds generous until you realize the list is seven items deep in total. There's no bottle program to speak of, no rotation, no seasonal update. What you see today is what you'll see next year.
Chloe Chardonnay — null
It's the only named producer on the list, which makes it the de facto best bet by default. At least you know what you're getting — a soft, easy-drinking California Chard that won't fight you.
House Pinot Grigio
Not exciting, but if you want something crisp and inoffensive alongside chips and salsa while you wait for your fajitas, a cold house Pinot Grigio does the job without pretending to be anything more.
House White Zinfandel
White Zin in 2024 is a hard sell anywhere. Sweet, thin, and completely out of step with the savory, chili-forward food coming out of this kitchen. Walk right past it.
Chloe Chardonnay + Fajitas
The unoaked softness of Chloe holds up without clashing against the char and citrus in the fajita marinade. It's not a revelation, but it's the most functional match on a very short menu.
❌ The Bottom Line
Ninfa's earns its reputation on homemade tortillas and margaritas — lean into that. The wine list exists, technically, but it's not why you're here and it shouldn't be.
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Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Occasional
Acceptable
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Grocery Store
Gouge
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
MIA
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Grocery Store
Gouge
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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135 Prime is doing more with a wine list than Waco has any right to expect from its steakhouse scene, and the weekly specials show genuine curiosity. Just keep your guard up when the dessert wine list arrives — that's where the house cashes in.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Seasonal Rotation
Acceptable
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.