East Texas
This cafe is one of the finest places for down-home food in Texas. It's almost as famous for its great sandwiches (grilled shrimp BLTs) and mains (center…
Must-see restaurants in East Texas
East Texas
This tidy wooden restaurant, with its grassy site and outdoor patio, is a pilgrimage spot for barbecue fans. Ronnie Killen has achieved meaty nirvana with…
Houston
Welcome to Houston's favorite steakhouse. While other beef palaces start perusing Las Vegas leases at the first sign of success, this long-running gem…
Houston
The most famous name in New Orleans cooking runs this refined restaurant in Midtown. No mere offshoot, it’s a culinary temple all of its own, blending New…
Houston
This vintage neighborhood grocery store is now dedicated to serving some of Houston's finest burgers. Thick, juicy and loaded condiments, what more could…
Houston
Chef Hugo Ortega elevates regional Mexican cooking and street food to high art in this much-celebrated Montrose bodega. Many menu items may seem familiar,…
Houston
Formal but friendly, this large Mexican restaurant, just east of downtown, is a true local institution. Houstonians have flocked here since the 1970s to…
Outriggers Seafood Grill & Bar
East Texas
You can't beat the Gulf-caught fried shrimp and sunburnt sailor crowd here. Locals know to stake out a deckside waterfront table early on weekend…
East Texas
Relaxed, artsy cafe by day (it has regular juried art shows); swinging scene by night. Local bands play weekend evenings, followed by a salsa dance party…
East Texas
Strictly for those on a weekend break, this attractive restaurant is right in the tiny center. The menu is heavily French accented and changes with the…
East Texas
Classic Texas barbecue is on offer at this dead-simple storefront. Legendary pitmaster Alan Caldwell guards his secret smoking techniques but the…
Northeast Texas
Texas barbecue done right. Order at the counter and retreat to the long wooden tables with your groaning plate of brisket, turkey breast, fried okra, plus…
New Zion Missionary Baptist Church
East Texas
Well sure, you can worship God here, but most people flock to worship the incredibly good barbecue cooked in a smoky shack next to the church. All-you-can…
Northeast Texas
Your one-stop shop for good food and drink in Tyler. Superb barbecue in all forms is served in sandwiches, on plates, in tacos and more. Top regional…
Northeast Texas
Right on the lake near the docks, this wooden restaurant is always busy with gossiping locals, many lounging around on battered chairs out front. The menu…
Kitt’s Kornbread Sandwich & Pie Bar
Northeast Texas
Old-fashioned chicken and dumplings is the savory star at this family-run cafe. But be sure to save room for the pie. All 15 varieties are tasty, but the…
Northeast Texas
The Country Tavern, 5 miles west of Kilgore on Hwy 31, is known statewide for its wonderfully tender barbecued ribs and other wood-smoked meats. The…
Northeast Texas
Far above average country fare is on offer at this tidy corner brick cafe in the heart of town. The burgers are actually famous and the rest of the dishes…
East Texas
The barbecue is superb, and that's no lie. Just be sure to show up during the very limited opening hours. Among the usual lineup, the brisket makes some…
Houston
In a town where the competition for best burger is tough, Stanton's is always on the A-list, with big, stacked juicy burgers. The chipotle option has…
Houston
Pairing Vietnamese seafood with Cajun flavors was inevitable once Vietnamese immigrants entered the Gulf Coast fishing economy. This shiny, hugely…
Houston
Head north up past I-45, past the I-610 beltway and then drive into an unassuming neighborhood. Pass some modest homes and look for a jammed parking lot…
Houston
Though essentially a park cafe, adjoining the Lost Lake Visitor Center at Buffalo Bayou Park, this flamboyant place is festooned with chandeliers and even…
Houston
Set among blooming flowers in a River Oaks garden shop, this lovely cafe is a natural respite for food lovers looking for inventive fare. The breakfasts…
Houston
Houston has had many influxes of people from Asia through the years and many have added to the city's culinary bounty. The family behind this dead-on…
Houston
The name sums up your experience at this delightfully authentic crawfish boil joint. Order your shellfish by the pound and a steaming pile of crawfish or…
Houston
Set in a former movie theater, El Real serves up first-rate Tex-Mex, with sizzling fajitas, steaming enchiladas and fluffy soft-shelled tacos among many…
Houston
A pint-sized outlet of the locally beloved Barnaby's Cafe chain. Breakfasts and lunches are imaginative versions of American diner classics such as hash…
Houston
Usually to be found serving lunch somewhere around the University of Houston, or pretty much anywhere in the city when school's out – check the website…
East Texas
This traditional meat market has been a staple of the main square for decades. Each morning, it fires up a wood-fired brick pit and cooks up brisket, ribs…
East Texas
There's a creative touch here, whether it's the sea bass with miso sauce or a barely seared steak, served sushi-style. Daily specials are a standout. Book…
Houston
Take a break from the hip shopping of the Heights. Craft beer and creative sandwiches are on the daily menu, but so are larger evening dishes like a bone…
East Texas
The 'meat and three' blue-plate lunch specials are Texas-hearty – this is chicken-fried steak country. Don't be put off by the strip-mall location –…
Houston
Gulf Coast seafood is creatively prepared and served in a sleek and sophisticated dining room. Chef Bryan Caswell has won oodles of national awards for…
Houston
A striking art deco edifice houses the busy downtown location of this ever-growing Houston cafe chain. It's won local hearts with fresh and flavorful…
Houston
Definitive diner classics served 24/7. The pies are really the thing here: banana cream, lemon ice box, buttermilk, German chocolate, wild blueberry... It…
East Texas
Be sure to stop by Weikel's Bakery for some site-baked kolaches (Czech-inspired rolls stuffed with sweets or savories, such as fruit jam or jalepeño…
Houston
Houston's freshest sushi. Specialty rolls and super toro tuna (tuna belly; fatty tuna) aren't the only options that shine on this eclectic menu, which…
Northeast Texas
The Forge serves pizza (plus salads, tacos and sandwiches), and offers singer-songwriter folk music Thursday through Saturday. Wednesday is open-mike…
Houston
Come early; devotees line up around the block for down-home breakfast faves like fried wings 'n' waffles. Lunch hours are slightly less crazy at this…
