Houston
Some of Houston's best barbecue. Buy your slow-smoked brisket (the top item) and baby backs – and pulled pork, and turkey – by the pound or by the plate…
Must-see restaurants in East Texas
East Texas
Right downtown, you're greeted by artworks that embody the name as you enter. ('Is that a monkey or are you happy to see me?') The changing menu is…
East Texas
Weekends-only, artfully tattered R Place serves sandwiches and barbecue, and Saturday night cooks up one main dish at dinner for patrons to enjoy family…
East Texas
With rustic elegance and gracious service, Madden's specializes in adventurous dishes such as a chocolate, coffee and chile-rubbed beef tenderloin with…
Houston
Belly up to the beef brisket, smoked sausage and gallon ice teas in a big ol' barn or out back on picnic tables. Even on the hottest day, the beer is cold…
Northeast Texas
Reasonable steaks and the friendly, down-home atmosphere are worth the drive 15 miles west to Avinger. Everybody knows everybody eating in here in these…
East Texas
Authentic rustic Italian meals are served in a lovely wooden house. Look for faves like lasagne as well as seafood and meaty mains. The wine list is…
Northeast Texas
Join the crowds queuing at the counter to place your order for great burgers, chicken-fried steak or barbecue. Options are many, try the fried okra. It's…
Houston
Soul food served cafeteria-style in the Museum District: think oxtails, ham hocks and ribs – cooked from the, well, soul. The dining room is simple and…
East Texas
This appealing cafe is run by the local Royers clan and is just the spot if all you want is a fine coffee drink and a slice of one of the legendary pies…
East Texas
Everybody's favorite burger: the thick beef patties and hand-cut onion rings have cooked up a passionate following. Tookie's is as casual as it gets,…
East Texas
Top-notch coffee drinks and excellent baked goods make this a good place to recharge. The walls are lined with art; there are seats outside.
Houston
There’s always a cluster of customers around this battered food truck, come in search of Houston's finest tacos – try the pastor (spicy roast pork)…
Houston
Excellent pizzas and pasta at great prices makes the name Dolce Vita (Sweet Life) highly appropriate for this Montrose fave. Find a romantic corner…
Houston
Within its capacious bare-brick walls, this vibrant neighborhood cafe serves everything from morning espressos, via fresh soups, salads and pizzas, to…
East Texas
Opus stands out among the area's casual seafood shacks and slick commercial chains. Upscale dishes like shrimp-and-crab topped snapper are served on white…
Northeast Texas
In Tyler’s somnolent old downtown, Rick’s is in an old brick building and offers an upscale option for a night out. The menu is straightforward American…
Houston
Maybe Hubcap is popular because everything's homemade, from the freshly formed beef patties to the site-baked buns and hand-cut fries. The choices are…
Houston
Behind the modern yellow facade, Indika's enticing dining room sets the tone for its sublime Indian food, a fusion of authentic tastes and adventurous…
Houston
Patios, bocce ball, croquet fields, deejays, cornhole (a game involving a big hole and bean bags) and a wonderfully fun vibe make BAC the kind of place…
Houston
Everyone has their own favorite of the served-all-day, scrambled-egg breakfast tacos here: we like bacon, bean and potato – with jalepeño, of course. One…
East Texas
A Kemah classic for generations, T-Bone Tom's started smoking meat in 1961. Now, in addition to site-made smoked sausage, it serves steaks, seafood and…
Northeast Texas
The tiny, fully visible kitchen turns out artfully presented mains, such as pecan-and-maple crusted salmon, as well as good vegetarian options. All breads…
Houston
Enjoy Tex-Mex and Latin-accent flavors on good-priced mains at this frolicsome bar-restaurant. There's a big patio, shuffleboard and other diversions. It…
Houston
Sink into one of the nail-trimmed leather chairs or enveloping booths for an intimate evening at the expense-account-geared Vic & Anthony's steakhouse, a…
East Texas
A classic country cafe that's been packing in fans of classic country fare since 1984. On weekends a picker plays on the front porch while you eat chicken…
Houston
Sating 2am enchilada and Michelada cravings, Chapultepec Lupita, the 24-hour dive offers a staggering menu of margaritas. A great place to end the party –…
Houston
A pretty garden bungalow cafe with excellent casual fare, including towering burgers. It also has a long veggie and vegan menu, with many fresh and…
Houston
Locals flock to this downtown chain at lunchtime to chow down on savory Cajun gumbos and crawfish étoffée, but don't discount the appeal of daily changing…
Northeast Texas
A mix of country, blues and Cajun-music bands play Friday through Sunday night at Moore's Store, a 1933 mercantile store. The burgers and beers are…
East Texas
Puffabelly's, in an old railroad depot, not only has free peanuts and big country-style main dishes (casseroles abound), it also serves up Texas country…
Northeast Texas
Enjoy great water views from the glass-enclosed patio and a large covered deck. Catfish, chicken-fried steak, hush puppies and more lead a classic east…
Northeast Texas
A 60-year-old Caddo Lake classic in a modern building right on the river. There is multitier terrace seating outside. Most dishes are some combination of…
Houston
Perfectly situated for the Rice U bars, this student favorite food truck offers a fusion of two local cultures: try Korean barbecue tacos or kimchi…
East Texas
At lunch or for an afternoon snack, go for the fine sandwiches, ice-cream treats and homemade pies. There are now several more locations in the region.
Northeast Texas
The Shed Cafe routinely wins praise for its fried chicken. The rest of the fare is filling and the dirt parking lot is usually full.
East Texas
Right at the ferry dock and near the parks, this large, modern place has good Gulf seafood with ship-channel views.
Northeast Texas
In a cavernous old warehouse near the old train station, exposed brick and hanging memorabilia lend a rustic air to this Southern restaurant, which has…
Houston
Banh mi, oh my! Here they keep it simple and sweet – pho, a smattering of rice and meat dishes, and the aforementioned, to-die-for Vietnamese sandwiches…
Sodolak’s Beefmasters Restaurant
East Texas
Down-home-style steaks and burgers without pretension or preposterous prices. The dining room is simple, which means your focus will be on, yes, the beef.
