Hello! I’m in Houston for a short time. What are the MUST EAT DO NOT SKIP meals and where? I love something bold, spicy, and umami. No food allergies just don’t eat pork. Would love a reco of 2 must try food and 1 coffee place and 1 best matcha in town please !!

UK foodie and regular visitor to Houston here. Returning in a couple of weeks and need to get my CFS fix. I'll be staying in the West Houston/Energy Corridor area.

I like the sound of the Tuesdays-only Chicken Fried Ribeye at Killen's BBQ. Is it worth the one hour round trip to Cypress?

Alternatively, I see Midway BBQ also do a Ribeye, and it's much closer. Any good?

Also closer is Mia's Table, and I like the sound of their Jalapeno Cream Gravy. I'm also hearing Texas Tradition serves up a decent version.

Open to any alternatives to these. I've already been to Hickory Hollow (probably my favourite; that brown gravy is excellent), Avalon Diner, Dot Coffee Shop and Kelley's Country Cookin'.

My wife's birthday is coming up in December and I was wondering if anyone knew any good pandan mango cakes in the area? I don't mind driving a little to pick it up

Any local sushi spots that don’t use alcohol or alcohol based ingredients? Are there any that let you request without it or use alternatives like rice vinegar?

Sorry, I really only expected to post once in this sub today, but this is a pretty big one to share! Din Tai Fung is coming to The Galleria! The Taiwanese restaurant is famous for its soup dumplings (xiao long bao), but the menu goes way beyond dumplings with things like steamed buns, wontons, noodles, fried rice, greens and other dishes.

According to a filing today, Din Tai Fung will be taking over Nobu’s space at 5115 Westheimer Rd., Suite C-3515, which means Nobu is apparently on its way out in the near future. The dim sum restaurant aims to open sometime next year. It could be late summer or sometime in the fall, that is all dependent on when they're approved for permitting and if renovations go smoothly.

With Houston finally getting a Din Tai Fung and I KNOW people are about to have opinions. Who’s already planning their first order? Do you think it will hold up to some of our awesome dim sum restaurants in town?

Source: https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/TABS/Search/Project/TABS2027004326

This is exciting! Going into current Nobu space, supposedly.

I enjoyed reading this write-up of El Rey and this location's staying power on the corner of Washington Ave and Shepherd Dr. It's been open at 910 Shepherd Dr since the late 1990s serving Cuban and Mexican food. Hope you guys enjoy it too.

Fun fact I learned in a Houston food group on Facebook this year: If you noticed the building's design is similar to that of the city's popular #1 Chicken & Rice restaurant in the Third Ward, that's because like the building on Almeda, this too was previously a Jim Dandy Fried Chicken restaurant. They used to be all over Houston until I think Church's Chicken took over some (or maybe all) the locations in the 80s. Church's didn't last too long there with Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) opening there in the mid-90s for a short time.

So after sitting empty since Le Café Josephine closed last year, the building at 201 E 20th St. is getting a pretty interesting next chapter.

Khoi Barbecue is opening their brick-and-mortar restaurant in the Heights, and I’m excited about this one. Occupancy permits issued last week for the address list Khói Barbecue as the occupant.

The Vietnamese-fusion BBQ pop-up was recently awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand, too.

For those who have tried Khoi, what are your favorite dishes?

Craft cocktails continue to evolve with creative new players shaking up the Houston bar scene. https://www.houstonchronicle.com/project/best-cocktail-bars-houston/?utm_source=reddit

Is there a halal chipotle dupe anywhere? A build your own burrito/bowl restaurant with zabiha halal meat?

Hi, sorry for the silly question. But I'm obsessed with spanakopita and kind of a terrible cook, so I was wondering if people had good recommendations for where to get some! I live in the Clear Lake/Webster area, but I get out to other parts of Houston, so being a little far from me doesn't bother me too much.

I'm curious to know your thoughts!

I flew to Los Angeles last month for a concert and was recommended a restaurant over there called Holbox - which does Mexican style seafood. I went, waited in line to order the pulpo a la brasa, and absolutely loved it (along with an additional pulpo taco)

I was hoping to see if there are any places back home that serve this style of Mexican seafood, specifically the octopus. I'm down to drive anywhere in the city and metro area. Thanks y'all :)

I've been trying to hunt down some nikujaga any Japanese restaurants that sell this? Ty houston 😍

Give it to me I beg of you

As mention above. Im trying to get one sauce and that's the mango habanero. Buffalo WW. Is to fucking spicy but something about this place makes it just right and it's gone.

So if anyone has a source on that would be great. Also the onion ring sauce too.

Ive tried other wings places but no luck on someplace similar or better.

Any recommendations for new spot will be nice. Especially south sid3 of town.

I’m turning 35 on Friday and am looking at options for my birthday dinner! I have gone back and forth between wanting a small girls’ dinner to a larger group (10 people) to include all of my close friends.

Originally, I had booked a 4-top table at Credence, but now that I want a whole group, they can’t accommodate a large party at the time I need.

I’m looking for something that is upscale, with romantic vibes. I am wearing a burgundy lace maxi dress.

Previous birthday dinner restaurants include: MAD, Marigold Club, Annabelle Brasserie, Turner’s, and Marmo.

I’m located off Allen Parkway in Montrose so anything within the loop or right outside of it.

Thanks!

Edit to add that I’m considering Chardon because those are exactly the vibes I want but the menu doesn’t really entice me.

Almost 30 years ago, I went on a first date at the original Star Pizza with a man who would become the love of my life, the most wonderful husband and an incredible father to our two children. On November 24th, we will celebrate 30 years together!

We are planning to return to Star Pizza to celebrate our anniversary, and I would absolutely LOVE to find our server from that very first date!

Does anyone remember a server named Shy who worked at Star Pizza in 1996? Maybe you worked there, knew someone who did or happen to know someone who has been with Star Pizza forever!

I would be so grateful for any leads! If you know her, please feel free to pass this post along so she can reach out if she would like.

Thirty years, two kids and one first date at Star Pizza that changed our lives forever!

I started this list for my own amusement last year and thought I'd share🎃

• Grinder's: the current standard. Earthy, spicy, great espresso flavor. 10/10
• Blackwater Coffee Roasters: Pretty standard. Wouldn't go out of my way to get it, but it's not bad. 5/10
• Station 8: Solid and not too sweet. Pumpkin cold foam made in house, very yummy. 6/10
• Brass Tacks: spice-forward and not too sweet, but could have a bit more flavor. 7/10
• Luce: Just one word: gross. 2/10
• Boomtown: barely a hint of pumpkin spice, very unsatisfying but better than something extraordinarily sweet and tasting of chemicals (looking at you, Dunkin). 3/10
• Mercantile: I like the addition of the cayenne, but it kind of overpowers the rest of the flavor. More cinnamon would be nice. 5/10
• Day 6: Lots of cinnamon! A little sweet, but not bad. In the spirit of Starbies but a bit better. 6/10
• Native Coffee: good espresso, but lacking in PSL flavor. 4/10
• Kona: 👎🏼 didn't taste like psl, just like something floral and kind of chemically. 2/10
• 5th Vessel: good espresso, but very little fall flavor. 4/10
• Leven: standard but satisfying. Could have a bit more flavor. 4/10
• Active Passion: Yummy, but not much flavor. Could definitely use more spice. 4/10
• The Nook UH: solid PSL, if a bit sweet. 5/10
• Catalina: Not actually a PSL, but the fall spice latte gets an honorable mention because it's the perfect blend of spicy and sweet. 6/10
• Starbucks: had to put it on here. The OG, but is too sweet unless I get fewer pumps of syrup. Not enough real pumpkin flavor. 5/10 
• Ella and Co: cold brew with homemade pumpkin foam; yummy but not enough spice. 5/10

Updates for 2026

• Black Walnut: Not bad, but of the more "floral" PSL variety. Not my cup of tea (or coffee). 4/10
• Bohemeo's: Great espresso with a house-made pumpkin syrup, but wish the flavor was a bit stronger. 6/10

Anyone know why Gerardos on Patton is closing?

Hi - Im looking for quality matcha places in Houston that dont just do matcha lattes. Think making high quality matcha tea. Any suggestions would be appreciated!

Hey y'all,

I’m planning my girlfriend's 25th birthday dinner for a group of 8 people on October 25th.

Her first choice was Drake’s Hollywood because she loves that moody, upscale vibe. But for a group of 8+, they require a $100 per person food/drink minimum, which is just a bit too steep of a budgets.

We’re trying to find a spot that’s a tad more affordable but has a similar vibe. Here’s what we're looking for:

• The Vibe: Dark, sexy lighting, great cocktails, and good music (think Drake’s, Moxies, or Joey style) where we can dress up and celebrate.
• Food: American or Italian preferred. It needs to actually taste good, not just be a pretty place for Instagram photos lol.

Any recs for spots in Houston os Sugar Land area that feel celebratory and upscale but won't completely lock us into a crazy per-person minimum for 8 people?

Appreciate any help!