Food is one of life's great pleasures. And Houston is one of the best places in the world when it comes to food. From burgers to Tex-Mex to Mex-Mex to Asian, it is all here.
Fratelli's, a cozy Italian place on 290, occasionally has wine dinners. You can get on their mailing list (www.fratellishouston.com).
Juanita's is a little Tex-Mex place on T. C. Jester, just outside the North Loop (sharing a strip-center with a titty bar). Now, the best Tex-Mex is usually the closest (or cheapest), but Juanita's has virtues that make it unique. Like the enchiladas mexicanas, skirt steak enchiladas in a cascabel sauce. It has become one of my favorites
Kahn's Deli is heir to the Alfred's tradition (Alfred's is where many Houstonians learned about deli food). Located in the lovely Rice Village, Kahn's serves the best Reuben in town. They have a 300-cd player, and the music is always good. Tell Mike I said hi!
Los Molcajetes (aka Mucho Mexico) is located at 1310 N Wayside Dr (just south of I10). This is a truly wonderful Mexican restaurant. They have an oyster bar, and the seafood cocktails are outstanding. My (current) birthday tradition is a large bowl of the seafood soup with an order of tostadas carnitas on the side. Their enchiladas are wonderful, and the pork tips in red chile sauce is comfort food of the highest order. I won't even go into the entertainment (estilo Monterrey).
Roznovsky's. Best burger in town ('nuff said). TCJester @ W34th.
Pho Vanh II is a little Vietnamese place at Hollister and 290 (southwest corner). I've been eating lunch there a lot. Their Vietnamese eggrolls are outstanding (and jumbo). Their pho is quite good, and my coworkers are addicted to the lemon-grass beef. Also, the vermicelli dishes (with eggcake, shredded pork skin, roast pork and a fried egg among the options) are mighty mighty good. I wouldn't drive across town, but if you're in the neighborhood, it ain't bad.
Tortas Las Llardas is a neighborhood torteria, 'estilo D. F.' (Mexico City style). Their tortas are different than the typical tacqueria/torteria fare, and their hamburgers come 'con pina' (with pineapple). Located just south of Dacoma on Mangum, sharing a parking lot with Taco Bell. A pdf of their menu is here.
Pico's, Cafe Montrose, Vieng Thai, Hugo's, The Latina Cafe, La Hidalguense, Los Nopalitos, Burger-Tex, Frank's Grill - the list just goes on and on.
And, for all the restaurants you haven't heard of yet, there is B4-U-EAT, a tremendous collection of online restaurant reviews.
An outdated Cafe Lemongrass menu. Cafe Lemongrass may be deceased, but it will be quite a while before it is forgotten.
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