Good Eating in Houston

Houston - some love it, some hate it. I lived there for 8 years, and, although I don't want to go back, I do miss two things: 1) No matter what time of day it is, you can get GREAT food. There are lots of 24 hour restaraunts. 2) Ditto with auto parts. Yes, you can buy an alternator for your car at 2:30 in the morning (trust me, I know from experience) As you can tell from the title of this journal, it will concentrate on food (maybe this is why I'm overweight...I love good restaurants.)

Quick Tips:

Some of the best restaraunts in the Houston area are in some lousy locations. Don't miss the opportunity to eat great, even if the neighborhood appears 'seedy.' Stay away from those national chain type restaraunts...there are plenty of local places around Houston that have excellent food.

Best Way To Get Around:

In downtown, rent a cab. BUT...there are so many things to do and places to go around the greater Houston metro area, you should rent a car. Be forewarned, however...rush hour is as bad here as anywhere I have ever been. (Why do they call it rush hour, anyway? It's more like sit still hour...)

Fantastic Cajun style seafood, with impeccable service and consistency across the entire chain. The food and service are ALWAYS perfect, from Houston to Atlanta. These people know how to do it right.

Everything on the menu is delicious, and the portions are huge. My personal favorite is the Crawfish combination, which includes both Crawfish Etoufee and fried crawfish, but there is such a huge variety of foods, everybody can find what they want. The gumbos and chowders are to-die-for. If you have never had fried gator, you need to try this too. And no, it doesn't taste like chicken.

Can't decide what to get? Order the sampler and try it all. Hmm...if you aren't a big eater, maybe two of you should order the sampler.

Once you have gorged yourself on the delicious meal, they bring the desert tray around...oh, my...if you didn't save room, get one to go. These people know how to make desert!

This is a popular restaraunt, and fills up fast. Come early to beat the dinnertime rush, and make reservations if you want, but they aren't required.

Remember, bring your appetite!

WOW WOW WOW! These people know how to make pie! Every kind of pie you can imagine, and ALL of them are extra delicious! Light, flaky crusts, fabulous fillings, and great selection.

There are other things on the menu, sandwiches, chili, soup, etc., just like a typical diner, and the food is good, but the reason you come here is for the deserts!

Some of my personal favorites:

Chocolate Praline Fudge pie - Sinfully Rich

Cream Coconut - Better than mama used to make, and that's pretty darn good!

Strawberry and Rhubarb - Get it ala mode for a wonderful sweet/tart contrast.

Open 24 hours, but our favorite time to come is 2 am or so. There's always an interesting crowd in there in the middle of the night, but that's half the fun...

Bring your sweet tooth and enjoy!

Not really fast food, more like good food fast. They do have a drive through, but because of the nature of their sandwiches, it does take a little while (these are not processed meat patties, sitting under heat lamps waiting your arrival)

Their sandwiches include a prime rib sandwich, which is excellent. Other specialty sandwiches are very tasty, with all the ingredients very fresh.

This is a great place to go when you want something a little more upscale than the typical burger joint, but don't have time for a standard restaraunt. Order at the counter, pick it up when it's ready, and take it with you, or eat there.

Always quality food, reasonable prices, fast service. What more do you need?