Our Favorite Houston Restaurants

Jason and I are pretty predictable when it comes to our dining choices. We've tried enough restaurants in Houston that we can now say that we have favorites. These restaurants always do right by us. For us, the food has to be good, the atmosphere has to be right, and the price has to be decent. If you ever come to visit, it's a big possibility that we will be going to one or more of these places.

1. Mexican - Teotihuacan Mexican Cafe
1511 Airline Dr (713) 695-8757

This restaurant is literally located a stone's throw from our former apartment in The Heights. Solid Mexican food, good margaritas, and decently priced beer. Half of the restaurant is a room with plastic windows (like a soft-top Jeep Wrangler) that they keep open on nice days. Favorite dish: Fajita Ploblano with Charro Beans.

2. Italian - Spaghetti Western
1608 Shepherd Dr (713) 861-1313

Decorated very kitschy with movie posters and memorabilia from 1960 spaghetti western films, this place has darn good pasta and Italian dishes. Favorite dish: The Formal Wear (bowtie pasta with chicken, sun dried tomatoes, mushrooms, in garlic cream sauce) or the Cheese Tortellini. Also, Jason loves the Italian margaritas.

3. Sushi - Blue Fish House
2241 Richmond Ave (713) 529-3100

We've mentioned this place several times on here. It's probably our favorite place to go on Friday evenings. We have their happy hour (5-7 pm) down to an art. We can get full on sushi for under $40 - which is a steal in sushi terms. Favorite dish: Hard to choose just one. We like the Tuna Tataki, Salmon Sashimi, and Volcano Roll.

4. Thai - Kanomwan
736 1/2 Telephone Rd (713) 923-4230

Located in our neck of the woods. The owner of this place, formerly known as the Thai Nazi, passed away a few months back and all of Houston (or at least those in the know) were scared this place would close. But, his wife has always been in charge of the cooking, and waitresses have taken over the task of taking orders and manning the cash register. Also, this is the one establishment that my office will actually get in cars to visit during lunch... that must say a lot for the place. BYOB if you go in the evenings. Favorite dish: S1 (Tom Yum Goong) and H6 (Gai Pad Prig Phoa.) You'll just have have to trust us on this one.

5. Order in Chinese - 888
403 Winkler Dr (713) 644-8888

Great for nights when we are too lazy to cook. 'Nuf said. Favorite dish: Can't go wrong with General Tso's Chicken.

6. Soup/ Salad/ Sandwiches - Dacapo's Pastry Cafe
1141 E 11th St (713) 869-9141

Known for their desserts and cakes, but have a great selection of salads and sandwiches. Or try their quiche or soup of the day. Favorite dish: I like the Chicken Salad Sandwich with Pea Side Salad. Jason usually goes for the Soup of the Day and Club Salad. (Although the Club Salad is now an off-of-the-menu item, they will still make it if you ask.)

7. Burgers - Lankford Grocery
88 Dennis St (713) 522-9555

Per their mission statement, "We have nothing small, nothing healthy, and nothing fast. We never give you a check, but that does not mean its free. You pay at the register as you leave. If you do not have 30 minutes to spend, you should try us another day. We have great food, but its not fast food. Everything is made to order just like you like it!" Two things to remember - 1) bring cash and 2) closed on Sundays. Favorite dish: Any of the burgers are good, just depends what you are in the mood for.

8. Breakfast - Java Java
911 W 11th St (713) 880-5282

Good coffee, homestyle cooking. You'll usually find the owner of the place taking orders, running the cash register, or in the kitchen. My only complaint is that this place can be a bit slow. Bring a book and don't go if you're in a hurry. Favorite dish: I like the Quiche with a side of fruit, and Jason usually gets the Eggs Benedict.

Runner up in this category - taco truck a block away. I swear they put crack in their hot sauce it is so addicting.

9. Best Place to have a Beer on the Patio - Onion Creek
3106 White Oak Dr (713) 880-0706

One of my first favorites within the loop. Makes you feel like you are in Austin. Good selection of beers on tap. Great patio. Couches inside. Technically a coffeehouse, but I would say there is a 90/ 10 ratio between beer/ coffee orders. Also, amazing food. You can eat healthy, or go for one of their yummy burgers. There are 4 restaurants owned by the same people here in Houston, and you basically can't go wrong with any of them, but this will always be my favorite. Favorite dish: The Med Plate (hummus) and either the Goat Cheese Salad or Karma Salad.

10. Dessert - Empire Cafe
1732 Westheimer Rd (713) 528-5282

Hip Montrose restaurant. Dim lighting inside. Nice covered patio outside. A glass of wine and a piece of cake is the perfect end to a weekend date night.

11. Coffee - Antidote
729 Studewood St (713) 861-7400

Good coffee, chill vibe. Sit inside on couches or outside at the tables. Also, they serve wine and beer so it is a great place to take a book and hang out in the evenings. Or, if you forget a book, step inside Kaboom Books next door and pick up something new (well, used... but could be new for you.) Pretty sure they have wifi too, but we aren't really the "take a laptop and work in the evenings/ weekends" type of people. Tip - they keep mosquito spray on the side patio if you want to sit outside in the summer without getting eatin up.

12. Trivia Night - Flying Saucer
705 Main St (713) 228-9472

I feel a bit obligated to add this one to the list since we spend one night a week here. Jason loves playing darts here, they have a HUGE selection of beers on draft, and pretty decent bar food.


Side Bar:

When we were in The Woodlands, we loved Cresent Moon Wine Bar (best Caprese Salad and Beef Tataki), Babin's (wonderful Cajun seafood), and Hubbell & Hudson (technically an upscale grocery store, but I loved the Rotisserie Chicken Sandwich you can get in the deli line.)

In College Station, my favorites were Coco Loco (cheap Mexican food done right) and Blue Baker (the Chicken Salad Sandwich and Chocolate Decadence Cookies were my comfort food for four years.)

Located in Dallas, we often have cravings for Burger Island (greasy no-nonsense burgers), Snuffer's (to die for cheese fries), and Baker Bros (another chicken salad sandwich I love.)