• Home
  • popular
  • EVENTS
  • submit-new-event
  • CHARITY GUIDE
  • Children
  • Education
  • Health
  • Veterans
  • Social Services
  • Arts + Culture
  • Animals
  • LGBTQ
  • New Charity
  • TRENDING NEWS
  • News
  • City Life
  • Entertainment
  • Sports
  • Home + Design
  • Travel
  • Real Estate
  • Restaurants + Bars
  • Arts
  • Society
  • Innovation
  • Fashion + Beauty
  • subscribe
  • about
  • series
  • Embracing Your Inner Cowboy
  • Green Living
  • Summer Fun
  • Real Estate Confidential
  • RX In the City
  • State of the Arts
  • Fall For Fashion
  • Cai's Odyssey
  • Comforts of Home
  • Good Eats
  • Holiday Gift Guide 2010
  • Holiday Gift Guide 2
  • Good Eats 2
  • HMNS Pirates
  • The Future of Houston
  • We Heart Hou 2
  • Music Inspires
  • True Grit
  • Hoops City
  • Green Living 2011
  • Cruizin for a Cure
  • Summer Fun 2011
  • Just Beat It
  • Real Estate 2011
  • Shelby on the Seine
  • Rx in the City 2011
  • Entrepreneur Video Series
  • Going Wild Zoo
  • State of the Arts 2011
  • Fall for Fashion 2011
  • Elaine Turner 2011
  • Comforts of Home 2011
  • King Tut
  • Chevy Girls
  • Good Eats 2011
  • Ready to Jingle
  • Houston at 175
  • The Love Month
  • Clifford on The Catwalk Htx
  • Let's Go Rodeo 2012
  • King's Harbor
  • FotoFest 2012
  • City Centre
  • Hidden Houston
  • Green Living 2012
  • Summer Fun 2012
  • Bookmark
  • 1987: The year that changed Houston
  • Best of Everything 2012
  • Real Estate 2012
  • Rx in the City 2012
  • Lost Pines Road Trip Houston
  • London Dreams
  • State of the Arts 2012
  • HTX Fall For Fashion 2012
  • HTX Good Eats 2012
  • HTX Contemporary Arts 2012
  • HCC 2012
  • Dine to Donate
  • Tasting Room
  • HTX Comforts of Home 2012
  • Charming Charlie
  • Asia Society
  • HTX Ready to Jingle 2012
  • HTX Mistletoe on the go
  • HTX Sun and Ski
  • HTX Cars in Lifestyle
  • HTX New Beginnings
  • HTX Wonderful Weddings
  • HTX Clifford on the Catwalk 2013
  • Zadok Sparkle into Spring
  • HTX Let's Go Rodeo 2013
  • HCC Passion for Fashion
  • BCAF 2013
  • HTX Best of 2013
  • HTX City Centre 2013
  • HTX Real Estate 2013
  • HTX France 2013
  • Driving in Style
  • HTX Island Time
  • HTX Super Season 2013
  • HTX Music Scene 2013
  • HTX Clifford on the Catwalk 2013 2
  • HTX Baker Institute
  • HTX Comforts of Home 2013
  • Mothers Day Gift Guide 2021 Houston
  • Staying Ahead of the Game
  • Wrangler Houston
  • First-time Homebuyers Guide Houston 2021
  • Visit Frisco Houston
  • promoted
  • eventdetail
  • Greystar Novel River Oaks
  • Thirdhome Go Houston
  • Dogfish Head Houston
  • LovBe Houston
  • Claire St Amant podcast Houston
  • The Listing Firm Houston
  • South Padre Houston
  • NextGen Real Estate Houston
  • Pioneer Houston
  • Collaborative for Children
  • Decorum
  • Bold Rock Cider
  • Nasher Houston
  • Houston Tastemaker Awards 2021
  • CityNorth
  • Urban Office
  • Villa Cotton
  • Luck Springs Houston
  • EightyTwo
  • Rectanglo.com
  • Silver Eagle Karbach
  • Mirador Group
  • Nirmanz
  • Bandera Houston
  • Milan Laser
  • Lafayette Travel
  • Highland Park Village Houston
  • Proximo Spirits
  • Douglas Elliman Harris Benson
  • Original ChopShop
  • Bordeaux Houston
  • Strike Marketing
  • Rice Village Gift Guide 2021
  • Downtown District
  • Broadstone Memorial Park
  • Gift Guide
  • Music Lane
  • Blue Circle Foods
  • Houston Tastemaker Awards 2022
  • True Rest
  • Lone Star Sports
  • Silver Eagle Hard Soda
  • Modelo recipes
  • Modelo Fighting Spirit
  • Athletic Brewing
  • Rodeo Houston
  • Silver Eagle Bud Light Next
  • Waco CVB
  • EnerGenie
  • HLSR Wine Committee
  • All Hands
  • El Paso
  • Avenida Houston
  • Visit Lubbock Houston
  • JW Marriott San Antonio
  • Silver Eagle Tupps
  • Space Center Houston
  • Central Market Houston
  • Boulevard Realty
  • Travel Texas Houston
  • Alliantgroup
  • Golf Live
  • DC Partners
  • Under the Influencer
  • Blossom Hotel
  • San Marcos Houston
  • Photo Essay: Holiday Gift Guide 2009
  • We Heart Hou
  • Walker House
  • HTX Good Eats 2013
  • HTX Ready to Jingle 2013
  • HTX Culture Motive
  • HTX Auto Awards
  • HTX Ski Magic
  • HTX Wonderful Weddings 2014
  • HTX Texas Traveler
  • HTX Cifford on the Catwalk 2014
  • HTX United Way 2014
  • HTX Up to Speed
  • HTX Rodeo 2014
  • HTX City Centre 2014
  • HTX Dos Equis
  • HTX Tastemakers 2014
  • HTX Reliant
  • HTX Houston Symphony
  • HTX Trailblazers
  • HTX_RealEstateConfidential_2014
  • HTX_IW_Marks_FashionSeries
  • HTX_Green_Street
  • Dating 101
  • HTX_Clifford_on_the_Catwalk_2014
  • FIVE CultureMap 5th Birthday Bash
  • HTX Clifford on the Catwalk 2014 TEST
  • HTX Texans
  • Bergner and Johnson
  • HTX Good Eats 2014
  • United Way 2014-15_Single Promoted Articles
  • Holiday Pop Up Shop Houston
  • Where to Eat Houston
  • Copious Row Single Promoted Articles
  • HTX Ready to Jingle 2014
  • htx woodford reserve manhattans
  • Zadok Swiss Watches
  • HTX Wonderful Weddings 2015
  • HTX Charity Challenge 2015
  • United Way Helpline Promoted Article
  • Boulevard Realty
  • Fusion Academy Promoted Article
  • Clifford on the Catwalk Fall 2015
  • United Way Book Power Promoted Article
  • Jameson HTX
  • Primavera 2015
  • Promenade Place
  • Hotel Galvez
  • Tremont House
  • HTX Tastemakers 2015
  • HTX Digital Graffiti/Alys Beach
  • MD Anderson Breast Cancer Promoted Article
  • HTX RealEstateConfidential 2015
  • HTX Vargos on the Lake
  • Omni Hotel HTX
  • Undies for Everyone
  • Reliant Bright Ideas Houston
  • 2015 Houston Stylemaker
  • HTX Renewable You
  • Urban Flats Builder
  • Urban Flats Builder
  • HTX New York Fashion Week spring 2016
  • Kyrie Massage
  • Red Bull Flying Bach
  • Hotze Health and Wellness
  • ReadFest 2015
  • Alzheimer's Promoted Article
  • Formula 1 Giveaway
  • Professional Skin Treatments by NuMe Express

    where to eat right now

    Where to eat in Houston right now: 9 best new restaurants to kick off 2020

    Eric Sandler
    Jan 30, 2020 | 10:15 am

    The end of 2019 saw a wave of surprising restaurant closures — a trend that has continued into 2020 — but it also saw a number of significant newcomers. While In-N-Out Burger is probably the highest profile, the object of cult-like affection from California transplants isn’t even the only intriguing new burger option.

    This month’s list catches up on downtown’s newest steakhouse, a food truck making the leap to brick and mortar service, and both of the new hand roll restaurants to open in The Heights. As always, this list is ranked in the order that I recommend trying them based on my actual visits to the establishments listed.

    Let’s go.

    Guard and Grace
    With its floor-to-ceiling windows and 4,000-plus suspender copper rods, the Denver-based steakhouse’s Houston location in the Allen Center offers a dramatic look that’s more stylish than any other Houston steakhouse. Multiple levels of seating make the 15,000-square-foot restaurant feel more intimate than its size would suggest.

    While the restaurant has attracted some buzz for its $400 fajitas (a dish I will never order), diving into its more traditional steakhouse fare brings significant rewards. Starters like the hamachi crudo with Pop Rocks and gochujang pork ribs with puffed rice show a willingness to embrace flavors and textures not found at other restaurants. Offering steaks in reasonable, four-and eight-ounce portions makes it more appealing for a weeknight dinner instead of just for blowout celebrations.

    Still, it’s clear the restaurant still has some kinks to work out. A bone-in, 44-ounce ribeye took 10 minutes to slice after being presented at the table. By that time, it had cooled from hot to merely warm, depriving us of some of the joy of devouring such a massive cut. Similarly, the nori for a couple of hand rolls was too chewy to be pleasant.

    Hopefully, chef-owner Troy Guard will find a new management team who can smooth out these sort of issues and allow Guard and Grace to operate at a level worthy of its setting. 500 Dallas St.

    In-N-Out Burger
    Two months in, the lines have begun to shorten at the California-based burger chain’s two Houston-area locations, but the lines still can get long at peak times.

    Cutting through the hype, it’s easy to understand why In-N-Out has become so successful. The double-double is a classic fast food burger with a whole that’s greater than the sum of its parts. Sure, the patties are so thin that the flavor of the meat gets lost, but the gooey cheese and fresh vegetables elevate the overall experience. On the other hand, every negative thing anyone has written about their french fries is also true; they are crispy but almost entirely flavorless due to a lack of salt — order them animal style for a little more oomph.

    Best of all, the prices are reasonable. A double-double costs $3.95, fries are $1.80, and a chocolate milkshake is $2.40. 12611 S. Kirkwood Rd. (Stafford) and 1010 Katy-Fort Bend Rd. (Katy)

    Hando and Handies Douzo
    Having already written about these two new restaurants in The Heights that both focus on temaki, I will be brief. Hando is a more complete restaurant in the sense that it offers a larger selection of hand rolls (at lower prices), serves both hot and cold appetizers, and has a liquor license that allows it to serve beer, wine, and creative cocktails. Handies Douzo’s hand rolls have a great depth of flavor and are wrapped in extra-crispy nori that makes eating them highly satisfying. Ideally, diners should try both restaurants to pick a favorite, but I lean towards Handies Douzo, at least for now.

    Tejas Burger Joint
    Originally only available on Wednesday at Tejas Chocolate + Barbecue, the Smokehouse Burger takes center stage at Tejas Burger. With a patty that’s smoked for an hour before being seared, topped with smoked smoked cheddar cheese and housemade bacon, it’s a pretty decadent experience.

    Other smoked burger options include one topped with Caesar salad and the Native Texan, a riff on the barbecue joint’s signature chile relleno sausage that’s topped with pepper jack cheese, guacamole, and a corn tortilla. Smaller, non-smoked burgers are also available, but what’s the fun in that?

    Respectable tots and onion rings are both available. One minor quibble: for a burger joint affiliated with a bean-to-bar chocolate shop, the milkshake should have a deeper, richer chocolate flavor. 214 W. Main St. (Tomball)

    Cabo Bob’s
    This Austin-based restaurant offers an important twist on the familiar burrito concept. Instead of gummy tortillas of unknown provenance, Cabo Bob’s makes five different flavors to order on a comal. While this slows down the line a bit, the improvement in flavor and texture is undeniable.

    Filings are a step up, too, with fish tacos and pork adding to the familiar steak and chicken. Good quality queso and a diverse range of toppings make it an appealing alternative to its competitors. 1810 Fountain View Dr.

    Takumi-Ichi Ramen
    While the arrival of Bamboo House to the corner of Westheimer and Fountain View is rightly drawing lots of positive attention, diners shouldn’t overlook the new ramen restaurant that opened in the same shopping center. Tonkotsu ramen has a mild saltiness and a pleasantly creamy texture, and the gyoza had properly crispy skins. The design is no frills, but it’s a solid option for a neighborhood that has lacked a compelling ramen option until now. 5901 Westheimer Rd.

    Cooper’s Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que
    The legendary Llano barbecue joint’s 10-year growth spurt — it includes locations in Austin and Fort Worth — has arrived in Katy with a massive building just west of the Grand Parkway. Like the original, a consistent member of Texas Monthly’s top 50 barbecue joints, diners order from a serving pit. Looking at tempting hunks of brisket, pork ribs, sausage, turkey, prime rib, and more can prove dangerous to one’s wallet; my late lunch for two rang up at about $50.

    The ribs quickly emerged as a favorite thanks to their mild seasoning that let the pork’s natural flavor shine; similarly, prime rib emerged a juicy medium rare even after its smoke bath. Going late in the afternoon meant the brisket had dried out a bit, but a little sauce perked it up. 24205 Katy Fwy.

    Sticky’s Chicken
    Making the transition from food truck to restaurant represents an important moment of transition for any restaurant. That’s why siblings Patsy and Benson Vivares turned to Andy Nguyen, dubbed by the Food Network as “the mash-up king in the food industry,” and chef Michael Pham to bring their brick and mortar to life. They're in the process of adding new dishes to the Sticky's menu, but my visit occurred during the restaurant's lengthy soft opening with a more limited menu that more closely reflected what was served on the truck.

    The signature “Sticky’s Sauce” runs a little sweet for my taste, and the combination of sauces, seared chicken, and wet rice means the whole plate of chicken and rice only has one, somewhat mushy texture. I suspect a fried version with Japanese-style karaage or the chicken wings would appeal to me more. I also suspect the presentation might improve if it were served on a plate instead of in a cardboard to-go container. After all, Sticky’s isn’t a food truck any more — time to step up. 2313 Edwards St.

    Hando's tuna hand roll.

    Hando tuna hand roll
      
    Photo by Al Torres Photography
    Hando's tuna hand roll.
    where-to-eat
    news/restaurants-bars
    series/where-to-eat-houston

    Tequila and Tacos

    Celebrate Cinco de Mayo 2025 at these Houston bars and restaurants

    Brianna Griff
    May 2, 2025 | 4:42 pm
    Picos Cinco de Mayo Margarita
    By Becca Wright
    Picos has margaritas for $10 all day on Cinco de Mayo.

    It’s Cinco de Mayo weekend in Houston, and this city knows how to celebrate Mexico's victory at the Battle of Puebla. From sizzling street tacos and refreshing margaritas to live mariachi music and cultural festivities, there’s no shortage of ways to join the fiesta. We’ve compiled a few of the festivities happening around the city. So, pour yourself a shot of tequila, grab a taco, and enjoy a reason to celebrate with friends.

    Axelrad
    This beloved Midtown beer garden is keeping it chill with all-day margarita specials on Monday, May 5. From 2 pm to midnight, enjoy house margaritas for $5 (add a flavor for $1). Then, settle into a comfy hammock in Axelrad’s spacious backyard to relax.

    Candente
    Cinco de Mayo celebrations at the Michelin-recognized Tex-Mex restaurant will span three days, from May 3–5. On Saturday and Sunday, enjoy all-day festivities including tequila tastings, a DJ, and a photo booth. On Monday, a traveling mariachi band will set the mood while diners feast on Tex-Mex favorites, paired with margaritas, micheladas, and other cocktails from multiple satellite bars. Seating is first-come, first-served.

    Cyclone Anaya
    All six Houston-area Cyclone Anaya’s locations are marking Cinco de Mayo with food and drink specials and live music. Stop by for $5 margaritas, two tacos for $5, and mariachi band performances throughout the day. Whether you’re in the mood to sip, snack, or dance, this classic Houston Tex-Mex joint is ready to party.

    Late August
    For Cinco de Mayo, executive chef Sergio Hidalgo presents a special three-course Taco Omakase menu, offering a refined take on tacos through an Afro-Mexican lens. Each course can be paired with wines selected by Level 3 Sommelier Danny Davis. This exclusive dining experience is available for dinner only on May 5. Reservations are highly recommended.

    Maximo
    This West U. Mexican restaurant from the team behind Local Foods and Milton's is going all out on Monday. From 5-8 pm, the restaurant's Cinco de Mayo Pachanga will feature a one-night-only collaboration menu from chef Adrian Torres and guest Joseph Boudreaux of Boo's Burgers, live painting by Houston artists Donkeeboy and Donkeemom, a market with local vendors, tequila tastings, and music by DJ Mexican Blackbird.


    View this post on Instagram
    A post shared by Maximo in Houston (@vivamaximohouston)


    Molina’s Cantina
    Premium margs are just $8 at Molina’s all weekend. On Monday, mariachis will serenade guests at every outpost from 6-8 pm, while happy hour is on all day, including Molina’s margaritas for $9.50 and Mexican beers for $4.50.

    The Original Ninfa’s
    At Ninfa’s Uptown, the Tex-Mex favorite is partnering with Don Julio tequila for a twist on the Uptown Mezcal cocktail or the Ninfarita, Uptown, or Navigation margaritas. Don’t miss the Aguasol Tequila Jello shots for $3. Enjoy mariachi music Saturday from 5–6 pm, with a photo booth and giveaways from 5–7 pm.

    At Ninfa’s on Navigation, celebrate with Patron-based cocktails and the same festive Jello shots. Sunday’s mariachi is from 2–3 pm, with a photo booth and giveaways from 2–4 pm.

    Picos
    Get your groove on at this restaurant in Upper Kirby with a live DJ mixing up music on Sunday from 12-3 pm outside, and a mariachi band performing inside from 12-4 pm. Feast on the Cinco de Mayo brunch buffet from 10 am-4 pm. On Monday, order $10 house margs from 11 am-3 pm, while an all-you-can-eat pastor cart will be available for $21 a person.

    State Fare Kitchen and Bar
    On Cinco de Mayo, all three locations (Memorial, Sugar Land, and The Woodlands) will serve up festive specials, including $5 State Fare margaritas (frozen or on the rocks) and oversized eats like the Big Tex Taco with a 12-inch puffy flour tortilla. Bring friends and dig into the Big Cinco Platter ($45), which includes the Big Tex Taco, quesabirria, guacamole, salsa, and tortilla chips.

    Toca Madera
    This stylish steakhouse is known for its lively vibes, and Cinco is no exception. The restaurant will be alive with music all weekend, with a DJ, guitarists, and baile folklorico performances. You won’t want to miss the fire dancers. On Cinco de Mayo, happy hour is extended from 2-6 pm, with a live mariachi band. Reservations are recommended.

    Verde Garden
    The Harlow District is pulling out all the stops with three days of Cinco de Mayo festivities. On Saturday, May 3, enjoy a lively lineup featuring a mariachi band at 2 pm, Folklorico dancers at 7 pm, and a DJ set starting at 10 pm. A paloma bar and photo booth add to the fun. On Sunday, May 4, customers can sip from a michelada bar and unwind at the unique cumbia and coffee bar. Then on Monday, May 5, enjoy food and drink specials all day long.

    news/restaurants-bars
    series/where-to-eat-houston
    Loading...