June is here! Need a lunch or dinner recommendation? Here’s where you should eat right now in Houston.
Pistolero’s
Now open in the former Nabi space on Westheimer in Montrose is Pistolero’s, a modern taco and tequila bar. The transformed, dimly-lit space is papered with a pop Mexican art.
Tacos are large and filling, which is nice since they’re priced high. Our favorite dish, though, was the crispy fried nopales appetizer served with spicy aioli.
Chopping Block
I was determined to hate Chopping Block, a new gourmet burger place on Washington, just because they’re charging about $12 for a burger + fries, but the truth is that my burger — a huge one topped with shoestring onions, Sriracha mayo, and Cheddar — was awesome. A thick, well prepared patty with fresh toppings and a delicious bun.
So don’t let the price deter you. Perhaps it’s worth it after all.
Haven
Breakfast lovers, listen up! Haven is now offering a breakfast-for-dinner menu on Tuesdays through Thursdays in June. Items include homemade cinnamon rolls, scrambled eggs with sorghum-glazed smoked pork belly, buttermilk pancakes with peaches and a ham puff pastry with poached eggs.
Not your thing? June is also Haven chef Randy Evans’s month for his signature hot dog at James Coney Island.
Taco Nuts
Those of us that miss the food, folks and fun at Yelapa can rest easy now that chef L.J. Wiley has taken his talents mobile. You’ll now find him roaming the streets as the proprietor of Taco Nuts, a new truck around town.
Taco Nuts offers tacos in a range of delicious meats (try the cochinita pibil) and toppings. Follow Taco Nuts on Twitter for a location.
Katch 22
You don’t have to be a sports junkie to love Katch 22 on Durham. Sure, they’ve got TVs lining the restaurant and jerseys dotting the walls, but the comfy interior and extensive menu work for just about anyone.
It’s a great place to go for wings or fried asparagus, and the lobster roll is decent. There are soups, salads and burgers, too. Beers abound, and the wine list is surprisingly nice.
Cricket's Creamery and Caffe
If you’re a fan of cozy cafes, be sure to stop by Cricket’s. Now under new management, the longtime Heights staple has made some changes — the biggest of which is adding meat options to the menu. In addition to a great lineup of sandwiches and salads, you’ll find milkshakes and smoothies, Katz coffee, Kraftsmen pastries and Trentino Gelato.
Yummy'z Kitchen
Croissants have made headlines recently, thanks to the crazy cronut, but Yummy’z Kitchen has a different take on the French favorite. This food truck’s specialty is a delicious croissant burger (with bacon!).
Or if cronut fever has you swearing off croissants these days, try the pulled pork sliders on challah. Follow Yummy’z Kitchen on Twitter for a location.
Mala Sichuan
This Sichuan go-to spot is hot — in both the literal and figurative senses. The meat dishes are hit-or-miss for me, but the noodles and veggies dishes are consistently excellent. And now there’s a new way to quell the soaring temps.
Mala Sichuan has just started offering a top-notch lineup of beers and wines, thanks to indie sommelier Justin Vann of PSA Wines. (You can still BYOB as well for a $10 corkage fee.)
D&T Drive Inn
Beer lovers are flocking to the new D&T Drive Inn (on Enid and Cavalcade) in the Heights for its fabulous lineup of taps. Alongside your brew, fill up on vittles from a solid rotation of food trucks — like Bernie’s Burger Bus, Taco Nuts, Fraiche Kitchen and the Golden Grill.
Or stop by on Sunday nights for fried chicken and Tuesday nights for steak. Look for a regular food menu to appear soon.
Papa Mo's Deli
From the outside, Papa Mo’s (on T.C. Jester) looks like a crappy deli. And, well, it kind of looks that way from the inside, too. But shoulder on, because this place makes all the classic sandwiches you crave — and makes them well.
Aside from the basics, you’ll find a Philly cheesesteak, Reuben and corned beef. Skip the pre-made sides and opt for the daily specials, like the pulled pork or Italian sausage.
Need more recs? Try our where to eat right now lists from previous months:
December – January – February – March – April – May
The new Chopping Block serves big burgers at big prices. Good thing they're so darn tasty.
