Where to Eat Crawfish Now

The ultimate guide on where to eat crawfish in Houston right now

As many people have likely noticed, crawfish season is in full swing. Houstonians have flocked to their favorite restaurants to peel tails and suck heads.

Even though the end of February and beginning of March are typically early, the good news is that this winter's mild weather means that sizes are already good and prices are starting to come down. Expect to pay about $7/lb most places, but a few places are already down to $5/lb.

Unlike styles of cuisine, the restaurants that serve the best crawfish are fairly static from year to year. Once a place establishes itself, it typically continues to execute at a high level. With that in mind, this year's list draws from data collected in 2014 and 2015 — two articles that remain incredibly popular with CultureMap readers — while also adding a couple of newcomers that devoted crawfish hounds probably wish weren't in this article.

After all, increased exposure decreases the likelihood they'll be able to walk in and grab a table without waiting. In the middle of Houston's annual crawfish craze, that's a good and valuable thing.

BB's Cafe
Now at five Houston-area locations (with a sixth on the way), BB's Cafe is one of Houston's favorite destinations for Cajun-style crawfish. The boil delivers enough lip-tingling spice without being totally overwhelming. The Heights location remains the most popular, but motivated diners can duck some of the crowd by heading to the Greenway Plaza location.

Bayou City Seafood & Pasta
Admittedly, this Galleria-area favorite isn't the cheapest option (7.99/lb, includes corn and potatoes), but diners pack the place for its consistently large, well-seasoned crawfish. Well-priced happy hour specials and an extensive menu of non-crawfish options mean that everyone should find something they'll enjoy.

The Boot
After bursting onto the scene in 2014, this super casual restaurant has emerged as one of the most popular crawfish destinations in The Heights. While that can mean waiting for a table to open up on weekends, the authentic Louisiana seasoning that delivers flavorful tails and a rush of spice when sucking the head is worth a little inconvenience. High-quality po'boys provide an alternative, but maybe those are better left for non-crawfish months.

Cajun Kitchen
It's been a favorite of devoted crawfish fans for long enough that word is definitely out, but the well-seasoned bugs are worth the wait. A Thai-style boil that's loaded with basil and green onion and the "Kitchen Special" that utilizes citrus and onions help set this place apart from other Chinatown spots. Keep an eye on Facebook for specials like buy 6 lbs get one free — perfect for dinner for two (or a very hungry one).

Crawfish & Noodles
Still the standard by which all Viet-Cajun crawfish are measured against, Andrew Zimmern featured this Chinatown restaurant on the Houston episode of his show Bizarre Eats. The signature garlic butter flavor remains a good choice, but save room for bo luc lac or the expertly fried chicken wings.

Crawfish Shack
For crawfish connoisseurs, making the hour-ish drive to Crosby and waiting in line is their version of driving to Pearland for Killen's Barbecue. Like Killen's, devotees are rewarded for their patience with delicious, large mudbugs. BYOB policy and $1 off for buying 10 lbs or more definitely encourages making the sojourn a group activity.

The Hideaway on Dunvale
This classic neighborhood bar in west Houston serves crawfish every day, but they sell 5 lbs for only $20 on Wednesdays and Sundays. These days that's a bona fide steal. If going on a Sunday, get there early. When the weekly blues jam session fires up around 2, seats become scarce. Even more appealing, the build your own boil option allows diners to add corn, mushrooms, potatoes, or sausage to the mix.

LA Crawfish
From humble beginnings inside the 99 Ranch Market grocery store on I-10, this restaurant has grown to six locations across the Houston-area (with more on the way) as well as locations in San Antonio and Austin. Three flavors of crawfish, a whopping nine flavors of chicken wings, and the signature crawfish pho all help explain why LA Crawfish has become the city's most popular Viet-Cajun destination.

Mr Crawfish & More
A devoted CultureMap reader describes this restaurant as his hidden gem of 2016. In particular, Mr Crawfish benefits from being BYOB and having friendly service that ensures each order arrives quickly. All three flavors earn raves, as does the fried shrimp basket.

Wild Cajun
Now with three locations, this Chinatown favorite only has two flavors, garlic butter and wild Cajun (featuring fresh scallions), but they're both delicious. An extensive menu of well-executed Cajun fare — everything from boudin balls and fried alligator to beignet strips — provides appealing alternatives to boiled seafood. Just leave room for an order or two of the fish sauce wings. Keep an eye on Facebook for specials. In February, crawfish only cost $4.99/lb from 12 to 4 pm.

Where are your favorite places to find crawfish? Let us know in the comments.

Cajun Kitchen's kitchen special features green onions and oranges.

Cajun Kitchen kitchen special crawfish green onions oranges

Cajun Kitchen/Facebook

Cajun Kitchen's kitchen special features green onions and oranges.

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East Coast-style Austin pizzeria confirms plans to open in the Heights

Home Slice Pizza Heights location rendering

Courtesy of the Michael Hsu Office of Architecture

A rendering previews Home Slice Pizza's new location in the Heights.

One of Austin’s pizzerias is expanding its presence in Houston. Home Slice Pizza has claimed the former Mapojeong space in the Heights (602 Studewood) for a new location that will open in the fall of 2026.

Founder Joseph Strickland tells CultureMap that Home Slice wanted to add a second Houston location that would build on the success of its Midtown restaurant that opened in late 2022. Unlike Midtown, which is counter service and offers limited seating, the Heights location will offer full service, an expanded menu, and cocktails, which is in line with Home Slice’s North Austin location.

“We saw a lot of synergy in North Austin and the Heights,” Strickland says. “They have a similar feel, a lot of families, a lot of people looking to get together in big groups. There’s also a robust bar scene on White Oak that we’re happy to be part of.”

Strickland says Home Slice had several requirements for a new location, including a larger dining room than Midtown, a decent-sized parking lot, and enough kitchen capacity to serve both dine-in and larger to-go orders. Not only did they find the right building, but they established a productive relationship with the property’s owner, Revive Development, the Houston-based firm that also owns properties that are home to Loro, Squable, Camaraderie, and the Stomping Grounds development in Garden Oaks.

“It was hard to believe at first. The more we talked with the Revive folks, there was a lot of alignment and opportunity for us to expand what we’re showing Houston,” Stickland says.

Home Slice is working with the Michael Hsu Office of Architecture to renovate the building. Strickland notes that it will require some extensive changes, including removing the butcher shop that was installed as part of its iteration as Ritual, a steakhouse that closed in 2021. Assuming everything goes according to plan, the restaurant should open sometime in the fall of 2026.

Home Slice Pizza food spread Home Slice serves New York-style pizza.Photo by Garrett Smith

Once open, Home Slice will serve its East Coast-inspired menu of New York-style pizzas (whole or by-the-slice), hot and cold Italian deli sandwiches, salads, and desserts — all of which utilize dough or bread that’s made in-house. In particular, the restaurant is known for its white clam pizza, as well as classics such as pepperoni and mushroom or sausage with ricotta and roasted peppers. In 2024, the Houston Press awarded “Best Sandwich” to the restaurant’s Italian Assorted, which is made with ham, dry salami, capicola, genoa salami, vegetables, provolone, mayo, and oil & vinegar.

Critically, the Heights Home Slice location will add wings to the New York and Sicilian-style pizzas, salads, and sandwiches that the restaurant serves in Midtown. Inspired by the wings served at the Anchor Bar in Buffalo, New York, Home Slice keeps its wings simple — medium or hot and served with a house made blue cheese dressing. “It goes with our pizza quite wonderfully,” Stickland says.

He hopes that the the wide-ranging menu, flexible menu, and late night hours will appeal to Heights locals, people patronizing the nearby bars on White Oak, and anyone else looking for a slice and a drink. The larger location and full service should make home slice an option for date nights, office happy hours, any just about any other occasion.

“We hope the neighborhood will be happy to have another offering that’s like ours, where you can bring a first date or your office or go by yourself. We offer all those experiences,” Strickland says.

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