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    Where I'm Eating Now

    7 favorite to-go dishes from Houston restaurants offer memorable meals

    Eric Sandler
    Mar 31, 2020 | 3:05 pm
    Shelby, Best of Everything, Etoile, March 2013, restaurant interior
    Etoile's dining room may be closed, but its cuisine is still available.
    Photo by Debora Smail/RealityPhotography

    Hard to believe it’s only been two weeks since Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo ordered all restaurants to close their dining rooms to help slow the spread of COVID-19. With the order's extension until April 30, it's going to be May (at least) before they reopen.

    While some restaurants have temporarily closed, many are operating by selling meals for delivery and to-go. As someone who is both a fan of restaurants and not inclined to cook, I have been availing myself of the opportunity to support establishments by purchasing their food.

    In keeping with the spirit of Judge Hidalgo’s Stay-Home/Work-Safe order, most of my dining has been limited to restaurants in or near Montrose. A month ago, I thought nothing of heading up to Old Town Spring to try tacos at Belly of the Beast, a promising new restaurant from a chef with a serious pedigree, but those sort of journeys seem gratuitous — even though chef Austin Simmons’ pictures of the new family-style desserts at Tris do look good.

    In picking restaurants, I’ve made a deliberate choice to support locally owned, independent businesses. I know every restaurant employs local workers, but the Chick-fil-As and Shake Shacks of the world will survive without my dollars. To keep more money at the restaurants and to save myself expensive fees, I’m mostly picking up orders myself rather than utilizing third party delivery apps.

    Here’s a few of my favorite meals from two weeks of semi-quarantine.

    Chow Wok
    Through a long standing friendship with owner Matt Chow, I received a delivery of garlic fried rice ($8.95), shrimp egg rolls ($3.50), and hot and sour soup ($1.50). The fried rice provided a sufficient portion for two meals, and the intense garlic flavor is perfect for social distancing.

    El Topo
    Chefs Tony Luhrman and Mike Serva have temporarily scaled back some of the more ambitious elements of their dinner menu, but the tacos they’re serving from the restaurant’s to-go window remain vital. My order included both a Houston (beef barbacoa with epazote aioli, $5) and an Austin (roasted vegetables with adobo sauce, $5) as well as a slice of their Basque-style cheesecake ($5).

    Étoile Cuisine et Bar
    It had been at least a couple years since I visited chef Philippe Verpiand’s French restaurant in Uptown Park, but a meal of tomato salad ($14), risotto with shrimp and asparagus ($22), and apple tart ($10) has been a highlight of my recent dining. Seasoned with lemon and saffron, the risotto possessed real depth of flavor, and the shrimp has been nicely seared.

    Good Dog Houston
    A Chi-town (Chicago-style hot dog with tomato, pickles, relish, etc., $7.75) and a Chillin’ Dog (chili, pickled jalapeño, diced onion, $7.50) made for a highly satisfying meal. Travel may have even improved the meal a bit by allowing the chili to ooze into the bun.

    Kenny & Ziggy's
    A pastrami sandwich ($17.95), a potato knish ($6.95), and a slice of seven layer cake (on special for $4) satisfied a deli craving and provided enough food for two meals. The restaurant gives each knish a quick blast in the oven before serving, ensuring the pastry arrives crispy and flaky.

    Riel
    Sometimes, a person needs the comfort that can only come from steak and potatoes. Enter Riel’s hanger steak with cheddar and potato pierogi ($29), which came out nicely medium with a generous side of horseradish cream sauce. The meal also including a gem lettuce salad, the restaurant’s take on a wedge, that comes with plenty of blue cheese, bacon, and tomatoes.

    Romano’s Pizza
    A 14-inch pie with sausage and peppers ($22) satisfied a craving for a New York-style pizza. Romano’s serves a classic, foldable slice with a slightly doughy crust that holds up well to travel and reheating.

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    Drop it like it's hot

    Houston farmers market adds new indoor pickleball court with food and cocktails

    Brianna Griff
    Jun 18, 2025 | 1:00 pm
    Drop Shots HTX indoor pickleball courts
    Photo by Abante Photography
    Drop Shots HTX celebrates its grand opening this Saturday, June 21.

    Pickleball isn’t going anywhere — the racquet sport continues to score with Houstonians. The newest player on the city’s crowded court, Drop Shots HTX, stands out for one big reason: it’s entirely indoors.

    Drop Shots HTX indoor pickleball courts
      

    Photo by Abante Photography

    Drop Shots HTX celebrates its grand opening this Saturday, June 21.

    Opening June 21, Drop Shots HTX is the brainchild of hospitality veterans Roveen Abante (Conservatory Galleria, Duchess), Chase Lovullo (Conservatory Galleria), and Shawn Outlaw.

    “We didn’t just want to open a bar,” co-founder Roveen Abante said in a statement. “We built a space where people connect, whether they’re playing or not. There’s something for everyone here.”

    Drop Shots HTX is marking its grand opening on June 21 from 12-11 pm, offering all-day open play for $5 along with $5 food and drink specials. Live DJs and giveaways will add to the experience.

    Patrons can soak up the A/C while slapping balls across one of the six professional-grade indoor courts. Off the court, guests can engage in friendly competitions of skee-ball, ping pong, arcade basketball, and cornhole in the second-floor lounge. Nine screens make up one wall in the mezzanine, ideal for catching the latest game, or can be expanded into one 195-inch television.

    Clutch City Kitchen will keep the players' appetite at bay with pizzas, sandwiches, and acai bowls. For hydration, an indoor/outdoor full bar will have 10 signature pickleball-themed cocktails, mocktails, and fresh juices crafted from local fruits and veggies.

    “Some venues lean into serious competition, we lean into fun,” added co-founder Shawn Outlaw. “We’re the only indoor pickleball facility inside the Loop with a full bar, kitchen, lounge, and patio. But more than that, we’re the only one that feels like your new favorite neighborhood hangout, even if you never touch a paddle.”

    Events like Glow-in-the-Dark Fridays, Tacos and Tequila Saturdays, and Pancakes and Pickball mornings add a twist to the typical pickleball match. Bring the kids—the venue is family-friendly until 10pm.

    “We created Drop Shots HTX because we fell in love with a game that brings generations together,” Outlaw said. “From our 10-year-olds to our 65-year-old parents, pickleball is for everyone. And so is this space.”

    Drop Shots HTX is located at 2520 Airline Drive, Building A, Suite 100. It’s open Monday through Thursday from 12-11pm, Friday from 12 pm-12 am, and Saturday and Sunday from 11 am-11 pm.

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