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    Iconic Houston Dishes

    10 Houston dishes to eat before you die: Greatest culinary hits abound in H-Town

    Eric Sandler
    Nov 16, 2015 | 10:28 am

    Let's start with the obvious. The task I've been asked to undertake with this list is fundamentally absurd. Houston's restaurant community is so diverse that declaring 10 dishes as the most iconic will naturally exclude dozens of dishes that other people might consider to be utterly essential.

     

    Also, aren't some of these dishes so obvious as not to be worth including? Does anyone really need me to tell him to eat fajitas at Ninfa's or turtle soup at Brennan's?

     

    The question of relevancy must also be raised.

     

    Should I select truly classic dishes from restaurants that may no longer be contributing to the contemporary culinary conversation or do I focus on new classics and risk that the restaurants in question may not be around in five or 10 years? Furthermore, the city has worked so hard to shed its reputation as nothing more than burgers, steaks and Tex-Mex that the bold choice is clearly to exclude those categories entirely.

     

    Others have compiled lists like these before. Here's Underbelly chef/owner Chris Shepherd's list of 20 contemporary classics in Texas Monthly. Or consider this collection of 25 dishes that Eater compiled in January.

     

    Then again, as Ferris Bueller, one of my favorite contemporary philosophers, so memorably quipped, "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in awhile, you could miss it."

     

    In this context, I'd suggest that means erring on the side of caution and including at least some of the older, more obvious selections. After all, new people move here all the time. If no one tells them to go to Ninfa's, maybe they'll never discover it. That would be a shame, because it's still great.

     

    One other factor I considered: The item must be either unique to Houston or tied to our culinary history. That rules out dishes like pizza, sushi and steaks where even our outstanding local examples aren't substantially better than those in other cities of comparable size. It also rules out dishes like turtle soup at Brennan's, which, although excellent, is a New Orleans import.

     

    Consider this list an attempt to balance all of those competing interests and create a "greatest hits" of Houston food that meets the following criteria: useful to newcomers, contemporary enough to be relevant, not derivative of what's come before and maintains a strong sense of place.

     

    Not picking a burger is probably a cop-out, but even I'm not foolish enough to try to declare one to be the most iconic, must-eat specimen from the city's incredibly rich array of choices.

     

     Bone Marrow Pho at Pho Binh by Night
    Vietnamese cuisine is undoubtedly one of Houston's greatest culinary strengths, so much so that Anthony Bourdain is planning to film an entire episode of Parts Unknown around it. Pho, the brothy, aromatic soup that includes herbs, beef and rice noodles, has emerged, along with banh mi, as Houston's favorite Vietnamese dish.

     

    Although all Pho Binh locations are not created equal (different family members use slightly different techniques and seasoning), Pho Binh by Night delivers both the addictive, spice-laden broth and the ability to up the flavor wth a side of rich, fatty bone marrow. That soup and late night hours have made it a destination for members of Houston's restaurant community, who can frequently be found slurping down the broth after their shifts.

     

     Hunter's Beef at Himalaya
    Picking one dish to represent Kaiser Lashkari's creative, Indo-Pakistani cuisine is difficult, but no other restaurant in town serves its signature Hunter's Beef. Pitched as Pakistani pastrami, Lashkari cures beef in a mixture of garam masala, saltpeter, ginger and garlic and is brined for 11 days before being steamed and baked. The results speak for themselves: a dish with a mixture of flavors that's hard to define but utterly addictive, especially when combined with a little mustard. Although its available cold on a sandwich, the hot preparation that's fried with chili powder is even more intense.

     

     Beef fajitas at The Original Ninfa's on Navigation
    Perhaps Houston's greatest contribution to the culinary world came in 1973 when Ninfa Laurenzo served outside skirt steak on a sizzling comal with freshly made flour tortillas. Now thousands of restaurants all over the world serve fajitas, but Ninfa's remains the iconic version. The skirt steak's aggressive, beefy flavors get balanced by spice and acid from pico de gallo and creaminess from guacamole. Add grilled onion for sweetness to taste.

     

    Even though the restaurant has been remodeled and executive chef Alex Padilla has expanded the menu a bit, every time I step through the door I remember childhood visits when Mama Ninfa herself sat near the entrance and greeted patrons.

     

     Garden menu at Oxheart
    Two or three times a year, I take a break from carnivorous excess and treat myself to the vegetarian menu at Oxheart. Three-and-a-half years into its run, one might be tempted to accuse the 30-seat restaurant in a sliver of a space in the Warehouse District of resting on its laurels, but, in my experience, it's never been better. Executive chef Justin Yu has developed a better feel for Houston's seasons and cultivated a network of purveyors who supply him with the freshest, highest quality produce. They yield a six-course tasting menu of colors, textures and flavors that are unlike anything else in Houston.

     

    Maybe it's not for old school diners who object to pulling their own silverware between courses or turntable soundtrack, but that just means getting a table — or, ideally, a seat at the counter with a view of the kitchen — is a little easier than it used to be.

     

     Black pepper spaghetti at Coltivare
    Sometimes, simple is best. Such is the case at Coltivare, chef Ryan Pera's Italian-Southern restaurant in The Heights, where a dish that's listed simply as "Spaghetti, black pepper, parmigiano, black pepper" is one of the most cravable bites in the city. The secret is in combination of high quality olive oil and cheese, freshly made spaghetti and the utterly massive amount of Tellicherry pepper in each bowl that delivers a tingling, pungent spiciness. Once, a prominent Houston chef tried to send me a bowl from across the room, but I had already ordered it.

     

    Want to mitigate Coltivare's notorious waiting times? Try going on Monday or Wednesday instead of the more crowded weekends.

     

     Ostiones Asados at Caracol
    As with Himalaya, picking one dish to represent Hugo Ortega's immense culinary accomplishments seems somewhat absurd, but leaving the man would almost constitute journalistic negligence. Ostiones Asados, wood-roasted Gulf oysters with chipotle butter, represent the way Ortega has elevated Mexican cooking in Houston. The roasting preserves the oyster's natural balance of briny and sweet while adding a whiff of smoke. The chiptole butter adds richness and a little spice, which brings the entire bite together.

     

    Best of all? They're half-price from 3 pm to 7 pm Sunday through Friday.

     

     Water-boiled fish at Mala Sichuan Bistro
    Bellaire Boulevard has long been home to Chinese restaurants that demonstrate that General Tso's chicken and egg rolls are a poor representation of the country's rich culinary history, but Mala Sichuan has set itself apart by mastering the tricky balancing act of delivering authentic flavors with Western-style presentation and service and become a favorite of Houston's service industry heavyweights. Any of a dozen or so dishes would have represented the restaurant well, but the water-boiled fish offers both a unusual preparation and the signature "ma-la" tingle that comes from fresh Sichuan peppercorns. Tilapia may not be a glamorous fish, but it's firm flakes and mild flavor serve as a good vessel for the sauce.

     

     Barbacoa at Gerardo's Drive-In
    Houston has seen the rise of Central Texas-style barbecue joints but picking, for example, the beef rib at Killen's over the brisket at CorkScrew or the pork ribs at Gatlin's felt false. The barbacoa at Gerardo's belongs to an older tradition. While other restaurants are content to mix just cheek and tongue meat for their barbacoa, Gerardo's steams whole cow heads for hours until the meat becomes tender and gelatinous. Cheek, tongue, brains and eye all combine to deliver an incredibly beef flavor that's enhanced by the sweetness of raw onions and given some zing from homemade salsa verde.

     

    The process is so time-consuming that it's only available Friday through Sunday and so popular that people line up to get their fill.
     
     Glazed Donut at Shipley Do-Nuts
    National chains like Dunkin' and Krispy Kreme have made a big push into the Houston market, and fancy newcomers are trying to elevate the simple breakfast treat. While they have their merits, nothing quite matches the elegant simplicity of a Shipley's original. When a glazed yeast donut emerges fresh from the fryer, its incredibly light texture and sweet flavor are so irresistible that CultureMap executive editor-at-large Shelby Hodge has been know to eat two in one sitting.

     

     Fried chicken at Frenchy's
    ​Although I declined to include an explicitiy Creole dish by leaving Brennan's off this list, no one can deny the influence that Louisiana has had on Houston's culinary traditions. Rather than find a gumbo or po-boy to represent that heritage, I'll go with the Cajun-style fried chicken at Frenchy's. The mix of spices will make one's lips tingle but is never overwhelming, and Frenchy's popularity, especially at its original location in the Third Ward, means that every piece is always hot, fresh and crispy. First-rate sides like dirty rice and red beans and rice further enhance the experience.

     

     What essential dish can you not believe isn't on this list? Let us know in the comments.

    One can't tell the story of dining in Houston without Ninfa's.

     
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    HRW Menu Day 2025

    10 eateries participating in Houston Restaurant Weeks for the first time

    Eric Sandler
    Jul 15, 2025 | 12:22 pm
    Kitchen Rumors restaurant lobster dumplings
    Photo by Chris Furia
    These lobster dumplings are available as a supplement at Kitchen Rumors.

    One of the most eagerly anticipated days of the year for people who love Houston restaurants has arrived. Houston Restaurant Weeks has released the first wave of menus for its 2025 event.

    Held from August 1 until Labor Day (Monday, September 1), the charity dining event recruits as many as 400 Houston restaurants to serve two, three, or four-course, prix-fixe menus at set prices — $25 for lunch and brunch and $39 or $55 for dinner. HRW organizer The Cleverley Stone Foundation collects a $1 donation for every $25 menu sold, $3 for every $39 menu sold, and $5 for every $55 menu sold. It uses that money to make a substantial donation to the Houston Food Bank — just over $2 million from the 2024 event alone and over $22 million in the event’s 22-year history.

    Prior to her death in 2020, HRW founder Cleverley Stone described the event as a “win-win-win.” That is, a win for the restaurants who turned the traditionally slow month of August into a busy time. A win for diners who got good deals on meals at some of the city’s top restaurants. And a win for the Houston Food Bank, which turns every dollar raised into three meals for Houstonians in need.

    Now under the direction of her daughter, Katie Stone Cappuccio, Houston Restaurant Weeks maintains its status as the city’s premier charity dining event. Participating restaurants include all four restaurants in Bludorn Hospitality — Bludorn, Navy Blue, Bar Bludorn, and Perseid — all four of James Beard Award winner Hugo Ortega’s restaurants — Hugo’s, Caracol, Xochi, and Urbe — and two of the five Houston restaurants that hold one Michelin star — BCN and Le Jardinier.

    For diners, one of the most exciting aspects of the event is the opportunity to try a new restaurant with the certainty of a fixed price (plus beverages, tax, and tip). Towards that end, CultureMap has compiled a list of many of the first-time participants to help guide people’s selections. Diners are encouraged to keep checking the HRW website, because more establishments will be added between now and August 1.

    Bar Bludorn
    Aaron Bludorn’s Memorial-area tavern is serving a three-course, $55 dinner menu. Starter choices consist of shrimp tartine, chilled corn soup, or arugula salad with watermelon. For an entree, select ricotta gnocchi, branzino, or pork loin. Finish with blueberry cake, chocolate mousse, or ice cream.

    Barbacana
    Chef Christian Hernandez’s downtown restaurant that celebrates Houston’s diversity will serve both a two-course lunch and a three-course, $55 dinner. Choices include jicama salad, wagyu carpaccio, mushroom donburi, and grilled vermillion snapper. Supplements include octopus with mole poblano and a Texas wagyu Denver cut steak.

    Derby
    Located at a storage facility for collector cars, this restaurant is serving a three-course, $39 dinner menu. Choices include bacon with maple glaze and cayenne, apple walnut salad, fried green tomatoes, blackened chicken pasta, and a wagyu burger.

    Doko
    Part of Duckstache Hospitality (Handies Douzo, Aiko, etc.), this sushi restaurant in Autry Park is serving a four-course, $55 menu. Start with scallop aquachile, scallop ceviche, or a tomato salad. Choices for the second and third course include yakitori-style skewers with proteins such as short rib, chicken meatball, and wagyu ribeye as well as one of three sushi rolls — wagyu beef, avocado, or fried shrimp. Finish with one of three desserts.

    Kitchen Rumors
    This inventive, Indian-inspired restaurant from the team behind acclaimed Woodlands restaurants Amrina is serving a three-course, $55 menu. The first course offers five regular choices and two supplements, including lamb keema infladita, blue cheese chicken kebabs, scallop ceviche, and lobster dumplings. Choose from seven different entrees such as pan fried paneer, goat biryani, prawn curry, and bison short rib nihari.

    Maven Coffee & Cocktails
    This neighborhood restaurant that touts Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr as one of its owners will serve a four-course, $55 menu. Choices include a gazpacho shooter, bread and butter, “Caesar cups,” deviled eggs, steak au poivre, spicy rigatoni pasta, and a cheeseburger.

    Okto
    Part of Sof Hospitality (Doris Metropolitan, Hamsa), this Mediterranean restaurant in the Montrose Collective mixed-use development is serving a two-course brunch and a three-course, $55 dinner. At brunch, look for dishes such as ricotta toast, frena bread with pistacchio butter, beet-cured lox, and shakshuka. At dinner, the choices include hamachi tartare, octopus carpaccio, squid ink linguini with crab, and steak frites.

    Perseid
    Bludorn Hospitality’s French restaurant at the Hotel Saint Augustine is serving both a two-course lunch and a three-course, $55 dinner. Both menus include options such as white gazpacho, smoked salmon dip, tomato risotto, and the signature chicken paillard with fingerling potatoes and arugula salad. Dinner adds three desserts, including a chocolate entremet with salted caramel and coffee ice cream.

    Pizzana
    The Los Angeles-based, neo-Neopolitan pizzeria is serving a three-course, $39 menu that includes one of three pizzas — margherita, pepperoni, or the signature cacio e pepe — paired with a choice of three salads and three desserts. We recommend the little gem Caesar and the tiramisu, but that’s entirely up to you.

    Solarium
    Lance McCullers’ pickle ball bar in Midtown is also participating in HRW with a two-course brunch and a three-course, $39 dinner. Both meals include choices such as a chicken skewer with jalapeno-dill yogurt, Caesar salad, and cheeseburger. Brunch adds breakfast options such as pancakes or an egg sandwich, while dinner adds chicken tenders, a pulled pork sandwich, and choice of dessert.

    Kitchen Rumors restaurant lobster dumplings
      

    Photo by Chris Furia

    These lobster dumplings are available as a supplement at Kitchen Rumors.

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