Need Houston Food Suggestions

[tonyj311]

I am heading to Houston in a few weeks for work. Gonna be staying at the Marriott off Westheimer and Sam Houston. I'll have a rental car- but want to stay fairly close to that area.
Where are some good breakfast tacos?
Where is the best barbecue?
I have been in Minnesota for a year now and really miss good food... I have a big list for Austin, but never really spent time in Houston so I am lost...
TIA-
Tony

[Pedro-bot]

Hey Tony,
glad to hear you'll be spending some time in the lone star state, if even for a short while. Man, I don't know of ANY places that I could recommend in or around that area. I'm assuming it's over on the west side of town, beltway 8 (AKA Sam Houston Toll Road) and Westheimer. I know of a GREAT place for barbacoa tacos and other delicious breakfast tacos but it's in midtown just outside the downtown area.

Maybe someone else can chime in. Red5 and Vinucci live somewhat near that area, maybe they could recommend some happening joint.

[hiero]

screw it man, you're in Houston, do the drive, you'd miss out on some great stuff if you didn't!  when are you in town?  maybe some of us can come out and join you.

tacos a go go in midtown is great and there's a place way out on the north side that I would HIGHLY recommend, but THAT is a bit of a drive, Romeros Las Brazas, freakin AMAZING chicharrones and barbacoa tacos, in fact, I would suggest the Houston crew wake up early one saturday and meet out that way

as far as BBQ, I know you've got your list for Austin, but there's a Rudy's here in Houston off North 45, I compare all other briskets that I eat to the Rudy's extra moist brisket, hands down. 

let me also recommend the King Biscuit for breakfast or dinner, fantastic patio area, great people, and homemade food, it's a great combination of everything and very much old Houston

[Drjones]

Westchase area; used to work there before being moved up to the North Side.  Lots of mostly chain restaurants in the immediate area, but there's usually something interesting in the Carillian Center which is walking distance from the Hilton.  A hop skip and jump South on Bellaire Blvd there's some very good Vietnamese restaurants; recommend Pho Tau Bay which is on Bellaire between Fondren and Gessner.  Fogo de Chao is a little down Westheimer towards downtown Houston, which is very good Brazillian.

[hiero]

oh, if you're looking for good dumplings, there's two places with hands down best dumplings in town off bellaire, and a pretty good korean restaurant around the corner from there too

[Gone Ape]

  Oh,      sure,       I see,         

Looking California - feeling Minnesota - we ride with you, you punk us in Austin when you come back to Texas...ok I get it.   

j/k....Hi Ya Tony !!!  Down here to thaw out ?

[El Matador]

The best breakfast tacos hands down are in Guadalajara Bakery in the heights. It's about 5 mins away from downtown and just up the street from Lu's place. If you wanna go, we'll buy you a taco.

[Pedro-bot]

The best breakfast tacos hands down are in Guadalajara Bakery in the heights. It's about 5 mins away from downtown and just up the street from Lu's place. If you wanna go, we'll buy you a taco.

Dood you never offered to buy me a taco. 

   


 

[tonyj311]

I am going down there to audit some brokers. I'll be with 2 other guys, so I am kinda at the mercy of the group. Thanks for the suggestions, and keep em coming if you think of any more.

I am trying to get on the Austin inspection. That is in October=- BUT I volunteered to do the Kerrville office. I can do that whenever I want this year.

[DesmoLu]

Despite a few new hip restaurants, the Houston food scene really only shines in the ethnic category. Out where you're staying, your best lunch bet is to head out Westheimer past the Beltway towards Dairy Ashford to Phoenicia - a huge ethnic grocer with an awesome deli with cheap authentic, mainly middle eastern food. Head the opposite direction for the true Houston culinary experience around Hillcroft & 59 - pick a nationality, allocate a budget of a whopping $10 and explore until you are full (seriously - $10, some of the Vietnamese places sell sandwiches for $2). unfortunately the good bbq is all an hours drive or more away - if you want to do the bbq thing though Luling in the Galleria is good.

If you're doing the whole corporate credit card thing, I strongly advise against skipping the traditional steakhouse and eating at one of the cities top restaurants like Da Marco. Dolce Vita next door is probably the best restaurant in the city for moderately priced quality food. T'afia is also a city classic and the happy hour is buy one drink, eat all you can for free (top quality food). but all the hyped up super expensive restaurants in the guidebooks are *really* crappy for what you pay.

[DesmoLu]

Dood you never offered to buy me a taco. 

 

Awww, come to bfast with us at Guadalajara and we'll buy you a taco - it's gotta before 8am though or they eat up all the chorizo 

[DomDucati]

I agree... Guadalajara is the bomb.  Wasn't I the one to tell you to try that place?  I work out on the west side of town, though, and there's a bunch of things over near Westheimer and the Beltway.  Fogo de Chao is a good recommendation if you are in the mood for a meat fest.  Churrasco's is there, too, which is really good South American.  BBQ near there, you can either head to Houston's BBQ or Goode Company BBQ.  If you like tortas, some of the best I've ever had are at Mexico's Deli on Dairy Ashford, just south of Westheimer.  Ragin' Cajun is good cajun food near there, too.  It's prime crawfish season, you know.  Escalante's is good Mexican near where you are staying.  Head south on the Beltway and it's right near Memorial.  Taste of Texas and Brenner's are out there on I-10 if you want some steak.  Good luck!