Valley Ranch Grill & Barbecue: Kick Back and Relax With South Texas Barbecue Fare

There’s certainly no shortage of barbecue restaurants in South Texas, but that doesn’t mean that certain eateries don’t stand out more than others. Valley Ranch Grill & Barbecue is one of the most popular barbecue spots in town, offering a delicious selection of slow-smoked meats and Southern sides in a spacious, relaxing atmosphere. Order from the long list of half-racks of ribs, barbecued chicken, and tender, juicy beef, then pair your chosen meat with sides like smashed potatoes and homemade cole slaw. There are even grilled burgers and other sandwiches that make perfect lunch options.

Unlike some barbecue joints, Valley Ranch offers a polished dining room, complete with cozy wooden booths, a fully-stocked condiment bar, and friendly employees who deliver the 'cue right to your table.

Valley Ranch Grill & Barbecue
22548 SH 249
Houston, TX 77070
(281) 376-1588
www.valleyranchbbq.com

Chew to Beat of Mariachi Music at Rancho Grande in Tomball

Rancho Grande is a popular Mexican eatery serving both traditional recipes and new takes on classic favorites in a lively, colorful atmosphere. As soon as you enter the restaurant’s doors you’ll be greeted by the sounds of Mariachi music and bright, eclectic decor.

Rancho Grande’s lunch menu includes Tex-Mex cuisine, like shrimp ceviche and sizzling fajitas, while for dinner, you’ll find even larger portions of favorites, like tortilla soup, enchiladas, and spicy tacos. There is also a full bar for of-age guests where you’ll find icy margaritas and imported Mexican cervezas. Stop by for the restaurant’s popular happy hour every day of the week, or bring the whole family to chow down on fresh, affordable Mexican fare for lunch or dinner.

Rancho Grande is open 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. daily. Happy hour is from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

Rancho Grande
30134 State Highway 249
Tomball, TX 77375
(281) 351-1244
www.ranchograndebarandgrill.com

Artista Restaurant: A Picture-Perfect Dining Experience

Just like a painting in an art museum, the dishes at Artista Restaurant are picture-perfect and exceptionally creative, diner say. This artistic eatery is located in Houston’s Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, and it offers sweeping views of the city skyline from any table in its spacious dining room.

Here, guests can dine on New American classics and signature dishes from Michael Cordúa, one of the most inventive and renowned chefs in all of Texas. The lunch and dinner menus include wild Scottish salmon, calamari tempura appetizers, and premium filet mignon steaks served with complementary sides, including the restaurant’s almost-famous mascarpone mashed potatoes. The dessert menu includes crème brulee, tres leches cakes, and other decadent sweets, and there is even an expansive wine list for of-age guests.

If you’re going out to see a show in the area, be sure to make reservations beforehand for dinner at Artista!

Artista Restaurant
800 Bagby St
Houston, TX 77002
(713) 278-4782
www.artistahouston.com

Shepherd Park Draught House: A Houston Gastropub

Houston's Shepherd Park Draught House features a hip, gastropub ambiance decorated with rock, punk, and pop memorabilia. The eatery has red leatherette booths and a long bar, as well a wrap-around patio for al fresco dining and drinking.

Shepherd Park's rotating roster of beers on tap features brews like Firestone Walker Double IPA, Buffalo Bayou More Cowbell, and Real Ale Devil’s Backbone. If you need a nosh, order up some Crispy Goat Cheese Ravioli, Sea Salt Pretzels, Park Wings with your choice of sauce, or Fire Roasted Hummus with flatbread. The expansive burger and sandwich menu offers a Poblano Burger with pepper jack and cilantro aioli, a Black Bean Veggie Burger with cilantro aioli, and a Grilled Cheese with cheddar, baby Swiss, and pimento served with a bowl of tomato basil cream bisque.

Visit Shepherd Park Draught House's website to learn more abut this Houston gastropub!

Shepherd Park Draught House
3402 N. Shepherd Drive
Houston, TX 77018
(832) 767-1380
www.shepherdparktx.com
www.yelp.com/biz/shepherd-park-draught-house-houston

Feast on the Rancor Burger at Petrol Station

The ingredients in Petrol Station's Rancor burger can barely be contained by a bun. Its juicy Angus chuck patty sports a gooey layer of cheese, crispy strips of bacon, and a lone fried egg on top. The smorgasbord of fresh ingredients has won the Rancor burger a legion of fans among Yelp reviewers—about 50 of them make mention of this popular sandwich.

Burgers may be the main event at Petrol Station, but they're in close competition with the list of craft beers. Depending on what's on tap, you might be able to try the 512 Pecan Porter, described as "dark and smooth" by one drinker, or the light and frosty Bombshell Blonde. If you'd like lighter fare to nibble on with your drink, opt for the "Hummus Amongus" with fresh veggies and pita or the heirloom tomatoes with balls of mozzarella cheese.

Petrol Station
985 Wakefield Drive
Houston, TX 77018
(713) 957-2875
www.yelp.com/biz/petrol-station-houston
www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g56003-d904771-Reviews-Petrol_Station-Houston_Texas.html

Nguyen Ngo 2: Don’t Banh Mi-ss Out

Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches are beloved all over the world for their crave-worthy combination of marinated meats, pickled carrots, and cilantro on freshly baked French bread. Nguyen Ngo 2 is one of the best places to enjoy casual Vietnamese fare in Houston, and it has a colorful, modern design and convenient ordering system that appeal to all types of customers.

The restaurant’s expansive menu is where it really shines. Nguyen Ngo 2’s wide assortment of banh mi sandwiches in styles like seared pork belly and meatball are made with premium ingredients. Regulars recommend adding a fried egg to any of the sandwiches on the menu, as the runny yolk perfectly complements the crusty bread. Although its strip mall location isn’t exactly atmospheric, Nguyen Ngo 2’s comfortable, stylish interior and authentic menu makes it well worth the trip.

Nguyen Ngo 2
14015 Bammel N Houston Road
Houston, TX 77014
(281) 895-8998
www.facebook.com/pages/Nguyen-Ngo-2-Vietnamese-Sandwich/168956649833256
www.yelp.com/biz/nguyen-ngo-2-houston-2

Steamboat House: A Houston Steakhouse

Steamboat House is much more than a Houston steakhouse; it's an homage to Houston's history. Owner Charlie Fogarty personally leads tours of the steakhouse during its off hours, explaining the premise behind Steamboat House. The name is actually borrowed from the home of legendary Texan Sam Houston, which still exists today in a state park. Steamboat House was inspired by the hero's home, as evidenced by the statue of Sam Houston out front. Inside, you'll find paintings of Sam Houston and George Washington, both nearing 100 years old, as well as murals of Texan battles and a collection of vintage Texan flags. Owner Charlie shows fourth-graders and senior citizens around during the tours, and ends them with a serving of chicken fingers.

However, chicken fingers are hardly representative of the entire menu at the hybrid museum-steakhouse. When the doors open for lunch or dinner, guests can order USDA prime steaks with popular sides such as fried green tomatoes or mashed potatoes. Even the menu pays homage to Houston's history with steaks named for Texan figures.

Steamboat House
8045 N. Sam Houston Parkway
Houston, TX 77064
(832) 912-1845
www.steamboathousetx.com

www.yelp.com/biz/steamboat-house-houston

Call Out Your Order at Captain Tom Seafood & Oyster Bar

Dining at Captain Tom Seafood & Oyster Bar is a unique experience that you won't want to miss. This Houston restaurant is arranged like a ship, with seats surrounding a central kitchen and wall-mounted tables around the room’s edge. When you arrive, don't look for a hostess to seat you; just take your place in line and wait for a seat to open up. (Regular customers say you should be prepared to wait for a few minutes; this place is popular and it's rare that there's no line at all.) Once you're seated, don't wait for a server to take your order, either. Instead, just call it out yourself to the guys in the open kitchen.

Make no mistake, however: Despite the restaurant's quirky vibe, the staff at Captain Tom Seafood & Oyster Bar is very serious about serving only fresh, high quality seafood. The gumbo is a customer favorite, with its hearty, flavorful base, as is the breaded and fried catfish, served with crispy fries and hush puppies.

Captain Tom Seafood & Oyster Bar
9651 FM 1960 Road West
Houston, TX 77070
(281) 890-8334

www.captaintomsseafood.com
www.yelp.com/biz/captain-tom-seafood-and-oyster-bar-houston

Kabob Korner: International Fare in Houston

Kabob Korner’s slogan is “food with no boundaries,” and the restaurant’s eclectic mix of food from a number of different ethnicities certainly fits that description. Although the menu does include the eatery’s namesake kabobs, it also offers a variety of other grilled dishes from Mediterranean and South Asian countries. Freshly baked naan bread comes with just about every meal, while vegetable samosas and hummus appetizers are a great addition to your kabob or shawarma. Kabob Korner also offers a few American dishes for less adventurous eaters, including grilled burgers and sandwiches for affordable prices.

The quick and convenient ordering system features a large menu board posted above the ordering counter, and guests can choose to either dine in at one of the small cafe tables or take their food to go for lunch or dinner. Grab a quick lunch that’s more interesting than most with a visit to Kabob Korner.

Kabob Korner
12228 Antoine Drive
Houston, TX 77066
(281) 880-0786
www.kabobkorner.com
www.yelp.com/biz/kabob-korner-houston

Alwadi Mediterranean Sandwiches: Not Your Typical Deli

A Houston eatery serving sandwiches with a Mediterranean twist, Alwadi isn't your typical deli. Here, sandwiches boast marinated chicken, beef, or lamb, all of which arrive sliced, grilled, and wrapped in pita bread with tomatoes, pickles, and garlic sauce. Regulars recommend the gyro sandwich, which features a blend of lamb and beef stuffed inside a pita and drizzled with tzatziki sauce. Vegans and vegetarians can enjoy the falafel sandwich, made with fried chickpea and parsley.

If you aren’t in the mood for a sandwich, the restaurant serves a number of platters featuring shrimp kabobs, chicken shawarma, or falafel patties. Alwadi serves each platter with a side of hummus, cucumber salad, pita bread, garlic sauce, and your choice or fries. For even more options, check out the appetizers, which include stuffed grape leaves, cracked wheat pies stuffed with ground beef and pine nuts, and fried potatoes mixed with garlic and chopped cilantro.

Alwadi Mediterranean Sandwiches
4551 Cypress Creek Parkway
Houston, TX 77069
(832) 249-1500
www.alwadigrill.com
www.yelp.com/biz/alwadi-mediterranean-sandwiches-houston

Pin It on Pinterest