Don’t Miss the Brisket at Red River Bar-B-Que

What began as a humble catering business by brothers Ric and Kevin Kiersh has flourished into Red River Bar-B-Que, an eatery that now boasts two locations (the original in League City and a second in Katy). A handful of reasons could explain why the Kiersh brothers met success where others fail. First of all, they use real wood-burning pits to smoke their meats. Second of all, they rely on family recipes to craft many of their most popular barbecue dishes.

Regardless of the precise reason, locals say you won't find brisket quite like the Kiersh's anywhere else in League City. So head to Red River Bar-B-Que if you're craving beef, and pick your preferred serving style. You can enjoy the brisket piled atop a baked potato, along with plenty of cheese, sour cream, and butter. Or sample the brisket in a more conventional way: stuffed inside a sandwich with grilled onions and cheddar cheese. Pulled pork, chicken, turkey, and sausage are all on the menu of barbecued meats, as well.

Red River Bar-B-Que
1911 E. Main Street
League City, TX 77573
(281) 332-8086
redriverbbq.com
www.yelp.com/biz/red-river-bar-b-que-company-league-city-2

Esteban’s Cafe & Cantina: South-of-the-Border Fare Just a Bit Farther North

League City's Esteban’s Cafe & Cantina is colorful eatery with a quirky, charming exterior that makes it easy to spot. Inside, the shabby chic decor and spacious dining room create a fun and relaxing atmosphere for lunch or dinner, and the chefs prepare each meal using homestyle techniques and fresh ingredients.

Esteban’s most popular menu items are the crispy hard taocs, chili cheese enchiladas, and sauce-covered chimichanga, but if you order a platter like the Tijuana combo plate, you can try a number of dishes for one low price. You also can’t miss the margaritas at this authentic Mexican fare eatery, as they are made with top-shelf tequila and fresh, housemade mixes that will add a welcome kick to any meal.

Stop by to taste why Esteban’s Cafe & Cantina has been a League City favorite for more than two decades!

Esteban’s Cafe & Cantina
402 W Main St
League City, TX 77573
(281) 332-4195
www.estebanscafe.com

Noah’s Ark: Breakfast, Burgers, Brews and a Water View

Noah’s Ark is a festive, surf-shack-style restaurant in the League City area that features an umbrella-covered outdoor patio, a second-story balcony deck covered by a thatched roof, and a full stage perfect for live music every weekend.

If you’re looking for breakfast, Noah’s Ark offers a full breakfast buffet with French toast, eggs, sausages, and much more, as well as strong coffee that’s sure to perk you right up. For lunch and dinner, the menu switches over to fresh seafood platters, oyster appetizers, and large, juicy burgers that are almost too big to bite into. There is a full bar that serves cold beers and some of the best Bloody Marys in town, which taste even better when you drink them while listening to live music and looking out over the waterfront view.

Noah’s Ark
4438 Blvd Street
Bacliff, TX 77518
(281) 339-2895
www.noahsarkbarandgrill.com

King Chicken: Savor Peruvian Fare Flavors in Webster

Regulars at King Chicken agree that the biggest draw at this Webster restaurant is the outstanding Peruvian-style roasted chicken, which is served tender and moist, with crispy golden skin. Yelp reviewers swear that the aroma itself is enough to make your knees go weak, and you can order a quarter chicken for a single person or get a whole chicken to feed a crowd. Add a side of fried yucca, plantains, or coleslaw and you've got a hearty, tasty meal. Other favorites on the menu include spicy black beans and jalapeno and cheese pupusas. Whatever you order, you can expect large portions, bold flavors, and reasonable prices.

The restaurant offers counter service rather than sit-down service, and while it's pleasant enough to eat in the restaurant's dining room, customers who want to take their time and savor every bite often order their meals to go.

King Chicken
548 West Nasa Parkway
Webster, TX 77598
(281) 316-9555
www.yelp.com/biz/king-chicken-webster

Find Burritos and More at Bullritos

If you’re hunting for a unique take on classic Mexican dishes, the friendly folks at Bullritos are going to make your day. This locally-owned chain puts its own special spin on the classic burrito, and regulars go wild over the flavors here.

Ordering is a little different here, so pay attention. When you walk in, each patron grabs a bag and marks the kind of dish they want: burrito, tacos, nachos, or salad. You then check off the kind of meat you want, your choice of vegetables, cheeses, and other condiments. Quick as a flash, the kitchen staff makes your meal from scratch and gets it back to you.

Regulars rave about the carne guisada, perfectly seasoned beef that goes great with spicy salsa. The pulled pork is also very good. This League City restaurant also has a state-of-the-art soda machine that lets you choose from over a hundred flavors and combinations.

Bullritos
1620 W FM 646 Road
League City, TX 77573
(855) 428-5574
www.bullritos.com
www.yelp.com/biz/bullritos-league-city

Little Daddy’s Gumbo Bar: Bayou Cuisine in League City

If you’re looking for solid Southern-style food in League City, regulars will likely point you in the direction of Little Daddy’s Gumbo Bar. This is a local favorite for generous portions of authentic Bayou cuisine.

Start your meal off with a plate of char-grilled oysters, given just enough fire to bring out their flavor, or opt for a side of fried pickles. The Big Easy barbecued shrimp are packed with flavor. As you might expect from the name, the gumbos are Little Daddy's specialty. The gumbo is prepared in steam kettles, special pots that are pressurized to keep the flavors strong and clear. This dense, powerful soup comes with prime rib, seafood, or chicken and sausage and is served over dirty rice. Also popular are the po’ boy sandwiches, available in two sizes. Try the crawfish tail meat or the fried soft-shell crab.

Little Daddy's Gumbo Bar
1615 W. FM 646 Road
League City, TX 77573
(281) 524-8626
www.littledaddysgumbobar.com/home
www.yelp.com/biz/little-daddys-gumbo-bar-league-city

El Centinela Proves that Mexican Food Can Be a Balanced Breakfast

You might not immediately think of a Mexican restaurant for breakfast, but El Centinela wants to change that. The casual Mexican eatery on Highway 3 may look rather nondescript from the outside, a beige building with a few windows installed in the storefront, but inside awaits a colorful, spicy smorgasbord of breakfast fare.

In fact, most customers who've left Yelp reviews are so impressed by the morning grub that they specifically mention the caliber of the breakfast fare. The affordably priced fare ranges from a breakfast burrito filled with eggs, meat, beans, and cheese to the more extravagant supreme omelet. Its ingredient list starts out normally enough, with bacon, ham, cheese, onions, and potatoes, but the addition of beans and chunks of tender cactus make it a true treat in the morning. Huevos rancheros and migs con huevo (eggs with tomatoes) round out the breakfast menu.

You can also come to El Centinela for lunch or dinner, however. The Mexican food is just authentic later in the day. Dig into a set of the popular barbacoa tacos if you decide to dine after noon.

El Centinela
​104 Highway 3 N.
League City, TX 77573
(281) 554-9286
www.elcentinelaleaguecity.com
www.yelp.com/biz/el-centinela-mexican-restaurant-league-city

Rudy’s Country Store and Barbecue: A True Taste of Texas

If authentic barbecue taste at an affordable price is your only stipulation for a great meal, Rudy’s Country Store and Barbecue is a great choice for your next meal out. The casual restaurant is very big on samples, and the guests can try just about anything before purchasing, from the smoked turkey and the tender brisket to the plump, juicy sausage.

Once you decide on a choice of meat (or two), pair your meat with a side of cole slaw, corn on the cob, baked beans, or the green chile stew. Desserts such as banana pudding or pecan pie add to the down-home feel of your meal. Combine the great barbecue fare with the quirky gas station out front, and Rudy’s makes for a truly standout spot in an area pretty heavily populated with barbecue restaurants!

Rudy’s is open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. weekdays, staying open later, until 10:30 p.m., on weekends.

Rudy’s Country Store and Barbecue
21361 Gulf Freeway
Webster, TX 77598
(281) 338-0462
www.rudysbbq.com
www.yelp.com/biz/rudys-country-store-and-bar-b-q-webster

Texas Brisket Steals the Show at Spring Creek Barbeque

Texas is barbecue country, with beef brisket being the trademark dish of the state. The ideal brisket should be crisp and savory on the outside, with a pink, tender core that melts in your mouth. If you’re in League City and looking to sample some of this amazing tradition, stop in at Spring Creek Barbeque. If you’re in a hurry, you might want to eat somewhere else, as great meat takes time.

Brisket here is executed ably, with just the right amount of fat. The ribs are also highly recommended, and don’t forget to get a side of fried okra. You'll even receive a free scoop of ice cream for dessert, if by some miracle you’re still hungry. The house-made barbecue sauce is a local favorite, with a thin consistency but notable flavor, and it's sold by the bottle if you want to take some home.

Spring Creek Barbeque
2710 Gulf Freeway South
League City, TX 77573
(281) 534-7873
www.springcreekbarbeque.com/league.htm
www.yelp.com/biz/spring-creek-barbeque-league-city

Tuscany Bistro: Uncover a Hidden Jewel in League City

Tucked into a strip center alongside a grocery store, Tuscany Bistro is an unassuming, family-owned restaurant that serves high quality Italian dishes in League City. Sandra Howren and Pili Arnao took over Tuscany Bistro in the summer of 2008, and since then they have been making everything on the menu in-house and from scratch. Yelp reviewers recommend any of the freshly baked breads, as well as the avocado chicken salad and signature sandwiches for lunch, and diners can’t stop raving about the lasagna and dry-rub salmon for dinner. Be sure to save room for a slice of tres leches cake for dessert.

The dining room is cozy, tastefully decorated, and refreshingly quiet (no loud music drowning out conversation at the table). The atmosphere is casual enough to take the kids for lunch but refined enough for a date night, especially if the weather is nice enough to enjoy your meal at one of the outdoor patio tables. Mangia, mangia!

Tuscany Bistro
2951 Marina Bay Drive
League City, TX 77573
(281) 538-8103
www.tuscany-bistro.net
www.yelp.com/biz/tuscany-bistro-league-city

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