You probably want to gather a good stack of napkins before diving into a meal at Pappy G's Country Kitchen. Its style of Southern comfort food adheres closely to tradition, so it doesn't go light on the sauces or the grease. That's perfectly all right with the eaters of Universal City, many of whom lavish glowing reviews on the soul food restaurant.

Although its menu isn't enormous, Pappy G's still serves up everything you need to enjoy a full-blown Southern feast. Dig into the chicken-fried steak with your choice of two sides, perhaps the baked mac and cheese or the popular dirty rice. Or try the Momma Brown's "top secret" meatloaf, which features a highly guarded blend of meat and spices. You can also opt for seafood, including dishes such as a big bowl of gumbo or a plate of fried fish.

Pappy G's Country Kitchen
1210 Pat Booker Road
Universal City, TX 78148
(210) 659-7799
www.pappygs.com
www.yelp.com/biz/pappy-gs-country-kitchen-universal-city

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr kimeke1

The majority of Noy's Bistro's reviews on Yelp share the same sentiment: They all declare the Thai fare eatery as the best of its kind in the area. The popularity of Noy’s Bistro is attributed to a number of factors. For one, the spacious restaurant's ambiance is relaxed yet refined, equally suited to date-night dinners and business lunches. Second, the service is fast and amiable, and last — but certainly not least — is the food itself.

The menu at Noy's Bistro lists Thai fare prepared true to tradition, from the chicken satay and tom kha soup to the drunken noodles and the green curry (a crowd favorite here). Also receiving praise from returning diners is Noy's Bistro's menu of Chinese fare specialties, which includes kung pao chicken, General Tso's chicken, and fried rice. Wash it all down with a watermelon bubble tea, and be sure to leave room for the fried banana dessert, which pairs warm bananas with a scoop of melting vanilla ice cream!

Noy’s Bistro
976 Coronado Blvd.
Universal City, Texas 78148
(210) 637- 5100
www.noysbistro.com
www.yelp.com/biz/noys-bistro-universal-city

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/jwalsh_

Your kitchen is one of the most commonly used areas in your home, and between your morning coffee and the evening’s meal, it can also get messy. To avoid constantly navigating a cluttered kitchen, use these smart tips for keeping yours clean and well organized — even if you only have a few minutes to spare each day.

1. Add a bin for loose items. If your kitchen countertops commonly collect things that are meant to go in other rooms, add a bin to corral those loose items. You can throw your keys, mail, and magazines in that bin to keep them from cluttering the counters.
2. Install extra cabinet storage. If you notice that your cabinets just don’t work for the things inside of them, add extra shelves or temporary organizers. This will keep plastic containers from spilling out and enable you to make use of that extra space in tall cabinets.
3. Hide the trash. Instead of leaving the recycling and trash cans in plain sight, tuck them away in a closet or cabinet to create a clean, tidy look.
4. Store commonly used items on the counter. Add a large jar for everyday utensils, keep your most-used cookbooks handy, and even consider storing appliances like the coffeepot or toaster right on the counter.
5. Purge the refrigerator. Once a week, go through your refrigerator and toss out any leftovers, check expiration dates, and give the whole thing a good cleaning.

How to Organize Your Kitchen [Real Simple]
24 Smart Organizing Ideas for Your Kitchen [Real Simple]
15 Minute Clutter Sweeps for Every Room in Your Home [About Home]
How to Organize Kitchen Cabinets [Better Homes & Gardens]

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/billhr