Taste Why Mel’s Country Cafe Is a Southern-Fried Favorite

When a restaurant uses the same recipes since 1977, you know they must be doing something right. Mel’s Country Cafe has been run by the Weirich family ever since it was known as Mary’s Fried Chicken over four decades ago, and the eatery's classic brand of Southern comfort food has gained quite a following in the Tomball area. The restaurant is known for its hamburgers, which are juicy, flavorful, and piled extremely high. The other items are just as large—and also just as tasty. The breaded catfish is thick and crispy, the chicken fried steak is done to perfection, and the traditional Southern sides are the perfect accompaniments.

Mel’s is decorated in an equally traditional style inside, with checkered tablecloths and photos of smiling customers on the walls. It is fairly small, however, so make sure you have a bit of time to wait for a table when you plan a visit.

Mel’s Country Cafe
24814 Stanolind Road
Tomball, TX 77375
(281) 255-6357
www.melscountrycafe.com
www.yelp.com/biz/mels-country-cafe-tomball

Don’t Skip the Skinny Fries at Grub Burger Bar

You can rest assured that anything you eat at Grub Burger Bar in The Woodlands has been carefully crafted in-house from fresh ingredients. That begins with its patties, a blend of chuck and brisket that the kitchen team grinds each morning. The burger buns take even more manpower, as they're pulled piping hot from the oven every single hour. Chefs create their own sauces and salad dressings, slice their own cheese, and generally tackle every other task they can on-site.

According to Yelp reviewers, you can taste the hard work in every bite. Even the skinny fries that accompany Grub's juicy burgers win rave reviews. Still, the burgers play a starring role at Grub. Try the classic Front Porch burger if you're only interested in the essentials: lettuce, tomato, mustard, and mayo. For something a bit more lavish, order the OMG. It's actually topped with the skinny fries, as well as a healthy portion of Texas chili, cheddar, chopped onions, and mustard.

Grub Burger Bar
2417 Research Forest Drive
The Woodlands, TX 77381
(281) 907-9001
www.grubburgerbar.com/woodlands.html
www.yelp.com/biz/grub-burger-bar-the-woodlands

Culver’s: Burgers and Custard in The Woodlands

For the ultimate dinner and dessert combination, head to Culver’s in The Woodlands, where you can dine on famous ButterBurgers and custard, made in-house daily. The burgers are cooked to order and made from fresh, Midwest beef that comes sandwiched between a toasted, buttered bun. You can order your burger with one or two patties and topped with a number of toppings including bacon, mushrooms, and Swiss cheese. Pair it with Wisconsin cheese curds, onion rings, or crinkle cut fries.

No trip to Culver’s is complete without finishing your meal with the restaurant’s signature custard, which is made from real Wisconsin dairy and cold-pressed vanilla and Dutch blend chocolate. The restaurant makes the thick and creamy frozen treat in the restaurant throughout the day and can mix in such fixings as Oreo cookies, fruit, candy bars, and cookie dough.

Culver’s
8800 Six Pines Drive
The Woodlands, TX 77380
(281) 364-9595
www.culvers.com/restaurants/the-woodlands
www.yelp.com/biz/culvers-the-woodlands

The Olive Oil Restaurant: Enjoy Greek Fare and the Sounds of Live Bouzouki

Located just a short trip from Avana Sterling Ridge, The Olive Oil Restaurant is an authentic dining experience in the heart of the Woodlands. The dimly lit, rustic interior is full of comfortable tables large enough for the whole family, and guests are always greeted warmly at the door by one of the friendly servers.

The wine list is very impressive, and the menu is just as large. Specials change daily, but traditional favorites like grape leaves, moussaka, gyros, and cheese pies always stay the same. The Olive Oil Restaurant serves a number of beef, lamb, and seafood platters with your choice of traditional sides like arakas or bamies. Best of all, the restaurant hosts live music and belly dancing evenings on weekends complete with the tradition of breaking plates and shouting “Opa!”

The Olive Oil Restaurant
373 Sawdust Road
The Woodlands, TX 77380
(281) 367-0114
www.oliveoilgreekrestaurant.com
www.yelp.com/biz/the-olive-oil-restaurant-the-woodlands

Texas Roadhouse: Steaks as Big as Texas

For succulent steaks as big as the Lone Star State, look no further than Texas Roadhouse. Steak lovers agree that you can’t find a finer cut of meat than at this national restaurant chain, where steak perfection is the specialty.

Kick off your meal with one of Texas Roadhouse’s killer appetizers. These include the Flaming Hot Wings, the house-made Chili, and the Grilled Shrimp bathed in garlic butter. However, steaks are the real star here, and with so many excellent cuts, it’s easy to see why! Have it your way, with steaks done to your specifications and cooked perfectly every time. In addition to great steaks, Texas Roadhouse features tender ribs that practically melt in your mouth.

Texas Roadhouse
24530 Tomball Parkway
Tomball, TX 77375
(281) 255-9191
www.texasroadhouse.com
www.yelp.com/biz/texas-roadhouse-tomball-3

Enjoy a Relaxed Meal at the Goose’s Acre Bistro & Irish Pub

Named after a little green park in Ireland where locals grazed their geese, The Goose’s Acre Bistro & Irish Pub boasts a menu of traditional Irish fare flavors, as well as fresh, modern dishes. This restaurant is a favorite among locals, who say the traditional dishes simply can't be beat.

Try the crispy, ale-battered cod filets served with seasoned fries and a unique apple-based coleslaw, or dig into a rich serving of shepherd’s pie filled with braised sirloin, leeks, carrots, peas, and onions, all topped with a layer of creamy cheddar whipped potatoes. If you'd prefer something lighter, try the wasabi-and pistachio-encrusted ahi tuna steak served with grilled vegetables, or opt for the restaurant's signature grilled chicken salad with a unique mix of spring greens, berries, dates, tangy goat cheese, toasted walnuts, and house-made cornbread croutons. Whatever you order, you can be confident it will be served quickly and with a smile.

The Goose’s Acre Bistro & Irish Pub
21 Waterway Avenue
The Woodlands, TX 77380
(281) 466-1502
www.thegoosesacre.com/modules/wfchannel
www.yelp.com/biz/the-gooses-acre-bistro-and-irish-pub-the-woodlands

Perfect Blend: A Bakery and Cafe in Spring, Texas

The Perfect Blend is a sweet melding of bakery and café, with friendly service and a relaxing ambiance. Go there to sample some yummy pastries like Almond & Chocolate Croissants, Napoleons, French Macarons, Brownies, Lemon Bars, Pineapple Upside Down Cake, Cupcakes and Cake Balls. Fresh breads are also found in their bakery case.

Stop by in the a.m. for breakfast fare that includes Quiche or Breakfast Croissant Sandwiches with sausage, eggs, cheese, bacon & ham. Lunch offers up some hearty sandwiches served on their homemade breads. Choose from Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad, Roast Beef, Ham & Gouda, Bacon Grilled Cheese, and Turkey & Pepper Jack. Wraps and soup are also offered.

Perfect Blend is open Monday through Saturday in Spring, Texas. Visit its website to find out more!

Perfect Blend
329 Sawdust Road
Spring, TX 77380
(281) 203-5115
www.perfectblendbakerycafe.com
www.yelp.com/biz/perfect-blend-bakery-cafe-spring

Atsumi Asian Kitchen Sushi Bar: For When You’re Craving Sushi and General Tso’s

When residents of The Woodlands can’t choose between Chinese food and sushi, they can head to Atsumi Asian Kitchen Sushi Bar, an Asian Fusion restaurant where they can have both. Chef Henry Zhu focuses his extensive sushi selection on the freshest fish available, so the sushi menu may change. At any given time, you may choose from close to 100 different kinds of sushi and sashimi, including rolls stuffed with snow crab, fresh water eel, or spicy crawfish.

Chef Zhu also crafts a number of Chinese cuisine entrees, including such house specialties as yellow curry chicken, fried tofu, or jumbo shrimp with walnuts in a spicy honey sauce. Each dish is served with white rice or, for and extra dollar, brown or fried rice.

You can enjoy your Asian fusion meal seven days a week from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. The restaurant also offers free delivery within a three-mile radius.

Atsumi Asian Kitchen Sushi Bar
3335 College Park Drive
The Woodlands, TX 77384
(936) 242-0044
www.atsumiusa.com
www.yelp.com/biz/atsumi-asian-kitchen-and-sushi-bar-the-woodlands

Italian Fare and Fireside Dining at Grotto Ristorante

With vibrant painted murals, a gleaming curved wooden bar, and walls stacked with wine bottles, Grotto Ristorante is a lively setting for a flavorful dinner.

Settle in by the fireplace indoors or out on the patio and get your party started with a glass or bottle of wine and an antipasto, like mussels marechiaro with white wine and fresh tomatoes, the scampi grotto with mushrooms, or the mozzarella in padella with tomatoes, garlic, and basil. Pizza and pasta are featured on the menu, along with entrees like shrimp paillard with jumbo lump crab, roasted bell peppers, and lemon sauce, and snapper Siciliano with Roma tomatoes, garlic, shrimp sauce, and lump crab.

Grotto Ristorante is open every day, and it serves brunch on the weekends.

Grotto Ristorante
9595 Six Pines Drive
The Woodlands, TX 77380
(281) 419-4252
www.grottorestaurants.com
www.yelp.com/biz/grotto-ristorante-the-woodlands-2

Tommy Bahama Restaurant & Bar: Caribbean Flair in The Woodlands

Whether you're looking for restaurant to host a group dinner for a special occasion, or you simply want to relax and enjoy a good meal on a Friday night, Tommy Bahama Restaurant & Bar is a solid choice. This place is often packed, and yet customers still routinely give it high marks for both hospitality and food.

Yelp reviewers rave over the coconut crusted crab cakes with Thai chili sauce, so if you like seafood, this is a good appetizer to begin your meal. As far as entrees go, the blackened fish taco with tomato relish and chipotle aioli is another customer favorite, while the kona coffee crusted ribeye steak served with herbed marrow butter and warm potato salad is one of the kitchen's specialties. Be careful, however: the menu is so varied and appealing that it can be easy to fill up without leaving room for dessert. Regulars will tell you this is a big mistake, because dessert at Tommy Bahama is simply delicious. Finish your meal with a slice of triple layer chocolate cake, and you'll likely leave with a smile.

Tommy Bahama Restaurant & Bar
9595 Six Pines Drive
The Woodlands, TX 77380
(281) 292-8669
www.tommybahama.com/TBG/Stores_Restaurants/Woodlands.jsp
www.yelp.com/biz/tommy-bahama-restaurant-and-bar-the-woodlands-the-woodlands

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