Luigi’s Pizzeria: Hand-Tossed Dough and Freshly Made Gelato

If you’re looking for an authentic taste of Italy without leaving Houston, regulars say you’ll find it at Luigi’s Pizzeria. This charming eatery is decorated in Italy’s colors both inside and out, and the spacious outdoor patio offers the best seats in the house.

The menu lists made-from-scratch pizzas that rely on hand-tossed dough and a wide selection of fresh toppings, including traditional Caprese and margherita pies. In addition to pizza, the eatery offers spicy hot wings, fresh salads, and authentic Italian gelato made fresh on-site. Luigi’s Pizzeria is BYOB, so you can bring your favorite wine or beer to enjoy while you eat, and there is also free delivery with a $20 minimum purchase if you prefer to enjoy your pie at home.

Luigi’s Pizzeria is open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and noon to 8 p.m. Sundays.

Luigi’s Pizzeria
3700 Almeda Road
Houston, TX 77004
(281) 793-3333
www.luigipizzamidtown.com
www.yelp.com/biz/luigis-pizzeria-houston

Gumbo Jeaux’s: A Hidden Gem Serving Cajun Fare in Houston

Some restaurants need a little flash, while others—like Houston’s Gumbo Jeaux’s—just need good food and good reviews. This Cajun fare restaurant has received a bounty of favorable reviews from guests, many of whom credit the restaurant’s friendly staff, decent prices, and tasty Creole dishes for its success.

Despite its popularity, Gumbo Jeaux’s remains humble. Many of the dishes, including sandwiches and fried pieces, come served on checkered paper in plastic baskets or on plastic plates. Similarly, the restaurant's location is unassuming; it occupies a no-frills space in a small shopping center. Still, the food is well worth the trip, regulars say. Popular dishes on the menu here include shrimp po’boys, crawfish etouffe, chicken and waffles, and the gumbo.

Be sure to get your fill of this eatery's fare during the week, because the chefs take a break on the weekend! Gumbo Jeaux's is open 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.

Gumbo Jeaux’s
15655 John F. Kennedy Boulevard
Houston, TX 77032
(281) 227-7138

www.facebook.com/pages/Gumbo-Jeauxs/195005957186514
www.yelp.com/biz/gumbo-jeauxs-houston

Truluck’s: Surf and Turf in Houston

Truluck’s has earned itself kudos for its stellar menu of steaks and seafood and expansive list of wine, beer and cocktails. Attentive service and an elegant ambiance add to the appeal of this popular spot, according to regular diners.

Happy Hour is a super-popular time to stop by and partake of half-price cocktails and appetizers. Choose from Salt & Pepper Calamari, Smoky Campfire Gulf Oysters, Baja Ceviche, and Lobster Bisque, to name a few of the items on the starter menu. Entrees include Angus All Natural Churrasco Steak with whipped horseradish goat cheese, New Orleans BBQ Shrimp, Prime New York Strip, Hawaiian Bigeye Tuna, Roasted Natural Chicken, and a 7-Ounce Center Cut Filet.

Truluck's is open every day.

Truluck's
5350 Westheimer Road
Houston, TX 77056
(713) 783-7270
www.trulucks.com
www.yelp.com/biz/trulucks-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

Have You Tried the Hummingbird Cupcake at Crave Cupcakes?

The next time you have a cupcake craving, don't settle for store-bought varieties when you can get gourmet at Crave Cupcakes in Uptown. Only superior ingredients make their way into Crave's decadent cupcakes, like seasonal fruit, local Texas dairy, and European chocolate.

Come in and select from rotating daily flavors, like macadamia nut, red velvet, key lime, and carrot, or choose a more mysterious flavor, like hummingbird or candy bar. Your favorite flavors can be pre-ordered to ensure you get exactly what you want before they run out. You can also request a customized decoration for these special orders.

Crave bakes cupcakes frequently throughout the day to ensure freshness. These bite sized cakes are a great choice for weddings, birthdays, and other special moments.

Crave Cupcakes
1151-06 Uptown Park Boulevard
Houston, TX 77056
(713) 622-7283
https://www.cravecupcakes.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/crave-cupcakes-houston

Bite Into a Barbacoa Taco at Tacos Tierra Caliente in Houston

For a food truck, earning more than 300 Yelp reviews and 4.5 out of 5 stars is a pretty impressive feat. Anyone who's ever visited Tacos Tierra Caliente Food Truck probably isn't surprised that the Houston food truck has accomplished this goal.

Nearly 100 of Tacos Tierra's fans point to the barbacoa as the best option. Its tender ribbons of beef have won over many mouths in Houston, but the al pastor tacos and lengua—that is, cow tongue—tacos also garner many rave reviews. Cooks match the fresh beef with ample amounts of onion and fresh cilantro to complement the meat's savory flavors. Add on slices of creamy avocado for a different combination of flavors and textures, or try the fajita tacos instead. Many Yelp reviewers also highly recommend the fajita meat. Tacos Tierra Caliente Food Truck even serves breakfast tacos, and they're a hearty way to start your day.

Tacos Tierra Caliente Food Truck
1919 W. Alabama Street
Houston, TX 77098
(713) 584-9359
www.yelp.com/biz/tacos-tierra-caliente-houston

Fioza: Local Coffee and Fresh Paninis

"Come thirsty or come hungry and Fioza Cafe will take care of you." So goes the motto for this trendy coffee and bubble tea bar in Houston. It pours locally roasted Fontana Coffee, the product of another independent business in Houston. Using careful brewing techniques and high-grade equipment, Fioza's baristas make everything from lattes to espressos.

Another chunk of the menu showcases various bubble teas, each teeming with Fioza's own artfully prepared tapioca pearls. Grab a bubble tea, hot or iced standard tea, or any other refreshing drink and use it to wash down one of the casual eats at Fioza. Its food menu includes paninis, deli sandwiches, and an array of pastries that are all baked fresh and in-house. Yelp reviewers particularly seem to enjoy the paninis, so try one stuffed with smoke turkey and basil pesto or grilled veggies and goat cheese.

Fioza
9002 Chimney Rock Road
Houston, TX 77096
(713) 729-8810
www.fioza.com
www.yelp.com/biz/fioza-houston

Local Foods: Home to Some of Houston’s Best Sandwiches

Local Foods fills a unique niche in Houston dining by serving gourmet salads and sandwiches that are prepared with local ingredients and served in a bright, airy space. The walls and counters are lined with white tile, steel prep tables have been put on whimsical blue casters to serve as dining room tables, and brightly colored leather booths make Local Foods a bright and cheerful spot for lunch.

The service is casual and quick: you place your order at the counter and then take a number to your table, where a server brings your food out as soon as it's ready. And the food, well, regulars the sandwiches just might be the best around. Bite into the grilled chicken sandwich piled high with veggies and topped with a creamy sauce and served on a toasted pretzel bun. Or for something really decadent, try the tender, smoky duck confit sandwich with melted Swiss and micro greens.

Local Foods
2424 Dunstan Road
Houston, TX 77005
(713) 521-7800
www.houstonlocalfoods.com
www.yelp.com/biz/local-foods-houston

Garden Kitchen: Raw Food Is Just What the Doctor Ordered

As a cardiologist, Dr. Baxter Montgomery had an excellent grasp on the way the human body worked. Yet at age 38, his own wasn't functioning very well. His cholesterol was far outside a healthy range, and with a family history of diabetes and heart disease looming, he knew he had to launch a preemptive strike against future health complications. His first step in doing so was cleaning up his diet. Dr. Montgomery began eating more raw, plant-based foods, and prescribing the same diet to his patients. Eventually his recommendations evolved into an eatery in Houston where his patients could find such food: Garden Kitchen.

Of course, today Garden Kitchen's reach has expanded beyond the scope of Dr. Montgomery's patient base. Anyone with a predilection for raw, healthy food will find it at Garden Kitchen. Try the popular corn chips, crafted with organic corn, sea salt, and a special house blend of spices. For the main course, dig into a salad, raw veggie burger, wrap, or pizza. Garden Kitchen even offers healthy desserts like sorbet and key lime pie.

Garden Kitchen
10480 Main Street
Houston, TX 77025
(832) 350-7534
www.gardenkitchenfoods.com
www.yelp.com/biz/garden-kitchen-houston

Luna Pizzeria: Artisan Pizzas in a Casual Setting

The word "casual" shows up time and time again in Yelp reviews of Luna Pizzeria. It's meant as a compliment in this context. The pizzeria's unique ceiling shows off a fun geometric patchwork of multi-colored triangles, offset by black tables and bright red stools. So the environment still hints at careful design, despite the casual vibe that permeates it.

The real appeal of Luna Pizzeria, however, is of course its Italian fare. Many Yelp reviewers commend its spicy andouille pizza. The pie sports andouille sausage, red onion and red pepper, fresh jalapenos, and green onions. The prosciutto pizza is another popular option, but this one comes topped with its namesake Italian meat, arugula, tomato, provolone, mozzarella, and a lemon vinaigrette. You can also build your own pizza from Luna's gourmet ingredients or opt for a salad or sandwich instead. Save some room for gelato, tiramisu, or Italian cream cake.

Luna Pizzeria
3435 Kirby Drive
Houston, TX 77098
(832) 767-6338
lunapizzeria.com
www.yelp.com/biz/luna-pizzeria-houston

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