Joe’s Pizza & Pasta: A Pie The Size Of Texas

It can be very, very difficult to find quality Italian in the state, with chains like the Olive Garden dominating the restaurant landscape. But if you’ve got a hankering for a classic Italian pizza, thankfully the family-owned Joe’s Pizza & Pasta bucks the trend, offering all your favorites in massive portions for reasonable prices. Regulars rave about the meatball subs and the wide variety of pasta dishes, including an excellent lobster ravioli. The pies are New York style, made from scratch and cooked in a traditional pizza oven with a variety of excellent toppings. The ambience isn’t much to speak of, but the service is some of the friendliest in town, especially to regulars. Joe’s Pizza & Pasta is a fine example of the old adage “don’t judge a book by its cover.”

Joe’s Pizza & Pasta
1604 North Frazier Street
Conroe, TX 77301
(936) 760-9002
www.joespizzaconroe.com

Amerigo’s Grille: Steakhouse, Italian-Style

If there’s one thing Texans know, it’s beef. So when locals rave about the cuts at Amerigo’s Grille, wise ears listen. This high-end restaurant, opened in 1994 in the rapidly developing Woodlands area by Casey and Nancy Kosh, has attracted Houston area high rollers for the last decade and a half with high-quality food in an attractive atmosphere. Chef Arturo Osorio brings his expertise with modern Italian cuisine to the table each day, using freshly sourced local ingredients as well as the best from around the world in his dishes. The menu is remarkably broad, with people raving about nearly everything on it, from the delectable beef carpaccio to the tender sea bass. Long waits have been reported—both to get a table and to get service. Prices are also somewhat high for the area, although the quality of the food makes up for that.

Amerigo’s Grille
25250 Grogans Park Drive
The Woodlands, TX 77380
(281) 362-0808
www.amerigos.com

Thep Thai: Authentic Thai Cuisine

The authentic Thai food at Thep Thai restaurant is, as Thep Thai slogan says, “Happiness You Can Eat.” When you come into the dining room, you will immediately notice how calm and peaceful it is. What a great atmosphere to enjoy the sometimes spicy dishes. Speaking of spicy: be prepared. Only the truly experienced diners should go for level 5 – it’s really hot! But that’s the great thing about Thep Thai: your server will help you to decide how spicy you want your meal. Whether you get the soup, salad, or entrée, you are assured of a delicious, authentic dining experience. Regulars always go back for the Pad Thai and other noodle dishes, but check out the selection of fried rice, curry and special entrees. And all dishes are available for take out. Thep Thai might just be one of the best places for Thai food near Marquis at the Woodlands.

Thep Thai
421 Sawdust Road
Spring, TX 77380
(281) 419-7619
http://www.yelp.com/biz/thep-thai-spring

Babin’s Seafood House: New Orleans Style Seafood in Texas

The Gulf of Mexico provides a vast amount of delicious seafood to Texas, so it’s not surprising that in recent years a number of high-quality restaurants have opened up to capitalize on that. Babin’s Seafood House was founded to bring classic New Orleans-style seafood to hungry Texans, and they accomplish their mission with remarkable zeal. At the Woodlands location, regulars go crazy for the oysters shucked to order, zesty crawfish, and more. Although nothing is ever going to beat the experience of walking into a real New Orleans restaurant, the staff at Babin’s does their best to try, with great hospitality easing you into your meal. Babin’s is a fine choice if you’ve grown out of Red Lobster and you’re looking for something with a bit more local flavor.

Babin’s Seafood House
19529 Interstate 45 S
Shenandoah, TX 77385
(281) 296-8829
www.babinsseafood.com

Wacky Mongolian Grill: Conquer Hunger

Craving some unique tastes? You’re in charge at the Wacky Mongolian Grill because you choose all the ingredients yourself! Just make your way to the buffet line and pick out all the meats, noodles, rice, and veggies that you please – it’s your creation. Then, you take your bowl to the big flattop grill, where the show begins! The chefs have a good time cooking, and you’ll have a good time watching them. And in the end, you are presented with a tasty bowl. You can also pick one of the Wacky Mongolian’s specials like the Chicken Teriyaki or the vegetarian Feast. Finish up with a fruit bowl or ice cream cake and you’ve had a meal good enough to conquer!  

Wacky Mongolian Grill
21212 Kuykendahl Road
Spring, TX 77379
(281) 288-3232
http://www.yelp.com/biz/wacky-mongolian-grill-spring

Rudy’s BBQ: Real Texas Barbecue

When you’re looking for slow-cooked barbecue goodness, you’ve got to come to Rudy’s BBQ! Spring residents are lucky to have a Rudy’s location in their town, because it means that some of the best barbecue around is right at your doorstep to eat in or take out. If you come in and you’re not sure what to order, you can get a sample! The brisket, pork, sausage, chicken, and turkey is all slow cooked to perfection. Meat can be bought separately by the half-pound, perfect for families, or get a sandwich. Try the classic “sause” or the “sissy sause,” both excellent. And you can't beat great sides like creamed corn, cole slaw, or the smoked potato. The desserts are also not to be missed. "Sauses" are available at the country store, and you can also order online!

Rudy’s BBQ
20806 Interstate 45
Spring, TX 77373

(281) 288-0916
http://www.yelp.com/biz/rudys-country-store-and-bar-b-q-spring

Caffe Diem: Seize The Coffee

For many, coffee is the make or break start of every day, and everyone has his or her favorite blend of coffee and style of drink. Caffe Diem, an independent coffee shop founded by two best friends in the Houston suburbs, has become one of the best places to stop in for that essential cup of java—from freshly brewed to a caffe latte—on the way to work. But this is more than just a Starbucks; the owners work hard to give you more reason to come by, with live music at night; a children’s story hour to give stay at home moms and dads a break for a bit; open mic nights; and more. At night, after coffee hour ends, they serve beer and wine as well. If you’re hungry, Caffe Diem has a number of sweet and savory treats on the menu, including a wide range of freshly made Panini sandwiches that will fill you up quick.

Caffe Diem
3091 College Park Drive #280
The Woodlands, TX 77384
(936) 273-0061
www.caffediem.net

Sip and Savor at Crescent Moon Wine Bar

If you’re tired of wine bars being small, dark spaces where you can barely fit an after-work party, Crescent Moon will make your day. The newest wine bar to open up in the Woodlands, it’s an expansive, lushly decorated hotspot that expertly blends the upscale and the casual. Enjoy over 300 different wines, presented by a staff that is both informed about their qualities and trained to tell you about them in non-jargony ways. Don’t be fooled by how it looks from the street—like many Texas establishments, Crescent Moon is located within a strip mall shopping center. Once you get inside, you’ll realize that this is the real deal. The full kitchen offers a wide variety of food to pair with your wine, from quality cheese plates to homemade pizza. The bar also hosts many events, from live music (even opera) to Sunday brunch and wine tastings.

Crescent Moon Wine Bar
440 Rayford Road #115
Spring, TX 77386
(281) 364-9463
www.crescentmoonwinebar.com

Euro Bakery Café: Classic Mediterranean Cuisine

You might get a great feeling of sitting at an outdoor café on some European street when you visit Euro Bakery Café. Wait until you enter and fall in love with the décor. It really looks and feels like you are in a European café! And the experience just gets better when you try the food. The Euro Bakery Café serves outstanding Greek cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Soups, salads, pita sandwiches, and entrees are all on the menu and made fresh. But of course, you have to try the baked goods! Have a seat and a coffee and try some baklava, a real New York cannoli or a slice of gourmet cake. You won’t be disappointed. You’ll be so taken with the quality, you will have to go to the counter to take a tasty treat home. It might just be one of the most unique dining experiences you can have near Marquis at the Woodlands.

Euro Bakery Café
5010 Louetta Road
Spring, TX 77379
(281) 257-3023
http://www.yelp.com/biz/euro-bakery-and-cafe-spring

Jax Burgers: A Popular Spot for Burgers and Shakes in Spring, Texas

Why go to one of those typical burger chains, when you have Jax Burgers in your own backyard? If you’re looking for a welcoming place with good food, you’ve come to the right place at Jax Burgers! Come up to the counter and order a tasty meal. The hamburgers are fresh and the toppings terrific. Try the Baja Burger or Texas Burger with special sauces. And you won’t find a burger with guacamole any better than Jax’s Guac Burger! And you don’t just get fries, you can get tasty garlic fries, tangy Cajun or Buffalo fries, and even Sweet Potato Fries. With selections for the kids and thick shakes, everybody leaves happy from Jax Burgers.

Jax Burgers
4334 FM 2920
Spring, TX 77373
(281) 288-7711
http://www.yelp.com/biz/jax-burgers-fries-shakes-spring

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