Enjoy a Smoothie in Houston at Smoothie King

Smoothie King, now an international franchise, grew from humble roots. Back in the 1960s, founder Steve Kuhnau ​set out to mix up a smoothie that would ease his allergies and low blood sugar. Equipped with just some fresh fruit, other nutrients and proteins, and his home blender, Steve eventually found the perfect balance. His health started improving, and in 1973 he decided to share his discovery with the masses at his first nutritional smoothie shop.

The lone shop evolved into more than 650 Smoothie King locations that, today, serve the same nutritional smoothies to customers in the continental U.S., Korea, Singapore, and the Cayman Islands. That includes a location on West Holcombe, where customers note that the staff is especially friendly and the owner often personally oversees operations.

Many of the smoothies can replace an entire meal, with anywhere from 7 to 45 grams of protein in each serving of 20 ounces. Try a Lean1 chocolate smoothie with bananas and almond. It packs 27 vitamins and minerals and 22 grams of protein into a mere 293 calories, staving off later cravings and helping your body burn fat. Or nourish your body with a fruity snack in between normal meals, such as the apple kiwi kale smoothie—it's full of illness-fighting vitamin C and antioxidants.

Smoothie King
2617 W. Holcombe Boulevard
Houston, TX 77025
(713) 661-1663
www.smoothieking.com/stores/store.php/134

www.yelp.com/biz/smoothie-king-houston-15

Treebeards: Your Lunch Spot

Looking for a real southern lunch? Come to Treebeards. Located right in the heart of the downtown, Treebeards brings the tastes of the South to your table. Check out the appetizers and soups, which features Cajun fare favorites like red beans and rice, shrimp etouffee, and three different styles of gumbo: duck, chicken and seafood.

The daily specials have down home favorites like meatloaf, catfish and pork chops. Fried chicken with gravy is a special every day! Make sure that you try the jalapeno cornbread, and save room for some classic desserts. Treebeards is open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., a perfect place for a relaxing lunch. Catering is also available.

Treebeards
315 Travis Street
Houston, TX 77002
(713) 228-2622

www.treebeards.com
www.yelp.com/biz/treebeards-houston

Bombay Pizza Company Offers A Fusion of International Cuisines

Bombay Pizza Company fuses traditional Italian-style pizza with Indian fare flavors to deliver truly unique tastes to Houston. The restaurant is cozy, complete with old fashioned low lights and warm colors.

Consider ordering a specialty pizza or two and splitting it with the table, especially if it’s your first time at Bombay. Try the saag paneer with spicy spinach, collard greens, and three types of cheese or the masala pizza with chicken, chorizo, and potatoes sprinkled with cumin. If you’re not in the mood for pizza, Bombay has some equally tasty burgers. One interesting option is the potato patty fried in chickpea batter or the beef burger seasoned with traditional Indian cuisine spices. There are also pasta dishes and curries to enjoy.

Visit on Mondays to take advantage of Bombay's $10 pizza night, complete with a salad and a drink, or stop by for happy hour on weekdays, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., for $3 off any pizza.

Bombay Pizza Company
914 Main Street
Houston, TX 77002
(713) 654-4444
www.bombaypizzaco.com
www.yelp.com/biz/bombay-pizza-co-houston

Savor Sweet Treats at Houston’s Cookies by Design

A bouquet of flowers may be the traditional way to brighten someone's day, but Cookies by Design doesn't care much for tradition. This Houston business reinvents the bouquet by swapping out flowers for colorfully embellished cookies.

Say thank you with a posy of musical notes and instruments—cleverly dubbed "A Note of Thanks." That's what the card-cookie tucked at the top proclaims, amid other sweets shaped and decorated like a violin, saxophone, piano, and notes on the treble clef. Or wish someone a "Speedy Recovery" with an arrangement of cute, colorful turtle cookies.

For even more sugar power, opt for a "Cookie Boutray" over a bouquet. These swap in a foundation of chocolate chip and sugar cookies for the bouquets' containers. You can also order your cookies piled into a basket, spread out on a tray, or blown up to the size of a huge single-cookie cake (embellished with the same celebratory words as standard cookies).

Cookies by Design
2524 Rice Boulevard
Houston, TX 77005
(713) 524-7900
www.cookiesbydesign.com

www.yelp.com/biz/cookies-by-design-houston

Benjy’s Restaurant: Lounge Around at This New American Eatery

Benjy’s is an American restaurant done in the style of a 1920s lounge bar, complete with round leather booths, orb-shaped chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, and a handsome wooden bar well-suited to enjoying an evening cocktail. While its ambiance is retro, Benjy’s remains one of the hippest spots in all of central Houston.

Here, the focus is on farm-to-table fare. Customers enjoy artfully plated dishes like crispy chicken, ricotta gnocchi, and sake kasu salmon. Wood oven pizzas and entree salads are ideal for lunch, while the brunch menu features a selection of omelets, biscuit sandwiches, and Fresh toast entrees that will cap a weekend off the right way. Although Benjy’s is known for its food, its cocktails, locally brewed craft beer, and an impressive wine list are just as important to the dining experience!

Benjy’s Restaurant
2424 Dunstan Street
Houston, TX 77005
(713) 522-7602
www.benjys.com
www.yelp.com/biz/benjys-houston-3

Huynh: Vietnamese Fare Flavors on the Gulf Coast

Bite into the crispy spring rolls or savor the delicious broth of a splendid vermicelli bowl at Huynh, a family-owned Vietnamese restaurant that's been part of Houston's dining scene for more than a decade. Consistently named one of Houston's best Vietnamese eateries, Huynh complements its flavorful fare with an inviting atmosphere and friendly staff. Simple floral arrangements accent the lightly colored walls and carpet, creating a serene space to enjoy a meal with family or friends.

Authentic Vietnamese dishes here are replete with spice and texture. Come for lunch and feast on Huynh's mid-priced pho, a traditional Vietnamese soup that includes up to four meats of your choice. Dinner promises a feast of flavors when you order dishes like Dau Hu Xoa Thit Xay, a combination of diced tofu and ground pork with mushrooms, peppers, and onions to share with your favorite people.

Huynh Restaurant opens at 11 a.m. Mondays through Saturdays. Note that this popular eatery is closed on Sundays.

Huynh
912 St. Emanuel Street
Houston, TX 77003
(713) 224-8964
www.huynhrestauranthouston.com
www.yelp.com/biz/huynh-houston

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

Houston Dining with a Welcoming Atmosphere: Brasil

A Houston restaurant with a community feel, Brasil is a nice spot to work on a project or grab a bite for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The three owners used their very different backgrounds to create a place the whole community can enjoy, whether it be local food, craft beers, or scrumptious desserts.

For breakfast, choose from bagels, pancakes with fresh toppings like fruits and roasted nuts, or breakfast tacos loaded with eggs, bacon, and savory sauces. For lunch and dinner, start off with an appetizer like the brie with almond and fruit or the falafel flatbread with hummus, tomatoes, and tzatziki. For your main entree, choose from expertly made sandwiches, burgers, or order a pizza to share with the table. Pizzas come with a variety of cheese, meats like all-beef sausage and bacon, and savory spices.

Brasil
2604 Dunlavy Street
Houston, TX 77006
(713) 528-1993
http://cafe-brasil.net/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/brasil-houston

Enjoy Sushi in Houston at Oshii Japanese Restaurant

Located near the Greenway Plaza is Oishii Japanese Restaurant, a place where Houstonians can enjoy their favorite Japanese dishes without breaking the bank.

Stop by for lunch or dinner and select from sashimi, sushi rolls, noodle dishes, and crispy tempura plates. Favorites include udon noodles with vegetable tempura, grilled salmon smothered in teriyaki sauce, and the chef’s choice sashimi and sushi plates. There is a decent selection of maki, including Philadelphia and rainbow rolls, and it’s relatively inexpensive. You can also opt to order sushi or sashimi by the piece.

Regulars rave about the happy hour specials and casual atmosphere, claiming that Oishii is one of their favorite places to gather with friends for sushi or a bento box.

Visit Oshii's website to find out more about this Japanese restaurant in Houston.

Oshii Japanese Restaurant
3764 Richmond Avenue
Houston, TX 77046
(713) 621-8628
http://www.oishiihouston.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/oishii-restaurant-houston

Hubcap Grill: Burgers, Fries and Bottles of Root Beer

Affectionately referred to as a "hole in the wall," the Hubcap Grill in downtown Houston is a bar and grill that wins hearts through the all-American combo of juicy burgers and crispy fries.

Don’t let the plastic patio furniture or tiny dining area fool you; Hubcap is an elitist when it comes to grilling a patty. Ordering it rare or well-done is serious business, whether you ask for the Guacamole Swiss Burger or the Triple Meat Cheeseburger. If beef isn’t your thing, try the Muffaletta Grilled Chicken Sandwich for a taste of what’s good in life, and be sure to wash it down with a bottle of icy cold root beer.

Open 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, Hubcap Grill's downtown Houston location is cash-only, so come prepared.

Hubcap Grill
1111 Prairie Street
Houston, TX 77002
(713) 223-5885
www.hubcapgrill.com
www.yelp.com/biz/hubcap-grill-houston

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