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

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/elizaraxi

We hope everyone has a happy and safe Labor Day!

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 to slap down a few bills to get what you deserve: a thick, delicious burger and fries served with a smile from one of the best grills in the city.

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

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr/stu_spivack