Merchant: High-Quality Treats, Artisan Coffee and Draft Wine

Imported French Valhrona chocolate and French butter converge in the perfectly portioned "4oz chocolate chip cookie" at Merchant. Although the cafe and bakery only opened last September, its unique treats, sweet and savory crepes, and top-notch coffee have quickly propelled it to local stardom.

Savor a cup of Illy espresso or a green tea matcha latte with your chosen cookie or pair the java with a crepe. Try the Green Eggs and Ham, stuffed with prosciutto, French ham, scrambled eggs, and herbs and spices. You can also dig into a breakfast parfait with layers of organic hemp seeds, granola, sliced bananas, berries, and Greek yogurt. When you stop by for dinner, order a glass of wine from the tap or by the can and enjoy it with a kale salad topped with parmesan, cucumber-lemon vinaigrette, and pine nuts.

Don’t Miss the Bacon Cheeseburger at Rachel’s Cafe

Even the strictest of healthy eaters have to indulge every now and then, which is why restaurants like Rachel's Cafe exist. The no-frills eatery in Houston dishes out classic burgers, sandwiches stuffed between two slabs of Texas toast, and baskets piled high with chicken fingers and fries.

So when you're craving comfort food, head to Rachel's Cafe. The popular bacon cheeseburger should do the trick. Chef's top it with your choice of cheese (Swiss, American, or cheddar) and all of the traditional fixings: lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, onions, mustard, and mayo. A Swiss mushroom burger or a chili cheeseburger may delight your taste buds, too. But don't forget about the Texas toast sandwiches, like the grilled cheese, the chicken finger sandwich, and the club sandwich with turkey, ham, bacon, and cheese. You can also opt for a basket of fried chicken or shrimp or a salad at Rachel's Cafe.

Visit Rachel’s Cafe for Classic American-Style Fare

For traditional American fare in your area, you’ll want to pay a visit to Rachel’s Cafe. For years, this Houston spot has been serving up classic American-style dishes during lunch and dinner, Monday through Saturday. Today, it continues to be a staple for many Houston residents, and lucky for residents of Siena at Memorial Heights, it’s only about 10 minutes away. The menu features dishes you’d expect to find at a traditional cafe, including hamburgers and cheeseburgers, fried fish sandwiches, and a range of salads.

Most of the items on the menu cost well under $10, which makes this spot an affordable place to visit with friends or family. There is plenty of seating throughout Rachel’s Cafe, or diners can choose to bring their food home or to a nearby park to enjoy. Locals love this spot for its affordable meals, generous portions, and fresh ingredients. Will you be checking out Rachel’s Cafe sometime soon?

JonJon’s Hot Dog Dishes Out Gourmet Franks

Don't come to JonJon's Hot Dog looking for a Chicago-style frank. Or a New York-style or a Seattle-style, for that matter. The gourmet hot dogs that JonJon's serves up are unlike anything you've ever tried before because they're distinctly Houstonian in a bizarrely delicious way.

So don't be intimidated by the long list of ingredients that tops the signature Fully Loaded dog—you won't be disappointed. It begins simply, with a toasted bun, in which an all-beef frank or a veggie dog sits. That's where "simple" ends. Cream cheese, spicy mustard, curry ketchup, grilled onions, fried onions, honey mayo, and spicy Sriracha smother the dog in an explosion of flavors that, somehow, make perfect sense to your taste buds. There are a few ways you can customize the Fully Loaded dog, so take a chance on this unique creation at JonJon's Hot Dog.

Unos P’nches Tacos: Don’t Miss the Fresh, House-Made Tortillas

Sometimes the freshest, most authentic fare comes from the unlikeliest of places. That's certainly the case for Unos P'nches Tacos, an eatery serving top cuisine from a tiny location in Houston.

Despite its simple aesthetic, Unos P'nches Tacos actually boasts some of the best Mexican fare in the city. Just try the house-made flour tortillas, which come wrapped around taco fixings such as al pastor and fajita beef. Barbacoa, fresh fish, and tinga are also on the taco menu. You can come to Unos P'nches Tacos for breakfast too, when options like breakfast tacos are on the menu. Don't miss out on the authentic Mexican food that this eatery offers!

Kaffeine Coffee Internet and Office Cafe: Your Home Office Away From Your Home Office

In an era when virtually every coffeehouse serves as a makeshift office anyway, Kaffeine Coffee Internet and Office Cafe has decided to lean into the trend. Instead of frowning upon customers who set up shop at its tables for the day, Kaffeine actually encourages work-from-homers to make use of its space by offering special services, including printing and copying.

You can even rent a laptop at Kaffeine if you're experiencing technical difficulties or left yours at home. If you BYO laptop, enjoy the free Wi-Fi and grab a cup of coffee. Kaffeine offers a full roster of java drinks, not to mention light fare for breakfast and lunch, including sandwiches and breakfast sandwiches. So the next time you need a good cup of joe or a break from the home office, try out Kaffeine.

Chama Gaucha Brazilian Steakhouse: All-You-Can-Eat Barbecue

Filet mignon dusted with sea salt. Meticulously seasoned leg of lamb. Tender prime sirloin. These are just a few of the top cuts of meat that circulate around the dining room at Chama Gaucha Brazilian Steakhouse, so if you're craving some satisfying Brazilian barbecue, be sure to head here this week.

At Chama Gaucha, you simply signal when you'd like a server to stop and slice off a few pieces of meat from a skewer. Various cuts of beef, pork, and lamb are among your options, 12 in all. You can round out your meal with fresh veggies from the salad bar, and the combination of fresh meat and fresh greens makes for the perfect meal. Will you be stopping by this week?

Enjoy Classic Deli Sandwiches at Kenny & Ziggy’s New York Delicatessen

For a true taste of New York right here in Houston, just pay a visit to Kenny & Ziggy’s New York Delicatessen. The local business is owned by a family who has owned delis across the country (including in New York) since the early 20th century. The food at Kenny & Ziggy’s is the same classic deli fare you would find at a deli up north. Try a classic like the pastrami sandwich, or indulge in a corned beef sandwich and a popular soup. Beyond deli food, the restaurant also promises pasta dishes, meatloaf, and more.

Early morning guests can enjoy bagels, fresh fruit, breakfast tacos, and top-notch coffee, so there's really no bad time to stop by this local establishment. Siena at Memorial Heights is only 15 minutes from this popular eatery, so why not check it out this week?

Unwind at Tea Bar and Organics

If you're invested in treating your body with as much care as possible, then you probably opt to buy a lot of organic products at the grocery store. Tea Bar and Organics wants to promote the pesticide-free lifestyle by offering organic options at its restaurant and teahouse too.

To that end, it offers up organic teas, noodle bowls, rice plates, and snacks. Come in to grab a lemon-ginger green tea or a peppermint white tea to infuse your day with some energy. You can also unwind with something soothing such as Sweet Dreams herbal tea or a calming vanilla rooibos. Tea Bar also offers sweeter milk teas, if that's what you're looking for, even in unique varieties like taro milk tea and barley milk tea. Complement your warm or cold drink with house curry chicken over rice, traditional fried fish cakes, or one of the other Asian eats on the menu at Tea Bar and Organics.

Pepper Twins: For all the Szechuan You Can Handle

If you're craving the sweet, spicy, and altogether enchanting flavors of some top-notch Chinese cuisine, you definitely need to make a visit to Houston’s Pepper Twins in the near future. This increasingly popular West Gray Street restaurant is making quite a name for itself, thanks to what it describes as “country-style organic Chinese food.”

The menu takes cues from the cuisine of the Sichuan province of southwestern China, which means the spiciness and use of garlic is not for the faint of heart. Yet it’s practically irresistible, especially when things like Berkshire pork belly and a dish called “Fish Loves Tofu” are on the menu. Adventurous eaters and Chinese cuisine fanatics must pay Pepper Twins a visit.

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