3rd Annual Houston Barbecue Festival

  • Location: NRG Park
  • Venue: NRG Park
  • Address: One NRG Park, Houston, TX 77054
  • Phone:832-454-6106832-454-6106
  • Times: 1-5pm, VIP entry at 12pm.
  • Visit Event Website
  • Area of Town: Medical Center/NRG Park
  • Free Admission: No
  • Child Admission: Children 6 and under are free.
  • Adult Admission: $50-$100

20+ of Houston's best barbecue joints all in one place, at one time, for one price. This year's festival will feature all of last year's list of the who's who of Houston's best barbecue.

Currently confirmed are: Blake’s BBQ, The Brisket House, Brooks’ Place BBQ, CorkScrew BBQ, El Burro & the Bull, Fainmous BBQ, Feges BBQ, Gatlin’s BBQ, Gerardo’s, Killen's BBQ, Lenox Bar-B-Que, Oak Leaf Smokehouse, Pappa Charlies Barbeque, Pizzitola’s Bar-B-Cue, Ray’s BBQ Shack, Roegels Barbecue Co., Spring Creek Barbeque, Tin Roof BBQ, and The Wooden Spoke. A new participant this year is up-and-coming Blood Bros.

BBQ which has developed a loyal following over the last year with their weekend barbecue pop-ups. Wayne Mueller of Louie Mueller Barbecue in Taylor, Texas will make another guest appearance to serve his Central Texas-style barbecue. To ensure a quality event for everyone involved, ticket sales are limited. All tickets will be sold in advance – no ticket sales at the door. The first and second festivals sold out before the day of the event. We encourage you to purchase your ticket immediately to avoid missing your chance due to a sell out.

General Admission ($50) includes entry into the festival and unlimited sample portions from each participating Houston barbecue joint. VIP Admission ($100) includes entry into the festival one hour early (at noon) and unlimited sample portions from each participating Houston barbecue joint. A T-shirt and one (1) drink ticket are also included. A bar including beer and wine (sold separately) will be available. We'll also have live music.

3rd Annual Houston Barbecue Festival

  • Location: NRG Park
  • Venue: NRG Park
  • Address: One NRG Park, Houston, TX 77054
  • Phone:832-454-6106832-454-6106
  • Times: 1-5pm, VIP entry at 12pm.
  • Visit Event Website
  • Area of Town: Medical Center/NRG Park
  • Free Admission: No
  • Child Admission: Children 6 and under are free.
  • Adult Admission: $50-$100

20+ of Houston's best barbecue joints all in one place, at one time, for one price. This year's festival will feature all of last year's list of the who's who of Houston's best barbecue.

Currently confirmed are: Blake’s BBQ, The Brisket House, Brooks’ Place BBQ, CorkScrew BBQ, El Burro & the Bull, Fainmous BBQ, Feges BBQ, Gatlin’s BBQ, Gerardo’s, Killen's BBQ, Lenox Bar-B-Que, Oak Leaf Smokehouse, Pappa Charlies Barbeque, Pizzitola’s Bar-B-Cue, Ray’s BBQ Shack, Roegels Barbecue Co., Spring Creek Barbeque, Tin Roof BBQ, and The Wooden Spoke. A new participant this year is up-and-coming Blood Bros.

BBQ which has developed a loyal following over the last year with their weekend barbecue pop-ups. Wayne Mueller of Louie Mueller Barbecue in Taylor, Texas will make another guest appearance to serve his Central Texas-style barbecue. To ensure a quality event for everyone involved, ticket sales are limited. All tickets will be sold in advance – no ticket sales at the door. The first and second festivals sold out before the day of the event. We encourage you to purchase your ticket immediately to avoid missing your chance due to a sell out.

General Admission ($50) includes entry into the festival and unlimited sample portions from each participating Houston barbecue joint. VIP Admission ($100) includes entry into the festival one hour early (at noon) and unlimited sample portions from each participating Houston barbecue joint. A T-shirt and one (1) drink ticket are also included. A bar including beer and wine (sold separately) will be available. We'll also have live music.

Have Crepes at Melange Creperie

Owners Sean Carroll and Tish Ochoa fell in love with the classic creperies that line the streets of Paris, and after spending their honeymoon in the City of Light, the couple decided to open up their own creperie back home in Houston. Their open-air crepe cart, Melange Creperie, debuted in 2010 and is still going strong today, serving up Parisian style crepes with your choice of either two or three ingredients.

Try a classic Nutella and banana combination, or bite into a fresh strawberry and chantilly cream combination. If you prefer savory flavors, try the classic ham, egg, and cheese, or go for one of the daily lunch specials, which can include everything from zucchini and chili to seasoned potatoes. Regulars say you should know that this cart gets busy, and that at peak times you should be prepared to wait for your order (paying with exact change can speed things up a bit). You'll have lots of company while you wait, however, as you chat with the crowd that generally gathers around this popular cart.

Melange Creperie
403 Westheimer Road
Houston, TX 77006
(832) 724-9464
www.melangecreperie.wordpress.com
www.yelp.com/biz/melange-creperie-houston

3rd Annual Houston Barbecue Festival

  • Location: NRG Park
  • Venue: NRG Park
  • Address: One NRG Park, Houston, TX 77054
  • Phone:832-454-6106832-454-6106
  • Times: 1-5pm, VIP entry at 12pm.
  • Visit Event Website
  • Area of Town: Medical Center/NRG Park
  • Free Admission: No
  • Child Admission: Children 6 and under are free.
  • Adult Admission: $50-$100

20+ of Houston's best barbecue joints all in one place, at one time, for one price. This year's festival will feature all of last year's list of the who's who of Houston's best barbecue.

Currently confirmed are: Blake’s BBQ, The Brisket House, Brooks’ Place BBQ, CorkScrew BBQ, El Burro & the Bull, Fainmous BBQ, Feges BBQ, Gatlin’s BBQ, Gerardo’s, Killen's BBQ, Lenox Bar-B-Que, Oak Leaf Smokehouse, Pappa Charlies Barbeque, Pizzitola’s Bar-B-Cue, Ray’s BBQ Shack, Roegels Barbecue Co., Spring Creek Barbeque, Tin Roof BBQ, and The Wooden Spoke. A new participant this year is up-and-coming Blood Bros.

BBQ which has developed a loyal following over the last year with their weekend barbecue pop-ups. Wayne Mueller of Louie Mueller Barbecue in Taylor, Texas will make another guest appearance to serve his Central Texas-style barbecue. To ensure a quality event for everyone involved, ticket sales are limited. All tickets will be sold in advance – no ticket sales at the door. The first and second festivals sold out before the day of the event. We encourage you to purchase your ticket immediately to avoid missing your chance due to a sell out.

General Admission ($50) includes entry into the festival and unlimited sample portions from each participating Houston barbecue joint. VIP Admission ($100) includes entry into the festival one hour early (at noon) and unlimited sample portions from each participating Houston barbecue joint. A T-shirt and one (1) drink ticket are also included. A bar including beer and wine (sold separately) will be available. We'll also have live music.

Uchi: Contemporary Japanese Dining

Uchi offers elegant, modern fare in an atmosphere that works well for everything from a romantic date to a business dinner with new clients. This central Houston restaurant is inspired by Japanese flavors and techniques, though it serves seafood from around the globe in a series of small, shareable dishes.

You'll find traditional sushi and sashimi, like sea eel with orange and ginger or salmon belly with ikura, but you'll also find a number of unique options, like the "ham and eggs" sushi roll, which combines katsu pork belly with an egg yolk custard and espelette. Other menu items include things like smoked duck confit served with endives and bacon and tempura fried cauliflower, and regulars say you shouldn’t miss the crispy Brussels sprouts served with a squeeze of lemon chili. Finally, you should know that this place is popular and fills up during peak hours, so making a reservation is definitely the way to go.

Uchi
904 Westheimer Road
Houston, TX 77006
(713) 522-4808
www.uchirestaurants.com/houston
www.yelp.com/biz/uchi-houston

Enjoy Breakfast, Lunch, or Dinner at Baby Barnaby’s Cafe

Baby Barnaby's Cafe is a popular spot for breakfast and more in Houston. The space is intimate, warm, and decorated with posters. During peak hours there can be a bit of wait and parking is a bit scarce, so be prepared if you have plans after your meal. Luckily, customers can enjoy coffee while they wait for seats.

The menu has a large variety to choose from, so don't worry about pleasing picky eaters. Popular among morning diners is the healthy breakfast plate which features egg whites, wheat toast, fruit, and apple sausage and the fruity pancakes that rotate depending on the season. (Make a point to try out the potatoes, which are brown and crispy on the outside while staying tender and soft inside!)

For lunch and dinner, choose from entrees like baby back ribs with apples, chicken tostadas with corn salsa, a range of meat and vegetarian burgers, and deli sandwiches. It's a wide ranging selection with something for just about everyone.

Baby Barnaby's Cafe
602 Fairview Street
Houston, TX 77006
(713) 522-4229
www.barnabyscafe.com
www.yelp.com/biz/baby-barnabys-caf%C3%A9-houston-2

Save Room for the Berry Bread Pudding at Masraff’s

An elegant ambiance, expertly attentive service, and a sumptuous menu of flavorful fare are the hallmarks of Masraff’s. Seating options include the bar with an elevated fireplace, the patio, or in the chic dining room.

Settle in with a glass of wine from Masraff's expansive inventory, then whet your appetite with the ahi tuna tartar, garlic seared calamari, or the chilled colossal crab. Move on to the main event with pan seared diver scallops with carrot ginger bisque, coffee rubbed filet mignon with wild mushroom risotto, or pan roasted chicken breast with au gratin potatoes. Save a spot for the warm triple berry bread pudding with cream cheese mousse.

Masraff's is open every day.

Masraff's
1753 Post Oak Boulevard
Houston, TX 77056
(713) 355-1975
www.masraffs.com
www.yelp.com/biz/masraffs-houston

Taste Why Pretzel Buns and Homemade Chips Make Local Foods Stand Apart From the Rest

Local Foods is Houston’s modern take on the sandwich shop, complete with concept lighting and local beers. Customers order food at the counter and seat themselves to await their order.

Menu items feature produce and meats sourced locally when possible, from the olive oil to the cheese to the eggs. Here, you can anticipate a variety of options to please everyone, including sandwich options like the duck with cranberries and brie, a traditional Vietnamese banh mi with tofu, and roast beef with cheddar and curried cauliflower. Regulars are a big fan of the pretzel bun that comes with select menu items, and the homemade chips and vegan chili make savory sides.

To wash down your locally based meal, choose from Texas beers, like Rahr & Sons and Southern Star, or enjoy a Mexican Coke or the hibiscus-pear kombucha.

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

Sip a Texas Beer, Dig Into a Shrimp Po’Boy at Beaver’s

Beaver’s in Houston is located in a building that was once a traditional Texas icehouse, where communities would go to pick up ice and converse with neighbors over a beer. Working off of that history, Beaver’s is still a great place to meet with friends for a brew and now a meal created with ingredients found from the third coast.

Enjoy seafood dishes like the crawfish and crab cakes or a shrimp po-boy fried in cornmeal batter and topped with slaw and tartar sauce. Other crowd favorites include the nut burger made with brown rice, cashews, and walnuts; the beef brisket served with Texas toast; and the variety of macaroni and cheese dishes.

Beaver’s boasts a plentiful selection of Texas beers on draft, along with some creative cocktails and even delicious non-alcoholic “mock-tails." Beaver's is open until 10 p.m. on Sundays through Thursdays and midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.

Beaver's
2310 Decatur Street
Houston, TX 77007
(713) 864-2328
beavershouston.com
www.yelp.com/biz/beavers-houston

Table 7 Bistro: Satisfying Comfort Food in Houston

Relaxing vibes and a desirable menu of regional comfort foods can be found at Table 7 Bistro on Fannin Street in downtown. A branch of the District 7 restaurants, this eatery offers patrons quick and friendly service for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Bar and table seating is available in the bright and colorful dining area, while the street-facing patio is open during more enjoyable weather.

The menus offer a balanced mix of American fare favorites that incorporate several cuisines. For instance, the naan flatbread pizza is topped with wild boar or pesto chicken, while burgers include an Akaushi Texas Kobe Beef option. The crab cakes are wildly popular among regulars, a great choice to pair with any meal. Breakfasts at Table 7 are substantial, offering breakfast pizzas, omelets, and the always popular Belgian waffles.

The fast service doesn’t mean you need to rush out; Table 7 is an easy place to linger when the meal is done.

Table 7 Bistro
720 Fannin Street
Houston, TX 77002
(713) 227-4800
www.district7grill.com
www.yelp.com/biz/table-7-grill-houston

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