Find Classic Italian Food at Candelari’s Pizzeria in Houston

Dubbed "a man of great taste" by his friends and family, Alberto Candelari was responsible for a sausage recipe that became a family tradition—one that even outsiders can enjoy at Candelari's Pizzeria on West Holcombe. The story goes that Alberto had just returned from a hunting trip and was experimenting with creating his own sausage in the back of the family's Houston liquor store. He struck gold with what would become widely known as Candelari's Italian sausage. But Alberto's Italian sausage was just the jumping-off point for a variety of other sausage recipes that, today, serve as the cornerstone for many pizzas and other dishes at his namesake eatery. Chefs still select the highest quality meats to stuff in each sausage, mixed with natural spices and often even a dash of liqueur.

You can sample the sausage in a grinder at lunch, on an "Autentica" thin-crust Neopolitan pizza (on a white or five-grain crust), or over linguini marinara. But Candelari's also creates dishes without sausage, such as veggie pizza, beef tenderloin (cooked over an open flame), and cedar-plank-roasted salmon. Enjoy any of the dishes with a bottle of Italian wine.

Candelari's Pizzeria
2617 W. Holcombe Boulevard
Houston, TX 77030
(713) 662-2825
www.candelaris.com
www.yelp.com/biz/candelaris-pizzeria-houston-2

Follow the Cask to Taps House of Beer in Houston

It'd be almost impossible to miss Taps House of Beer. In lieu of a front door, there sits a huge cask with an entryway carved out. Walk right through into Taps' open, industrial-style space. Much like the brew house's exterior, the interior is a little off-beat. Wooden picnic tables are scattered throughout the bar, complementing a framework of exposed wooden beams and walls of brick. A shuffleboard table, arcade games, and foosball reside inside, whereas cornhole, bocce ball, and ladder golf are outside. Needless to say, this isn't your typical late-night bar.

That fact comes into clearer focus with a glance at the bar's list of beers, which showcases more than 90 different suds on tap and many by the bottle. From classic Corona or Blue Moon to Strongbow, Bombshell Blonde, and Flying Dog Tire Bite, the brews land all over a spectrum that spans "Light and Easy" to "Amber, Pale, or Pils." Although beer clearly plays the starring role at Taps, a modest food menu offers a handful of shared plates such as Jack Daniels pulled pork sliders and pizzas.

Taps House of Beer
5120 Washington Avenue
Houston, TX 77007
(713) 426-1105
www.tapshouseofbeer.com

www.yelp.com/biz/taps-house-of-beer-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 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

Bar Boheme: La Vie Boheme in Houston

Fans call Bar Boheme the hippest, coolest, busiest, most fun bar in Houston. Prepare for a crush if you go during the rush when everyone converges on the spot to get their party on. Table service is not so speedy, so do what the regulars do and order at the bar. The Frozen Mojito is their signature drink, so why not try it? Other options include the Bohemian with spiced rum, jasmine liqueur, lemon & agave nectar, and the Pink Pussycat with vodka, hibiscus liqueur, sugar & fresh lemon. A nice selection of beer and wine is also on the menu. Snacks include Smoked Jalapeno Hummus with warm garlic naan, Vietnamese Fries with peanuts & cilantro and the Marvelous Cheese Board with Marconi almonds. Some yummy pizzas and desserts are also on the menu. Open every day.

Bar Boheme
307 Fairview Street
Houston, TX 77006
(713) 529-1099
http://www.yelp.com/biz/bar-boheme-houston

Bite a Biscuit, Go For a Growler at BRC Gastropub

Eaters experience bacon a little differently at BRC Gastropub. For example, eatery's signature cheddar biscuits come with bacon jam, instead of crowned with crispy strips. You can order one for yourself or an entire box of them to-go—along with a growler of beer. In addition to creating reimagined versions of comfort food, BRC's staff also pours rare craft beers, more than 28 at a time (plus 25 bottled varieties).

Both local microbrews and nationally applauded craft beers come from the taps at BRC. The drafts rotate all the time, but you'll often find everything from a Sierra Nevada IPA to Karbach Weisse Versa Wheat, brewed right in Houston. BRC also keeps some brews in the cellar, debuting them in limited batches. You can often expect a new trending brew to accompany your cheddar biscuits, which you can order with fried chicken. You can also pair your pint with a pub burger, vegan falafel burger, or starter like fried Gulf oysters.

Visit BRC Gastropub's website to learn more about this Houston eatery!

BRC Gastropub
519 Shepherd Drive
Houston, TX 77007
(713) 861-2233
www.brcgastropub.com/index.php
www.yelp.com/biz/brc-gastropub-houston

Goode Barbeque Company: The Real Thing

Goode Company serves up tasty, no-nonsense Texas BBQ. Order your meat by the pound and some sides to take home, or get yourself a plate to eat there. Sandwiches and entrée plates come with your choice of beef brisket, pulled pork, Czech sausage, honey smoked ham, turkey breast, chicken, duck, jalapeno sausage, pork ribs and turkey sausage. Jalapeno corn bread comes with your entrée and sides include baked potato, Austin baked beans, jalapeno pinto beans, coleslaw and jambalaya Texana. Beer and wine are served — but save room for pecan pie!

Open Monday through Sunday from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m.

Goode Barbeque Company
5109 Kirby Drive
Houston, TX 77098
(713) 522-2530
http://www.yelp.com/biz/goode-company-barbeque-houston

BB’s Café: Cajun Fare in Houston

Craving authentic Cajun cuisine? Plan a trip to Houston's BB’s Café. The dining area is laid back and comfy, and the menu is just what you’d expect from a place that started out as a Po-Boy joint. The Po-Boys are stuffed with great ingredients like gulf shrimp, fried Mississippi catfish, Louisiana crawfish tails and homemade roast beef, on a French roll with fixings. You’ll think that you just landed on the bayou! Try other favorites like Maw-Maw’s Gumbo, crawfish etouffee or red beans & rice. There are also lots of Tex-Orleans platters that you can enjoy. Having an event? BB’s can cater any affair, and can even put together a crawfish-shrimp boil!

BB’s Café
2710 Montrose Boulevard
Houston, TX 77006
(713) 524-4499
http://www.yelp.com/biz/bbs-cafe-houston

Roost: Fusion Fare in Houston, Texas

Using farm fresh ingredients and a seasonal tapas menu that fuses Southern, Asian and Middle Eastern cuisine, Roost has earned itself a favorite place on the Houston dining scene. The menu changes every three weeks, so you can always count on new flavors emerging from the kitchen. Sumptuous plates – to share, or not – include a Mason Jar Pickles of Local Produce, Smoked Trout Mousse with rye toast points, Fried Cauliflower with miso dressing & pine nuts, Beer Can Cornish Hen with honey mustard sauce, Curried Crab Cakes with chayote squash slaw and Angus Flatiron Steak with pickled watermelon. The ‘Gimme Some Suga’ dessert menu features taste tempters like Coffee N’ Donut Holes with salted caramel & coffee ice cream. Yum!

Moments from The Augusta, Roost is open for dinner Monday through Saturday.

Roost
1972 Fairview Street
Houston, TX 77019
(713) 523-7667
http://www.yelp.com/biz/roost-houston

Provisions: Stock Up in Houston

Provisions has won over diners with their fresh, flavorful menu, an open kitchen dining area and spacious terrace. Get your party started with a refreshing cocktail like the Highland with green chartreuse, tequila, sugar cane & lime. Add on a Bread & Cheese Plate or a wood-fired pizza with mozzarella, basil & tomato. Some yummy pasta dishes adorn the menu, as do meat entrees like Hanger Steak with spring onions, Suckling Pig Porchetta for Two and Ham’O’Day with mustard rye. Fish entrees include Curried Mussels with cauliflower, Shrimp Salad with celery-apple remoulade, and Big Eye Tuna with fennel. Save a spot in your tummy for a tantalizing dessert like Neapolitan Chocolate Mousse Cake.

Minutes from The Augusta, Provisions is open Monday through Saturday for lunch and dinner.

Provisions
807 Taft Street
Houston, TX 77019
(713) 628-9020
http://www.yelp.com/biz/provisions-houston

Tiny Boxwood’s: Classy & Casual Dining

At Tiny Boxwood’s restaurant, it’s about the whole package: the food, the ambiance and the service. Together, they make the whole dining experience memorable. Located in Highland Village, you’ll find cuisine with a French flair, any time of the day. You’ll like the clean, classic dining room, or dine on the patio. Come for breakfast or brunch and try the grilled bread plate with homemade jam, eggs, quiche or morning cheese. The lunch menu includes tasty soups, salads and sandwiches, and check out the chef’s seafood special or any other dinner course, and you’ll be satisfied. Mid-afternoon, come in for a nice respite with cheese and wine! Tiny Boxwood’s is open Tuesdays through Sundays.

Tiny Boxwood’s
3614 W. Alabama Street
Houston, TX 77027
(713) 622-4224
http://www.yelp.com/biz/tiny-boxwoods-houston

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