Ichibon: Sushi and a Hibachi Show in Pasadena

Ichibon Japanese Seafood and Steakhouse is a part of the hibachi-style Japanese restaurant trend, in which the talented chefs put on a show by cooking your food right in front of you at the table.

In addition to its hibachi meals, Ichibon serves a full sushi menu complete with maki rolls and sashimi options made using only the freshest ingredients. The restaurant features a modern, sleek style that makes it ideal for date night, but its fun atmosphere and the wild antics of its hibachi chefs make it great for families, as well. Ichibon’s menu also includes a variety of Japanese desserts like green tea ice cream, banana tempura and fried ice cream, and there is a full bar with wine, beer, and spirits for of-age guests.

Ichibon is open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. weekdays and 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. on weekends. Sunday hours are from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Ichibon
4908 Fairmont Parkway
Pasadena, TX 77505
(281) 991-0486
www.ichibonhouston.com
www.yelp.com/biz/ichibons-pasadena

Johnny Tamale Cantina: Spice It Up

Johnny Tamale Cantina has been serving dependable Tex-Mex fare since 1998. With a menu that relies on freshest ingredients, regulars insist there's nothing here that disappoints.

Start your meal with the top-flight “Johnny Rita,” a margarita made with Patron Silver and Monin agave nectar, served in a martini glass. The menu is extensive, listing many Tex-Mex crowd-pleasers. Johnny Tamale’s sizzling fajita platters receive high marks, with tender, seasoned beef or chicken marinated and grilled, then served with peppers, onions, and tortillas. Also very good are the chile rellenos, the tamales, and the popular Mexican beef stew known as carne guisada.

Johnny Tamale Cantina
4647 E. Sam Houston Parkway S.
Pasadena, TX 77505
(281) 487-7482
www.jtcantina.com
www.yelp.com/biz/johnny-tamale-cantina-pasadena

Sudie’s Catfish House: Famous Fried Catfish You Just Have to Try

At Sudie’s Catfish House, local Florida seafood is prepared with home-style cooking methods, and the sides are made entirely from scratch, free of trans-fats, and relying only on real ingredients. This is a family-owned, casual restaurant that takes its cooking very seriously, and the personal experience is something that you won’t find from chain seafood restaurants.

The menu includes appetizers like fried pickles and peel-and-eat shrimp, as well as soups and salads to go with your meal. A wide variety of seafood options make up the dinner entrees, though the most popular dish is, of course, the catfish prepared three different ways. For landlubbers, Sudie’s also offers Southern-style chicken, steak, hamburgers, and other menu options as an alternative to seafood.

The restaurant itself has a farmhouse feel, and the large fish attached to a fishing rod on the exterior makes Sudie’s easy to find. If you’re hosting a get-together, Sudie’s also offers a full banquet hall and catering services to meet your needs, big or small.

Sudie’s Catfish House
4910 Spencer Highway
Pasadena, TX 77505
(281) 487-0920
www.sudies.com
www.yelp.com/biz/sudies-catfish-house-pasadena

Frank’s Grill: Comfort Food

Frank’s Grill is a Pasadena institution serving large portions of comfort food. The space is functional and can get quite busy at times, but the ambiance isn't the real draw here.

So what is it that brings diners to the space? It’s the food. Portion sizes are absolutely enormous and everything that comes out of the kitchen is flavorful. Try the breakfast taco, which is made with a burrito-sized tortilla, two eggs, meat and hash browns. Their country fried steak is a take on the classic, and the “fully loaded” hash browns may challenge even the biggest appetite. At lunch, they change from a full service restaurant to a cafeteria-style setup serving delicious Southern favorites. Try the mashed potatoes or the macaroni and cheese!

Frank's Grill
3807 Spencer Highway
Pasadena, TX 77504
(713) 941-6500
http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/8/1487893/restaurant/Houston/Franks-Grill-Pasadena
http://www.yelp.com/biz/franks-grill-pasadena

Napoli Italian Restaurant: Family-Style Italian Cuisine in Pasadena

Traditional Italian food traditions revolve around friends, family, and a love of cooking, and that’s exactly how Pasadena’s Napoli Italian Restaurant operates. This authentic Italian restaurant serves all of its dishes family-style—how they’re served in Italy—and the menu includes Northern and Southern Italian dishes that have been around for generations.

Every meal starts with complimentary bread and olive oil seasoned with garlic and parmesan, as well as a warm greeting from the restaurant’s staff. Popular dishes include the fettuccine Alfredo, chicken piccata and traditional spaghetti and meatballs, and Napoli offers take-out on any of its menu items. The atmosphere is relaxed and ideal for large family gatherings, but the dim lighting and upstairs lounge area make Napoli ideal for date night, too.

Napoli Italian Restaurant is open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

Napoli Italian Restaurant
4450 East Sam Houston Parkway South
Pasadena, TX 77505
(281) 998-2223
www.napolirestaurants.com
http://www.yelp.com/biz/original-napoli-by-papa-zack-pasadena

Antonio’s Italian Grill & Seafood: Tasty Italian Cuisine

Antonio’s Italian Grill & Seafood is a family owned and operated establishment that has been serving La Porte diners fine Italian cuisine since 1986. With nice sized portions and a family friendly atmosphere, Antonio’s is the perfect place for a hearty lunch or dinner. Start your meal with one of Antonio’s tasty appetizers. The fried combo platter is a mix of veggies and seafood, while crab cake limone is a fresh take on the classic crab cake dish. Pasta dishes at Antonio’s feature heavily, with homemade lasagna, linguini and sausage, as well as eggplant parmigiana. The grilled salmon salad offers diners fresh seafood and veggies, while the grilled tuna steak salad contains tri color and lemon vinaigrette. If you save room for dessert, as Antonio’s features many classic desserts to enjoy.

Antonio's Italian Grill & Seafood
1438 West Fairmont Parkway
La Porte, TX 77571
(281) 867-9001
http://www.yelp.com/biz/antonios-italian-grill-la-porte

Dine On ‘Armadillo Eggs’ at Andy’s Barbeque

Texas is one of the states most famous for barbecue, as people here really love their meat. If you’re hankering for a sample of some of the best, Andy’s Barbecue will scratch that carnivore itch. This hidden treasure tucked away in a small neighborhood draws a devoted clientele who raves about Andy's spectacular brisket. Beef brisket is a famous Texas barbecue institution, and they nail it here, with a tender pink center, perfectly-smoked ring and crispy ends. The pulled pork is also well worth trying, and the house-made barbecue sauce is out of this world.

Of course, no barbecue is truly complete without a selection of side dishes, and the fried okra at Andy’s is among the best in the state. The cole slaw is tangy and complements the richness of the meat very well. Don’t leave Andy’s without ordering one of their famous “armadillo eggs,” jalapeno peppers stuffed with cream cheese, wrapped in sausage and bacon, smoked, and deep-fried. They’re a decadent delight.

Andy's Barbeque
2826 Dedman Street
Pasadena, TX 77503
(281) 487-7388
www.andyshawgwildbarbque.com
www.yelp.com/biz/andys-bbq-pasadena-2

Margaritas Pack a Punch at The Don’Key Mexican Food

The Don’Key Mexican Food is a small shack illuminated by bright neon lights. This place has been serving authentic Tex-Mex classics since 1984. To start, you’ll get thin and crispy chips and hot red and green sauce, and you’ll have a choice of favorites, from sizzling fajitas to enchiladas, tacos, and tostadas.

Fans call the food fresh, reasonably priced, and delicious. The Don'Key is most famous for their margaritas— called the Don’Keyrita— available in regular, strawberry, or swirl. Fans call the margaritas strong and delicious. There’s $2.50 Beer of the Day and mojitos, specialty margaritas, and a variety of mixed drinks are also offered. At The Don’Key, happy hour is more like a "happy day," as drink specials run Mondays through Thursdays, from 11 a.m. 6 p.m., and Fridays, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Don’Key is busy on the weekends especially, but if you have to wait, you won’t be waiting for long. Parking can be a challenge, and take-out is available.

The Don’Key Mexican Food
5010 Spencer Highway
Pasadena, TX 77505
(281) 487-1253
www.findthedonkey.com
www.yelp.com/biz/donkeys-mexican-food-pasadena

Bring the Whole Family to Jimmy Changas for a Meal of Tex-Mex Fare

Jimmy Changas is a casual Tex-Mex restaurant in Pasadena that serves classics like enchiladas, tacos, and sizzling fajita plates and house specialties like the Chile Relleno and Stuffed Avocado. The portions are large, and the prices are reasonable.

Unlike most Tex-Mex restaurants, Jimmy Changas offers a decent selection of healthy plates and serves queso blanco dip — a thick, creamy, and flavorful type of queso. The bar is small, but the drinks are strong. The Changa Rita is the specialty margarita, made with orange juice and lime juice. There’s a playground for the kids so you can keep them entertained while you eat on the adjacent patio. Service is fast and friendly, and take-out is available. It’s always busy on the weekends, and they don’t take reservations, so you’re guaranteed a short wait.

Don’t forget to grab a free ice-cream cone from the self-serve machine on the way out!

Jimmy Changas
5144 Center Street
Pasadena, TX 77505
(713) 575-2700
www.freshmexfun.com
www.yelp.com/biz/jimmy-changas-pasadena

Enjoy Lunchtime Treats and Sweets at Savannah Cafe and Bakery

Savannah Café and Bakery is a gem of a cafe hidden in a shopping center in Pasadena, offering a variety of fresh, quality sandwiches, paninis, soups, and salads. Popular menu items include the chicken salad, tuna salad, and the chicken pesto panini.

Savannah can get busy during lunchtime, so you might have a short wait. The eatery also offers a variety of to-go dishes, like family meal entrees, side dishes, pints, appetizers, and dips and spreads. Party trays are also available.

Be sure not to skip dessert, as fans rave about just about everything. Savannah offers made-from-scratch desserts, like cheesecakes, pies, cookies, cupcakes, brownies and bars, and cakes. Selections changing daily.

Take-out and delivery are available. The cafe is closed Sundays, and there's free Wi-Fi.

Savannah Café and Bakery
5968 Fairmont Parkway, Suite F
Pasadena, TX 77505
(281) 487-1400
http://www.magnoliacafeandbakery.com
http://www.yelp.com/biz/savannah-cafe-and-bakery-pasadena

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