Regarded as one of the best kept secrets in Pasadena, the Savannah Café and Bakery has made a name for itself serving up delicious baked goods both sweet and savory. Some of their trademark offerings include the Beacon Hill cookie with chocolate chips, white chocolate, pecans and macadamia nuts, as well as the moist, delicious Coca Cola cake. Made with chocolate and marshmallows, it’s a rich, decadent delight. Their cupcakes are also incredible.

Lunch sees the place get packed with patrons enjoying some truly exceptional sandwiches. The St. Charles Tenderloin sandwich is one of their most popular; it starts with fork-tender slow-cooked pork and adds in Monterey Jack cheese, country fried onions, lettuce, mayo, and a raspberry chipotle sauce on grilled sourdough bread. It’s an explosion of flavor that will leave you satisfied. Also awesome is the Beaufort, which pairs home-made pot roast with Provolone cheese, citrus pepper sauce, and ancho chile mayonnaise.

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

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr/Veganbaking.net

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

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr/Brian Child

Used in the base for sauces, soups, and more, homemade chicken stock can put the "wow factor" in even the most ordinary of recipes. If you believe homemade chicken stock is too complicated to make, think again! These four recipes break the process down into easy-to-manage steps, so you'll be enjoying the fruits of your labor in no time flat.

Delicious Homemade Chicken Stock [Instructables]

How to Make Chicken Stock [The Kitchn]

Stock Convictions [Michael Ruhlman]

How to Make Chicken Stock [Simply Recipes]

CC-BY-SA-3.0/Flickr/The Culinary Geek