Some restaurants need a little flash, while others—like Houston’s Gumbo Jeaux’s—just need good food and good reviews. This Cajun fare restaurant has received a bounty of favorable reviews from guests, many of whom credit the restaurant’s friendly staff, decent prices, and tasty Creole dishes for its success.

Despite its popularity, Gumbo Jeaux’s remains humble. Many of the dishes, including sandwiches and fried pieces, come served on checkered paper in plastic baskets or on plastic plates. Similarly, the restaurant's location is unassuming; it occupies a no-frills space in a small shopping center. Still, the food is well worth the trip, regulars say. Popular dishes on the menu here include shrimp po’boys, crawfish etouffe, chicken and waffles, and the gumbo.

Be sure to get your fill of this eatery's fare during the week, because the chefs take a break on the weekend! Gumbo Jeaux's is open 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.

Gumbo Jeaux’s
15655 John F. Kennedy Boulevard
Houston, TX 77032
(281) 227-7138

www.facebook.com/pages/Gumbo-Jeauxs/195005957186514
www.yelp.com/biz/gumbo-jeauxs-houston

CC-BY-SA-3.0/Flickr/kae71463

When you’re craving dessert in the Houston area but you’re tired of your usual ice cream spot, pay a visit to Nu Ice & Drinks. This unique sweet spot serves Asian-style shaved ice in flavors like lychee and green tea, and they taste even better when you drizzle them with egg pudding or sweetened condensed milk. You’ll also find fresh fruit toppings and boba balls that add a colorful flair and great flavor to any dessert. The portions are very large for the affordable prices, and it’s available in two sizes affectionately called the Hill and the Mountain.

Inside, Nu Ice & Drinks is stylish and modern, with a spacious ordering counter where you can watch as the employees prepare your shaved ice and even choose your own toppings from the colorful bar. In the dining area, there are a number of tables where you can sit and relax once you receive your dessert.

Nu Ice & Drinks
5901 Westheimer Road
Houston, TX 77057
(832) 649-2266
www.nucafehouston.com

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr Etwood

Dining at Captain Tom Seafood & Oyster Bar is a unique experience that you won't want to miss. This Houston restaurant is arranged like a ship, with seats surrounding a central kitchen and wall-mounted tables around the room’s edge. When you arrive, don't look for a hostess to seat you; just take your place in line and wait for a seat to open up. (Regular customers say you should be prepared to wait for a few minutes; this place is popular and it's rare that there's no line at all.) Once you're seated, don't wait for a server to take your order, either. Instead, just call it out yourself to the guys in the open kitchen.

Make no mistake, however: Despite the restaurant's quirky vibe, the staff at Captain Tom Seafood & Oyster Bar is very serious about serving only fresh, high quality seafood. The gumbo is a customer favorite, with its hearty, flavorful base, as is the breaded and fried catfish, served with crispy fries and hush puppies.

Captain Tom Seafood & Oyster Bar
9651 FM 1960 Road West
Houston, TX 77070
(281) 890-8334

www.captaintomsseafood.com
www.yelp.com/biz/captain-tom-seafood-and-oyster-bar-houston

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/julesjulesjules m