Peli Peli: Dine On South African Fare Under the Acacia Tree

Peli Peli’s unique name translates loosely into “bird’s eye chili,” a versatile spice that was discovered on the plains of Southern Africa during the 15th century. This name is appropriate to describe the incredibly flavorful fare at Peli Peli, an eatery specializing in South African fare and synonymous with spicy sauces and complex marinades. Peli Peli is the only restaurant of its kind in the state of Texas, and its menu includes an eclectic blend of traditional South African dishes, American cuisine classics, and even some Dutch and Asian influences.

The focal point of the restaurant’s interior is the 30-foot-tall acacia tree, but the avant garde architecture, colorful lights, and spacious dining areas also stand out. Peli Peli is especially well known for its private dining areas, which are ideal for corporate events or family functions.

Make reservations at Peli Peli on the restaurant’s website.

Peli Peli
110 Vintage Park Boulevard
Houston, TX 77070
(281) 257-9500
www.pelipeli.com
www.yelp.com/biz/peli-peli-houston

Anothai Cuisine: Thai Fare in Houston, Texas

Enjoy Thai food in Houston at Anothai Cuisine. Visit and you can whet your appetite with a flavorful appetizer like Satay Chicken Sticks with peanut sauce & cucumber relish, Chicken Curry Puffs, Fried Spring Rolls, or Thai Chicken Wings.

Anothai's soups fresh and flavorful, so don’t be shy about ordering a big, steaming bowl of Tom Yum with spicy lemongrass, straw mushrooms & tomato. Entrees include Seafood Paradise with shrimp, scallops, squid & mussels, Roasted Red Duck Curry with pineapple & coconut milk, and Beef Musamun Curry with onion, carrot, potato & avocado. Plenty of noodle dishes are also on the menu.

Anothai Cuisine is open every day in Houston, Texas.

Anothai Cuisine
11049 FM 1960 Road
Houston, TX 77065
(281) 890-4455
www.anothaicuisine.com
www.yelp.com/biz/anothai-cuisine-houston

Chow Down on a Real Philly Cheesesteak at Pappa Geno’s

Grilled onions, steak, and Cheese Whiz. Those are all the ingredients necessary to craft a truly authentic Philly cheesesteak. At Pappa Geno's, an establishment more than a thousand miles away from the City of Brotherly Love, chefs closely observe this Philadelphia culinary tradition. The "Philly style steak and cheese" is just one of their creations, though.

They also recreate the classic Philly cheesesteak with a few fresh additions. Try the Smothered Philly, which includes a layer of zesty brown gravy on top, or the Freaky Philly, served with all the fixings: Cheese Whiz, American cheese, grilled onion, brown gravy, and Italian hot oil peppers. You can also go for another East Coast eat: the hoagie. The Hot Italian hoagie is stuffed with ham, Genoa salami, and provolone in addition to veggies, mayo, and Italian oil. The veggie hoagie, on the other hand, forgoes meat in favor of plant-based ingredients.

Pappa Geno's
1801 Ella Boulevard
Houston, TX 77008
(713) 863-1222
www.pappagenos.com
www.yelp.com/biz/pappa-genos-houston

Nguyen Ngo 2: Don’t Banh Mi-ss Out

Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches are beloved all over the world for their crave-worthy combination of marinated meats, pickled carrots, and cilantro on freshly baked French bread. Nguyen Ngo 2 is one of the best places to enjoy casual Vietnamese fare in Houston, and it has a colorful, modern design and convenient ordering system that appeal to all types of customers.

The restaurant’s expansive menu is where it really shines. Nguyen Ngo 2’s wide assortment of banh mi sandwiches in styles like seared pork belly and meatball are made with premium ingredients. Regulars recommend adding a fried egg to any of the sandwiches on the menu, as the runny yolk perfectly complements the crusty bread. Although its strip mall location isn’t exactly atmospheric, Nguyen Ngo 2’s comfortable, stylish interior and authentic menu makes it well worth the trip.

Nguyen Ngo 2
14015 Bammel N Houston Road
Houston, TX 77014
(281) 895-8998
www.facebook.com/pages/Nguyen-Ngo-2-Vietnamese-Sandwich/168956649833256
www.yelp.com/biz/nguyen-ngo-2-houston-2

Kabob Korner: International Fare in Houston

Kabob Korner’s slogan is “food with no boundaries,” and the restaurant’s eclectic mix of food from a number of different ethnicities certainly fits that description. Although the menu does include the eatery’s namesake kabobs, it also offers a variety of other grilled dishes from Mediterranean and South Asian countries. Freshly baked naan bread comes with just about every meal, while vegetable samosas and hummus appetizers are a great addition to your kabob or shawarma. Kabob Korner also offers a few American dishes for less adventurous eaters, including grilled burgers and sandwiches for affordable prices.

The quick and convenient ordering system features a large menu board posted above the ordering counter, and guests can choose to either dine in at one of the small cafe tables or take their food to go for lunch or dinner. Grab a quick lunch that’s more interesting than most with a visit to Kabob Korner.

Kabob Korner
12228 Antoine Drive
Houston, TX 77066
(281) 880-0786
www.kabobkorner.com
www.yelp.com/biz/kabob-korner-houston

The Brown Bag Lunch Gets a Delicious Makeover at Little Jimmy’s Deli

Looking for a quick and delicious lunch near Reserve at Garden Oaks? Visit Little Jimmy’s Deli, a popular midday spot known for its thick sandwiches piled high with premium toppings and its authentic gyros filled with flavorful sauces. The sandwich menu is posted right on the wall for easy ordering, and it details all of the possible combinations for everything from breakfast sandwiches to lunchtime creations. Start the day with breakfast tacos, waffles, and bowls of oatmeal with your chosen toppings, or create your own custom sandwich or salad once lunchtime rolls around.

Inside, Little Jimmy’s Deli looks just like your typical independent sandwich spot, but its clean, casual ambiance and modern decor will make you feel comfortable if you choose to dine in or take your food to go. Low prices and friendly service make this spot a crowd favorite!

Little Jimmy’s Deli
3837 Richmond Ave
Houston, TX 77027
(713) 622-7827
www.littlejimmysdeli.com

Kabob Korner: Delight Your Taste Buds With Grilled Meats

Since opening its doors in 2010, Kabob Korner has served an eclectic combination of South Asian and Mediterranean cuisines, with special emphasis on smoky, delicious, grilled and barbecued foods.

Order a whole chicken, marinated with yogurt, herbs, and lemon juice and grilled in the traditional tandoori style, or try the dry-rubbed and skewered beef seekh kabob. And don't forget the thin-shaved lamb gyros, which come from lamb roasts that are slow-grilled on a spit for hours. Whatever you order, don't forget to round out your meal with an array of mouth-watering side dishes. Try dipping garlicky naan into a plate of creamy, house-made hummus, or bite into a crispy vegetable samosa filled with spiced potatoes and served with tangy-sweet tamarind sauce.

Eating in the bright and casual Kabob Korner dining room is pleasant, but if you want to eat at home or at the office instead, the restaurant's online ordering system makes it simple and efficient to place a take-out order.

Kabob Korner
12228 Antoine
Houston, TX 77066
(281) 880-0786
www.kabobkorner.com
www.yelp.com/biz/kabob-korner-houston

Red Onion Café: Fusion Food in Houston, Texas

Head to Houston's Red Onion Café for flavorful fusion fare served in a bright, colorful setting. Settle in for your meal with one of their signature margaritas, a glass of wine, or a beer. Begin your meal with a starter like empanadas with beef, chicken, & guava, yuca frita with pork tenderloin, fried plantains with sour cream, mini crab cakes, or shrimp ceviche with tortilla chips.

Move on to the main event with something delectable like Red Onion's seafood enchiladas with Gulf shrimp & crabmeat, chicken flautas with guacamole & sour cream, spinach & goat cheese enchiladas with marinara sauce, or Churrasco Tegus with broiled skirt steak, chimichurri sauce & plantains. If you love dessert, be sure to save a spot for a delectable slice of tres leches cake with mango berry sauce!

Red Onion is open every day just a short drive away from Reserve at Garden Oaks in Houston, Texas.

Red Onion Café
12440 Northwest Freeway
Houston, TX 77092
(713) 957-0957
www.caferedonrion.com/
www.yelp.com/biz/red-onion-cafe-houston-3

Chow Down on Authentic Greek Fare at Myth Cafe in Houston

Myth Cafe is a Greek restaurant and bakery in Houston. From the modern decor and comfortable furnishings to the Grecian artwork on the walls, everything about this cozy lunch and dinner spot will make you feel like part of the family.

Myth Cafe’s menu includes traditional dishes like papa poulaki, grilled pita sandwiches with tzatziki sauce, and classic Greek salads, as well as more unique options, like the Myth Magic Fries that are oven-baked with herbs and seasonings. While the intimate eatery gets very crowded during the lunch rush and at peak dinner times, it’s well worth the wait to experience the menu of authentic Greek fare made without any fillers, artificial flavorings, or unnatural ingredients.

Add reasonable prices and friendly service and you’ll quickly see why so many locals love Myth Cafe!

Myth Cafe
1730 Jefferson St
Houston, TX 77003
(713) 739-0990
www.mythkafe.com

Steamboat House: A Houston Steakhouse

Steamboat House is much more than a Houston steakhouse; it's an homage to Houston's history. Owner Charlie Fogarty personally leads tours of the steakhouse during its off hours, explaining the premise behind Steamboat House. The name is actually borrowed from the home of legendary Texan Sam Houston, which still exists today in a state park. Steamboat House was inspired by the hero's home, as evidenced by the statue of Sam Houston out front. Inside, you'll find paintings of Sam Houston and George Washington, both nearing 100 years old, as well as murals of Texan battles and a collection of vintage Texan flags. Owner Charlie shows fourth-graders and senior citizens around during the tours, and ends them with a serving of chicken fingers.

However, chicken fingers are hardly representative of the entire menu at the hybrid museum-steakhouse. When the doors open for lunch or dinner, guests can order USDA prime steaks with popular sides such as fried green tomatoes or mashed potatoes. Even the menu pays homage to Houston's history with steaks named for Texan figures.

Steamboat House
8045 N. Sam Houston Parkway
Houston, TX 77064
(832) 912-1845
www.steamboathousetx.com

www.yelp.com/biz/steamboat-house-houston

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