Gumbo Jeaux’s: A Hidden Gem Serving Cajun Fare in Houston

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

Call Out Your Order at Captain Tom Seafood & Oyster Bar

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

Oxheart: Try a Foodie Twist on Texan Cuisine

Oxheart may consider itself a Texan restaurant, but it’s a world away from the local barbecue spot. Upscale and stylish yet still comfortable and welcoming, this often-buzzed-about eatery serves some of the most creative takes on Texas cuisine in all of Houston.

The menu is split into two distinct six-course menus: the vegetarian Garden Menu and the omnivorous Tasting Menu. The dishes always change to accommodate which ingredients are currently in season, but past menu items include a stew of preserved alliums and Indica rice, lightly smoked wild boar with pork Thailande, and Japanese roots and a sofrito of dried shellfish. Drink pairings can be added to either of the menus for an additional cost, and each libation is carefully chosen to perfectly complement the rest of your dining experience.

Reservations are recommended at Oxheart, and they can be made via the restaurant’s convenient website.

Oxheart
1302 Nance St
Houston, TX 77002
(832) 830-8592
www.oxhearthouston.com

Cyclone Anaya’s Mexican Kitchen: A Whirlwind of Food and Fun in Houston

Whether you’re looking for a place to find great Mexican food or for refreshing drinks with your friends, Cyclone Anaya’s Mexican Kitchen is a great spot for both. This swanky cantina serves modern takes on classic Mexican cuisine in a stylish, see-and-be-seen atmosphere, complete with a grand entryway, stylish bar, and warm tables large enough for your entire group.

The menu features taco salads and seafood ceviche for lunch, and the build-your-own lunch plates are economical options for your midday break. For dinner, Cyclone Anaya’s offers Tex-Mex combos, enchiladas, and grilled fajitas, and there are vegetarian and gluten-free options. Tequila flights, mojitos, and flavored margaritas are some of the most popular beverages at Cyclone Anaya’s, but there are also a number of imported Mexican cervezas for those who prefer beer.

The weekend brunch is also one of the most popular in town, making this an exciting eatery at any time of day.

Cyclone Anaya’s Mexican Kitchen
309 Gray Street
Houston, TX 77002
(713) 520-6969
www.cycloneanaya.com

Happy Hour Deals Meet Delicious Seafood at Reef in Houston

There’s a reason why Houston’s Reef is consistently voted one of the best seafood restaurants in the country: with its James Beard award-nominated chef, its inventive menu of creative seafood dishes, and its fresh, high quality list of ingredients, the utmost attention is paid to every detail at this popular eatery.

Reef’s menu includes a fish selection that changes daily to include only the freshest options on the market, but you’ll always find staple menu items like the jumbo crab cakes, 3RD Bar Plateau raw plate and red fish on the half-shell. Crunchy calamari and seafood gumbo make delicious appetizers, while fresh fish platters served with seasonal vegetables and homemade sauces are perfect for lunch or dinner. There is an extensive dessert menu and a large wine list to go along with any meal, as well as a happy hour menu that offers big savings on cocktails and small plates from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. every weekday.

Reef
2600 Travis at McGowen
Houston, TX 77006
(713) 526-8282
www.reefhouston.com

Holley’s: Sea(food) and Be Seen in Houston

Holley’s Seafood Restaurant & Oyster Bar is a Houston favorite that offers a delicious selection of seafood prepared by some of the most renowned chefs in town. The resulting menu is fresh, modern, and creative, making this a standout eatery that locals adore. Holley’s menu features seafood dishes inspired not only by classic Texan cooking, but also by cuisines found throughout New Orleans, Kentucky Bourbon country, and along the eastern shoreline. A well-curated wine list rounds out the offerings here.

If you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply looking for a place for a great dinner in town, Holley’s stylish ambiance and urban feel is sure to fit the bill. There is a business casual dress code throughout the elegant dining room, but if you’re looking for something a bit more laid-back, the attached oyster bar has a casual ambiance that still feels really special.

Holley’s
3201 Louisiana Street
Houston, TX 77006
(713) 491-2222
www.holleyshouston.com

Spaghetti Warehouse: Twirl a Fork Into Tonight’s Dinner

There’s nothing more comforting than a big bowl of pasta, unless it’s enjoyed in the company of family and friends, of course! At Spaghetti Warehouse you can do just that, as this popular chain eatery specializes in hearty Italian fare served in a warm, welcoming ambiance that’s perfect for large parties.

No matter if you’re celebrating a birthday or just the end of the work week, Spaghetti Warehouse always offers a table large enough for a group and a menu of pastas, homemade meatballs, seafood dishes, and the famous 15-layer lasagna. There are affordable wine options to pair with your meal, as well as beers and cocktails and a long list of Italian desserts. With reasonable prices on very large portions and a fun, lively atmosphere, Spaghetti Warehouse is always a reliable dinner choice.

To make a reservation at Spaghetti Warehouse, visit the restaurant’s website.

Spaghetti Warehouse
901 Commerce Street
Houston, TX 77002
(713) 229-9715
www.meatballs.com/?page_id=29&st=TX&locid=13

Merida Mexican Restaurant: Mayan Fare to Take Anywhere

Merida Mexican Restaurant brings something a bit different to the table when it comes to Mexican fare, offering traditional Mayan cuisine from across the Yucatan Peninsula. Whether you’re looking for a place for a sit-down meal, convenient takeout, or even delivery to anywhere in the area, this casual and authentic eatery offers all three.

The menu consists of breakfast, lunch, and dinner made with recipes perfected over the restaurant’s 40-year history, and the prices are very reasonable for their generous portions. Merida specializes in dishes like Cochinita Pibil and handmade Empanadas Yucatecas, as well as daily specials that change from day to day.

With a colorful, welcoming interior furnished with comfortable tables and a convenient online ordering form that makes it easy to place an order for pick-up, Merida is one of the best spots in town for a tasty Mexican meal.

Merida Mexican Restaurant
2509 Navigation Boulevard
Houston, TX 77003
(713) 227-0260
meridarestauranttx.com

Taste Why Mytiburger Is a Houston Institution

Mytiburger is a landmark in the Oak Forest area of Houston. Since this cute little burger joint opened in 1967, it's been satisfying generations of diners with juicy burgers, fries, and shakes. Patrons are charmed by the retro black and white checkerboard tiled floor, the old fashioned soda fountain counter, and the bright orange vinyl booths.

Prices are nice, which means you can feed the family without spending a bundle. In addition to some big, juicy burgers, they’ve got a fish sandwich, a BLT, a grilled chicken sandwich, a grilled steak sandwich, and grilled cheese. Veggie burgers are available for the non-carnivore in your party. Pair your meal with a creamy shake.

Mytiburger is open every day.

Mytiburger
2211 W. 43rd Street
Houston, TX 77018
(713) 686-7078
www.mytiburger1967.com
www.yelp.com/biz/mytiburger-houston

The Breakfast Klub: Houston’s Most Cinematic Breakfast

The Breakfast Klub is not only one of the most popular breakfast spots in Houston, it’s also one of the most buzzed-about breakfast eateries in the nation. Wooden tables and modern artwork fill the spacious, light-filled dining area, and it’s always filled with a diverse mix of customers, from lawyers to hip college students. Although you’re almost guaranteed to wait in line, regular diners insist The Breakfast Klub is worth it for both the delicious morning fare and the homegrown, nationally known experience.

The Katfish & Grits and Wings & Waffle are two of the most popular breakfast dishes (and yes, you’ll notice the “K” theme throughout the entire menu). Bottomless koffee and kafe au laits perfectly accompany any breakfast dish, and the eatery also serves specialty espresso beverages. Contrary to its quirky name, The Breakfast Klub also serves a full lunch menu of sandwiches, salads, and other midday favorites.

The Breakfast Klub
3711 Travis at Alabama
Houston, TX 77002
(713) 528-8561
www.thebreakfastklub.com
www.yelp.com/biz/the-breakfast-klub-houston-2

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