The Early Bird Gets the Breakfast Burrito at Titas Taco House

When cravings for Mexican cuisine hit early in the morning, Houston area early birds flock to Titas Taco House, arguably the most beloved Mexican fare eatery in Humble.

It’s hard to miss the bright blue exterior of Titas Taco House, which features a small porch for al fresco dining and a bright red sign welcoming guests in with a “Bienvenidos.” Another sign you're in the right spot? The line of hungry early risers, all of whom arrive at Titas for delicious breakfast tacos stuffed with chorizo, potatoes, peppers, eggs, or bacon. Along with breakfast foods, the tortillas can also come stuffed with such foods as pork, steak, or chicken mole with yellow rice. The corn and flour tortillas are freshly made daily, hand rolled in the restaurant.

Titias Taco House is open 5 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekdays and 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays.

Titas Taco House
320 Wilson Road
Humble, TX 7738
(281) 446-4175
www.hkatexas.com/2014/04/titas-taco-house-wilson-rd-humble/#.VK7BiivF-js
www.yelp.com/biz/titas-taco-house-humble

Baby Barnaby’s Cafe: Tasty Breakfast That’s Not Just for Kids

If you’re looking for a great breakfast spot in Houston, locals will likely point you in the direction of Baby Barnaby’s Cafe. This stylish eatery features a ceiling painted with rainbow stripes, local artwork hanging on the walls, and leather booths that provide a cozy place to enjoy a hot breakfast and a strong cup of coffee. There’s even a covered outdoor patio that makes an enjoyable place for breakfast or brunch on cooler Texas days.

Baby Barnaby’s is a sister restaurant to the small Barnaby’s chain, and it serves many of the same unique breakfast dishes. The green eggs, buttermilk waffles, and Bob’s Healthy Plate are some of the most popular items, and the restaurant even serves freshly squeezed juices straight from the juicer. In addition to breakfast, Baby Barnaby’s Cafe offers a classic American menu of high-end diner food and Tex-Mex favorites, as well as a small wine list for adult guests.

Baby Barnaby’s Cafe
602 Fairview Street
Houston, TX 77006
(713) 522-4229
www.barnabyscafe.com
www.yelp.com/biz/baby-barnabys-café-houston-2

Huynh: Vietnamese Fare Flavors on the Gulf Coast

Bite into the crispy spring rolls or savor the delicious broth of a splendid vermicelli bowl at Huynh, a family-owned Vietnamese restaurant that's been part of Houston's dining scene for more than a decade. Consistently named one of Houston's best Vietnamese eateries, Huynh complements its flavorful fare with an inviting atmosphere and friendly staff. Simple floral arrangements accent the lightly colored walls and carpet, creating a serene space to enjoy a meal with family or friends.

Authentic Vietnamese dishes here are replete with spice and texture. Come for lunch and feast on Huynh's mid-priced pho, a traditional Vietnamese soup that includes up to four meats of your choice. Dinner promises a feast of flavors when you order dishes like Dau Hu Xoa Thit Xay, a combination of diced tofu and ground pork with mushrooms, peppers, and onions to share with your favorite people.

Huynh Restaurant opens at 11 a.m. Mondays through Saturdays. Note that this popular eatery is closed on Sundays.

Huynh
912 St. Emanuel Street
Houston, TX 77003
(713) 224-8964
www.huynhrestauranthouston.com
www.yelp.com/biz/huynh-houston

Enjoy Sushi in Houston at Oshii Japanese Restaurant

Located near the Greenway Plaza is Oishii Japanese Restaurant, a place where Houstonians can enjoy their favorite Japanese dishes without breaking the bank.

Stop by for lunch or dinner and select from sashimi, sushi rolls, noodle dishes, and crispy tempura plates. Favorites include udon noodles with vegetable tempura, grilled salmon smothered in teriyaki sauce, and the chef’s choice sashimi and sushi plates. There is a decent selection of maki, including Philadelphia and rainbow rolls, and it’s relatively inexpensive. You can also opt to order sushi or sashimi by the piece.

Regulars rave about the happy hour specials and casual atmosphere, claiming that Oishii is one of their favorite places to gather with friends for sushi or a bento box.

Visit Oshii's website to find out more about this Japanese restaurant in Houston.

Oshii Japanese Restaurant
3764 Richmond Avenue
Houston, TX 77046
(713) 621-8628
www.oishiihouston.com
www.yelp.com/biz/oishii-restaurant-houston

Last Concert Cafe: Keep Your Eyes Peeled for This Hidden Gem

The Last Concert Cafe is a popular Mexican restaurant located right in central Houston inside of a nondescript stucco building with a mysterious red door. Although there is no sign and the front door always remains locked, this well-kept secret is among the most popular restaurants in the area for Mexican food lovers. The menu includes classic Tex-Mex favorite like loaded nachos, various styles of tacos, and black bean tostadas, and the wide selection of Mexican beers may appeal to every beer aficionado.

There is live music almost every night of the week inside of the dim, mural-covered dining room, which creates a lively atmosphere and the feeling of an underground jazz club. On the weekends, Last Concert Cafe hosts one of the most unique brunches in town, complete with hearty Mexican fare dishes, breakfast cocktails and, of course, live music all day long.

Last Concert Cafe closes between lunch and dinner, so be sure to check the hours before visiting.

Last Concert Cafe
1403 Nance Street
Houston, TX. 77002
(713) 226-8563
www.lastconcert.com
www.yelp.com/biz/last-concert-caf%C3%A9-houston-3

Chama Gaucha Brazilian Steakhouse: Carnivore’s Delight

Chama Gaucha Brazilian Steakhouse serves up all the meat you can eat in the best Brazilian Churrascaria tradition. Pay a single price and flip the card at your table to the green side and the servers roaming the dining room will present you with cut after cut of various meats, sliced tableside for you to grab with the provided tongs.

Try customer favorites like picanha (prime sirloin), bacon-wrapped filet mignon, or lamb, served as sliced shank or chop. Once you’ve had your fill, or when you want a break, just flip the card to the red side and you can enjoy your meal without interruption. If you’re not a meat eater, Chama Gaucha offers an extensive salad bar that is available on its own and is also included in the main buffet.

Chama Gaucha Brazilian Steakhouse
5865 Westheimer Road
Houston, TX 77057
(713) 244-9500

www.chamagaucha.com
www.yelp.com/biz/chama-ga%C3%BAcha-brazilian-steakhouse-houston-2

Luigi’s Pizzeria: Hand-Tossed Dough and Freshly Made Gelato

If you’re looking for an authentic taste of Italy without leaving Houston, regulars say you’ll find it at Luigi’s Pizzeria. This charming eatery is decorated in Italy’s colors both inside and out, and the spacious outdoor patio offers the best seats in the house.

The menu lists made-from-scratch pizzas that rely on hand-tossed dough and a wide selection of fresh toppings, including traditional Caprese and margherita pies. In addition to pizza, the eatery offers spicy hot wings, fresh salads, and authentic Italian gelato made fresh on-site. Luigi’s Pizzeria is BYOB, so you can bring your favorite wine or beer to enjoy while you eat, and there is also free delivery with a $20 minimum purchase if you prefer to enjoy your pie at home.

Luigi’s Pizzeria is open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and noon to 8 p.m. Sundays.

Luigi’s Pizzeria
3700 Almeda Road
Houston, TX 77004
(281) 793-3333
www.luigipizzamidtown.com
www.yelp.com/biz/luigis-pizzeria-houston

Find Classic Italian Food at Candelari’s Pizzeria in Houston

Dubbed "a man of great taste" by his friends and family, Alberto Candelari was responsible for a sausage recipe that became a family tradition—one that even outsiders can enjoy at Candelari's Pizzeria on West Holcombe. The story goes that Alberto had just returned from a hunting trip and was experimenting with creating his own sausage in the back of the family's Houston liquor store. He struck gold with what would become widely known as Candelari's Italian sausage. But Alberto's Italian sausage was just the jumping-off point for a variety of other sausage recipes that, today, serve as the cornerstone for many pizzas and other dishes at his namesake eatery. Chefs still select the highest quality meats to stuff in each sausage, mixed with natural spices and often even a dash of liqueur.

You can sample the sausage in a grinder at lunch, on an "Autentica" thin-crust Neopolitan pizza (on a white or five-grain crust), or over linguini marinara. But Candelari's also creates dishes without sausage, such as veggie pizza, beef tenderloin (cooked over an open flame), and cedar-plank-roasted salmon. Enjoy any of the dishes with a bottle of Italian wine.

Candelari's Pizzeria
2617 W. Holcombe Boulevard
Houston, TX 77030
(713) 662-2825
www.candelaris.com
www.yelp.com/biz/candelaris-pizzeria-houston-2

Delight Your Taste Buds at Aladdin Mediterranean Cuisine

"If you're coming to Aladdin's bring your appetite," says one Yelp reviewer. And he's not alone: Aladdin Mediterranean Cuisine is known as one of Houston's go-to spots for hearty, filling, and healthy meals. The garlicky hummus is made in-house and brightened with a quick squeeze of lemon, while the deep, smoky flavor of the roasted baba ghanoush provides a pleasing contrast to the hummus. Get an order of each accompanied by some warm, fresh pita bread for dipping.

Main dishes include spiced lamb gyros with grilled peppers, feta, and tzatziki as well as the restaurant's famous grilled kabobs in sirloin, chicken, lamb, and veggie varieties. Mix and match with one of the kabob combination platters, which also include dips and sides of your choice. This place is BYOB, so be sure to grab a bottle of your favorite wine to pair with your dinner.

Aladdin Mediterranean Cuisine
912 Westheimer Road
Houston, TX 77006
(713) 942-2321
www.aladdinshouston.com
www.yelp.com/biz/aladdin-mediterranean-cuisine-houston

Save Room for the Berry Bread Pudding at Masraff’s

An elegant ambiance, expertly attentive service, and a sumptuous menu of flavorful fare are the hallmarks of Masraff’s. Seating options include the bar with an elevated fireplace, the patio, or in the chic dining room.

Settle in with a glass of wine from Masraff's expansive inventory, then whet your appetite with the ahi tuna tartar, garlic seared calamari, or the chilled colossal crab. Move on to the main event with pan seared diver scallops with carrot ginger bisque, coffee rubbed filet mignon with wild mushroom risotto, or pan roasted chicken breast with au gratin potatoes. Save a spot for the warm triple berry bread pudding with cream cheese mousse.

Masraff's is open every day.

Masraff's
1753 Post Oak Boulevard
Houston, TX 77056
(713) 355-1975
www.masraffs.com
www.yelp.com/biz/masraffs-houston

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