Weekly Favorites 07/15/18 to 07/21/18

Another new batch of favorite food and restaurant articles!

Easy Protein Pancakes - via Maune Legacy

Don't get me wrong, I love pancakes for breakfast, especially smothered in whipped cream, macerated strawberries, and maple syrup. But sometimes, I think it would be nice to get a little bit more nutrients out of them. This pancake recipe, packs an extra punch of protein!

Need healthy breakfast recipes? I’ve finished my series of 12 healthy #protein #breakfast recipes and these easy protein pancakes are a favorite! Check them out here >>> https://t.co/zQTrxfhIW7<<< #healthyrecipes #RecipeOfTheDay #Foodie #recipeblog #foodblogger pic.twitter.com/kDnNDhkHNy

— Jennifer Maune (@jennifer_maune) July 18, 2018

Foodie Girl Chicago - via Kitchen Thyme

At first glance, I was drawn to the idea that this is a blog featuring bloggers, kind of like what I'm doing here! But then, I looked at the recipes Foodie Girl Chicago is writing. These all look amazing! The Lamb Meatball Gyro Bowl and the Mexican Street Corn Pasta were instant winners for me! I'm going to be back, visiting Foodie Girl Chicago's page to look for more!

Today's featured Kitchen Thyme Food Blogger is Kathryn from @UrbanFoodieKtch! Check out her recipes! #foodblogger #recipes
https://t.co/B5IKHnNpeZ pic.twitter.com/b2o6tXDho2

— Kitchen Thyme (@kitchenthyme1) July 17, 2018

Couscous Salad with Mixed Beans, Feta Cheese and Olives - via Green Lentil

I really need to start eating better. The trouble is, a lot of healthy food just doesn't sounds good to me, most of the time. This Couscous Salad on the other hand, sounds like something I could without hesitation. Maybe it's the fact that the salad in the picture is smothered in feta, a small weakness of mine. Either way, I am going to be eating this!

Our recipe for couscous salad with mixed beans, feta cheese and olives is now on the blog, https://t.co/ULuM5OPWoY #recipe #food #healthy #healthyfood #healthylifestyle #foodlover #foodblog #foodblogger #vegetarian #delicious #yum #hungry #lunch pic.twitter.com/bomxRUm1u2

— Green lentil (@green_lentil_uk) July 17, 2018

Tomahawk Steak - Reverse Sear - via Shakey Eats

Look, if you haven't tried out the reverse sear method for grilling steaks, you need to stop waiting on get right to it. I was hesitant at first. Steaks are expensive, and I really didn't want to through money away with an unfamiliar cooking method. As long you as you a decent grasp of grilling meat or cooking them in a pan over the stove top, it's hard to mess this up. It's all about indirect heat anyway. Shakey Eats even gives it an added shot of butter if you needed any extra coaxing!

How I reverse seared a tomahawk steak.https://t.co/35F1hBOUf9#tomahawk #steak #meat #reversesear #Foodie #food #Londonfood #foodblog #blogger #londonfoodie #foodblogger #ukblogger #foodiechats @BloggersTribe @QualityBlogRT #bloggersblast #loveblogs #BBlogRT #keepdining pic.twitter.com/9GObPBaxu1

— Steve Shakeshaft (@ShakeyEats) July 22, 2018

 Saint Arnold Beer Garden Now Open for Houston Brewery Tourists - via Ronnie Crocker

This is cool. I've been a fan of these guys for as long as I can remember. Opening their new location was a big deal back in 2009, and they have continued to grow it. Now, with another expansion with a beer garden right next door, this is just another reason beer travelers and tourists to stop by and check out the brewery!

#BeerTourism is a thing. I visit breweries when I travel. This new beer garden puts @SaintArnold into an elite league. https://t.co/eRYBLmaLN0

— Ronnie Crocker (@rcrocker) July 22, 2018

Best of Houston

For the past few months, I've been working on a Best Houston - Kid Friendly post. Lately though, I've come in to a bit of a snag. I've found that one or two of the places I've picked to feature as a kid friendly Houston Restaurant, have come up closed. That leaves me with eight on a list of ten! As I'm sure every parent has experienced, finding a good place to eat where not only your kids feel comfortable, but you feel comfortable taking them, and there's actually something on the menu that they will even eat, can be a challenge!

That's where you come in, dear readers. I want to hear from you! Let me know in the comments below what your favorite Houston places are to take your kids when you want to get a bite to eat!

If you need a little inspiration, check out my previous Best of Houston posts, Best Houston Coffee Shops and Houston Essential Restaurants!

While your here, leaving a few comments, you can help me out a little more. I want to write a few more Best of Houston Posts, but I want to hear from you! Best Mexican? Best Italian? Best Pizza? Let me know where you like to go!

Weekly Favorites 02/25 to 03/03

It's been another exciting week for finding food and restaurant articles! Don't worry though, I've got a few new posts in the works too!




The Best Queso in Houston - via Houston Press

The Best Queso in Houston
Photo Credit Erika Kwee/Houston Press

I honestly believe that best way to measure to caliber of a Mexican restaurant is by the quality of their queso! Luckily I live in Houston, where we have no shortage of  good Mexican restaurants to choose from! The Houston Press did the hard work for us here and diligently sampled 20 of the great city's quesos to bring us this Top 20 List. Spoiler, Torchy's Tacos came in at number one.


Shrimp on the Rocks - via Garden & Gun

Shrimp on the Rocks
Photo Credit Johnny Autry/Garden & Gun

One of my favorite fish preparations is a whole redfish with the scales removed, crusted in Kosher salt, with some olive oil and fresh lemon. The fish comes out of the oven and just falls apart! When i came across this Shrimp on the Rocks recipe, it struck me as similar to the fish recipe. This will be a must try for me!


Magnolia Table Opens in Waco - via KHOU.com

Magnolia Table Opens in Waco
Photo Credit khou.com

Not long ago, Waco was just another small Texas town. Baylor University helped put it on the map, but it wasn't a destination. But then a few years back, Chip and Joanna Gaines helped put Waco on the map with everyone's favorite show. Then they made Waco a destination when they opened up shop at Magnolia Market. Now, it looks they may have done it again with the opening of Magnolia Table.


Bacon Popcorn Drizzled with Creole-Spiced Butter - via Garden & Gun

Bacon Popcorn Drizzled with Creole-Spiced Butter
Photo Credit Eugenia Uhl/Garden & Garden

This has so many things going for it! The flavor pop of the creole-spice butter, the bacon. For those out there who maybe haven't noticed yet, Garden & Gun is quickly becoming one of my favorite stops for culinary inspiration. This popcorn is definitely getting filed away for our next movie night at home!

Junior's Texas BBQ and Seafood

I went through the archives and found another throwback post from my days as the Houston BBQ Examiner. This time around, I'm sharing a restaurant review I wrote for Junior's Texas BBQ and Seafood!

Junior's Texas Barbecue and Seafood

Although the restaurant and clientele may seem a little ruff on the outside, it is quickly apparent that Junior’s Texas Barbecue and Seafood is a place where everybody knows your name. It is apparent that the people sitting around the bar have all shared some good times together. The restaurant is homely and everybody is a friend. You will quickly find yourself caught up in a conversation with a stranger, enjoying a beer.

The menu covers the classic barbecue and seafood dishes with little flair, but the food itself makes up for it. A perfectly sweet barbecue sauce accompanies the tender brisket and ribs, chicken and turkey, ham and sausage. The chopped beef sandwich is great and far from a sloppy-joe, like some of the other places out there. The beef in these sandwiches has a ruff chop that helps the sandwich to really stick together. The seafood options include fried shrimp baskets and poboys, all served with fries. The classic barbecue sides, beans, coleslaw, and potato salad are all there too.

The only draw back is the service, which is where everybody being friends turns out to be a bad thing. Often times, the waitresses seem busier catching up with friends than bringing out the food orders. But, it is hard to feel unwelcome with the friendly waitresses, and the clientele make up for the wait, making the time fly by.

All in all, Junior’s is worth a try. Stop by for lunch or dinner, or for a drink with friends after work.

Happy Eating.

Pollos Asados el Rodeo

I found another article in the archives from my time as the Houston Barbecue Examiner. This time, it is a little food truck on I-10 East called Pollos Asados el Rodeo.

Pollos Asados el Rodeo

Walking up to Pollos Asados El Rodeo, the smell of smoked chicken fills the air. Located on the Southeast corner of South Wayside and I-10, the yellow trailer is the perfect place to stop for a quick bite in the east side of Houston. The menu is simple. Six dollars will buy a half chicken, with homemade corn tortillas, charro beans, green chili sauce, and a lime. If that is not enough, ten dollars will buy the whole chicken. Additional side portions are available for another dollar.

On the down side, there is no place to sit, but the food is wrapped up ready to take home or back to work, making it ideal for a meal on the go. Overall, the food at Pollos Asados is basic. But that is the charm. The chicken is cooked to perfection, leaving anyone wanting for more.  This writer is ready for the leftovers in the fridge and planning another visit. Happy eating. 

Houston Essential Restaurants 2016

This is the first of what I hope to make an annual list of my top 10 Houston Restaurants. The choices and opinions are purely my own and are not meant to rule out any particular restaurant as not being great. Who knows, if a restaurant doesn't make it on this list, there is always a future list. This list is not concerned with category or genre, and my tastes may overlap with a few restaurants. I am however, working on a few Best Of categories.

When I set out to compile this list, I had one requirement. These restaurants have to be completely unique to Houston. They can't be franchises or a concept of a larger corporation. If a Houston restaurant sold its rights, they still count, just not the corporate edition. I wanted to capture the Houston experience, not the Houston experience you might experience somewhere else. Some of these restaurants I have a long history with. Others, I'm, just getting to know. 

The Original Carrabba's on Kirby

Rosie Carrabba's on Voss

As the name would imply, this is the original. It's also the original restaurant where I fell in love with the Houston food scene as a young boy. I go here, and Rosie Carrabba's on Voss as often as I can, usually for lunch. The staff is always on point, providing a solution to any situation with ease. The smell of wood oven baked pizzas and breads fills the air from the open kitchen as food is prepared. If you're lucky, there's a chance Johnny Carrabba will be there greeting each of his guests as if it was still the first day of business, 30 years ago. I still need to get over to Carrabba's newest offerings, Grace's and Mia's Table. My favorite dish: Pappardelle Campagnalo

Barnaby's

Barnaby's Cafe

Named after a childhood dog, this cafe has multiple locations with a laid back vibe. The patios are dog friendly and some locations even offer Frosty Paws for for your four-legged friend. One of my favorite things about Barnaby's is that the menu covers almost all food genres. Salads, Lasagna, Burgers - I can't make a stop there without some Sweet Potato Fries with Barbecue Sauce! There's always house made fresh lemonade and don't forget about the fresh desserts! As far as my favorite, Barnaby's one of favorite places to get a burger.

Mai's

Mai's Restaurant

Years ago, my fellow Starbucks baristas and I, would all gather after our shifts and make a late night drive down to Mai's Restaurant. We'd wind down after a long shift over some Vietnamese coffees and, one of my favorites, probably a vermicelli bowl. Sadly, years later Mai's fell victim to a fire. Taking the opportunity to rebuild, Mai's has a modern look and an updated menu. My favorite: Bun Thit Nuong Cha Gio (Vermicelli Bowl with Grilled Pork and Vietnamese Egg Rolls).

El Rey

El Rey Cuban and Mexican Cuisine

El Rey combines Mexican and Cuban Cuisines, which are two of my favorites. Both cuisines make a perfect street food, a vibe I get from going in and sitting at the counter as the food is prepared right in front you. El Rey is big on flavor. Citrus marinades and spices make these delicious foods. A can't miss is the creamy Cilantro Dressing. It goes great with chips and on tacos. I always like the Tacos al Pastor or the Shrimp Tempura Taco, and the Cuban Sandwich is a must try. But my favorite is the Havana Plate, pork marinated in lemon garlic sauce (Mojo), with rice, black beans, and plantains.

Pizzitola's Barbecue

Pizzitola's Barbecue

Originally known as Shepherd Drive Barbecue, Pizzitola's is an unassuming building that hides some of my favorite barbecue in the city. The food is simple, just salt and pepper rubs over a Texas hickory fire for flavor. I always start off with a few ribs and go in for the brisket and sausage plate with some beans and coleslaw. I'm still a bit upset that they took rice off the menu. You can't beat the fresh lemonade either! Be sure to check out the fresh desserts, especially the Banana Pudding!

Saint Arnold

Saint Arnold Brewing Co

I've always loved Saint Arnold, but lately it has become a favorite for lunch. They are doing some really great things in the kitchen, mostly German inspired, but with some interesting additions. For instance, a Ginger Wurst with Fried Wontons and Kim Chi. Lunch features a daily special with two courses, served from 11 to 2, and their Wurst of Der Week. They also have the typical pub fare, including bratwursts, fried chicken, and burgers. And don't forget, your meal meal comes with all you can drink root beer!

Petrol Station

Petrol Station

I don't remember exactly how I found Petrol Station, it's tucked away nicely in the quiet neighborhood of Garden Oaks, but I do remember falling in love almost instantly. In the back is quiet patio, surrounded by trees. You almost forget you're in the middle of the city. The food here is pretty straight forward, although I would call it above average pub food. My go-to menu items include the Grilled Cheese Sandwich, Pulled Pork Sandwich, and The Rancor, a 1/2 lb Angus beef patty, topped with bacon, cheddar, fried egg, lettuce tomato, red onion, pickle, and mayo!

Christian's Tailgate

Christian's Tailgate

I first fell in love with Christian's Tailgate in its original incarnation as Christian's Totem, a dive bar on Washington Avenue. Over the years, the restaurant was updated and new locations have been added. Thankfully, the food has always stayed the same! They've added a few things since the simple hamburger and patty melt days too! Be warned if you have an adventurous side though. The double burger, now called The Giant is a full 1 lb. of beef. I was surprised when I ordered it to find myself removing the bun and eating just the beef!

RA Sushi

RA Sushi

I've always been a sushi fan. The only tricky thing is trying to avoid being hungry again in an hour, without dropping $100! So when I discovered happy hour at RA Sushi, I couldn't pass it up. They have select Appetizers and Sushi from $3.49 to $8.99! Be sure to check out the Crunchy Calamari Roll and of course the Viva Las Vegas Roll!

Star Pizza

Every best restaurant list needs a pizza place, especially in Houston where there so many good pizza options. All it took for me was one trip to the original location of Star Pizza, and I was hooked! The Garlic Bread with Cheese and a side of Marinara will definitely leave you wanting more, just in time for your Starburst pizza to arrive, with its ground beef, sausage, pepperoni and veggies! Whether you go to the original location or the new one on Washington, you won't leave disappointed!

Happy eating!

Houston 101: Where Can I Get a Good Burger

One last throwback post to when I was the Houston Barbecue Examiner. Who wants a burger?

Sure there is a fast food restaurant on every corner, and yes they happen to serve burgers, but why get something to eat there when this great city has so much to offer? Taking a minute to veer off the beaten path, will to help to locate some of the city’s hidden treasures.

Goode Company Taqueria and Hamburgers

Goode Company has been around for over thirty years, always serving up great food, whether it be barbecue, seafood, or fajitas. At Goode Company Hamburgers and Taqueria, they have some of the best hamburgers I have ever found. The menu is extensive and sure to please the entire family, especially the burgers. They are all beef patties, either 1/3 or 2/3 pounds in size. They even offer a chicken burger. And the topping combinations are endless. Try a burger with mozzarella, Canadian bacon, and guacamole or maybe one with jalapeños, mushrooms, and bacon. As always, with any Goode Company restaurant, be sure to try the latest seasonal offering from the St. Arnold Brewing Company.

Christian's Tailgate

Christian’s Tailgate is one of those places that is just simply inviting. It is not rustic, but simple. The restaurant relies on the food, not as much as on the décor, which is something I find more inviting. The restaurant invites people to come in as they are. The burgers are huge, and well priced. A word of caution though, the double is something to consider splitting with a friend. These burgers are well cooked, well seasoned, and drip grease back into the basket of fries, adding to the experience, and to the food.

**Edit: The location shown, which was the original incarnation of Christian's Tailgate, has sadly closed.

Barnaby's Cafe

Barnaby’s Café is one of those places the customers feel invited to bring a book and hang out on the patio. The menu is extremely extensive, ranging from salads, to sandwiches, to steak, ribs, chicken, and seafood, to burgers. The burgers are absolutely amazing, ranging from simple plain burgers, to Boca burgers. The highlight of the burger menu is the Green Chile Cheese Burger, which boasts a whole chile and pepper jack cheese. These flavors come together with the beef on a honey sweet wheat bun, and knock it out of the park. Along with the homemade lemonade and the daily pie and cake offerings, Barnaby’s Café is a must try.

Happy Eating.

For more information:

            Goode Company Hamburgers andTaqueria

            4902 Kirby Drive

            Houston, TX, 77098

            713-520-9153

            Christian’s Tailgate

            2820 White Oak Dr

            Houston, TX, 77007

            713-863-1207

            See website for other locations

           

            Barnaby’s Café

            1701 South Shepherd

            Houston, TX, 77019

            713-520-5131

            See their website for other locations.

Houston 101: Where Can I Get the Best Ribs?

Here's another throwback post to my time as the Houston Barbecue Examiner. I did a series called Houston 101, that explored the barbecue around the city of Houston.

Pizzitola's Barbecue

Houston 101: Where can I get  the best ribs?

In Houston, the absolute best place to get some good ribs is Pizzitola’s Bar-B-Cue. Located at 1703 Shepherd Drive, Pizzitola’s boasts some outstanding hickory smoked barbecue that is sure to please and leave even the pickiest eater yearning for more.

Dating back to the Roosevelt era, Pizzitola’s has been hailed as the home for barbecue for many Houstonians for over seventy years. The dining room is overflowing at lunchtime, and continues buzzing through dinner, until eight o’clock, when the doors are closed. In 2007, the Houston Press named Pizzitola’s Houston’s Best Barbecue Restaurant.

As far as food is concerned, there is no substitute. The chicken falls off the bone, and the brisket melts in your mouth, but the real prize of the kitchen, is the pork ribs. Rubbed simply in salt and pepper, these ribs are smoked to perfection, the meat barely hanging on to the bone. Ordered as a plate meal, the ribs pair wonderfully with rice and pinto beans and a glass of homemade lemonade. After a bowl of banana pudding for dessert, be sure to order a slab of ribs to go before paying the check.

Be sure not to pass by Pizzitola’s again, without stopping by to give it a try, or going in to revisit an old favorite. As always, be sure to try out the Saint Arnold Brewing Company’s latest seasonal offering.

Happy Eating.

Tin Roof BBQ

Tin Roof Barbecue

I went in to the archives for this article. Literally. About seven years ago I was the the Houston Barbecue Examiner for Examiner.com. Saddly, my page on Examiner.com has gone inactive. Fortunately I saved all of my articles! One of my favorite articles is this one written about local barbecue restaurant Tin Roof Barbecue in Atascocita, TX. 

Locally Owned Barbecue

Tin Roof Barbecue Hours
They are now open on Sundays from 11 AM to 3 P

Owned by a retired Houston Police Officer and his wife, Tin Roof Barbeque in Atascocita, is a great place to spend a lunch break or to treat the entire family for dinner. When the weather is nice, the deck is a great place to sit and smell the smoke from grills.
Run in a house built in 1927, complete with tin roof, the barbeque is accompanied by great Texas charm, making adults and children alike feel like they are home. Ron Webber arrives at the restaurant around 4:00am every morning to get all of his grills going. His wife Nancy makes all of the sides and desserts to pair with the various meat dishes.
The menu includes old barbeque favorites, accompanied by creative names. The Lone Star is a one meat, two-side combo, and the Wild Cat is a chopped beef sandwich. Something few have ever ventured to try is the Badwich, a sandwich that offers a little bit of everything between two pieces of bread. All the menu items are excellent and none of them will steer you wrong, but a house favorite, averaging at over five pounds, is the stuffed spud. Happy eating.

 

9 Straight-A Spots in West University | Best Restaurants | Houstonia

Definitely going to have try these places out!



9 Straight-A Spots in West University | Best Restaurants | Houstonia:



'via Blog this'

Paper Co Coffee - My Old Stomping Grounds

Yesterday I had the privilege of making the trip over to Paper Co Coffee, my old stomping grounds. Well, sort of. I used to work there some years back, sort of. When I worked there it was called Taft Street Coffee.

Paper Co Coffee is located inside of a church in Houston called Ecclesia. For many years their home was at 2115 Taft Street. I worked in the coffee shop and music venue for a few years back in the early 2000's. Now located in the First Ward, all proceeds go towards assisting the homeless get a meal or simply a place to belong.

I arrived at 1100 Elder and walked around the building to try to take it all in and then went inside to get my fill. I grabbed a latte and walked the halls of the new building looking at the art on the walls, which I was glad to see as a carryover from the old space.

1100 Elder

The coffee beans are roasted in house, which is a huge plus. My latte was full flavored and really didn't require any sugar or flavoring to be the perfect cup of coffee, just what I needed on a Wednesday afternoon. For me, this coffee put the big-box stores to shame.

I had already eaten, but I couldn't help myself from looking at the menu. The Nashville Hot Chicken and the Texas Burger caught my attention, among other fare on the menu. I will definitely have to return for lunch soon.