As you probably know, Guy Fieri’s long-running show focuses on the more humble and affordable restaurants, and which are regarded as local standouts. Each of the Houston restaurants that have been featured in the show over the years were also recommended in the last edition of my Houston Dining on the Cheap guidebook if it had been opened back when it was published in 2007. With one exception. The show has done a really good job with Houston.
Here are the local restaurants highlighted in Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives listed alphabetically:
Be More Pacific – Filipino – Opened in 2019, I enjoyed my one visit to this readily fun Filipino outpost on Yale Street, not far north from I-10, that offers both some more diversity and quality to the Heights dining landscape that was rather forlorn when I wrote the last of my guidebooks. Heights
Café Lili – Middle Eastern – Though I recommended it in Houston Dining on the Cheap and I have quite enjoyed it in the past, it’s somewhat out of the way for me during lunchtime so I have not been in a while. Need to return sooner than later. Galleria Area
Café Pita+ - Bosnian – Also touted in Houston Dining on the Cheap, this and its second location have been closed for a few years now, unfortunately. West Houston
Cool Runnings – Jamaican – Opened a few years after the last edition of my guidebook, I have yet to visit; it is somewhat of a drive. Alief
Cuchara – Mexican – I quite like this place, which offers a different take and vibe on more authentically Mexican food, that of a Mexico City-style bistro. It’s one of the best Mexican restaurants in Houston, I believe. Montrose
Fresco Café (now Davanti) – Italian – The concept moved to a nicer setting and location on Weslayan plus a new name. I thought it was one of the top new restaurants to open this past year. It can be an easy and rewarding stop for a pasta or pizza (al taglio) fix. The chef draws raves from Italians I know. Greenway Plaza
Irma’s – Tex-Mex – I’ve long thought that this was overrated; a small menu of smaller-sized entrées that are expensive for what they are. It was not enough of a value to for me recommend it after the first edition of my guidebook, which was back in 2002. I wasn’t too impressed again when I visited last a few months ago. Downtown
Lankford Grocery – American – Friendly, decidedly old school place that I had recommended in Houston Dining on the Cheap. I had a very enjoyable burger there last week, too. Midtown
Kenny and Ziggy’s – Jewish Deli – Recommended in Houston Dining on the Cheap, this has been the hallmark for deli food in town for years, and the best place to get a sandwich of a size that could result in cardiac arrest plus a numerous array of other tasty items that might do the same. Galleria Area
Nikos Niko’s – Greek – This Montrose fixture, which has grown in locations, was recommended in Houston Dining on the Cheap. Montrose
The Original Marini’s Empanada House – Argentine Empanadas – The only reason I haven’t been in a while is that it is now geographically inconvenient. I raved about it in Houston Dining on the Cheap and brought their empanadas to great effect to at least one of my media appearances when I was publicizing the book. Westchase
The Pit Room – Barbecue – This is one of my favorite barbecue joints, and the one I probably visit the most frequently and have been quick to recommend in articles and elsewhere. Montrose
Q-Shi BBQ and Sushi – Barbecue / Sushi – Around from 2016 through last year, I never made the drive up to Cypress to check this out before it shuttered. Cypress
Red Lion Pub – British – Both recommended in Houston Dining on the Cheap and was a frequent stop to its bar for beers poured in 20-ounce Imperial pint glasses. River Oaks
Toasted Coconut – American – I enjoy drinking here. A fun place. Montrose
Travelers Table – Eclectic – Had an enjoyable lunch at this very eclectic, maybe overly eclectic spot on lower Westheimer that seems to have struck a cord with a segment of diners. Montrose
Weights + Measures – One of the best restaurants in Midtown that works well for breakfast, lunch and dinner – pizzas are one of the stars – and even as a bakery take-away in concert with the estimable Slow Dough. Midtown
Briskets getting ready at The Pit Room.
Here are the local restaurants highlighted in Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives listed alphabetically:
Be More Pacific – Filipino – Opened in 2019, I enjoyed my one visit to this readily fun Filipino outpost on Yale Street, not far north from I-10, that offers both some more diversity and quality to the Heights dining landscape that was rather forlorn when I wrote the last of my guidebooks. Heights
Café Lili – Middle Eastern – Though I recommended it in Houston Dining on the Cheap and I have quite enjoyed it in the past, it’s somewhat out of the way for me during lunchtime so I have not been in a while. Need to return sooner than later. Galleria Area
Café Pita+ - Bosnian – Also touted in Houston Dining on the Cheap, this and its second location have been closed for a few years now, unfortunately. West Houston
Cool Runnings – Jamaican – Opened a few years after the last edition of my guidebook, I have yet to visit; it is somewhat of a drive. Alief
Cuchara – Mexican – I quite like this place, which offers a different take and vibe on more authentically Mexican food, that of a Mexico City-style bistro. It’s one of the best Mexican restaurants in Houston, I believe. Montrose
Fresco Café (now Davanti) – Italian – The concept moved to a nicer setting and location on Weslayan plus a new name. I thought it was one of the top new restaurants to open this past year. It can be an easy and rewarding stop for a pasta or pizza (al taglio) fix. The chef draws raves from Italians I know. Greenway Plaza
Irma’s – Tex-Mex – I’ve long thought that this was overrated; a small menu of smaller-sized entrées that are expensive for what they are. It was not enough of a value to for me recommend it after the first edition of my guidebook, which was back in 2002. I wasn’t too impressed again when I visited last a few months ago. Downtown
Lankford Grocery – American – Friendly, decidedly old school place that I had recommended in Houston Dining on the Cheap. I had a very enjoyable burger there last week, too. Midtown
Kenny and Ziggy’s – Jewish Deli – Recommended in Houston Dining on the Cheap, this has been the hallmark for deli food in town for years, and the best place to get a sandwich of a size that could result in cardiac arrest plus a numerous array of other tasty items that might do the same. Galleria Area
Nikos Niko’s – Greek – This Montrose fixture, which has grown in locations, was recommended in Houston Dining on the Cheap. Montrose
The Original Marini’s Empanada House – Argentine Empanadas – The only reason I haven’t been in a while is that it is now geographically inconvenient. I raved about it in Houston Dining on the Cheap and brought their empanadas to great effect to at least one of my media appearances when I was publicizing the book. Westchase
The Pit Room – Barbecue – This is one of my favorite barbecue joints, and the one I probably visit the most frequently and have been quick to recommend in articles and elsewhere. Montrose
Q-Shi BBQ and Sushi – Barbecue / Sushi – Around from 2016 through last year, I never made the drive up to Cypress to check this out before it shuttered. Cypress
Red Lion Pub – British – Both recommended in Houston Dining on the Cheap and was a frequent stop to its bar for beers poured in 20-ounce Imperial pint glasses. River Oaks
Toasted Coconut – American – I enjoy drinking here. A fun place. Montrose
Travelers Table – Eclectic – Had an enjoyable lunch at this very eclectic, maybe overly eclectic spot on lower Westheimer that seems to have struck a cord with a segment of diners. Montrose
Weights + Measures – One of the best restaurants in Midtown that works well for breakfast, lunch and dinner – pizzas are one of the stars – and even as a bakery take-away in concert with the estimable Slow Dough. Midtown
Briskets getting ready at The Pit Room.
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