Houston’s food scene is as diverse as the town itself. Cafes and restaurants have combined a wide variety of global cuisines and thrown in their personal unique touches to produce some genuinely iconic meals. Just make sure you throw a few Southern comfort food classics and sweet treats in the mix, as well. Here are the top favorite food items to get your kids started exploring the huge Houston food scene!
Chicken & waffles at The Breakfast Klub
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3711 Travis at Alabama
Houston, TX 77002
The Breakfast Klub is a laid-back family restaurant with modern art, lush plants, and wood tables. The breakfast klub, located in Houston’s Midtown and Zagat rated, has been recognized as one of the “best breakfast restaurants in the nation” by Good Morning America, USA Today, Esquire, and Forbes Magazines, as well as the Houston Press 2011 Readers Choice. The breakfast club is an important part of Houston’s daily life… local politicos come here to powwow; downtown lawyers and CEOs congregate and debate; families gather after church; university students can come in for an affordable meal and bottomless cups of coffee; Medical Center patients and visitors know they can stop before or after appointments for healing treatments of the culinary kind…make no mistake, the breakfast klub is a Houston institution and a destination spot for every visitor in every sense of the word. – thebreakfastklub.com
Chicken pho at Pho Binh
10928 Beamer Rd.
Houston, TX 77089
(281) 484-3963
Pho, a traditional Vietnamese dish, has been around for decades. Originated from North Vietnam in Hanoi, its popularity soon spread to all corners of Vietnam. Today more than 17 different varieties of Pho can be found throughout the country. More often than not, pho is made with beef, although other kinds of meat may be substituted. Chicken also makes a popular dish. Pho soup can be eaten for breakfast, lunch or dinner; it is customary for some families to eat Pho at least 3 times per week. – phobinh.com
Queso and Tacos at Torchy’s
2411 S Shepherd Dr
Houston, TX 77019
(713) 595-8226
At Torchy’s, we’re serious about one thing. And one thing only. Our food. We source the highest quality ingredients around so we can serve up the best damn taco (or salad) you’ve ever tasted. Cooked to order—just the way you like it. – torchystacos.com
Crawfish at Ragin’ Cajun
4302 Richmond Ave
Houston, TX 77027
713.623.6321
Inside the 610 loop of Houston, TX, in 1974 a small, po-boy only restaurant named “Ray Hay’s Cajun Po-Boys” opened up at 4302 Richmond Ave. to young owners Luke B. Mandola Sr., Frankie B Mandola, and Ray Hay. Ray Hay’s Cajun Po-Boys brought Houstonians authentic po-boy sandwiches straight from the bayou country. With the oil boom of the 1980’s more and more Louisiana descendants migrated to Houston. Homesick for Cajun flavors and wanting to connect with their roots, Ray Hay’s Cajun Po-Boys was “A hit from the time the doors opened.” – Luke B. Mandola Sr. – ragin-cajun.com
Grilled Cheese at Little Matt’s
6203 Edloe St.
West University Place, TX 77005
713-592-6200
Our mission is to bring families and friends together to enjoy delicious food, fellowship, and fun for the kids . Much of the proceeds go to Texas Children’s Hospital and other local charities in honor of the memory of our son.- facebook.com/littlematts
Hot Chocolate from The Chocolate Bar
2521 University Blvd,
Houston, TX 77005
(713) 520-8888
Founded in Houston almost two decades ago, The Chocolate Bar provides our city with delicious handmade chocolates, ice cream and baked goods you won’t find anywhere else. The Chocolate Bar is Houston’s unique, all-chocolate alternative. Even if you have dietary restrictions, the Chocolate Bar has something for you to indulge in. Contact us for special orders, celebrations, delivery and all your chocolate needs. – theoriginalchocolatebar.com
Empanadas at Marini’s Empanada House
10001 Westheimer # 2570
Houston, Texas 77042
(713) 266-2729
When you come to Marini’s for the first time, you are a new customer; when you come for the second time, you are well-known to us; when you come for the third time, you become our friend; and when you come for the fourth time and thereafter, you are part of the Marini’s Family. – theoriginalmarinisempanadahouse.com
Pan dulce from El Bolillo Bakery
2421 South Wayside Drive,
Houston, TX
713-921-3500
El Bolillo Bakery started out as a small Mexican bakery in the Greater Heights area of Houston. Over time the bakery became popular due to its hundreds of everyday fresh pastries and great customer service. Soon, business outgrew the small building the bakery started in and construction started for a bigger bakery across the street. Following the momentum of growing popularity, another location was opened in the Southside of Houston off of S. Wayside. It has become part of the Houston East End Chamber of Commerce and has remained active within the community surrounding it. – elbolillo.com
Hummus from Kasra Persian Grill
9741 Westheimer Rd.
Houston, TX 77042
713-975-1801
Chef and owner Morty Parsa first opened the doors to Kasra in 1999 at its original location in Westchase. Since the beginning, he has upheld an important standard to, “serve the most authentic Persian food with the best quality ingredients.”- kasrarestaurants.com
Glazed pork ribs at Pinkerton’s Texas Pit Barbecue
1504 Airline Drive
Houston, TX 77009
713.802.2000
Grant Pinkerton was born and raised in Houston, to a family with small-town Texas roots in the Hill Country and Gulf Coast. He is an avid outdoorsman and conservationist. He attended and graduated from Lamar High School where he was an active member of Future Farmers of America. He went on to The University of Texas at Austin, getting his degree in Rhetoric and Writing. From a young age, he was fascinated with meat, fire and old Texas traditions. Upon returning to Houston after college, he decided to turn his fascination into a career. What started out as a barbecue pit and a dream has grown into one of Texas’ best BBQ joints. He prides himself on the quality of his meat and his sides, all made daily from scratch. His restaurant serves variations of his family’s recipes as well as some of his own originals. Pinkerton, with no formal training, relentlessly pursued his dream and has been recognized on Texas Monthly’s Top 50 BBQ Joints list, selected for the prestigious Forbes 30 Under 30, and won Memphis in May Beef Grand Champion in 2019. – pinkertonsbarbecue.com
