(Read my full story on the You Must Be Trippin’ blog)
Houston is all about the food. I love it and am always on the hunt for the next delicious spot. In my latest article for the Best Western blog You Must Be Trippin’ I’m taking you on a virtual food tour of some of my favorite places to eat in the city. Please click the link to read the full story.
Houston is nothing if not delicious. You cannot visit the city without becoming at least a little jealous of our prowess when it comes to the culinary arts. So, if you’re hungry, get here soon!
I like to tell people that you can literally find any style of food in Houston, from Vietnamese to Ethiopian and everything in between, and it will be authentic and probably among the best you’ve ever had.
If not the best.
It is true, by the way.
That’s probably because of our status as the most diverse city in the United States. So, get ready, because this is my personal guide for you on some of my favorite places to eat in the Bayou City. A caveat before we get started. I selected these spots because they are the places I enjoy hanging out with friends and family the most. Some of them are more formal. Others you can show up to in flip flops and shorts, and you’ll fit right in just like you’re at home. Ambience for me is just as important when it comes to picking a great spot to connect with someone over a meal. That also played a major role in my selections.
- Mexico’s Deli:To kick things off let’s make a quick stop at Mexico’s Deli. Nestled unassumingly in southwest Houston in the Alief area, this family-owned restaurant offers the best selection of tortas (Mexican sandwiches) in the city. They easily have more than 30 different kinds of tortas on the menu and all the ones I have tried so far have been pretty amazing. The family that owns the deli is originally from Mexico City and you can tell from the menu and their friendly service. The Chilangospirit is very much alive. They also make a killer avocado and spinach soup, as well as all the regular taco selections you’d expect at a reputable Mexican food establishment.
- Taqueria El Alteño:My other favorite Mexican food restaurant is Taqueria El Alteño. Even though it is now a chain of restaurants in Houston, I practically spent the latter part of my 20s ordering the #4 on the menu after hours. That’s the quesadillagrande, which to this day is my go-to selection when I’m feeling nostalgic. Quesadillas are very simple to make so the fact that theirs is so memorable says a lot. They also have great pozole and menudo soups on weekends, along with live music and karaoke in Spanish. It’s usually people from the neighborhood belting out their favorite corridosor rancheras. Very charming indeed.
Irma’s Original:Just a few miles down the road is a Houston and Tex-Mex food staple, Irma’s Original. Irma opened her restaurant when there was literally nothing in downtown Houston. She’s kept adding on since then and today her restaurant, which is more like a collection of houses attached to each other next to the Houston Astros home stadium, is a hot spot for business meetings and power player lunches and dinners before a big game. The decor is very eclectic and feels like you’ve just walked into your grandmother’s home. Irma doesn’t have a menu. Instead she or one of the friendly servers will tell you what they have prepared for the day. Don’t worry, regardless of what you order it will be delicious. A word to the wise. Save room for dessert. The tres leches is to die for.
Continue reading my full story on the You Must Be Trippin’ blog.