Recently Alison Cook asked me to pick ten dishes that define dining in Houston. That's a tough assignment - Houston's cuisines are incredibly varied, and there are so many great choices.
My approach focuses on the classics. I'm going for the timeless dishes that describe the dining scene in Houston - great examples of dishes that have appealed to Houstonians for years, and will continue to do so. Characteristic dishes that represent what I think of when I think of Houston cuisine. Some are from tried-and-true restaurants, some are from those who've raised the bar.
Is every dish the best example of the genre? That's certainly open for discussion. Have I missed something important? Tell me in the comments.
Fajitas from Mama Ninfa's
Cheese Enchiladas from El Real
Fried Chicken from Frenchy's
Bacon Double Cheeseburger from Hubcap Grill
Prime Ribeye from Pappas Bros
BBQ Brisket from Corkscrew BBQ
Banh Mi from Les Givral's
Fried Shrimp from Cap'n Benny's
Chicken and Waffles from the Breakfast Klub
Chocolate Souffle from Tony's
Others have weighed in on this topic.
Katharine Shillcutt's 10 Favorite Dishes in Houston
Food & Wine's Houston in 10 Plates
Eater Houston's 20 Most Iconic Dishes
Houston CVB's 15 Iconic Houston Meals