North what I was expecting.
North Houston is a land that I don't venture to very often. It's pretty built up, somewhat lower income compared to West Houston, parts of it anyway, and has a lot of people. When we come to this part of town, it usually is to try some of the great food, such as the Latin foods, and there's a lot of great African-American Foods in the Northeast portion (such as Burns BBQ), and then if you go a little further north into the Spring area you can get some good Vietnamese places, good Boba and whatnot. Cypress and Woodlands are bougie areas, but they have a few treats in them too.
And there's some good stuff over towards the Northwest as well, including some wonderful Latin and Korean areas. I don't love the traffic on the highways during the weekdays up here - especially on 45, and parts of 610, but generally it's cool - and one of our favourite Thai restaurants is up this way as well.
The one problem is that the Heights (where Barbi lived for years) are creeping up into other neighbourhoods and starting to expand, which means the rich people (of the Heights) are pushing northwards, and they're also pushing Southwards from the Woodlands, so before you know it this whole entire massive portion of Houston might be gentrified, and I will be sad. But that's the way it goes.
Houston is one of my favourite cities in the world. It's the 4th city in the country, the true capital of the south (sorry Dallas, sorry Atlanta, sorrynotsorry Austin). Its food and the thrill of living here is comparable to the other 3 great cities in the US (NYC LA CHI).
When on the Northside, try Tostada Regia on Airline, try Asia Market Thai Lao on Main (not the other one), and try El Bolillo.
Here are some more local greats to eat and drink:
A 5 star city, and so, so unfairly maligned. Food paradise. Ethnic melting pot. For example:
Top 10
Himalaya - hara masala, rocket naan, boti
Peri Peri Factory - inferno chicken
Tostada Regia - mole w pechuga, salsas, everything
Darband - #6
Hunan Bistro - Lamb Cumin, Hot N Spicy Chicken (Dry), and the Sizzling Tofu Seafood (ask for it spicy).
Banana Leaf - Char Kway Tow, Belacan Fried Rice (both extra spicy)
Tofu Village - Yuk Gae Jang (extra spicy)
Asia Market Thai Lao - Green or Massaman Curry with Shrimp or Veggies, Thai Hot, Thai Iced Tea or Lime Thai Iced Tea.
Zydeco - crawfish etoufee, gumbo
Hot Bagel Shop - jalapeno sausage, everything bagel
Tacos La Bala (Bellaire Blvd) - Torta de Cochinita Pibil, Charro Beans, Gordita de Trompo
Nguyen Ngo Banh Mi on warm Croissant
Yori Yori - Yuk Gae Jang, Soon Du Bu (seafood), Kung Fu Tea is here too!
Les Givrals - Banh Mi
Mai Colachi - Karahi
Spring Roll Express - crispy pork banh mi, spring rolls
Nara Express - panang curry, green curry, thai basil fried rice
Ramen Okidoki - lim's fried chicken spicy
Angie's - chicken fried steak
Lankford Grocery - burger
El Bolillo - warm Bolillos
Xin Jiang - lamb cumin
Pollo Bravo
Taconazo Truck - Asada tacos and Charro Beans.
Cocina Latina Pupusa Buffet - pupusas, tamales
Ekko's - gyros
Gyros & Shish - gyros
Doumar's - gyros
Lee's Sandwiches - viet iced coffee
East Wall - flat noodles w chicken, snow pea leaves spicy
Fufu - fried rice w salt fish and shrimp, open til 2am
Bijan - persian
Tasty Ko - korean
Los Perros - chicken kebab skewer
Triple J Smokehouse - bbq
Killen's - rib
Luigi's - slices
Salata - cleanse with salad
Dessert:
Nu Ice or Nu Cafe (ribbon ice)
El Pibe - paletas
Shipley - only when hot
Mighty Sweet Mini Pies
Coco & Cane
Boba:
Feng Cha - best boba and cakes
Yum Cha - best kiwi and other fruit drinks
JTea - Thai Green Milk Tea with Milk Jelly
Mr Wish - fiber jelly drinks and wish special and waffle cakes w custard!
Modern Tea - creme brulee!
Purple Kow - milk teas and fruit teas! only location outside SF
As an added note, there's now a Blink Fitness on the Northside, opening soon after this review is being posted. read more