13 restaurants that define Houston
Once characterized as a land run by cowboys, oil, and gas, Houston now escapes easy definition. A large and diverse community makes up the current landscape of a city full of people that, despite being laidback, take dining out seriously. The city’s best restaurants are an integral part of what makes it unique.
Houstonians line up around the block for catfish and grits at a decades-old Midtown stalwart. An acclaimed family-owned Pearland steakhouse stands out for its hand-cut wagyu and smoked pork belly. A James Beard Award-winning chef brings modern Mexican flavors to a swanky Montrose spot.
Whether they create ripple effects in a movement that grows larger than themselves, or open up new possibilities for what certain cuisines can be, there are some restaurants that deserve special recognition for their contributions to the city. Read on for a guide to 13 restaurants vital to Houston.
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