Houston/Bellaire restaurant and Houston tourism recommendations?

January 8, 2007 8:34 PM

Looking for yummy restaurants in Houston-Bellaire area. Bonus for adding your must do/see in Houston favourites.

I've never been to Houston. I'm staying on business in Bellaire area (south of the Galleria) for ten days and will be eating dinners out. I will have no car. Looking for all types/ranges (personal fav: best Mexican?).

I also have one weekend off. What shouldn't I miss? Again, no car (taxi, public transit?). General tips for travel in Houston also gladly accepted.

posted by kch to travel & transportation (15 comments total)

Check out the Tex-Mex while you're there, since it isn't the same (or as good) outside of Texas. I suggest Pappasito's, which is a pretty fantastic Houston based chain with a few locations around the city. Also good is Chewy's, though some of their dishes stray towards the Mexi-Cali side.

Also, a visit to the Art Car Museum is in order. Houston has a great folk art scene (you might also visit the Orange Museum and Beer Can House), and Art Car parades are big there (I think the idea got started in Houston?).

Sorry, I can't give precise locations for these things as I have since moved to New England. Also, you'll have to take a cab -- no real public transit to speak of and everything is too far to walk.
posted by cubby at 9:10 PM on January 8, 2007

Being in that area, your public transit options will be limited. Be sure to grab the numbers of some cab companies before you leave (or from the hotel), because in Houston, it's unlikely that you'll be able to flag one down on the street. There are some bus routes that might help - info is available here.

As for places to eat, I'd recommend making it to Goode BBQ - best in Houston, and not all that far away. Luling City BBQ isn't bad either, if you think you'd enjoy a mustardy bbq sauce. (I'm not a fan of mustard in general, but lots of people are)

Pico's has pretty good "Mex-Mex" food.

There are lots of options over by the Galleria, which will be convenient for you as well. I haven't eaten out there too much, but they have many of the standards - Cheesecake factory, a steakhouse or two, applebees, etc.
posted by chrisamiller at 9:20 PM on January 8, 2007

Oh, and if you have some down time, the Water Wall across the street from the galleria is very cool and nearby.
posted by chrisamiller at 9:24 PM on January 8, 2007

I'd like to seocond Goode Co. BBQ. Worth the effort. That said, there are so many great places to eat in Houston you needn't worry anyway.

if you're visiting from another country other than Mexico, I'd suggest some of the Tex-Mex/Mexican places. Some of Houston's best food is Mexican. And hey, it's your fav :) I kind of disagree with Papasitos (overpriced and tries to be posh but fails) but Chewys is cheap and good :) Of course, when pressed I'd eat at either :)

As a side note: Houston is really pretty spread out. Public transportation is rubbish. You really can't get anywhere efficiently without a car. I really can't stress that enough.

Anyway, as mentioned by others, the Galleria area has lots and lots of great places to eat. Anything from ludicrously expensive to fast food. Hope you enjoy your stay here!
posted by jlstitt at 9:43 PM on January 8, 2007

Small nitpick with Cubby's answer: it's "Chuys," not "Chewies." And yes, it's pretty good Tex-Mex.

An absolute must-see in Houston is the Museum District; especially the Menil Collection and the park-like complex that encompasses both the Cy Twombly Gallery and the Rothko Chapel. The Menil Collection has a wonderful collection of twentieth-century art, with a special strength in Surrealism and Dada. Don't miss the "cabinet of curiosities" collected by Surrealist artists, including a lot of bizarre African and Pacific Island relics that captured their imaginations, which fills a whole room.

I also like the Houston Museum of Modern Art. When we were there over the Christmas holiday, most of the museum was taken up by huge video installations by Pipillotti Rist that were pretty interesting.
posted by jayder at 9:47 PM on January 8, 2007

Second the Menil, my fave museum in Houston

BBQ — Demeris is better than Goode, IMO
Pizza — Late Night Pie, in the Montrose
Tex-Mex — El Pueblito Place
Thai — Nit Noi (there is one in Rice Village)
Cajun — Mardi Gras (Durham south of I-10)

I once read that there are so many restaurants in Houston that you could eat out for every meal for a year and still not hit them all. On that note, try not to eat at any chains, there are so many better options.

Also, while you are there, you must have a taste of the local beer, St. Arnold's. You can also tour their brewery.
posted by Brittanie at 1:18 AM on January 9, 2007

I'll second Chuy's. It's more Austin than Houston, but why not? ;-)

If you're looking for a cheeseburger or a steak, it's difficult to beat either Becks Prime (very casual) or Houston's (moderately upscale). Both are located on Westheimer near The Galleria. Additionally, Goode Co. is always worth a visit, as are Pappadeaux and Pappas Bros. Steakhouse.

Whatever you do, avoid The Cheesecake Factory at The Galleria like the plague. There's always a wait, and the service at that location is borderline terrible.

Although several other Houstonians have already mentioned this, our public transportation is somewhat lacking, and Houston is definitely a sprawl. You've picked a good place to start exploring.

Have fun!
posted by scoria at 1:34 AM on January 9, 2007

Please rent a car. Our bus system (Metro) is making changes to routes, schedules, and prices at the end of January, and they mostly are used for commuters going from suburban homes to work (and they do not run 24 hours/day). It is not possible to cover much of Houston by foot. By car, you can drive in a straight line for over an hour (easily) and still be in Houston. Taxis are expensive, because of the distance. For example, a taxi ride from Bush Intercontinental airport to a suburb area 35 miles away costs $90 plus tip. If you must take a taxi, know that taxis do not roam our streets looking for fares. Instead, you can find them from by contacting the concierge at the larger hotels and parked outside the airports. You will not regret renting a car, and it will be cheaper.

If you are determined that you will not have a car, you will be limited in what you can see. Bellaire is a city within a city, but most of what's a must-see or must-do in Houston is not in Bellaire. Bellaire is mostly a residential area. As a side note, remember that just because a place has an address on "Bellaire Blvd" that does not necessarily mean they are located in Bellaire - this is a very long street that runs through Bellaire but quite beyond it as well.

If you are determined to use our bus system, memorize this telephone number: 713-635-4000. You can call that number at any time, and have someone plan your trip for you. You tell them where you are and where you want to go, and they tell you your bus options. Again, though, it is limited. I'm a native Houstonian, and I've been "stranded" several times by the bus system - missing the last bus or the last bus doesn't show up - and it was a bit scary for me to try to figure out how to get home... and I know my way around.

Restaurants:
Dimassi's has fantastic Middle Eastern food. It used to be table-service only, but is now a buffet type of place. I've heard mixed reviews since the change, but cannot imagine the food has changed that much.

Katz's Deli is our best deli, and it is wonderful. Get the reuben sandwich, eat about 1/4 of it, and then split a cheesecake shake with the table.

The best Indian food might be at Indika. Really, really good.

Some say the best Chinese food is at Fung's Kitchen. My personal favorite is dim sum at Ocean Palace and lunch or dinner at the (rather dumpy looking) Chinese Cafe.

For Vietnamese food, you really must go to Sinh Sinh. I go there every year to celebrate my birthday - it is my favorite place in Houston.

If you love meat, you'll love Churrascos.

I'll type in some more when I return from work, with some fun bars for you to go to and some things to see. You can't swing a cat without hitting at least 2 Mexican (or at least, Tex-Mex) restaurants, so I'll hunt down a few that are good in your area, too.
posted by Houstonian at 4:03 AM on January 9, 2007

El Tiempo is better than Pappasito's and Chuy's. It's run by the people who had Ninfa's. Third the Menil.
posted by amber_dale at 5:05 AM on January 9, 2007

No restaurant from me, but seconding Houstonian: Please rent a car.

For things to do, don't forget this thread. (is it self-linking if I posted it?)
posted by Robert Angelo at 7:31 AM on January 9, 2007

YMMV but I wouldn't bother with Chuy's. It's incredibly noisy in there anyway. Don't miss Pico's (interior-Mex but some Tex-Mex as well) on Bellaire between Renwick and Mullins, Sabor (Salvadorean) which is just up the street at Bellaire and Alder, and Cafe Piquet (fantastic Cuban) at Bissonnet & Adler. You'll also be pretty close to Chinatown - I recommend Lai Lai's and Hunan Plus. A cab to any of these places would probably be easy enough but I agree with those who recommend renting a car, especially if you want to get out and see more of the sights.
posted by runtina at 11:28 AM on January 9, 2007

Sandwiches and vegetarian - Hobbit Cafe
Wonderful avocados and interesting teas

British - Black Labrador Pub
Try the Raspberry Trifle

Greek - Nikko Nikkos

Chocolate - Chocolate Bar

Good eats!
posted by sleepyflywheel at 3:50 PM on January 9, 2007

Wow! Thanks for all the tips & suggestions. I fly in and right out, and I'm doing training 4 days a week all day for 2 weeks, so there's no point renting a car during that (but I still need to eat at night). But based on advice, I'll consider renting a car for the weekend, which is the only time I'll have off.

Feel free to keep adding suggestions. I leave Sunday night.
posted by kch at 10:43 PM on January 9, 2007

Specifically in Bellaire:
Escalante's Mexican Grille has excellent food and margaritas, at 590 Meyerland Blvd.

A personal standby for weekend breakfasts is Taqueria Arandas - $2.29 breakfast and it's a pretty good Mexican breakfast. I get the huevos Mexicana - yum. The one closest to Bellaire is at 9401 S. Main.

Please get a cheeseburger at Bellaire Broiler Burger. Dennis Quaid eats there. Mmmm. 5216 Bellaire at Bissonnet.

Technically a wee bit away from Bellaire is some of the freshest seafood, and it's at a Mexican restaurant called Mambo Seafood. It's at 6697 Hillcroft, between Bellaire Blvd. and US 59 (Southwest Fwy.).

I'm sorry, but I cannot think of anything that you must see or do in Bellaire itself. There's a mall... it's like all malls...

One night you may go to downtown Houston:
Go to Cabo's MixMex Grill for a meal and then you are in an area that is surrounded by bars and nightclubs. Basically walk in any direction and they are there. On nice days you can eat upstairs on the outdoor patio. You do want the fish tacos. It's at 419 Travis.

North of downtown is a fun place to hang out and listen to music: Last Concert Cafe. They do not have any signs out front with the name of the place - you're just supposed to know... You have to knock on the door to get in. Anyway it's at 1409 Nance. Calendar of bands is here.

Weekend things to do:
NASA Space Center is something many people go see, but it is quite a bit south. If you go, might as well go to the Kemah boardwalk while in the area - fun if it is pretty outside.

If you like live jazz, go to Cezanne (at 4100 Montrose) or go to the SkyBar (at 3400 Montrose). Montrose is near-ish to the Galleria area.

I love hockey, and maybe you do too? Houston Aeros is our team, and the games are pretty cheap.

If you'd like a really nice place to burn off some of those meals, try Memorial Park, at 6501 Memorial Drive.

Or, if you are in the museum district, seeing the Museum of Fine Art Houston and the Houston Museum of Natural Science (the Butterfly Center!), you can also visit Hermann Park.
posted by Houstonian at 2:04 AM on January 10, 2007

Based on feedback, am renting a car. Thanks!
posted by kch at 7:35 AM on January 14, 2007