Ruggles Green in Houston is the Montrose health-focused American room on West Alabama with a marked gluten-free menu, organic plates and a separate-prep gluten-free policy.
Tip: Ask for the gluten-free menu by name; the staff handle cross-contact carefully. The fish tacos with corn tortillas are the order.
Address: 2311 W Alabama St, Houston, TX 77098
Himalaya in Houston is Kaiser Lashkari's Pakistani-and-Indian fully-halal kitchen on the Southwest Freeway since 2004, with lamb biryani, hunter's beef and chai-glazed lamb chops.
Tip: Lunch buffet weekdays is the value. BYOB; the corner liquor store across Hillcroft is the run.
London Sizzler in Houston is the British-Indian-Pakistani halal kitchen in the Hillcroft Olympic Center, with mixed-grill sizzlers, tandoori lamb chops and a late-night Hillcroft crowd.
Tip: Order the mixed-grill sizzler for two. Closed Mondays; Saturday opens at noon for lunch service.
Field & Tides in Houston is the Heights farm-to-table restaurant on East 11th Street with a separate plant-based menu, including vegan grain bowls and seasonal plates.
Tip: Ask for the plant-based menu by name; it is not on every table. The patio is the seat in cool weather.
Shri Balaji Bhavan in Houston is the Mahatma Gandhi District South Indian vegetarian room on Hillcroft Avenue, with masala dosa, idli, vada and the Hillcroft late-lunch crowd.
Tip: Order the masala dosa and a vada-sambar combo. Cash and card. Lunch buffet is the value entry.
Pondicheri in Houston is Anita Jaisinghani's modern Indian room with a strong vegetarian menu, including thali plates, masala omelette and the Bake Lab pastry counter upstairs.
Tip: The thali at lunch has a default vegetarian arrangement. The masala chai is the constant.
