Pondicheri in Houston is Anita Jaisinghani's modern Indian room at WestAve on Kirby Drive since 2011, with masala omelette breakfasts, thali plates and a Bake Lab pastry counter upstairs.
Signature dishes: Masala omelette and roti, Thali plates
Must order: Masala omelette with roti at breakfast. The thali plate at dinner. The Bake Lab's masala chai bun for the road.
Tip: Breakfast (7am to 11am) is the lesser-known peak. The thali changes daily; ask what is on it before you order.
Address: 2800 Kirby Dr, Ste B132, Houston, TX 77098
Killen's Steakhouse in Pearland (south of Houston) is Ronnie Killen's white-tablecloth room on West Broadway, with a 1,200-bottle wine tower, 44-Farms wagyu and a bone-in ribeye.
Signature: 44-Farms wagyu, Bone-in ribeye
Order: The bone-in ribeye and the 44-Farms wagyu sampler. Order one of the dry-aged cuts off the side menu.
Tip: Reserve four to six weeks ahead for Saturday. The bar serves the full menu and is the easier seat.
Pappas Bros Steakhouse Downtown in Houston is the McKinney Street steakhouse from the Pappas family, with a 4,000-bottle wine list, dry-aged ribeyes and a James Beard outstanding wine program.
Signature: Dry-aged bone-in ribeye, Wine cellar selection
Order: A 28-day dry-aged bone-in ribeye and creamed spinach. Ask the sommelier for one of the older Bordeaux by the glass.
Tip: The wine list is the reason. The downtown room is quieter than Westheimer; both serve the same kitchen.
Pho Binh on Bellaire Boulevard is the original 1983 Houston pho counter from the Le family, with clean broth, rare-beef pho tai and the city's pho-as-everyday-meal tradition still in place.
Signature: Pho tai (rare beef), Banh mi
Order: Pho tai (rare beef) or pho dac biet (combination). A Vietnamese iced coffee with sweetened condensed milk.
Tip: Cash strongly preferred. Bellaire location is the original; the four other branches (Westheimer, Heights, Sharpstown, Katy) are family-run.
Truth BBQ in Houston is Leonard Botello IV's Heights Boulevard smokehouse, the Brenham original relocated in 2019, with post-oak-smoked brisket Texas Monthly's Top 50 list backs every year.
Signature: Brisket, Pulled pork
Order: Brisket fatty, sliced thick. Pulled pork. A side of pinto beans and a slice of the strawberry cake.
Tip: Open Wed to Sun, lunch only until they sell out (usually 2 to 3pm). Get there by 11am for brisket; the line moves fast.
Killen's Barbecue in Pearland (south of Houston) is Ronnie Killen's smokehouse on East Broadway, a Michelin Bib Gourmand 2025 pick with a Texas beef rib that defined Houston barbecue.
Signature: Beef rib, Brisket
Order: The Texas beef rib (one is enough for two), brisket fatty and the creamed corn side.
Tip: Tuesday through Saturday lunch only, sold out by mid-afternoon. The beef rib runs out first; order it on entry.
CorkScrew BBQ in Spring (north of Houston) is the Buntin family smokehouse on Keith Street, a Michelin Bib Gourmand-recognised post-oak barbecue room with brisket and pork ribs.
Signature: Brisket, Pork ribs
Order: Brisket and pork ribs combo. The mac and cheese is one of the better Houston-area sides.
Tip: Wednesday to Saturday 11am to 4pm only. Lines start by 10:30; brisket sells out by 2pm most days.
