Frenchy's Chicken is a street-food stop in Houston.
Frenchy's Chicken in Houston is Percy Creuzot's 1969 Third Ward Creole fried chicken counter on Scott Street, the city's defining Black-Houston.
Editorially verified May 18, 2026 by Lewis Vaughan, TableJourney editor. Source.
Tip: Three-piece dark meat with dirty rice and red beans. Sunday after church is the queue; weekday lunch is the move.
Address: 3602 Scott St, Houston, TX 77004
Crawfish and Noodles in Houston is Trong Nguyen's Bellaire Boulevard Viet-Cajun crawfish room since 2008, the country's defining lemongrass-garlic-butter.
Try: Viet-Cajun crawfish boil
Tip: Crawfish season is late February to early June. Off-season the kitchen pivots to blue crab and Dungeness; both are worth ordering.
The Original Marini's Empanada House in Houston is the Argentine family kitchen on Westheimer in Westchase since 2007, with 80 savoury and 39 sweet empanada.
Try: Argentine beef empanadas
Tip: Get a half-dozen mixed savoury plus one sweet. The baked beef empanada is closer to the Argentine original than the fried version.
Lankford Grocery & Market in Houston is the 1939 Midtown corner-store-turned-burger-shack on Dennis Street, with the Grim Hatch-chile burger and a Diners.
Try: The Grim (Hatch chile burger)
Tip: Get there at 11am for a counter seat. The Grim and sweet potato fries are the canonical order; Fri lunch has a line.
Tacos Tierra Caliente in Houston is the West Alabama taco truck in Montrose, with al pastor from the trompo, carne asada and the West Alabama Ice House next.
Try: Tacos al pastor
Tip: Three al pastor with pineapple and a side of consomme is the canonical order. Bring tacos into the ice house for beers.
Cali Sandwich & Pho in Houston is the Midtown Vietnamese counter on Travis Street since 1979, with BBQ pork banh mi for $5, bo luc lac rice plates.
Try: BBQ pork banh mi
Tip: BBQ pork is the canonical banh mi. Cash strongly preferred; closed Sundays.
