72 Hours in Houston, Texas

      Houston, Texas, a city known for its notorious nightlife, culture, but even more important food. I have had the pleasure of visiting this city more than 3 times a year for the past 28 years which means I have done tons of searching and exploring. There is nothing like visiting a city and the food ruins the trip. True foodies know what I mean. 

     Let me guess? You have an upcoming trip to Houston and want to know the best places to eat? Allow me to guide you through 5 places that will make you wish you had longer than 72 hours in this dining hotspot. 

     I usually start my trip with The Breakfast Klub. I live for a savory sweet combination. In my opinion, there is nothing better than a hot plate of savory fried chicken and a sweet fluffy waffle. Each bite delivers a perfectly crispy, battered exterior that gives way to succulent, tender meat beneath. Or maybe a slice of thick cut bacon with scrambled eggs? The Breakfast Klub elevated the day's most humble meal into something extraordinary. This place tends to be busy so, I would be sure to check the wait time before you arrive. In addition, do not let the wait deter you from getting a bite of this tasty food. Overall rating, 9/10.

     Next, let’s go have brunch at The Winsome, formerly known as The Warwick. From 11am-4pm this beautiful restaurant serves lunch. After 4, it gets even better with their dinner menu. The ambiance in this establishment reminds me of a fine dining experience without the black ties. I had the pleasure of eating at this restaurant for a family member’s birthday and it did not disappoint. When dining out, my family and I enjoy ordering various dishes to share among ourselves so I was able to try a variety of menu items. The asian sesame cauliflower and chili glazed gulf shrimp exceeded expectations and were a table favorite. These dishes were light and a perfect starter for our experience. Everywhere I go, if there is french toast, I have to try it. French toast will forever be a staple item and gives me insight to how the rest of the food will taste. Whoever said all french toast tastes the same, lied. The Winsome DEEP FRIES their french toast. The Winsome executed the balance of light and fluffy with a hint of sweetness in this overlooked breakfast item. Pair this with something savory such as a side of bacon or eggs benedict and I guarantee you will not be disappointed. Amazing service and even better food, overall rating 8.5/10!

     You know how they say “never judge a book by its cover”. Everytime I go to Grace’s, I think of this quote. This restaurant was recommended to me by my mom, who I must say is more of a foodie than I am. With that being said, when we arrived at the restaurant, I was a little skeptical based on the exterior. I was not a true foodie until I realized, the worse it looks on the outside, the better it is on the inside (unless you see rats running around, y’all know what I mean).  But let me tell you, Grace’s is a hit! I love that the bar is completely separated from the dining area. Actually, the bar has its own dining area. Separated by a huge door, when you walk into the “bar” you might feel like you are at a speakeasy. When you step out, you feel like you are in your grandma’s kitchen. I love how wide of a range their menu has. Although they have a wide range, Grace’s somehow perfects each item. When I say range, I mean range. Their menu contains baked potato dip, enchiladas, shrimp tacos, sticky ribs, gumbo and so much more that I would love for you to go and enjoy. This is a great spot for family dinners or even a place to go and grab a lemon drop with your girls. Grace’s versatility and comforting meals leaves me no room but to give them an overall rating of a 9/10.

     The concept of this next spot will give you something to talk about. Let me introduce you to WILD, a captivating dining spot that's generating quite the buzz in Houston. My experience was based on the Westheimer Rd location. While this place is in Houston, Tx, driving up to this establishment may have you feeling like you are in California with the palm trees and neon lights in the front of the building. This place is such a vibe . Wild is known for their ‘bud’ infused drinks and bud bar with a variety of choices (the restaurant is allowed to legally use cannabis products that stay below 0.3 percent of hemp-derived Delta-9). I can admit that the food portions are on the smaller side (but still good) and service can be a little slow. However, in my opinion, the concept and atmosphere with intention is captivating enough. Did I mention they offer vegan dishes and serve amazing coffee and brunch during the day? Don’t worry, if infusing your drink is something you are not interested in, you have the option to enjoy the vibes and skip this option. If this place has not caught your attention yet, take a step outside where you will be greeted with a patio that allows you to sit or stand. The exterior wraps around the back and then extends into the front of the restaurant creating a gateway for you to leave the restaurant without the hassle of going back inside. Make sure to check out the patio when it is warm. This is one of my favorite things about Wild. Overall rating, 8.5/10.

     If you are anything like me, I always need something sweet after a meal. Something about dessert just makes my night feel complete. I am taking you to the final stop of our 72 hours in Houston which is Crave Cupcakes.This is the original cupcake shop in my opinion. There are many reasons I love this place, however, the main reason is the texture of the cupcakes. These cupcakes are so dense yet light and the icing is one of the creamiest I have ever had. The staff are always extremely helpful in choosing flavors and deciding between options. I typically go for the red velvet and every once in a while strawberry, if I want to switch things up. I have tried almost every flavor and they are all delicious in their own way. If you are a coffee and sweets type of person, their employees are more than happy to make you a coffee of your liking. Be sure to get here in a timely manner, because once a cupcake flavor is sold out, that’s it. Overall rating 8/10.

     With new restaurants constantly opening and established venues continuing to innovate, Houston's dining scene shows no signs of slowing down. I know how it feels to visit a new city and be overwhelmed with choices. It is my intention to help guide you through what can seem like a hassle. While this guide only scratches the surface of what the city has to offer, these recommendations provide an excellent starting point for exploring Houston's rich and evolving food culture.