When I finally got a chance to go back to Houston, my last visit was in 1985 I IG'd my friend Huy Nguyen for his favorites list. Huy (pronounced Wee) the co-owner and culinary chieftain of DC' most amazing Food Truck, PhoWheels was more than happy to oblige! With a list that will keep me from starving for a month of Sundays.
Here with is his list just as he gave it to me. Thanks for sharing it Huy!
HTOWN
Vinh hoa - everything is good n cheap here but a must try u won't find anywhere around here is the canada crab (dungeoness crab) w fried rice wrapped in lotus leaf
Saigon Pagolac or Jasmine (Same owner) - 7 course beef & baked catfish ...best ca nuong ...DMV don't got nothing on that either
Phanh Ky - dry noodle spot...also order the fried bread sticks and xí quách (fall off the bone pork) as sides
Cajun kitchen, crawfish & noodles or crawfish cafe - any of these cf joints murder cf over here..other dishes include Turkey necks, charbroiled oysters, oyster nachos, garlic noodles...diff flavor cf like tamarind & Thai (tom yum). Items vary depending on where u go.
Vibe Lounge - hip place in bellaire to eat bomb nhau food (drinking food). Caviar raw oyster w ponzu sauce, good Lau & other dishes. Open late.
Duc Chuong - best bun Bo hue (spicy beef noodle soup)
Cajun kitchen, crawfish & noodles or crawfish cafe - any of these cf joints murder cf over here..other dishes include Turkey necks, charbroiled oysters, oyster nachos, garlic noodles...diff flavor cf like tamarind & Thai (tom yum). Items vary depending on where u go.
Vibe Lounge - hip place in bellaire to eat bomb nhau food (drinking food). Caviar raw oyster w ponzu sauce, good Lau & other dishes. Open late.
Duc Chuong - best bun Bo hue (spicy beef noodle soup)
Tan Tan - Houston staple/landmark. Been open as long as I can remember. Started off small and since expanded in same location. Pretty much everything here is decent. Tan tan has a rep for being consistent over the years.
Nu Cafe - Taiwanese fried chicken nuggets, other Chinese/Taiwanese fast simple foods...get the ribbon snow shaved ice
Pho binh - pho ga kho (dry chicken pho--equivalent to pad Thai--VA don't got that here), pho filet mignon, pho bone marrow, also have bone marrow appetizer
Pho ga dakao - specialize in pho ga kho, (dry style chicken pho) bomb coffee & deep fried xoi (sticky rice) w rotisserie chicken & lap xuong (Chinese sausage) w soy glaze dip.
FuFu - Legit authentic Chinese joint. ALOT of great Chinese food here they don't offer in VA.
Bò Né Houston - Vietnamese blacksmith steak & eggs. Stir fried beef and eggs comes on an black iron skillet. French bread comes on the side with pate & bơ (viet mayo). Drizzle some Maggi on ur eggs, spread some bơ & pate on a piece of French bread and dip it in that yolk with a piece of steak
House of Bowls - HK style street food. Condensed milk French toast (no peanut butter), spicy chicken w rice, wings, black bean sauce chicken & rice among other stellar dishes.
Juice Box - best shaved ice IMO. Get the the shaved ice with strawberries & mangos condensed milk drizzle & a scoop of ice cream. 100x better than this bingsoo crap they got here. Also get the FRUIT TEA
UCHI - modern Japanese brought frm ATX by Tyson Cole. Nothing over here compares
Kata Robata - modern Japanese. Lobster Mac & cheese, foie gras nigiri...
Mongolian Hot Pot - best hot pot! Nothing like it in DMV.
Fat Bao - big selection of steamed buns. Raw salmon, deep fried softshell crab, porkbelly, ice cream and other type of buns. Get it on steamed OR... Deep fried buns.
Moon Tower Inn - foie gras hot dog
Crown seafood restaurant - heard this is a new place. Heard great reviews per family & friends. Great AUTHENTIC Chinese-Vietnamese dishes & great dim sum as well.
Genjis - (oldie but still a goodie) karaoke/bar w good bar food
Killens BBQ - amazing BBQ...DMV bbq does not compare
Mein - innovative Chinese food. They got this French toast w condensed milk stuffed w salted egg
Izakaya Wa - new Japanese joint...heard its good. Modern Japanese small plates
MF Sushi - new hot spot for sushi in Htown. Everyone's been talkin about this place
Also..be careful out there...been hearing a lot of crime goin on lately...and a lot of gang activity on " bellaire" (southwest Alief -- Viet/Chinatown) after hours. Best place to hang out for drinks is probably in Washington/heights area ...
