This Ain't a Food Blog

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Gatlin’s BBQ

I hate to pit one BBQ joint against another, but Gatlin’s BBQ roasted Ray’s BBQ Shack. It’s truly unfortunate that it’s on the other side of town.

I ordered a plate of brisket (they ask you if you want mixed or moist) and sausage (absolutely amazing) with baked beans (impeccable) and really good potato salad. I was a little sad that it doesn’t come with toast, but they have something even better. They have self-serve, hot BBQ sauce that you can drizzle over everything.

This was the only meal I ate all day. I ate over twelve hours ago and I am still full.

I would go back here again and again, but you know I do not have time to repeat restaurants, especially because I go back to cooking tomorrow!

Overall Score: 5/5

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Punk’s Simple Southern Food

I have already been to three restaurants in Rice Village, partly because it reminds me of the Avalon and partly because it’s the only nice restaurant district I can get to without driving 30 minutes way from the TMC. 

Bae picked out a place called Punk’s and after parallel parking like a boss (free parking is rare in Rice Village!), we were on our way.

I didn’t realize I was going to Rice Village on a Friday night until we got there. Punk’s was crowded but still had outdoor seating available under a nice awning. 

Shameless reminder that if a place is crowded and the waitress takes a minute to come to your table, be patient! You chose to go out to dinner on a Friday night. He/She is trying her best to accommodate all patrons. At the very least, be cordial. Our waitress was sweet and apologized for the short wait (not even five minutes) and we ordered.

I highly recommend the Crispy Buttermilk Fried Chicken (10 pieces, take someone and share). The plate comes with horseradish mashed potatoes and gravy, buttermilk biscuits with butter and jelly, and punks sauce. The chicken was both hot and crispy and the housemade hot sauce is unexpected but delicious. The mashed potatoes are real and remind me of my mother’s. The buttermilk biscuits were soft (not heavy) and dissolve in your mouth.

I was a little weary of spending near $40 on this plate, but it is enough to share, delicious, and absolutely worth it. 

I would ten out of ten recommend this place to anyone.

Overall Score: 5/5

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Cool Runnings

When I asked my parents what they wanted for dinner, they mentioned Jamaican. My mind went to one place that I had read about before moving to Houston. 

Cool Runnings found its way to my list because it was featured on Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive Ins and Dives on the Goin’ International episode. The episode featured Curried Goat and Oxtail, which is exactly what we ordered.

The spot is about a twenty minute drive from the Texas Medical Center (as everything seems to be). The main entrance leads you to a carry-out counter, but we opted to dine-in in their large main dining room with traditional seating and a large stage for live performances.

The menu featured many popular Jamaican meals as well as more traditional ones like Ackee and Saltfish. I ordered Jerk Chicken, my mom ordered Curry Goat, and my dad ordered Ox Tails. The food takes a while to come to the table so do not come here if you’re short on time. You cannot rush perfection!!

Our food was incredible. Every plate was tender, perfectly seasoned, and the sauce on the Ox Tail and the Curried Goat were phenomenal with the rice. I love plantains, and the ones that came on my plate were sweet and tender.

Overall Score: 4/5 

Pro tip: This place brings you what they have. I asked for steamed rice and collaloo as my sides and I was brought rice and peas and cabbage instead. When I asked, the waitress simply said they were out of collaloo. Luckily, I eat everything, and I didn’t mind but if you have allergies or dietary restrictions let the waitress know up front! 

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Cali Sandwich

I went here early afternoon for brunch with bae. It’s a small place in midtown (?) that was swarming during lunch time. You can sit wherever you want and there’s free parking: double bonus points in my book.

I ordered a banh mi with bbq pulled pork for only THREE DOLLARS. It reminded me of a Vietnamese torta: big crusty bread, thin sliced meat, and fresh vegetables. I covered it in Siriacha and soy sauce. It filled me up.

Bae had a traditional plate reminiscent of the Grande Slam at Cali n Tito’s in Athens, GA. It was a plate of rice with grilled pork, shredded pork, a fried egg, an egg cake, and fresh veggies. It came with a side of chili sauce. He didn’t feel like the different items on the plate complemented each other, but each was very good on its own. 

I would definitely go back here, especially when I feel like being cheap. 

Overall Score: 4/5

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Hopdoddy

HOPDODDY WOW. We do not have these in Atlanta, and they changed the game.

I got the Ahi Tuna Burger with Sushi-Grade Tuna, Sunflower Sprouts, Nori Chips, Teriyaki, Honey Wasabi, Mayo, Pickled Ginger, Lettuce, Tomato, and Onion. The tuna was perfectly seared and seasoned! It is a big patty for the price. I couldn’t even finish it. I passed the leftovers to my dad. All the condiments complimented the fish without overwhelming it.

I will definitely go back (and shamelessly order the same thing for the next three years). 

We had the hot honey & sage fries as our side. I have to say I wasn’t a fan of them sweet potato fries covered in honey. Sweet potato fries are sweet enough on their own. However, I have my eyes on all their other fries: Parmesan Truffle, Chili Cheese,  and Buffalo Fries.

I finished my meal off with a S’mores milkshake. S’mores are my hands down favorite dessert/campfire food/finger food and I love everything S’mores inspired. The milkshake was delicious. However, our toasted marshmallow topping wasn’t toasted. Left something to be desired.

You walk up to the counter to order and then the cashier will tell you what table number to sit at. Except it failed. The number she gave us already had a family sitting in it. So then the food runner got confused when he brought our drinks out. I watched him get confused two other times. Nothing major, but as a former waitress, I noticed their system wasn’t working.

Overall Score: 5/5

Pro Tip: Look out for your food! 

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Torchy’s Tacos

 I am sure you guys will learn this, but I am biased against chain restaurants. So it’s safe to say that I was weary of going to Torchy’s Tacos.

And I was definitely...wrong.

I ordered the Fried Avocado taco and the Alabama Shake. Fried avocado is my new favorite food! It is rich, it’s creamy, it’s soft without being overwhelming or heavy. The taco was topped off with beans, poblano sauce and cheddar jack cheese. I was a huge fan. The Alabama Shake was delicious as well. The fried catfish was fresh - but cold! 

My mom ordered the Mr. Orange taco with blackened salsa. The corn and the cotija cheese were nice touches!

My dad ordered the Grande Burrito with pork. It was huge, superbly folded, with lots of guacamole and sour cream. This definitely what I would order next time. The Grande Burrito has the most bang (and flavor) for your buck. The tacos are kind of pricey for what they are but I do admit they were all tasty.

Overall Score: 4/5 

Pro Tip - I had two tacos as a snack so if you’re hungry, be prepared to order more!

Pro Tip - I am weary of super Americanized taco shops, but the flavors were good and the ingredient combinations were thoughtful! 

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Ninfa’s on Navigation

I made it a mission of mine to eat downtown before my parents left. I was looking up popular downtown Houston restaurants and I actually came across...Irma’s. My mom has a soft spot for tamales so she quickly became attached.

Unfortunately, Irma’s closes in the middle of the day and by the time we made it to that side of town, they had finished seating. I quickly turned to Ninfa’s, one of the original Tex Mex restaurants in Houston, and I was not disappointed. 

Their homemade tortillas complimented the salsa verde and traditional salsas. I am partial to the salsas at Agua Linda Mexican Restaurant in Athens, Ga but Ninfa’s salsa verde stole the show. It was creamy and flavorful. 

My dad I ordered from Platos Fuertes. He had the Carnitas and I ordered Cochinita Pibil. My mom ordered Beef Tamales.

The Cochinita Pibil is slow-roasted pork in a small casserole dish with a side of pickled onions, plantains, and sour cream. It, of course, came with rice and beans as well and a side of the best homemade tortillas I have ever had. The pork was a little salty but once I squeezed a lime over it, the flavors were more balanced.

The Carnitas is also a plate of slow-cooked pork served with a spicy molcajete sauce, whole green onions, and sliced avocado. The meat was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. 

The Beef Tamales came covered in a delicious Beef Gravy. I believe the beef was brisket and it was perfectly pulled to be wrapped in masa. 

I grew up in Los Angeles, California and I also worked at a Mexican restaurant for a time, so I am very particularly about my Mexican food. Ninfa’s lived up to all my expectations. If there’s any place I am currently dying to go back to, it’s Ninfa’s. 

Overall Score: 5/5

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Ray’s BBQ Shack

This is the very first restaurant that I went to in Houston. It’s just below the Texas Medical Center on Old Spanish Trail. It’s new location is hip and bustling, nestled between a cupcake shoppe and a wing joint. The smell of smoked meats permeates the air the minute you walk in. 

My parents and I shared a sampler: a mix of ribs, rib tips, sausage, brisket, baked beans, cole slaw, and texas toast. The sausage was my favorite; it was perfectly cooked. I was also a huge fan of the baked beans. They are a litle sicy but flavorful.

Overall, Ray’s BBQ Shack was amazing. My parents wanted to go back there during their entire stay. 

Overall Score: 4.5/5

Pro tip #1: order it to go so you can heat it up at home. The meats do not come out hot (I’m assuming because they were cooked overnight) 

Pro tip #2: the cole slaw has raisins in it. Beware.