Have Sippy Will Travel

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Ranked as one of America’s top three most ethnically diverse cities, Houston is well known for its variety of award winning culinary experiences. On a recent trip to Houston, courtesy of CityPASS & Visit Houston I had the chance to experience the array of restaurants and multi-cultural dishes that make the city a must visit destination. Just make sure you bring your appetite and walking shoes to work off all those good eats because there’s no shortage of places to dine at in between checking out the family friendly sites like the Houston Zoo, Space Center or the museum district with your CityPASS in hand.

Staying downtown at the Marriott Marquis Houston was the perfect location because everywhere we ventured off to eat was either in walking distance, or no more than a twenty to thirty minute drive away. After unpacking and taking in the view of the hotel’s larger than life, Texas shaped lazy river, our group headed out on a Taste of Houston Tour through the neighborhood of Montrose with our knowledgeable guide Lisa. When visiting a city for the first time, I’d highly recommend signing up for a food tour like this because not only were we able to try out some of the most popular and innovative dishes, we learned a lot about the history and culture of the city over the years.

Montrose reminded me in many ways of hanging out in New York City, with a mix of flavorful places to eat & drink, shops, art galleries and more – there’s something to do that will appeal to everyone your traveling with.

Did you know that Tex-Orleans cuisine was a thing? I had no idea until we made our first stop at BB’s Cajun Cafe, where menu offerings include: crawfish, boudin balls, gumbo and 15 varieties of Po’boys. Inspired by his grandmother {Maw Maw}, Brooks Bassler founded BB’s in 2007 and a unique blend of Southern Louisiana style cooking fused with a Texas twist was created. If you’re planning to try the Crawfish, don’t let those juicy little suckers intimidate you! Tie on a bib, slap on some gloves {if you really want to avoid getting those sauces and spices all over} and prepare to dig in. Also note that the only dessert on the menu is Maw-Maw’s bread pudding and trust me, that’s ok. It’s light, sweet, addictive and you may not want to share.

If you’re looking for an eatery with an authentic Tex-Mex menu and a vintage feel, then the El Real Tex-Mex Cafe is this perfect place to dine out at. With a towering Marquee to welcome guests, it was pretty cool to see how they revamped this 1930’s theater into a family friendly restaurant that showcases old school movies. It’s such a charming space with vibrant & colorful walls, strung lights, and displayed old menus, photographs & paraphernalia that take patrons on a trip down memory lane.

I may never look at a crunchy shell taco the same after trying out their perfectly fried puffy tacos for the first time. If you’ve never had one, believe me you’ve been missing out! The three cheese enchiladas were delicious, the chili con carne sauce was so dang flavorful I was pretty tempted to lick my plate clean!

Traditional Mexican food is taken up a notch at Hugo’s where you’ll indulge in such refined cuisine {all made from scratch} you could only expect from Hugo Ortega, former dishwasher – now a 2017 James Beard award winning chef. Housed in a beautifully restored, Latin inspired building that’s reminiscent of old Mexico, guests can indulge in ceviche, made from the freshest seafood brought straight from the docks daily and the most decadent desserts. We literally swooned when the Churros Rellenos con Dulce de Leche, Mexican hot chocolate and house-made chocolate ice cream made it’s way to our tables. You’ll be happy you stopped by any day of the week but If you’re visiting on the weekend, their infamous Sunday Brunch is highly recommended.

Hanging in central Houston instantly got way cooler once Goodnight Charlie’s opened. With honky tonk partying and wine on tap, this venue that pays homage to legendary cattle rancher Charles Goodnight, makes for a fun way to end the night or kick off any weekend! We were all stuffed after our earlier tour visits but sipped on cocktails while taking in the breeze while swaying on their outdoor swings with clever holders for drinks. With live performances Thursday – Saturday of Zydeco, Bluegrass and country music and tortillas made in house you’ll enjoy hanging here because of it’s laid back atmosphere that resonates with the true spirit of Texas.

Make sure to sign up for the Taste of Houston Food Tour hosted by Food Tour Corp if ever in Houston because it provides such a great look into Texas’s 4th largest cities rich history and culture while experiencing their evolving culinary scene.