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Cafe Express
The Top List of Best Buy Restaurants - Houston, TX
In Houston, there is no fast and easy choice.
by Katharine Branham & Sandra Starr
When meal time rolls around, we don’t always want to spend a ton of money. And if you’re dining alone, it’s often difficult to justify a big ticket meal for one. There are many local restaurants that offer very good food at affordable prices.
Competition is intense with a number of restaurants providing acceptable levels of quality in all important aspects of the dining experience. Here are my top ten that offer good food, quality, service, and cleanliness.
After a few visits, I’m confident they’ll be on your top ten list as well.
JASON’S DELI
5403 FM 1960 West Champion Forest, Houston TX 77069
(281) 444-7515
1340 Lake Woodlands Drive, Houston TX 77380
(281) 419-0100
5215 West 34th Street, Houston, TX 77092
(713) 956-0122
2611 S. Shepherd Square, Houston, TX 77052
(713) 520-6728
2530 University Blvd., Houston, TX 77005
(713) 522-2660
19755 Hwy 59, Houston, TX 77338
(281) 540-2551
10915 W. FM 1960, Houston, TX 77070
(218) 970-5044
Hours: 10:00am-10:00pm
Jason’s is a pioneer in quality with customer health & wellness being their top concern. The owner cares so much that they’ve have been Trans Fats free for over two years. The food is clean, fresh, and flavorful. Don’t let the Deli name throw you off, though, because Jason’s offers a number of hot dinner entrees that truly delicious. They have a fresh garden bar that is kept clean and refilled. A popular sandwich is the Ruben that comes stuffed with meat in generous proportions. Jason’s has mastered the art of making delicious soups: Tomato basil, Irish Potato, Vegetable and Seafood Gumbo are just a few. My favorite item on the menu is the Turkey Wrap with a side of fresh fruit. And whatever you do, don’t leave without a complimentary ice cream cone!
Holiday Schedule: Closed All except Valentines
Estimated cost per person any time of day=$7-$10
FADI’S MEDITERRANEAN
4738 Beechnut Street, Houston TX 77096
(713) 666-4644
8383 Westheimer Road, Houston TX 77006
(713) 532-0666
Hours: Mon-Thursday 11:00-9:00, Fri-Sun 11:00-10:00pm
Fadi’s brick oven is cranking out the hottest pitas this side of Jerusalem. This very tasty treat for Mediterranean dishes is by far the best value-for-money and health. The restaurant is cafeteria style with a cozy appeal. Employees are friendly and helpful. The daily specials change regularly with a few standard items. You will never be disappointed here. The meats are cooked to perfection and salads always fresh. In fact, everything served here is prepared fresh daily. Doctors and health nuts love it here.
Estimated cost per person anytime=$7-$10
Holiday Schedule: New Years Eve-Open, New Years Day-Closed, Valentines-Open, Easter-Closed, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed
CAFÉ EXPRESS
1101 Uptown Park Blvd. 77056
(713) 963-9222
1422 W. Grey Street 77019
(713) 522-3100
19443 Gulf Freeway (W. Bay Area Blvd.) 77598
Hours: Mon-Sun 11:00am-10:00pm
650 Main, Houston, TX 77002
(713) 237-9222
Hours: Mon-Fri 11:00am-3:00pm
This great idea is a proven crowd pleaser. It’s the answer to not having to wait for a server and still getting the best quality of food. You walk up to the counter and order for yourself; then when it’s ready, you pick it up at the counter. An oversized bar accommodates lunch professions in a rush. Appetizers include humus, artichoke-spinach dip, and other mouthwatering specialties. Soups and savory dishes are always flavorful in addition to a wide variety of healthy selections. The turkey burger here is simply the best in Houston, especially with bacon and mushrooms. The great kids menu is excellent, and the portion sizes are perfect. To-go lunch boxes are available for quick pickup call-ins.
Estimated cost per person for dinner=$8-10
Holiday Schedule: New Years Eve-Open, News Years Day-Closed, Valentines-Open, Easter-Closed, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed
TACO MILAGRO
2555 Kirby, Houston, TX 77019
(713) 522-1999
1701 Lake Robbins, The Woodlands TX 77380
(281) 602-7070
7877 Willow Chase Blvd. Houston, TX 77070
(281) 664-7070
Hours: Sun-Thurs 11:00am-10:00pm, Fri-Sat 11:00-11:30pm
This is the coolest taco bar in town. The weekends at Taco Milagros attracts an eclectic crowd. There are no attitudes here, just a lot of people having a good time. The Houston location is a walk-up Taco Bar, while The Woodlands location has a waitstaff with seating upon arrival. Food quality is consistent, and the chips and salsa have a unique flavor of home-style cooking that’s a rare find. The bar serves an excellent margarita. This is a great place to go before or after a movie. No reservations required.
Estimated cost per person for dinner=$7-$15
Holiday Schedule: New Years Eve-Open, New Years Day-Closed, Valentines-Open
AVALON DINER II
3285 Southwest Freeway, Houston, TX 77027
(713) 838-2500
Hours: (Mon-Fri) 6:30 AM - 9:00 PM and (Sat & Sun) 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Close your eyes and think 1950. Imagine a menu with all the favorites of the fifties crowd, a soda fountain, green upholstered booths, and servers with those snappy little white caps on their heads. Voilà, you have the Avalon Diner. Breakfast is served all day and the dinner specials rotate daily. The menu ranges from hot open-faced roast beef sandwiches to steaks. The house specials include chicken fried steak, chopped steak, and a grilled marinated chicken breast. The portions are large and most dinners come with a salad, Texas toast, and a vegetable. The meatloaf is served with a tomato cream sauce, mashed potatoes, grilled vegetables, a garden salad, and a roll. The chicken tenders, seven in all, come with a heaping mound of fries, a garden salad, and Texas toast. Make sure you go hungry because the quantity and quality of food is overwhelming. The Avalon Diner has a fifties flair, excellent home-style American food, and the warmth of a neighborhood meeting place.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $10 - $20
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-*Open, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-*Open, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-*Open, Christmas Day-Closed, New Years Eve-*Open
*Open but closes early.
THE BUFFALO GRILLE
3116 Bissonnet at Buffalo Speedway, Houston, TX 77005
(713) 661-3663
Hours: (Mon) 7:00 AM - 2:00 PM, (Tues-Fri) 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM, (Sat) 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM, and (Sun) 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Zapotec art, buffalo heads, and dream catchers adorn the walls adding to the Southwest flavor of this no frills, home style grille. After ordering at the counter, diners have their seating choice of the dining room, an enclosed patio with a fireplace, and outdoor café style. The menu offerings range from sandwiches, salads, and stuffed baked potatoes to entrées such as catfish, steaks, a vegetarian plate, and Mexican specialties. All of the food is prepared fresh and served hot to your table. The servings are generous so don't be deluded by the prices. Four large fried catfish fillets are served with a basketful of the grille's special fries, and spicy cornbread. The chicken fingers are mildly spicy and cover the plate, hiding the grille's fries beneath. The relaxed atmosphere and home style cooking have made this neighborhood restaurant one of the best grilles in the Houston area.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $10 - $20
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Open, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
ESCALANTE'S MEXICAN GRILLE
Meyerland Plaza Mall, Houston, TX 77096
(713) 663-7080
6582 Woodway at Voss, Houston, TX 77057
(713) 461-5400
Hours: (Sun) 10:30 AM - 9:30 PM, (Mon) 11:00 AM - 9:30 PM, (Tue-Thurs) 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM, (Fri & Sat) 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM
For the ultimate in Tex-Mex flavor, Escalante's is a must. The authentic Mexican décor sets the stage for the meal. Your server starts you off with chips and fresh salsa, explains the specials, and leaves you to the arduous task of choosing an entrée. One of the daily specials is always an excellent selection, especially since many include fresh seafood prepared with tantalizing sauces and fresh side dishes. The regular fare includes soups, fajitas, enchiladas, tacos al carbon, tamales, and salads. The tortilla soup with chunks of juicy chicken is a favorite among regulars as are the baked sopes. The chicken or beef fajitas are served steaming hot on wood lined griddles with sides of jalapeños, salsa, guacamole and warm tortillas. The spinach enchiladas topped with roasted corn sauce and Mexican cheese is a delicious alternative to the typical cheese variety. Escalante's combines the warmth of a Mexican grill with good food in a friendly atmosphere.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $10 - $20
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Closed, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Closed, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
GABBY'S STEAKS & BBQ
4010 Spencer Highway, Pasadena, TX 77504
(713) 944-8424
Hours: (Sun-Thurs) 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM, (Fri & Sat) 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM
For true down home Texas barbeque, the trip to Gabby's will be worth it. You are immersed in a neighborly Southwest feeling from the minute you arrive. Once seated, the server greets you with warm bread and some friendly advice about ordering. The menu offers burgers, sandwiches, barbeque, steaks, and salads. The Meal In-A-Peel is an over-sized baked potato stuffed with chopped beef or chicken, barbeque sauce, butter, sour cream, chives, and topped with cheese. All of the meat is wood smoked for up to 14 hours and accompanied by made from scratch barbeque sauce. The choices of barbeque include chicken, beef, sausage, ham, and turkey and come with two vegetables. The steaks are Certified Angus Beef, cooked to the customer's specifications, and served sizzling hot. Gabby's is a Texas experience . . . oh, and don't forget to wave to the horse as you leave.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $10 - $20
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Open, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Open, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
KENNY & ZIGGY'S NEW YORK DELICATESSEN RESTAURANT
2327 Post Oak Boulevard, Houston, TX 77056
(713) 871-8883
Hours: (Mon-Fri) 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM and (Sat & Sun) 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Upon entering, you're immediately enveloped in the glitz and panache of a quintessential New York eatery. Co-owners Kenny Friedman and Ziggy Gruber, also known as the Delimaven, have recreated an authentic New York deli complete with the bustling, "here sweetheart, you look like you need to eat", neighborhood feel within Houston's premiere shopping district. Kenny & Ziggy's offers all of the classic delicatessen fare along with some of the traditional American specialties for the fair of palate. The enormous variety of menu selections includes everything from sandwiches and burgers, to salads and dinners, not to mention soups, noshes, knishes, lox, desserts, and endless choices of side dishes. The dinners, such as the Roast Turkey Dinner and Corned Beef & Cabbage are served with crisp green salads as well as a side dish. The One and Only Rueben, served open-faced New York style, is piled high with corned beef, hot sauerkraut, Russian dressing, and topped with melted Swiss cheese. All of the portions are huge so bring your appetite with you. Although only a year old, Kenny & Ziggy's has set the standards for delicatessen restaurants in Houston.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $10 - $20
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Open, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
TWOROWS RESTAURANT AND BREWERY
2400 University Boulevard, Houston, TX 77005
(713) 529-2739
Hours: (Sun-Tue) 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM and (Wed-Sat) 11:00 AM - 2:00 AM
If you love television, homemade beer, and good food, TwoRows is a place you should visit. Boasting two video walls, 20 televisions, a large dining room, and balcony dining, this restaurant has something for everyone. The house specialties include handmade pizza baked in a wood fired brick oven, extensive Fit for Life cuisine, and Southwestern selections that rival any Mexican restaurant. TwoRows' Southwest Spinach Salad is an enormous serving of spinach tossed with black beans, goat cheese, smoked corn, peppers, and mushrooms with a Balsamic Ale Vinaigrette. The dinners are equally sized. The chicken tenders are served with fresh vegetables and dipping sauces. From the grill, the Chimichara Sirloin is aged Certified Angus Sirloin topped with an avocado and white wine salsa and served with fresh vegetables, garlic mashed potatoes, and a beer muffin. TwoRows' American flavor comes from a combination of home-style touches, the old country charm of a brewery, and an innovative approach to recreating entrées.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $10 - $20
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Open, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
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