Houston Food Trail 2024

Houston Food Trail 2024

These were the places we visited and ate at, as regular paying customers, on the Houston Food Trail 2024 in Houston, Texas, United States Of America.

Day 1
International House Of Pancakes (IHOP) Restaurants
Burger King
Luna Restaurant & Bar

Day 2
Dunkin'
Texas Roadhouse
Baskin-Robbins

Day 3
Five Guys
Bubba Gump Shrimp Company
T-Bone Tom's

Day 4
McDonald's
Church's Texas Chicken
Monarch

Day 5
Starbucks
Lankford's Grocery & Market
Ben & Jerry's

Day 6
Waffle House
Barnaby's Cafe
Backstreet Cafe

Day 7
Cinnabon
Pappas Bar-B-Q
The Original Ninfa's

Day 8
Urban Star Restaurant
Dumplings & Noodles By Cooking Girl
Caracol

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Day 1
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International House Of Pancakes (IHOP) Restaurants
@ 803 East NASA Parkway, Webster, Houston, Texas 77598, United States Of America
Opening Hours: Daily 24 Hours
https://www.ihop.com/en

Established in July 1958 by Jerry Lapin, Al Lapin Junior, and Albert Kallis, International House Of Pancakes (IHOP) Restaurants is a franchise restaurant chain that specialises in quick, no-frills American breakfast. They've quickly become one of my favourite breakfast places. Click here for the full post.

Pancakes (USD $1.99)

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Burger King
@ 535 El Dorado Boulevard, Webster, Houston, Texas 77598, United States Of America
Opening Hours: Daily 6am – 11:59pm
https://www.bk.com/

Established in 1954 in Miami, Florida, United States Of America, by David Russell Edgerton Junior and James Whitman McLamore, Burger King is an American fast-food chain restaurant, with over 19,000 outlets across more than 100 countries worldwide. Burger King specialises in flame-grilled burgers, and their slogan 'Have It Your Way' reflects their commitment to personalisation.

Burger King Exterior

Burger King Interior

Lovely cup of Coffee Brewed (USD $0.69), with its thin texture and toasty earthy flavour. Sufficiently strong, the Coffee Brewed here is refillable.

Coffee Brewed (USD $0.69)

Coffee Brewed

Made-to-order, the Hash Browns (USD $2.69) have a light starchy salty savoury flavour. Love the crisp soft texture of the Hash Browns, they hold up well. Good!

Hash Browns (USD $2.69)

Hash Browns

The Burger Double Croissan'wich With Sausage (USD $3.75) features 2 tender chicken sausage patties, stacked with soft egg omelette and gooey cheddar cheese, between fluffy croissant burger buns. With lovely bready sweet meaty savoury eggy cheesy salty flavour, the Burger Double Croissan'wich With Sausage makes for a decent breakfast. Good! The Croissan'wich derives its name from a portmanteau of the words 'croissant' and 'sandwich', and was introduced in 1983.

Burger Double Croissan'wich With Sausage (USD $3.75)

Burger Double Croissan'wich With Sausage

The straightforward Soft Drink Coca-Cola (USD $1.59) to accompany a meal. I usually get the zero sugar version of the Soft Drink Coca-Cola to quench my thirst.

Soft Drink Coca-Cola (USD $1.59)

Soft Drink Coca-Cola

Their Onion Rings (USD $2.69) are small but chunky, with a crisp crunchy crumb batter and soft white onions within. The Onion Rings carry mild vegetal earthy sweet salty savoury flavour. Good!

Onion Rings (USD $2.69)

Onion Rings

The Burger Double Whopper (USD $6.59) is an enhanced version of their signature Whopper burger, featuring 2 large tender juicy flame-grilled ground beef patties, crisp fresh lettuce, juicy tomato, crisp white onions, crunchy dill pickles, crisp streaky pork bacon, creamy mayonnaise, rich tomato ketchup, and gooey American cheese, between fluffy wheat burger buns studded with sesame seeds. The Burger Double Whopper has bready sweet meaty salty savoury smoky vegetal earthy sour nutty flavour, and is utterly satisfying. Good! The Whopper is named for its large and hefty size, and was introduced in 1957.

Burger Double Whopper (USD $6.59)

Burger Double Whopper

Burger Double Whopper

Their rendition of Churros (USD $3.99) has crisp crunchy choux pastry coated in a light sprinkling of cinnamon sugar. Best eaten while warm, the Churros carries bready sweet savoury spice flavour. Worth ordering!

Churros (USD $3.99)

Churros

Churros

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Luna Restaurant & Bar
@ 3000 East NASA Parkway, Nassau Bay, Houston, Texas 77058, United States Of America
Opening Hours: Mon - Fri 6am – 1pm, 4pm – 10pm, Sat - Sun 7am – 1pm, 4pm – 10pm
https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/hounbhf-hilton-houston-nasa-clear-lake/dining/

The Luna Restaurant & Bar is the in-house restaurant of the Hilton Houston NASA Clear Lake hotel. We decided to dine here as we were recovering from jet lag. Click here for the full post.

Pan-Seared Sustainable Salmon Fish Fillet (USD $38)

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Day 2
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Dunkin'
@ 1900 South Highway 146, La Porte, Houston, Texas 77571, United States Of America
Opening Hours: Daily 5am – 5pm
https://www.dunkindonuts.com/en

Established in 1950 in Quincy, Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States Of America, by William Rosenberg, this quick-service restaurant chain was originally named Dunkin' Donuts, rebranded to Dunkin' since January 2019. With over 12,800 outlets across 42 countries, Dunkin' is one of the largest coffee and doughnut shop brands in the world.

Dunkin' Signage

Dunkin' Facade

Counter

Packaged Coffee

Their Hot Chocolate (USD $3.73) has a semi-thick texture, smooth and rich with chocolatey bitter sweet flavour. Good!

Hot Chocolate (USD $3.73)

Hot Chocolate

Their Doughnut Glazed (USD $2.11) is warm, chewy, fluffy soft like a hug. Has a straightforward bready candied sweet flavour. Good!

Doughnut Glazed (USD $2.11)

Doughnut Glazed

The Doughnut Strawberry Frosted With Rainbow Sprinkles has a slight crunch to the frosting, followed by a chewy fluffy soft texture. Carries bready candied fruity sweet flavour. Good!

Doughnut Strawberry Frosted With Rainbow Sprinkles

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Texas Roadhouse
@ 18194 Gulf Freeway, Friendswood, Houston, Texas 77546, United States Of America
Opening Hours: Mon - Wed 3pm – 10pm, Thu - Sun 11am – 10pm
https://www.texasroadhouse.com/

Over 10 years later, and I've finally managed to revisit Texas Roadhouse, the iconic restaurant chain founded by Wayne Kent Taylor in Clarksville, Clark County, Indiana, United States Of America, in February 1993. Much has changed. Click here for the full post.

Combo Appetizer (USD $12.99)

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Baskin-Robbins
@ 1051 NASA Road 1, Webster, Houston, Texas 77058, United States Of America
Opening Hours: Mon - Thu 11am – 9pm, Fri - Sun 11am – 10pm
https://www.baskinrobbins.com/

Established in Glendale, Los Angeles, California, United States Of America, in 1948, by brothers-in-law Burton Leo Baskin and Irvine 'Irv' Isaac Robbins (from whose names the brand is derived), Baskin-Robbins is an ice-cream parlour chain with over 7,000 outlets across 40 countries. The number 31 is significant to Baskin-Robbins, as it represents the number of ice cream flavours they offered when they were founded. The number 31 is highlighted in the Baskin-Robbins logo, and in some countries, they are known as '31 Ice Cream'. Today, the Baskin-Robbins flavour library has expanded to over 1,400 varieties.

Baskin-Robbins Exterior

Baskin-Robbins Interior

The Ice Cream Peanut Butter And Chocolate (USD $5.86) is thick creamy crunchy, the swirl of chunky peanut butter running through the chocolate lending a nutty chocolatey bitter sweet flavour. Good!

Ice Cream Peanut Butter And Chocolate (USD $5.86)

Ice Cream Peanut Butter And Chocolate

The Ice Cream Cookie Monster (USD $5.86) has sweet cream ice cream stuffed with pieces of chocolate cookies, cookie dough batter swirls, and chocolate chip cookie pieces. Partly creamy smooth, partly crunchy, partly sticky in texture, this carries fragrant biscuity chocolatey sweet flavour, tasting like childhood nostalgia. Good!

Ice Cream Cookie Monster (USD $5.86)

Ice Cream Cookie Monster

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Day 3
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Five Guys
@ 1760 East NASA Parkway, Nassau Bay, Houston, Texas 77058, United States Of America
Opening Hours: Daily 11am – 10pm
https://www.fiveguys.com/

Founded in 1986 in Arlington, Northern Virginia, Virginia, United States Of America, by husband-and-wife team Jerry and Janie Murrell, Five Guys is a casual fast-food diner known for their hamburgers, hot dogs, fries, and American milkshakes, all made-to-order using fresh ingredients, served in large generous portions. Named for their 5 sons (Jim, Matt, Chad, Ben, Tyler), who all joined the family business, Five Guys has over 1,700 outlets across 26 countries.

Five Guys Signage

Five Guys Exterior

Five Guys Interior

Five Guys Menu

Accolades

The Lemonade (USD $3.01) is refreshing on warm days, thin with zesty tangy sour sweet flavour. Worth ordering!

Lemonade (USD $3.01)

Lemonade

Their Fries (USD $5.09), done Five Guys style, feature chunky twice-cooked potato fries that are straight-cut and salted, resulting in a crisp outside fluffy inside texture, with starchy salty savoury flavour. Typically overflowing out of the serving cup, spilling over into the paper bag, lending the visual impression of indulgence. Good!

Fries (USD $5.09)

Fries

The Burger Little Bacon Cheeseburger (USD $10.19) is, despite its name, not very little at all, being a fairly large and hefty burger for regular folks. Between fluffy wheat burger buns studded with crunchy sesame seeds, is a tender ground beef patty, crunchy streaky pork bacon rashers, and your choice of toppings. I opted for 'All The Way', which includes creamy mayonnaise, crisp fresh lettuce, crunchy dill pickles, juicy tomato, springy grilled button mushrooms, thick tomato ketchup, tender grilled white onions, and rich yellow mustard. Combined, each bite bursts with bready sweet meaty salty savoury vegetal nutty sour tangy zesty milky earthy bitter spice flavour. Messy but so filling and satisfying. Highly recommended!

Burger Little Bacon Cheeseburger (USD $10.19)

Burger Little Bacon Cheeseburger

Burger Little Bacon Cheeseburger

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Bubba Gump Shrimp Company
@ 5 Kemah Boardwalk, Kemah, Houston, Texas 77565, United States Of America
Opening Hours: Sun - Thu 11am – 9pm, Fri - Sat 11am – 10pm
https://www.bubbagump.com/location/bubba-gump-kemah-tx/

Founded in June 1996 by entrepreneur Anthony Zolezzi, the Bubba Gump Shrimp Company is inspired by the fictional restaurant from the 1994 movie "Forrest Gump", named after the eponymous fictional character and his friend Benjamin Buford 'Bubba' Blue. The place is filled with movie memorabilia, and resonated with me. Click here for the full post.

Blackened Redfish (USD $27.99)

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T-Bone Tom's
@ 707 North Highway 146, Kemah, Houston, Texas 77565, United States Of America
Opening Hours: Daily 11am – 11pm
https://www.tbonetoms.com/

Established by Leonard Fitzmorris and his son Tom Fitzmorris (after whom the restaurant is named) in 1983, T-Bone Tom's is a barbecue institution, famed for their hand-cut beef steaks, righteous Texas barbecue, and delicious sides. I was keen to visit they'd previously been featured on Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives. Click here for the full post.

Sliced Brisket Plate (USD $17.99)

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Day 4
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McDonald's
@ 1320 East NASA Parkway, Nassau Bay, Houston, Texas 77058, United States Of America
Opening Hours: Daily 5am – 11:59pm
https://www.mcdonalds.com/us/en-us.html

Founded in San Bernardino City, San Bernardino County, California, United States Of America, in 1940 by brothers Richard "Rick" McDonald and Maurice "Mac" McDonald, later expanded by Raymond Albert "Ray" Kroc from 1961, the McDonald's Corporation is perhaps the most well-known fast-food chain restaurant in the world. Best known for their burgers, fries, and milkshakes, McDonald's operates over 41,000 outlets across more than 110 countries. A prominent symbol of globalisation and 'the American way of life', McDonald's is immediately recognisable by its stylised 'M' shaped logo known as the 'Golden Arches'.

McDonald's Signage

McDonald's Exterior

McDonald's Interior

Astronaut With Fries

Their Coffee Brewed (USD $2.29) is thin with a toasty earthy flavour. Refillable too.

Coffee Brewed (USD $2.29)

Coffee Brewed

Nicely warm, the Hash Browns (USD $2.09) have a slight crisp exterior, a soft fluffy interior, with an addictive starchy salty savoury flavour. Good!

Hash Browns (USD $2.09)

Hash Browns

Just had to order the Burger McGriddles Steak, Egg, Cheese (USD $6.29). Between 2 soft moist maple-flavoured griddle pancakes is stacked a fluffy egg omelette, tender caramelised grilled white onions, tender Angus beef streak patty, and gooey American cheese. This breakfast burger carries lovely bready honeyed sweet meaty savoury vegetal earthy eggy cheesy salty smoky flavour. Slightly slippery and messy to eat. Highly recommended!

Burger McGriddles Steak, Egg, Cheese (USD $6.29)

Burger McGriddles Steak, Egg, Cheese

The Burger McChicken Biscuit (USD $2.39) has 2 crumbly soft biscuits, with a battered chicken patty within, that is crisp on the outside and tender on the inside. Has a decent biscuity sweet savoury meaty spice flavour. Worth ordering!

Burger McChicken Biscuit (USD $2.39)

Burger McChicken Biscuit

The Soft Drink Coca-Cola Frozen (SGD $2.99) has a nice herbal spice bitter sweet flavour, with a thick chunky grainy texture from the crushed ice cubes. Much more refreshing than the beverage itself. Good!

Soft Drink Coca-Cola Frozen (SGD $2.99)

Soft Drink Coca-Cola Frozen

The standard Soft Drink Coca-Cola (USD $2.19) has a lively fizzy thin texture, with balanced herbal spice bitter sweet flavour. A default standard beverage. Worth ordering!

Soft Drink Coca-Cola (USD $2.19)

Soft Drink Coca-Cola

Their signature shoestring thin-cut straight Fries (USD $3.19) are made from russet potatoes, and have a crisp exterior, a fluffy interior, and an addictive starchy salty savoury flavour. Also available in an unsalted version, these are best eaten quickly when hot. Good!

Fries (USD $3.19)

Fries

Introduced in 1967 by franchisee Michael James 'Jim' Delligatti, the Burger Big Mac (USD $5.39) is one of McDonald's most iconic burgers, a symbol of fast-food and American cuisine. It consists of 2 tender ground beef patties, crisp lettuce, juicy dill pickles, crisp finely chopped white onions, gooey American cheese, and creamy secret special sauce, all sandwiched between a fluffy soft 3-part wheat burger buns studded with crunchy sesame seeds. Bite in to get the pleasant bready sweet meaty savoury vegetal earthy cheesy salty sour spice nutty flavour. Certainly a filling and messy burger to consume, especially nearing the end. Worth ordering! The Burger Big Mac is so ubiquitous, that since 1986, it has served as an informal economic indicator to compare real-world purchasing power between different countries (known as the "Big Mac Index').

Burger Big Mac (USD $5.39)

Burger Big Mac

The Big Mac Index Source

The Burger Double Quarter Pounder With Cheese (USD $7.79) is a personal favourite, a straightforward burger that is greasy yet satisfying. Introduced in 1971 by franchisee Alcide 'Al' Eugene Bernardin, it consists of 2 juicy tender quarter-pound (or 120 grams) ground beef patties, juicy dill pickles, crisp sliced white onions, gooey American cheese, thick tomato ketchup, and rich yellow mustard, all sandwiched between fluffy wheat burger buns studded with crunchy sesame seeds. Bite in and you're rewarded with robust meaty salty savoury vegetal sour earthy spice bready sweet nutty flavour. Highly recommended! The deluxe version of the Burger Double Quarter Pounder With Cheese has added lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise.

Burger Double Quarter Pounder With Cheese (USD $7.79)

Burger Double Quarter Pounder With Cheese

The Chicken McNuggets 4-Piece (USD $3.29) comprise small pieces of battered and fried processed chicken meat, with a texture that is crispy outside and tender inside, carrying meaty sweet savoury flavour. Each chicken nugget takes 1 of 4 shapes; the bell, the bow-tie, the ball, or the boot; this ensures consistency in cooking, and a perfect equilibrium of dip-ability and fun. Highly recommended! A childhood favourite, the Chicken McNuggets (and its accompanying dipping sauces of barbecue sauce, and sweet and sour sauce) were created by McDonald's first Executive Chef René Arend and made available worldwide in 1983.

Chicken McNuggets 4-Piece (USD $3.29)

Chicken McNuggets 4-Piece

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Church's Texas Chicken
@ 1201 Bay Area Boulevard, Clear Lake City, Houston, Texas 77058, United States Of America
Opening Hours: Daily 10:30am – 10pm
https://www.churchs.com/

Established in April 1952 in San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas, United States Of America, by George William Church Senior, Church's Texas Chicken is a fast-food chain restaurant specialising in American Southern fried chicken and honey butter biscuits. More commonly known as 'Texas Chicken' internationally, to avoid the religious associations with its name, Church's Texas Chicken has over 1,500 outlets across 24 countries.

Church's Texas Chicken Signage

Church's Texas Chicken Exterior

Church's Texas Chicken Interior

The Orangeade (USD $3.19) has a lively fizzy texture with fruity tangy sour sweet flavour. Worth ordering!

Orangeade (USD $3.19)

Orangeade

Their signature Biscuit Honey Butter (USD $1.99) are made from a buttermilk biscuit dough that's baked till golden and drizzled with a luscious honey and butter glaze, resulting in a firm crumbly soft texture with addictive bready honeyed floral earthy sweet savoury salty flavour. Made fresh and served warm, these honey butter biscuits are delicious. Highly recommended!

Biscuit Honey Butter (USD $1.99)

Biscuit Honey Butter

The Mashed Potato (USD $3.99) is utterly smooth and creamy thick in texture. Coated in a rich brown gravy, the mashed potatoes entice with starchy salty savoury flavour. Highly recommended!

Mashed Potato (USD $3.99)

Mashed Potato

The signature Fried Chicken (USD $7.29) is a cornerstone of their menu, made with fresh (never frozen) chicken pieces, marinated in buttermilk then hand-battered with a double-breading process in their signature seasoned flour (known to include all purpose flour, paprika, salt, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper). The result is a crisp crunchy non-greasy exterior chicken skin, while the interior chicken meat remains juicy and tender, coming easily off the bone, carrying addictive meaty savoury sweet salty spice flavour. The most common version is the original version of their fried chicken, followed by the spicy version, with seasonal versions offered for a limited time. Highly recommended!

Fried Chicken (USD $7.29)

Fried Chicken

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Monarch
@ 5701 Main Street, Museum District, Houston, Texas 77005, United States Of America
Opening Hours: Sun - Thu 6:30am – 11:59pm, Fri - Sat 6:30am – 2am
https://www.hotelzaza.com/houston-museum-district

The Monarch is the in-house restaurant of Hotel ZaZa Houston Museum District. We dined here as the travelling was tiring, and we also wanted to sample the hotel's offering. Click here for the full post.

Deviled Eggs Trio (USD $16)

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Day 5
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Starbucks
@ 1801 Richmond Avenue, Montrose, Houston, Texas 77098, United States Of America
Opening Hours: Daily 5am – 9:30pm
https://www.starbucks.com/

Established in March 1971 in Seattle, Washington, United States Of America, by Gerald 'Jerry' Baldwin, Zev Siegl, and Gordon Bowker, Starbucks is an American multinational chain of coffeehouses, renowned for popularising the second wave of coffee culture worldwide, wherein a wider variety of personalised coffee experiences are offered; and for introducing the 'third place' concept - a public spot, that was not home or work, where you could connect with others over a shared activity. Under the leadership of Howard D. Schultz from 1986 to 2000, Starbucks expanded aggressively worldwide, and today has over 40,000 outlets across 87 countries.

Starbucks Signage

Starbucks Exterior

Starbucks Interior

Seating

Their Hot Chocolate (USD $3.45) is thick and velvety smooth, with rich deep chocolatey bitter sweet earthy flavour. Additional lashings of chocolate sauce enhance this comforting beverage. Highly recommended!

Hot Chocolate (USD $3.45)

Hot Chocolate

Brewed with sustainably-sourced, 100% arabica coffee beans, their Coffee Long Black (USD $4.45) has a light texture with robust toasty earthy bitter flavour. Good!

Coffee Long Black (USD $4.45)

Coffee Long Black

Brewed with sustainably-sourced, 100% arabica coffee beans, their Coffee Flat White (USD $4.95) has a foamy texture with robust toasty earthy milky flavour. Good!

Coffee Flat White (USD $4.95)

Coffee Flat White

The Bacon Egg Breakfast Wrap (USD $6.75) features a chewy wheat flour tortilla wrap, packed with fluffy soft scrambled eggs, crunchy pork bacon, and tender slices of pork ham. This carries grainy meaty salty eggy sweet savoury flavour. Best eaten quickly while warm. Good!

Bacon Egg Breakfast Wrap (USD $6.75)

Bacon Egg Breakfast Wrap

More filling than I expected, the Sandwich Grilled Cheese On Sourdough (USD $6.95) has gooey melted gruyere cheese between crisp crunchy toasted sourdough bread. Has a nice smoky bready sweet cheesy salty savoury flavour. Highly recommended!

Sandwich Grilled Cheese On Sourdough (USD $6.95)

Sandwich Grilled Cheese On Sourdough

Love the Muffin Blueberry Streusel (USD $3.75), which has a firm crisp exterior crust and a fluffy soft interior. Warm and studded with juicy blueberries, the muffin has fragrant bready fruity sweet flavour. Highly recommended!

Muffin Blueberry Streusel (USD $3.75)

Muffin Blueberry Streusel

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Lankford's Grocery & Market
@ 88 Dennis Street, Midtown, Houston, Texas 77006, United States Of America
Opening Hours: Sun - Wed 9am – 3pm, Thu - Sat 9am – 8pm
https://midtown.lankfordsburgers.com/

Established in 1937 in Midtown, Houston, Texas, United States Of America, by husband-wife owners Aubrey George Lankford and Nona Blanche Rowton, Lankford's Grocery & Market is a former grocery store turned restaurant renowned for its oversized burgers. Now run by 3rd-generation owners of the family, Paul Prior and Jessica Prior (née Hamm), Lankford's Grocery & Market shot to fame when it was featured on Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives in August 2009.

Lankford's Grocery & Market Signage

Lankford's Grocery & Market Exterior

Lankford's Grocery & Market Interior

Seating Outdoors

Seating Indoors

Lankford's Grocery & Market Menu

"Dogs Welcome (People Tolerated)"

Love the large Iced Tea (USD $2.99) here, ordered the unsweet version. It's thin and refreshing, with light earthy flavour to the black tea. Good!

Iced Tea (USD $2.99)

Iced Tea

Skipped on their oversized burgers for the much lighter Chili Dog (USD $6). This has fluffy soft hot dog buns with bready sweet flavour, a snappy juicy beef sausage with meaty savoury salty flavour, generously garnished with chunky grainy chili con carne stew with robust meaty savoury salty spice flavour, and wispy grated cheddar cheese with cheesy salty flavour. Slightly messy, but delicious. Good!

Chili Dog (USD $6)

Chili Dog

The bowl of Peach Cobbler (USD $6.95) is warm and intensely fruity sweet bready in flavour, really cloying. Not used to it, should have ordered it with ice cream to alleviate.

Peach Cobbler (USD $6.95)

Peach Cobbler

The Brisket Fries (USD $9.99) are decadent, with a base of thin julienne-cut salted potatoes fries with a crisp exterior, a fluffy interior, and an addictive starchy salty savoury flavour. Stacked with tender succulent juicy smoked beef brisket with enticing smoky meaty savoury salty spice flavour, dressed with thick sticky barbecue sauce with tangy sour sweet savoury spice flavour. Completed with juicy crunchy jalapeno peppers that lend a tangy zesty sour vegetal spice flavour. Highly recommended!

Brisket Fries (USD $9.99)

Brisket Fries

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Ben & Jerry's
@ 5515 Kirby Drive, University Place, Houston, Texas 77005, United States Of America
Opening Hours: Sun - Thu 1pm – 10pm, Fri - Sat 12pm – 11pm
https://www.benjerry.com/

Established in May 1978 in Burlington, Chittenden County, Vermont, United States Of America, by Bennett 'Ben' Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, Ben & Jerry's is an American multinational brand known for retailing ice cream, sorbet, and frozen yoghurt. Well regarded for its variety of creative flavours, and for their trademark chunky ingredients mixed into their ice cream, Ben & Jerry's operates over 550 outlets across 35 countries.

Ben & Jerry's Signage

Ben & Jerry's Exterior

Ben & Jerry's Interior

Seating

Catering Vans

Their Ice Cream Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough (USD $7.75) has creamy non-dairy vanilla ice cream mixed with wispy milk chocolate fudge flakes and chewy gobs of chocolate chip cookie dough. The result is lovely floral earthy chocolatey bitter sweet milky biscuity flavour. A classic. Good!

Ice Cream Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough (USD $7.75)

Ice Cream Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

Ice Cream Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

The Ice Cream Phish Food, Salted Caramel Blondie, Sugar Dipped Rainbow Sprinkles Cone (USD $11) is a treat. There's thick chocolate ice cream mixed with gooey marshmallow, sticky caramel swirls, and crunchy dark chocolate fudge shaped into fish, carrying chocolatey bitter sweet candied flavour. There's creamy sweet cream ice cream mixed with soft blonde brownies and sticky salted caramel swirls, carrying buttery candied sweet floral flavour. Piled onto a crunchy crisp wafer cone coated in crisp white chocolate and crunchy rainbow sprinkles, with biscuity candied buttery chocolatey sweet flavour. A filling and decadent treat. Highly recommended!

Ice Cream Phish Food, Salted Caramel Blondie, Sugar Dipped Rainbow Sprinkles Cone (USD $11)

Ice Cream Phish Food, Salted Caramel Blondie, Sugar Dipped Rainbow Sprinkles Cone

Ice Cream Phish Food, Salted Caramel Blondie, Sugar Dipped Rainbow Sprinkles Cone

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Day 6
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Waffle House
@ 11240 Westheimer Road, Westside, Houston, Texas 77042, United States Of America
Opening Hours: Daily 24 Hours
https://www.wafflehouse.com/

Established in September 1955 in Avondale Estates, DeKalb County, Georgia, United States Of America, by Joseph 'Joe' Wilson Rogers Senior and Thomas 'Tom' Francis Forkner, Waffle House is a casual dining eatery chain. Best known for their freshly cooked waffles and all-day breakfast plates, Waffle House operates over 2,000 outlets across the country. Because they're open 24-hours for 365 days a year, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has instituted a 'Waffle House Index' to inform storm disaster response. The intent of the Waffle House Index is to measure how quickly a location reopens after a storm passes. The quicker the reopening, the less overall damage the area sustained in the storm.

Waffle House Signage

Waffle House Exterior

Waffle House Interior

Open Kitchen

Waffle House Menu

Grilling

Sat at the counter and enjoyed the Coffee Brewed (USD $2.50), thin but deep with toasty earthy flavour and aroma. Good!

Coffee Brewed (USD $2.50)

Coffee Brewed

The house signature Pecan Waffle (USD $5.50) features a made-to-order fluffy buttermilk waffle studded with firm crunchy pecan nuts, spread with creamy luscious butter and thick maple syrup. Has bready floral earthy buttery sweet savoury nutty flavour. I enjoyed this. Highly recommended!

Pecan Waffle (USD $5.50)

Pecan Waffle

The signature Texas Bacon Patty Melt Plate (USD $11.50), with a thick tender juicy ground beef patty with meaty salty savoury flavour, soft crunchy caramelised white onions with vegetal earthy sweet smoky flavour, gooey stretchy melted cheddar cheese with cheesy salty flavour, and crisp crunchy streaky pork bacon with meaty salty savoury flavour, all sandwiched between thick fluffy crisp toasted buttered white bread with smoky bready sweet earthy buttery flavour. On the side are juicy dill pickles which lend vegetal sour flavour, and crisp potato hash browns with starchy salty savoury flavour. Highly recommended!

Texas Bacon Patty Melt Plate (USD $11.50)

Texas Bacon Patty Melt Plate

Texas Bacon Patty Melt Plate

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Barnaby's Cafe
@ 1701 South Shepherd Drive, River Oaks, Houston, Texas 77019, United States Of America
Opening Hours: Mon - Fri 11am – 9pm, Sat - Sun 8am – 9pm
https://www.barnabyscafe.com/

"Barnaby was a big sheepdog who went to heaven when I was twelve". This poignant story in a single sentence is haunting and bittersweet. So it is that the proud owners of Barnaby's Cafe named their cafes after the beloved sheepdog in December 1992. I was intrigued by the rave reviews, and decided to drop by to visit. Click here for the full post.

Chili Dog (USD $17)

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Backstreet Cafe
@ ~~1103 South Shepherd Drive, River Oaks, Houston, Texas 77019, United States Of America~~
~~Opening Hours~~~~: Tue - Fri 11:30am – 9pm, Sat 10am – 10pm, Sun 10am – 3pm, Closed Mon~~
https://www.backstreetcafe.net/

I was not aware that Backstreet Cafe would be temporarily closing just 5 days after my visit in December 2024, as they're moving to new location a few steps away, expected to re-open a year later in December 2025. Had a fantastic meal during my visit. Click here for the full post.

Peach And Blueberry Cobbler (USD $12)

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Day 7
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Cinnabon
@ The Galleria Unit #1403, 5015 Westheimer Road, Greater Uptown, Houston, Texas 77056, United States Of America
Opening Hours: Mon - Sat 8am – 10pm, Sun 11am – 7pm
https://www.cinnabon.com/

Established in December 1985 in Federal Way, King County, Washington, United States Of America, by Rich Komen, Ray Lindstrom, and Jerilyn Brusseau, Cinnabon is an American baked goods brand best known for its cinnamon rolls and churros. Cinnabon is in more than 50 countries operating over 1,100 outlets worldwide, drawing queues of customers for their freshly baked goodies.

Cinnabon Signage

Cinnabon Menu

Display Of Bakes

The Churros (USD $4.99 For 2 Pieces) has a crisp crunchy texture with bready sweet savoury flavour. Lovely and long and warm, studded with crystals of cinnamon sugar which lend a light crunch with floral sweet spice flavour. Good!

Churros (USD $4.99 For 2 Pieces)

Churros

Churros

The Cinnamon Roll (USD $7.49 Per Piece) is excellent. The soft chewy soft sticky texture and bright bready sweet spice flavour of the warm cinnamon roll is decadent yet comforting. The luscious smooth cream cheese frosting lends a contrasting cheesy salty sweet note. Highly recommended!

Cinnamon Roll (USD $7.49 Per Piece)

Cinnamon Roll

Cinnamon Roll

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Pappas Bar-B-Q
@ 1217 Pierce Street, Downtown Houston, Houston, Texas 77002, United States Of America
Opening Hours: Sun - Thu 11am – 9pm, Fri - Sat 11am – 10pm
https://pappasbbq.com/

Established in 1967 and now run by 2nd-generation owners, the family-owned Pappas Restaurants, Inc. group operates 8 unique restaurant brands, one of which is the long-serving Pappas Bar-B-Q. They're known for their warm inviting atmosphere and delicious barbecue. Click here for the full post.

Platter Pork Trio (USD $17.95)

Platter Beef Trio (USD $25.95)

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The Original Ninfa's
@ 1700 Post Oak Boulevard #1-190, Greater Uptown, Houston, Texas 77056, United States Of America
Opening Hours: Mon - Fri 11am – 10pm, Sat - Sun 10am – 10pm
https://ninfas.com/

Opened by Ninfa Rodríguez Laurenzo in July 1973 as part restaurant, part tortilla factory, The Original Ninfa's is widely credited with popularizing 2 iconic Tex-Mex dishes - the Fajitas (or Tacos Al Carbon) and the Salsa Verde (or Green Sauce). By 1977, the news reported of The Original Ninfa's that "no other Texas restaurant dictates the dining-out habits of so many of its city's inhabitants". The Original Ninfa's was so influential, that by 2001, just about all Tex-Mex restaurants served a version of their fajitas. Click here for the full post.

Chili Con Queso (USD $13)

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Day 8
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Urban Star Restaurant
@ 2626 Sage Road, Greater Uptown, Houston, Texas 77056, United States Of America
Opening Hours: Daily 6am – 11pm
https://www.hyatt.com/hyatt-regency/en-US/hourg-hyatt-regency-houston-galleria

The Urban Star Restaurant is the in-house restaurant of Hyatt Regency Houston Galleria. We had the buffet breakfast included in the cost of our stay here. Click here for the full post.

Biscuits And Gravy

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Dumplings & Noodles By Cooking Girl
@ 5381 Westheimer Road, Greater Uptown, Houston, Texas 77056, United States Of America
Opening Hours: Daily 11am – 9:30pm
https://www.thecookinggirls.com/

Established in September 2015 in Montrose, Houston, Texas, United States Of America, by sisters Yunan Yang and Li Luo 'Lily' also known as 'Cooking Girl', and Lily's husband Yi Liang, Dumplings & Noodles By Cooking Girl is the casual eatery of their brand that focuses on Chinese dumplings and noodles. Popularised by college students and food critics, Dumplings & Noodles By Cooking Girl was among the few restaurants open on Christmas Day, so I dropped by to visit.

Dumplings & Noodles By Cooking Girl Exterior

Dumplings & Noodles By Cooking Girl Interior

Dumplings & Noodles By Cooking Girl Menu

Dumplings & Noodles By Cooking Girl Menu

Seating

Their Iced Tea (USD $5.99) is refreshing and refillable, with a thin texture and gentle earthy flavour. Good!

Iced Tea (USD $5.99)

Their Orange Chicken (USD $16.99) is tender juicy sticky in texture, the orange sauce combining with the battered chicken nicely, resulting in bright fruity sweet sour zesty tangy spice flavour. Served with fresh crunchy broccoli florets with vegetal sweet flavour. Highly recommended!

Orange Chicken (USD $16.99)

Orange Chicken

Orange Chicken

The Lo Mein / Fried Noodles Combo (USD $15.99) features fresh egg noodles, thick and chewy with salty savoury sweet nutty flavour, and assorted seafood and vegetables. There's tender sliced beef with meaty salty savoury sweet flavour, fresh crisp vegetables (carrots, white onions, napa cabbage, bell peppers / capsicum, spring onions) with vegetal earthy herbal sweet flavour, and bouncy deshelled shrimp / prawns with meaty savoury sweet flavour. Nicely filling and comforting as a dish. Good!