The TURNER team recently took a whirlwind trip through
Houston, Texas, discovering everything the city has to offer. Of course, that meant a lot of eating. We got a crash course in Houston’s thriving culinary world, finding familiar favorites and surprises in equal measure. Here’s a taste of what we tried.
Double Donut Fried Chicken Sandwich
601 Heights Blvd., Houston, TX 77007 Could two of the world’s greatest foods – fried chicken and donuts, of course – be even better together?
Lee’s Fried Chicken thinks so. The positively mind-blowing Double Donut Fried Chicken Sandwich is exactly as advertised: chicken tenders wedged between two glazed donuts. A stroke of genius or bridge too far? You be the judge.
The Texan (Chickpea Masala Fried Chicken)
2800 Kirby Dr., Suite b132, Houston, TX 77098 It’s been a well-kept secret for years now, but word is getting around: some of the best Indian food in the country can be found in Houston. The place to dive in is
Pondicheri’s, a modern Indian café and bakery helmed by James Beard award nominee Anita Jaisinghani. The Texan is an inspired mix: chickpea masala fried chicken, dal, gunpowder uttapam, sautéed greens and keema fries.
Cochinita Pibil Taco
2531 Kuester St., Houston, TX 77006 This restaurant / live music venue is named after a legendary cattle rancher – but steak isn’t what
Goodnight Charlie’s is most well-known for. It’s tacos. But these aren’t just any tacos. Don’t miss the Cochinita Pibil taco, with Black Hill pork, queso fresco, habanero salsa, pickled onion – heaven wrapped in a tortilla.
Tacos Al Carbon
2704 Navigation Blvd., Houston, TX 77003 More tacos? Well, not quite. Technically, the Tacos Al Carbon at the
Original Ninfa’s On Navigation are fajitas – in fact, the fajita was introduced to North America here back in the early 1970s. Whatever you want to call them, they are absolutely delicious. And they taste even better with the Original Ninfarita, made with 100 percent Agave Tequila Blanco.
Crispy Mala Beef
9348 Bellaire Blvd, Houston, TX 77036 Adventurous eaters with a taste for authentically fiery Sichaun cuisine need to make time for
Mala Sichuan Bistro. The Crispy Mala Beef is deliciously spicy, with Serrano peppers, garlic, green onion, whole peppercorns, and dry red chilis in fermented broad bean paste, red chili sauce, soy sauce, red chili oil, and peppercorn oil. Indulge in the heat!