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12 of Houston's Most Underrated Restaurants, Mapped

by Eric Sandler
3 comments / new
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by Eric Sandler
3 comments / new

In response to Friday's open thread, Eater readers submitted their picks for some of the city's underrated restaurants. Collectively, these are restaurants that have been around for awhile and may have fallen off the radar, but they're still there, pleasing their customers day in, day out. While they aren't flashy, all 12 are a reliable place to find friendly service, good value and tasty food.


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Tokyo Bowl

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According to a reader, this Clear Lake spot has a huge selection. "I could eat there 4 times a week!"
2402 Bay Area Blvd, Houston, TX 77058
(281) 480-5311
(281) 480-5311

Golden Seafood Restaurant

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Like Connie's, Golden offers seafood, particularly ceviches, that are tasty and affordable. The micheladas are good here, too.
903 S. 75th Street, Houston, TX 77023
(713) 923-8790
(713) 923-8790

J & J Lounge

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According to a reader, the grilled pork chops are the best in Houston
3303 Lee St, Houston, TX 77026, Houston, TX 77026
(713) 222-7104
(713) 222-7104

Lucille's

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After some initial struggles, this Museum District restaurant that serves upscale Southern classics has turned into a reliable neighborhood staple. According to a reader, it's popular with local celebrities and politicians, too.
5512 La Branch, Houston, TX 77004
(713) 568-2505
(713) 568-2505

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Lexington Grille

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"It's been open for several years yet I don't recall seeing much if any press about it. It's quiet and tucked away (just) off Shepherd and has excellent food and service."
2005 Lexington Street, Houston, TX 77098
(607) 776-4865
(607) 776-4865

Al's Quick Stop

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A true hidden gem, the counter at this convenience store serves some of Houston's best falafel and gyros.
2002 Waugh Drive, Houston, TX 77006
(713) 522-5170
(713) 522-5170

Becks Prime

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Sometimes forgotten in the face of so much competition, Becks Prime's thick burgers, cooked over mesquite are still a very satisfying way to indulge a craving.
2902 Kirby Dr, Houston, TX 77098
(713) 524-7085
(713) 524-7085

Mama's Oven

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"Best smothered pork chop and all around soul food in the city!!!"
9295 South Main, Houston, TX 77025
(713) 661-3656
(713) 661-3656

Cafe Piquet

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According to a reader, Cafe Piquet serves some of Houston's best Cuban food, "especially the picadillo, red snapper, and impressive sangria."
5757 Bissonnet Street, Bellaire, TX 77401-4723
(713) 664-1031
(713) 664-1031

Teotihuacan

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"I go to the one on W. Bellfort, but the locations on Airline and Irvington are equally good. Cheap, authentic food, great service, and strong and cheap margaritas!"
6579 W. Bellfort, Houston, TX 77035
(713) 726-9858
(713) 726-9858

Verona Flying Pizza

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"A well-worn, but great place I love to go back to (though it's off the beaten path near Sharpstown/Westchase) is Verona Flying Pizza on the corner of Westpark & Gessner. Excellent sandwiches at lunch and good pizzas/pastas at dinner. Come more than once and Wally will remember you!"
3995 S Gessner Rd, Houston, TX
(713) 789-8153
(713) 789-8153

Fadis Mediterranean Grill

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"Fadi's has always come through for me."
12360 Westheimer Rd., Houston, TX 77077
(281) 556-8390
(281) 556-8390

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Tokyo Bowl

2402 Bay Area Blvd, Houston, TX 77058
According to a reader, this Clear Lake spot has a huge selection. "I could eat there 4 times a week!"
2402 Bay Area Blvd, Houston, TX 77058
(281) 480-5311
(281) 480-5311

Golden Seafood Restaurant

903 S. 75th Street, Houston, TX 77023
Like Connie's, Golden offers seafood, particularly ceviches, that are tasty and affordable. The micheladas are good here, too.
903 S. 75th Street, Houston, TX 77023
(713) 923-8790
(713) 923-8790

J & J Lounge

3303 Lee St, Houston, TX 77026, Houston, TX 77026
According to a reader, the grilled pork chops are the best in Houston
3303 Lee St, Houston, TX 77026, Houston, TX 77026
(713) 222-7104
(713) 222-7104

Lucille's

5512 La Branch, Houston, TX 77004
After some initial struggles, this Museum District restaurant that serves upscale Southern classics has turned into a reliable neighborhood staple. According to a reader, it's popular with local celebrities and politicians, too.
5512 La Branch, Houston, TX 77004
(713) 568-2505
(713) 568-2505

Lexington Grille

2005 Lexington Street, Houston, TX 77098
"It's been open for several years yet I don't recall seeing much if any press about it. It's quiet and tucked away (just) off Shepherd and has excellent food and service."
2005 Lexington Street, Houston, TX 77098
(607) 776-4865
(607) 776-4865

Al's Quick Stop

2002 Waugh Drive, Houston, TX 77006
A true hidden gem, the counter at this convenience store serves some of Houston's best falafel and gyros.
2002 Waugh Drive, Houston, TX 77006
(713) 522-5170
(713) 522-5170

Becks Prime

2902 Kirby Dr, Houston, TX 77098
Sometimes forgotten in the face of so much competition, Becks Prime's thick burgers, cooked over mesquite are still a very satisfying way to indulge a craving.
2902 Kirby Dr, Houston, TX 77098
(713) 524-7085
(713) 524-7085

Mama's Oven

9295 South Main, Houston, TX 77025
"Best smothered pork chop and all around soul food in the city!!!"
9295 South Main, Houston, TX 77025
(713) 661-3656
(713) 661-3656

Cafe Piquet

5757 Bissonnet Street, Bellaire, TX 77401-4723
According to a reader, Cafe Piquet serves some of Houston's best Cuban food, "especially the picadillo, red snapper, and impressive sangria."
5757 Bissonnet Street, Bellaire, TX 77401-4723
(713) 664-1031
(713) 664-1031

Teotihuacan

6579 W. Bellfort, Houston, TX 77035
"I go to the one on W. Bellfort, but the locations on Airline and Irvington are equally good. Cheap, authentic food, great service, and strong and cheap margaritas!"
6579 W. Bellfort, Houston, TX 77035
(713) 726-9858
(713) 726-9858

Verona Flying Pizza

3995 S Gessner Rd, Houston, TX
"A well-worn, but great place I love to go back to (though it's off the beaten path near Sharpstown/Westchase) is Verona Flying Pizza on the corner of Westpark & Gessner. Excellent sandwiches at lunch and good pizzas/pastas at dinner. Come more than once and Wally will remember you!"
3995 S Gessner Rd, Houston, TX
(713) 789-8153
(713) 789-8153

Fadis Mediterranean Grill

12360 Westheimer Rd., Houston, TX 77077
"Fadi's has always come through for me."
12360 Westheimer Rd., Houston, TX 77077
(281) 556-8390
(281) 556-8390

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