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a bowl full of super rich-looking dark brown gumbo with a crab claw sticking out of it, next to a salt shaker, on a white marble plate — The gumbo at State Fare

Where to Find the Best Comfort Food Dishes in Houston

Get cozy with chicken and dumplings, pork schnitzel, and more belly-warming eats

by Megha McSwain Updated Jan 27, 2021, 9:54am CST

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The gumbo at State Fare

| State Fare/Facebook

by Megha McSwain Updated Jan 27, 2021, 9:54am CST

If one thing is certain over this bizarre last year, it’s that nothing says comfort and convenience like dining at home. Now, many of Houston’s restaurants have made transitions to include delivery, curbside pick-up and more, making it easy to score old fashioned comfort eats from the warmth of your own home.

From fish platters golden fried to perfection and bowls of beef stew waiting to be slurped up, to layer cakes and cobblers, check out our list of the best places offering comfort foods and desserts to-go, for curbside pick-up and delivery.

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Cleburne Cafeteria

This decades-old cafeteria, famous for its homestyle menu of comfort food, is now offering its iconic chicken and dumplings, turkey and dressing, and more eats for curbside pick-up. Add rolls and a Cleburne cobbler to make dinner at home feel seriously special. Order online via the Cafeteria’s website.

3606 Bissonnet St, Houston, TX 77005

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New York Deli & Coffee Shop

Like its name suggests, New York deli staples like challah French toast and cheese blintzes fill the menu at this Meyerland institution, but the bagels reign supreme. Grab a dozen everything and cinnamon raisin bagels to go, or find New York Deli & Coffee Shop on DoorDash for delivery.

9720 Hillcroft St, Houston, TX 77096

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Lucille's

Chef Chris Williams honors his great grandmother, Lucille Smith, the namesake and inspiration of this Museum District favorite, with a menu of comfort food favorites like braised oxtails and fried green tomatoes. On Sunday, Lucille’s is an obvious choice for brunch, with options like shrimp and grits and freshly baked cornbread on the menu. Call 713-568-2505 for curbside pickup.

5512 La Branch St, Houston, TX 77004

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B.B. Lemon

Traditional diner food and comfort classics get a ritzy upgrade at this Washington Avenue spot, where the hot dogs are built with ¼ pound of wagyu beef, and the hearty pork schnitzel served with brown butter spaetzle is almost too pretty to eat. Save room for old fashioned desserts like banana pudding and New York-style cheesecake. Order delivery from BB Lemon on Favor and DoorDash, or call or order online for curbside pick-up.

1809 Washington Ave, Houston, TX 77007

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Avalon Diner

There’s nothing more comforting than an all-day breakfast, and at Avalon, it’s on offer seven days a week. In addition to all of the usual A.M. suspects — buttermilk pancakes, huevos rancheros and corned beef hash — find solid lunch and dinner offerings like chicken fried steak and Frito pie with house-made chili. Visit avalondiner.com to order online.

2417 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77098

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12 of Houston’s Finest Diners

Woodshed Smokehouse Houston

Chef Tim Love’s buzzy new smokehouse at Levy Park brings barbecue, Tex-Mex and much more to the table but its no-frills to-go menu gets right to the point. Pair smoked meats like rabbit rattlesnake sausage with potato salad and Mexican corn and don’t forget to add on camp bread and apple cobbler. Call 346-718-6110 to order ahead for pickup.

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3728 Wakeforest Ave., Houston, TX 77098

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Kenny & Ziggy's New York Delicatessen

There are plenty of safe bets when it comes to filling your belly with comfort food at Kenny & Ziggy’s, but when there is a chill in the air, go for the Hungarian Goulash. This bone-warming dish boasts beef chunks stewed in a savory gravy with carrots and served over egg noodles, and it’s a perfect fall dish. Visit kennyandziggys.com to order.

Open in Google Maps

2327 Post Oak Blvd, Houston, TX 77056

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Red Lion British Pub

Bring the coziness of this beloved pub into your own home by ordering in fish and chips, bangers and mash, and shepherd’s pie from Red Lion. In true British pub fashion, you’ll also find Indian classics like chicken tikka masala with basmati rice and tandoori naan or peppery lamb keema, fit for those guests with a higher threshold for spice. Call the restaurant at (281) 888-3599 to order.

Open in Google Maps

2316 S Shepherd Dr, Houston, TX 77019

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Eugene's Gulf Coast Cuisine

Nothing compares to Cajun-style comfort food, and Eugene’s is a solid option for a bowl of dark roux seafood gumbo, made hearty with crab claw meat, shrimp and oysters. There’s also excellent Gulf Coast seafood platters on the menu, along with sides like red beans and rice or saucy okra and tomato. Place orders to-go online at eugeneshouston.com.

1985 Welch St, Houston, TX 77019

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Luby's

It’s the end of an era, but first… one last Luann Platter to-go. The nostalgic Texas-based cafeteria chain will remain open through the year and into 2021, so there is plenty of time to indulge in favorites like Luby’s fried fish, French grilled liver and onions, mushroom turkey chopped steak with signature vegetables and famed desserts like chocolate icebox pie. Find Luby’s on Favor, or visit lubys.com to order online.

Open in Google Maps

1743 Post Oak Blvd, Houston, TX 77056

Visit Website

Killen’s

At Ronnie Killen’s newest Southern comfort-style concept, the menu draws from the chef’s childhood with his family, which itself makes the place feel warm, homey and comfortable. There are classic plates “like mom used to make” — but in this case Ronnie Killen helms the kitchen — so fried green tomatoes are splashed with buttermilk sauce and pickled shrimp, deviled eggs are garnished with pulled pork, the meatloaf is pretty, and knocking out the 16 oz chicken fried steak with gravy on your own is a feat. Visit ronniekillen.com to order.

Open in Google Maps

101 Heights Blvd, Houston, TX 77007

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State Fare Kitchen & Bar

Find comfort and nostalgia on a plate at State Fare with dishes like fried green tomatoes, “Texas Red’ beef chili Frito Pie — a dish hard to resist for guests of all ages — and house-made BBQ chips with pickle dip. Save room for a bowl of the Sabine Pass gumbo — State Fare’s version combines shrimp, andouille sausage, chicken, okra and long grain rice in a seasoned lavash. Visit statefaretx.com to order online.

947 Gessner Rd Suite B-190, Houston, TX 77024

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Liberty Kitchen & Oysterette

Before settling into a comforting supper of fried seafood delights, consider a piping hot bowl of goodness from Liberty Kitchen. The Creole shrimp and seafood gumbo is accompanied with steamed rice and garlic bread, while the oyster stew is a creamy mix of oysters, whole milk, and Irish butter — add in Maine lobster for an extra decadent meal! Call 713-622-1010 to order.

4224 San Felipe St, Houston, TX 77027

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Also featured in:

Nobie's

Few things scream comfort like sinking your teeth into a soft bite of bread, and few bites of bread in town beat Nobie’s dilly bread with cultured butter and trout roe. Followed up by the whole fried farm chicken with black truffle chicken jus or a heaping plate of Nonno’s pasta and we’d say you have a night in comfort food heaven. Visit nobieshtx.com to order.

2048 Colquitt St, Houston, TX 77098

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Alice Blue

Alice Blue is the kind of place that could easily become a “regular” for Heights residents. While the menu isn’t vast, there are plenty of comfort plates for every palate — deviled eggs with pickled mustard seeds, mac ‘n’ cheese with herbed breadcrumbs, crispy jumbo shrimp fried in panko and Southern fried boneless half chicken served with mashed potatoes, sausage gravy, green beans and Texas toast. Call 713-864-2050 to order.

250 W 19th St, Houston, TX 77008

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Cleburne Cafeteria

3606 Bissonnet St, Houston, TX 77005

This decades-old cafeteria, famous for its homestyle menu of comfort food, is now offering its iconic chicken and dumplings, turkey and dressing, and more eats for curbside pick-up. Add rolls and a Cleburne cobbler to make dinner at home feel seriously special. Order online via the Cafeteria’s website.

3606 Bissonnet St, Houston, TX 77005

Visit Website

New York Deli & Coffee Shop

9720 Hillcroft St, Houston, TX 77096

Like its name suggests, New York deli staples like challah French toast and cheese blintzes fill the menu at this Meyerland institution, but the bagels reign supreme. Grab a dozen everything and cinnamon raisin bagels to go, or find New York Deli & Coffee Shop on DoorDash for delivery.

9720 Hillcroft St, Houston, TX 77096

Visit Website

Lucille's

5512 La Branch St, Houston, TX 77004

Chef Chris Williams honors his great grandmother, Lucille Smith, the namesake and inspiration of this Museum District favorite, with a menu of comfort food favorites like braised oxtails and fried green tomatoes. On Sunday, Lucille’s is an obvious choice for brunch, with options like shrimp and grits and freshly baked cornbread on the menu. Call 713-568-2505 for curbside pickup.

5512 La Branch St, Houston, TX 77004

Visit Website

B.B. Lemon

1809 Washington Ave, Houston, TX 77007

Traditional diner food and comfort classics get a ritzy upgrade at this Washington Avenue spot, where the hot dogs are built with ¼ pound of wagyu beef, and the hearty pork schnitzel served with brown butter spaetzle is almost too pretty to eat. Save room for old fashioned desserts like banana pudding and New York-style cheesecake. Order delivery from BB Lemon on Favor and DoorDash, or call or order online for curbside pick-up.

1809 Washington Ave, Houston, TX 77007

Visit Website

Avalon Diner

2417 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77098

There’s nothing more comforting than an all-day breakfast, and at Avalon, it’s on offer seven days a week. In addition to all of the usual A.M. suspects — buttermilk pancakes, huevos rancheros and corned beef hash — find solid lunch and dinner offerings like chicken fried steak and Frito pie with house-made chili. Visit avalondiner.com to order online.

2417 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77098

Visit Website

Woodshed Smokehouse Houston

3728 Wakeforest Ave., Houston, TX 77098

Chef Tim Love’s buzzy new smokehouse at Levy Park brings barbecue, Tex-Mex and much more to the table but its no-frills to-go menu gets right to the point. Pair smoked meats like rabbit rattlesnake sausage with potato salad and Mexican corn and don’t forget to add on camp bread and apple cobbler. Call 346-718-6110 to order ahead for pickup.

Open in Google Maps

3728 Wakeforest Ave., Houston, TX 77098

Visit Website

Kenny & Ziggy's New York Delicatessen

2327 Post Oak Blvd, Houston, TX 77056

There are plenty of safe bets when it comes to filling your belly with comfort food at Kenny & Ziggy’s, but when there is a chill in the air, go for the Hungarian Goulash. This bone-warming dish boasts beef chunks stewed in a savory gravy with carrots and served over egg noodles, and it’s a perfect fall dish. Visit kennyandziggys.com to order.

Open in Google Maps

2327 Post Oak Blvd, Houston, TX 77056

Visit Website

Red Lion British Pub

2316 S Shepherd Dr, Houston, TX 77019

Bring the coziness of this beloved pub into your own home by ordering in fish and chips, bangers and mash, and shepherd’s pie from Red Lion. In true British pub fashion, you’ll also find Indian classics like chicken tikka masala with basmati rice and tandoori naan or peppery lamb keema, fit for those guests with a higher threshold for spice. Call the restaurant at (281) 888-3599 to order.

Open in Google Maps

2316 S Shepherd Dr, Houston, TX 77019

Visit Website

Eugene's Gulf Coast Cuisine

1985 Welch St, Houston, TX 77019

Nothing compares to Cajun-style comfort food, and Eugene’s is a solid option for a bowl of dark roux seafood gumbo, made hearty with crab claw meat, shrimp and oysters. There’s also excellent Gulf Coast seafood platters on the menu, along with sides like red beans and rice or saucy okra and tomato. Place orders to-go online at eugeneshouston.com.

1985 Welch St, Houston, TX 77019

Visit Website

Luby's

1743 Post Oak Blvd, Houston, TX 77056

It’s the end of an era, but first… one last Luann Platter to-go. The nostalgic Texas-based cafeteria chain will remain open through the year and into 2021, so there is plenty of time to indulge in favorites like Luby’s fried fish, French grilled liver and onions, mushroom turkey chopped steak with signature vegetables and famed desserts like chocolate icebox pie. Find Luby’s on Favor, or visit lubys.com to order online.

Open in Google Maps

1743 Post Oak Blvd, Houston, TX 77056

Visit Website

Killen’s

101 Heights Blvd, Houston, TX 77007

At Ronnie Killen’s newest Southern comfort-style concept, the menu draws from the chef’s childhood with his family, which itself makes the place feel warm, homey and comfortable. There are classic plates “like mom used to make” — but in this case Ronnie Killen helms the kitchen — so fried green tomatoes are splashed with buttermilk sauce and pickled shrimp, deviled eggs are garnished with pulled pork, the meatloaf is pretty, and knocking out the 16 oz chicken fried steak with gravy on your own is a feat. Visit ronniekillen.com to order.

Open in Google Maps

101 Heights Blvd, Houston, TX 77007

Visit Website

State Fare Kitchen & Bar

947 Gessner Rd Suite B-190, Houston, TX 77024

Find comfort and nostalgia on a plate at State Fare with dishes like fried green tomatoes, “Texas Red’ beef chili Frito Pie — a dish hard to resist for guests of all ages — and house-made BBQ chips with pickle dip. Save room for a bowl of the Sabine Pass gumbo — State Fare’s version combines shrimp, andouille sausage, chicken, okra and long grain rice in a seasoned lavash. Visit statefaretx.com to order online.

947 Gessner Rd Suite B-190, Houston, TX 77024

Visit Website

Liberty Kitchen & Oysterette

4224 San Felipe St, Houston, TX 77027

Before settling into a comforting supper of fried seafood delights, consider a piping hot bowl of goodness from Liberty Kitchen. The Creole shrimp and seafood gumbo is accompanied with steamed rice and garlic bread, while the oyster stew is a creamy mix of oysters, whole milk, and Irish butter — add in Maine lobster for an extra decadent meal! Call 713-622-1010 to order.

4224 San Felipe St, Houston, TX 77027

Visit Website

Nobie's

2048 Colquitt St, Houston, TX 77098

Few things scream comfort like sinking your teeth into a soft bite of bread, and few bites of bread in town beat Nobie’s dilly bread with cultured butter and trout roe. Followed up by the whole fried farm chicken with black truffle chicken jus or a heaping plate of Nonno’s pasta and we’d say you have a night in comfort food heaven. Visit nobieshtx.com to order.

2048 Colquitt St, Houston, TX 77098

Visit Website

Alice Blue

250 W 19th St, Houston, TX 77008

Alice Blue is the kind of place that could easily become a “regular” for Heights residents. While the menu isn’t vast, there are plenty of comfort plates for every palate — deviled eggs with pickled mustard seeds, mac ‘n’ cheese with herbed breadcrumbs, crispy jumbo shrimp fried in panko and Southern fried boneless half chicken served with mashed potatoes, sausage gravy, green beans and Texas toast. Call 713-864-2050 to order.

250 W 19th St, Houston, TX 77008

Visit Website

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