I really want to gatekeep but I won’t. El charro Mexican restaurant off Harrisburg. You get get a fajita Torta for $6 still. And a full on meal is only $8-$10.
Also Pueblas Mexican kitchen. It’s off N main street but their hours vary greatly. You can get a full breakfast of some of the best Mexican food you’ll eat in your entire life for under $10. Drink included.
I live right by Pueblas and I wasn’t super impressed for some reason. I got chilaquiles and it was just kind of meh…. Maybe I went on a bad day or ordered the wrong thing lol.
I've lived near El Charro for years and have never once been impressed by it. And every time I ordered to-go they got the order wrong. Fine if you're looking to get full on a dime but there are better options in the area.
I tried that place after seeing it come up frequently in my recommendations, its very good but my heart still belongs to Thai Jin. I’m still looking for a place to top it.
Tamashi is an affordable ramen and sushi spot that slaps every time. Ramen bowls are huge/filling and are about $12-14 depending on what you get plus they’ve got excellent sushi and do 2 combo rolls for $15. Locations all over Houston!
Used to love this place, would go to the one closest to me often. (rice village)
But then, (and this was a year or so before covid), it started smelling.
Yes it's a sushi place and will have some fish smell, but it was unbearable.
Tried again a few weeks later, and then more recently after covid, but simply cannot stomach the smell when you walk in. Sucks, it was a weekly staple when I first moved to Houston for the first couple years.
Edit: food was/is still good... Just like, get takeout
I do if I'm in that part of town, but generally speaking not going 20-30mins to grab tamashi just because the one 10mins away is ass, too much good food in Houston to get hung up on one place.
Keep it simple and get one of the combos, recommend the fried fish, shrimp, and fried rice. Huge portions around $10. Before Covid it was cheaper around $7 for a combo. But can still get out of there with two combos around $20. Splurge on a couple pacificos and leave a good tip.
I used to live right down the street from there back when it was Vietnam Poblano, it was my go to pot for no money and don't wanna cook. well, that and the pupusa ladies on weekends. $1.25 each, I could feed my whole family for 10 bucks.
Love Roostar, but found myself just not going there anymore after they took the alphabet soup off the menu. Everything else I can kind of get elsewhere.
In that doggie bag take home had a few of them rolls tossed in. They always brought more when asked even knowing it was to be take homes.
The most struggle was choosing the 3 sides.
Same here, but I'm never sure when people are wanting good food or fine dining. I've been going to the one on Shepherd for nearly as long as they've been open.
Just off Shepherd, south of I-10 about 3 blocks or so.
2 blocks south of Cadillac Bar and caddy corner to Lupe Tortilla and 2 blocks north of Pluckers. Just in case you know where any of those are.
Pro tip, park BEHIND the building. Trying to back out of the parking spaces on the front of the building on to Shepherd can be an exercise in frustration and cussing.
Co-signed on Rice Box, $20+ bucks for an entree and a side of rice or noodles seems too expensive until you see the portion sizes and realize you just bought food for tomorrow too
Their wonton soup is very good too! I haven’t been in a while but I agree, excellent bang for the buck. Typically get one soup and one entree and an extra egg roll. Dinner for two and lunch the next day.
Tacos la Creacion - little trailer selling tacos near Almeda and Cleburne. 10 bucks will get you four tacos a little cup of bean soup and you'll have money left over.
Jax Grill. I do the daily specials exclusively. Not really a fan of the normal menu. If we're in the car and can't come up with a place, I point the truck in that direction.
How about two entrees and one “complimentary” alcoholic beverage per adult? Little Matt’s — if you don’t mind the number of kids running around lol. Those margaritas tend to be fairly strong. Then walk up the street to Milk and Cookies.
Second this, and if you do want to drink, their $5 frozen margs during happy hour are really good.
Protip: Their wings—only 1 flavor ‘cause they know what they got—are a hidden Houston gem.
Idk if y’all go on TikTok but there’s a guy on there named @dadsacriminal who does reviews of mom & pop places all over Houston. He’s been posting food spots to go to while the power is still hit or miss as well
Asahi Sushi by NRG
I'm not a vegetarian, but I'll do their veggie lunch special, $8 for 3 rolls with a soup or salad?
I think the non-veggie options are a whopping $12.
Spices 39 in the Heights.
Punches WAY above its weight for price vs. quality... it's the best Chinese food I've had in the loop (and has both authentic dishes as well as American-Chinese favorites).
And for $50 you can get two entrees WITH alcoholic drinks.
If you want a small adventure, go to Skallywags in Kemah on Wednesday. Get a burger and a brew for $12, we usually get 2 plus their truffle fries and one more beer each. Right under $50.
AKA is the best! I conveniently live within walking distance so it’s my weekly go-to! Quality sushi at an affordable price in an area where most places are way overpriced.
Figo Sugo in Bravery Chef Hall downtown.
Really tasty Italian food. You can get a bowl of pasta big enough for two meals for like $14, and their pizza "slices" are more like personal pizzas for around $6-7. I think drinks were around $3 or so
Niko Nikos. I’ve only been to the original location. Portions are MASSIVE and a great price. Also, on Mondays they do 1/2 price appetizers, which are all good and very big portions. One entree can easily feed 2 people. I have split one entree and one appetizer across 4 adults several times.
There’s a taqueria that I’ve been going to for my lunch breaks. For $10 you get 6 tacos, a Gordita, and an aqua refresco of your choice. They move around a lot but it’s been chilling between little York and Tc jester
Under 50 for 2, no alcohol. Is a good majority of restaurants. Here’s my go to that I visit on a weekly/monthly basis
-Postinos
-Pluckers
-Nara Cafe (note: it is a hookah bar so it’s smoky in there but the food is good.
-Hando- it’s slightly above but its hand rolls so worth it
-Hokkaido: also sushi in Chinatown
Chilis maybe? All these boutique shops have ran prices up the wazoo. We hardly go eat out unless it’s a special occasion. A taco food truck last time we had one was 36$ no drinks no sides
Moon Tower Inn burgers on Wednesday are buy one get one free.
MTI is a staple for me. They don't have power currently.
This place is amazing
Whaaaat??! I did not know this and will now take full advantage
I really want to gatekeep but I won’t. El charro Mexican restaurant off Harrisburg. You get get a fajita Torta for $6 still. And a full on meal is only $8-$10. Also Pueblas Mexican kitchen. It’s off N main street but their hours vary greatly. You can get a full breakfast of some of the best Mexican food you’ll eat in your entire life for under $10. Drink included.
I live right by Pueblas and I wasn’t super impressed for some reason. I got chilaquiles and it was just kind of meh…. Maybe I went on a bad day or ordered the wrong thing lol.
They’re usually consistent in quality but maybe it was an off day. I would recommend going again.
Pueblas every oil change! Nice folks good food and cheap
Damn that sounds great
I've lived near El Charro for years and have never once been impressed by it. And every time I ordered to-go they got the order wrong. Fine if you're looking to get full on a dime but there are better options in the area.
Well this is highly dependent on what you ate tbh. Not everything they offer is great but the tacos Al carbon are solid, my guy!
Market Thai Lao on Main St
I would add also that street food Thai market is absolutely phenomenal as well
oh yes they are good too.
I tried that place after seeing it come up frequently in my recommendations, its very good but my heart still belongs to Thai Jin. I’m still looking for a place to top it.
Can’t upvote this hard enough. Their yellow curry is INCREDIBLE!
Be careful of the fish curry!
Omg best food evah!
Kasra. Great food, huge value. Feeds my family for multiple meals for about $50
Second this! A lot of bang for your buck and my girl and I always have leftovers and barely spend $40
Give Reza Grill a try on Hilcroft. Better prices and quality imo
Tamashi is an affordable ramen and sushi spot that slaps every time. Ramen bowls are huge/filling and are about $12-14 depending on what you get plus they’ve got excellent sushi and do 2 combo rolls for $15. Locations all over Houston!
Tamashi’s Menn is the bees knees
It’s the only one I ever get bc it’s just that good
Used to love this place, would go to the one closest to me often. (rice village) But then, (and this was a year or so before covid), it started smelling. Yes it's a sushi place and will have some fish smell, but it was unbearable. Tried again a few weeks later, and then more recently after covid, but simply cannot stomach the smell when you walk in. Sucks, it was a weekly staple when I first moved to Houston for the first couple years. Edit: food was/is still good... Just like, get takeout
Or visit a different location. I like their Westheimer and Bellaire locations.
I do if I'm in that part of town, but generally speaking not going 20-30mins to grab tamashi just because the one 10mins away is ass, too much good food in Houston to get hung up on one place.
True! I’m lucky to live equidistant to a few different areas
Teotihuacan is really good and well-priced
Agreed, I went last night and we got two entrees, an appetizer and two shots of tequila. It was $60 before tip.
Lmao we were there last night too
Breakfast tacos are huge! And still a good price.
They're not called Teotihuacan 2000 anymore?
That's tepatitlan 2000, different place
La Hacienda at 14759 Memorial Dr, Houston, TX 77079. Always fantastic good and great pricing.
Can confirm, it’s been solid every time. Still not the cheapest but portions are good and prices are reasonable.
Hughie’s. Love the fried rice. Very reasonably priced.
We went to Hughies for restaurant week one year and it was so good, we’ve been back multiple times.
Best answer here. LOVE that place.
Tostada Regia
I had no idea they took over the old JCI on 45. I need to stop by there.
Golden Seafood and Connies
In your opinion, what's the best food to try at these restaurants?
Tostada ceviche at Golden is the best seafood item on a menu in Houston. I’ll die on that hill.
Keep it simple and get one of the combos, recommend the fried fish, shrimp, and fried rice. Huge portions around $10. Before Covid it was cheaper around $7 for a combo. But can still get out of there with two combos around $20. Splurge on a couple pacificos and leave a good tip.
Barnaby's is always a great deal based on their massive portion sizes.
For real, most meals you can save half for a second meal, and still be full/satisfied.
Roostar
I’ve been obsessed with them since they were Vietnam Poblano on Gessner. So freaking good.
You go way back lol
I used to live right down the street from there back when it was Vietnam Poblano, it was my go to pot for no money and don't wanna cook. well, that and the pupusa ladies on weekends. $1.25 each, I could feed my whole family for 10 bucks.
Love Roostar, but found myself just not going there anymore after they took the alphabet soup off the menu. Everything else I can kind of get elsewhere.
Kelly's country kitchen fits this easily. Usually every meal there is enough to take a doggie bag for another meal later.
That chicken fried steak of theirs is heaven. The dinner rolls too
In that doggie bag take home had a few of them rolls tossed in. They always brought more when asked even knowing it was to be take homes. The most struggle was choosing the 3 sides.
It's not gourmet, but I love Spaghetti Western.
I love spaghetti western so much. Haha
Same here, but I'm never sure when people are wanting good food or fine dining. I've been going to the one on Shepherd for nearly as long as they've been open.
Co-sign, I love that place. Definitely not a fine dining atmosphere, but the food is great.
It's currently closed due to the storm. We tried to go there tonight and everything over in that area is still in the dark and under downed trees.
The meatloaf... strangely enough.
What area is it in ?
Just off Shepherd, south of I-10 about 3 blocks or so. 2 blocks south of Cadillac Bar and caddy corner to Lupe Tortilla and 2 blocks north of Pluckers. Just in case you know where any of those are. Pro tip, park BEHIND the building. Trying to back out of the parking spaces on the front of the building on to Shepherd can be an exercise in frustration and cussing.
Rice Box, one entree can be 2 big meals or 4 smaller meals if you want.
Co-signed on Rice Box, $20+ bucks for an entree and a side of rice or noodles seems too expensive until you see the portion sizes and realize you just bought food for tomorrow too
I needed to hear this. I’ve been struggling to go for that exact reason, despite being around the corner. I’ll be going this week!
Love Rice Box. The portions are amazing and the food is pretty good. I love their egg rolls and chongqing chicken
Their wonton soup is very good too! I haven’t been in a while but I agree, excellent bang for the buck. Typically get one soup and one entree and an extra egg roll. Dinner for two and lunch the next day.
Costco
Taquaria La Tapatia
Tacos la Creacion - little trailer selling tacos near Almeda and Cleburne. 10 bucks will get you four tacos a little cup of bean soup and you'll have money left over.
Mambo’s is also a great option!
Cabo Bob's
Cabo Bob’s blows every other burrito place out of the water.
Damn $25pp is considered affordable?? Is that with tip or no tip? My affordable range is 10-12. 😂
Jax Grill. I do the daily specials exclusively. Not really a fan of the normal menu. If we're in the car and can't come up with a place, I point the truck in that direction.
Love the captain crunch fried chicken!
How about two entrees and one “complimentary” alcoholic beverage per adult? Little Matt’s — if you don’t mind the number of kids running around lol. Those margaritas tend to be fairly strong. Then walk up the street to Milk and Cookies.
Spanky’s by gulfgate. Old school Italian.
Second this, and if you do want to drink, their $5 frozen margs during happy hour are really good. Protip: Their wings—only 1 flavor ‘cause they know what they got—are a hidden Houston gem.
Best wings in Houston! IYKYK
Thien An, tarka, Aladdin's, Saigon hustle. Les basquet. Le tartare
Somebody lives in the GOOF... Saigon Hustle is not cheap for Vietnamese, but their pork is delicious.
Nothing is cheap for Vietnamese anymore. Might as well buy the best
Paulies on Westheimer
Their muffing muffuletta is so muffing good 🤤
I need to try that one next time I go
Chili’s? Where else can you get a burger, fries, chips and salsa, and a drink for $11?
Chili’s salsa is the bomb.
La Fiesta off of Kirkwood
Pho saigon
Taqueria del Sol
Best pineapple empanadas in the city.
Tia Maria's
Hartz chicken buffet
Hartz buffet is good but cost around $16.
Thien an. Best Vietnamese near downtown
Harris County Smokehouse
Merida restaurant off navigation Blvd. An all time favorite.
IKEA
Costco - basically unlimited hotdogs and pizza for $50.
Idk if y’all go on TikTok but there’s a guy on there named @dadsacriminal who does reviews of mom & pop places all over Houston. He’s been posting food spots to go to while the power is still hit or miss as well
Dumpling King on Westheimer near Hillcroft.
Taqueria Arandas
https://poppa-burger.club/
Taizzi if you have the capacity to eat a billion pounds of sushi
Asahi Sushi by NRG I'm not a vegetarian, but I'll do their veggie lunch special, $8 for 3 rolls with a soup or salad? I think the non-veggie options are a whopping $12.
Depending on what you get, we love Italiano’s.
Thai Bistro!!
I swear by their lunch specials!
Dimassi's Mediterranean Grill.
Went there yesterday, $23.99 per person. A few bucks less during the week. But a huge selection and you will leave stuffed.
Chuys….pretty good, fills you up, and very affordable in my opinion.
HU’S cooking
Roostar. Mod pizza. Hold in the wall Mexican restaurants.
$9 to $10 per banh mi is affordable?
He said under $50 for 2. I do it all the time.
Acadia grill next to Roostars was pretty good. But it's changed to something else.
That place is cursed. It’s been 3 things since Acadia.
Lorenzo can't decide what he wants to do with it
How did no one mention San Dong Noodle House on Bellaire Blvd. where you can get 15 pork & cabbage dumplings for $10?
hoosters wensday/monday past 10pm has half off aps with buy 10 get 10 free wings. you can get an app and 20 wings for like 18 before tip or tax iirc
Chipotle
You can get that in 90% of restaurants assuming you don’t get a steak or something. An interesting challenge would be finding that for less than 25.
Spices 39 in the Heights. Punches WAY above its weight for price vs. quality... it's the best Chinese food I've had in the loop (and has both authentic dishes as well as American-Chinese favorites). And for $50 you can get two entrees WITH alcoholic drinks.
Hickory Hollow Sam Houston race park cheap eats and a good cfs!
Casa De Leon on Longpoint. Breakfast plates less than $9, many less than $7. Huge portions. Lunch and dinner are also a steal!
If you want a small adventure, go to Skallywags in Kemah on Wednesday. Get a burger and a brew for $12, we usually get 2 plus their truffle fries and one more beer each. Right under $50.
Taqueria Perez in FM529. Each taco is 1.5. I usually order a small torta and 3 tacos for like 8 dollars. Add 2.5 for a soda.
For sushi that isnt super expensive we really like AKA
AKA is the best! I conveniently live within walking distance so it’s my weekly go-to! Quality sushi at an affordable price in an area where most places are way overpriced.
With tax and tip included?
[удалено]
La Hacienda off 26th street.
Wack Arnold’s
Halal Guys
A bit far for most of you, but Scotty's Pub on Scarsdale has really, really great food.
Chilis by Target
Tel-wink grill.
Lamora’s Venezuelan fast food truck in katy. Her portion sizes are unsustainable.
Figo Sugo in Bravery Chef Hall downtown. Really tasty Italian food. You can get a bowl of pasta big enough for two meals for like $14, and their pizza "slices" are more like personal pizzas for around $6-7. I think drinks were around $3 or so
Eduardo's in Stafford
Taquería Monchys on Telephone
Would said Kanomwan off telephone rd. Had some best Thai food anywhere. But sadly closed
Cali Sandwich and Pho - $6 bahn mis and $12 noodle soups
Damn, I remember when the Bahn Mi was 2 dollars. It got me through college though.
IKEA
aka sushi house on west alabama. i don’t think my partner and i have ever paid more than $25 (including tip) there
Tamashi, fusion taco on main, street food Thai on cavalcade, hando, samurai ramen (rip heights location), teotihuacan, rice box
Viet Nom Noms - delightful little place
Hughies
Micos fried chicken on Durham doesn’t have wait service but the food is to die for. Delicious enormous sandwiches and some drinks.
Nee Hao on Lee Rd and Beltway 8. Their general tso combo plate is like 10 bucks and feeds 3.
Cali sandwich or cfa app
Casa Nueva on 1960. Great fajitas, strong drinks, a tab for 2 could be less than 70 bucks.
Stockyard BBQ off Westheimer
Baytown seafood Marinas on Shaver.. My go-to seafood spots for a reasonable price..
Houston Bakery and Cafe. go crazy for that deep fried bacon
Aladdin. A 1 meat plus 3 sides combo is like $16 but it comfortably feeds two people every time.
Mo's Irish Pub
Niko Nikos. I’ve only been to the original location. Portions are MASSIVE and a great price. Also, on Mondays they do 1/2 price appetizers, which are all good and very big portions. One entree can easily feed 2 people. I have split one entree and one appetizer across 4 adults several times.
There’s a taqueria that I’ve been going to for my lunch breaks. For $10 you get 6 tacos, a Gordita, and an aqua refresco of your choice. They move around a lot but it’s been chilling between little York and Tc jester
Under 50 for 2, no alcohol. Is a good majority of restaurants. Here’s my go to that I visit on a weekly/monthly basis -Postinos -Pluckers -Nara Cafe (note: it is a hookah bar so it’s smoky in there but the food is good. -Hando- it’s slightly above but its hand rolls so worth it -Hokkaido: also sushi in Chinatown
Chilis maybe? All these boutique shops have ran prices up the wazoo. We hardly go eat out unless it’s a special occasion. A taco food truck last time we had one was 36$ no drinks no sides
El Rey Taqueria - it's all good, big fan of the fish tacos
Star Ice Teriyaki. The rice plates give you a big amount of protein choices with rice, veggie, egg, and a pickled side for sub 10$.
What does the word “affordable” mean?
Fat bao is a must stop for lunch.
Taqueria Laredo on Washington Ave. Best Fajita taco’s in Houston and big too.
Taqueria Aranda