Xuan Huong - A Thomas Tang Discovery

 The specialty is a Vietnamese soup called Bun Rieu. Bún riêu is a traditional Vietnamese soup of clear stock and rice vermicelli. 

There are several varieties of bún riêu, including bún riêu cua, bún riêu cá and bún riêu ốc. Bún riêu cua is served with tomato broth and topped with minced freshwater crab. 

The one here, and the one we came for has a crab paste for its base broth,  and is stocked with vermicelli and a different assortment of meats, each with its own texture (texture is an important component of most Asian cuisines).

Friend Thomas had heard about this place through friends, visited it, loved it, and we all found an opportunity to dine for lunch. I absolutely loved the soup. The only thing I passed on (removed it) was the cube of blood jelly. 

Very little English, so we pulled out our trusty Google Translate apps and had no problems.

Yep, there are more things to choose from on the menu but I'd go for this soup on your first visit.

Vietnamese - Houston Vietnamese Restaurants

Click on the map to enlarge it:

Link to Google Map:

Houston Vietnamese Restaurants Map

Mexico's Deli - The Coolest Place for Tortas in Houston

As I say in the title, Mexico's Deli is a place to enjoy tortas. Especially if you are unfamiliar with this riff on a sandwich, which will include a slather of refried beans, avocado, lettuce, tomato, onion, chiles, and the meats of your choice. The standard default is probably the milanesa, which is a piece of meat pounded ultra thin, breaded and fried. But as you will see from the menu, there are dozens of sandwich options here.

Doshi Houston - Superb Coffee and Vegetarian Food

A Houston treasure. An owner who wasn't satisifed with the kind of options he looked forward to when he went out to eat, and so, he created his own place to fill that gap.

Baristas who understand coffee. And a menu of food that you would want to eat. Perfectly spiced and seasoned. Of note: the evening menu changes each day, featuring a particular dish but done vegetarian. Pozole, three alarm chili, butter "chicken". Delicious. Highly recommended.

Panini Sandwich

Thai Style Coconut Lime Soup

Turkey Leg Hut on Alameda

A great bar and a cool concept. Smoked turkey legs prepared several different ways. Super tender, pull apart, melt in your mouth meat.

We liked the "laquered" sauced one the best. The most popular is the Alfredo sauce with shrimp topping. Shown in the photos is the cajun style dirty rice dressing topped turkey leg.

Mason Road - Magical Mason Road

A recent drive down Mason Road blew me away. The quantity and variety of ethnic eateries prompted me to create a map for Mason Road.

I remarked to friends that "it is like a cleaner, less grungy Long Point".

I have posted a separate post with photos for El Canton Pizzeria on Mason Road.

Here is the map, and following, a link to the Google Map proper.



Mason Road Map - Interesting Ethnic Restaurants

Recommended by friend, John Nechman:

Houston Restaurants - Map for my Favorite Houston Restaurants

Map For Some Of My Favorite Restaurants In Houston

Here is a screen shot of the map for the above link. You can also click on the screenshot to enlarge it.

Note: This is just a screenshot. Go to the map for more listings: