What to Eat, Drink, and Do in Houston This Weekend: August 8

Image: Erica Cheng
Deciding where to go and what to do can feel overwhelming, but in a city like Houston, you don’t have to look far. From bold bites to buzzy bars to uniquely Houston pastimes, there’s always something worth exploring. That’s where Houstonia comes in. In this weekly series, our editors share their favorite places to eat, drink, and “Hou”—so you can spend less time planning and more time enjoying the city.
Eat

Image: Courtesy of Riel
For a farewell meal: Riel
MONtrose
Make time this weekend for a farewell dinner at the modern American restaurant Riel. After an eight-year run, the restaurant will serve its last meal on Saturday, August 30. But before then, chef Ryan Lachaine promises to debut new menu items. We suggest the diner-favorites—butter burgers, housemade caviar tater tots, crawfish rolls, and its pierogies, a nod to Lachaine’s Ukrainian heritage. —Sofia Gonzalez, food and travel editor
1927 Fairview St
For a jump start to your day: Bacon, egg, and cheese bagel at Bagel Bob’s
spring branch
Breakfast is a top priority, and as summer comes to a close, a solid grab-and-go breakfast means everything during busy mornings. At Bagel Bob’s, New York–style bagels and stacked sandwiches rule supreme. Step up your egg and cheese sandwich game by adding bacon or pastrami. Piping hot, fluffy, and way too filling, this breakfast sandwich is a welcome change from the humble breakfast taco and is a major pick-me-up when you’re fighting the morning traffic. Unfortunately, diners might still have to fight lines and crowds here, too. Owner Bob Orzo regularly sells out. Pro tip: Arrive early to choose from hand-rolled, boiled, and baked bagels in flavors like cinnamon raisin, everything, and blueberry. —Erica Cheng, news and city life editor
1244 N Post Oak Rd
Drink
For one last hurrah: shaker margarita at Picos
Upper kirby
Foodies all across Houston fell to their knees this week after beloved staple Picos Restaurant announced its upcoming closure after 40 years. Though owner Arnaldo Richards pioneered its menu of seven regional Mexican cuisines, Picos is most famously known for inventing the shaker margarita. A simple recipe of tequila, lime juice, Cointreau, and agave—made tableside and served with a shaker on the side—the margarita has delighted Houston for decades. Picos’s official closing date hasn’t been announced just yet, but a margarita sounds like a perfect way to help process the news. —EC
3601 Kirby Dr
HOU
For a summer block party: Festival Noche de Cumbia
east end
On Friday, August 8, Houston’s vibrant East End neighborhood is hosting its blowout block party, Festival Noche de Cumbia, which is expected to be the biggest cumbia celebration in Texas. Filled with cumbia music, dancing, and bands, the Friday night party begins at 6pm along Navigation Boulevard, with three stages featuring hours of musicians, a giant dance floor, and a “mercadito” of local food and craft vendors. Tickets will be available for $10 at the door, and parking is free at the Tipsy Sloth. —EC
3536 Navigation Blvd
For endless island vibes: Houston Reggae Fest
downtown
Music and dancing are a major theme for events this summer, and Houston Reggae Fest is no exception. From 4–10pm on Saturday, August 9, head over to Hermann Square Park for a night of international DJs, Caribbean eats, and crafts from local artists. Immerse yourself in reggae music and island vibes, complete with nonstop dancing and live performances. General admission tickets can be found online starting at $24, and VIP packages are also available. —EC
900 bagby st
For a nostalgia hit you can enjoy from your couch: King of the Hill reboot marathon
anywhere
This might be presumptuous to say, but all Texans love King of the Hill. The animated Fox comedy, which first debuted in the ’90s, has brought a slice-of-life look into Texas representation and endless quotable quotes. Who can forget iconic lines like: “That’s my purse! I don’t know you!” and “Pocket sand!” Earlier this year, creator Mike Judge announced that the beloved show would launch a reboot, complete with a timeskip where Hank Hill battles retirement and Bobby Hill adjusts to working life as a 21-year-old. The new binge-worthy series was released on Hulu and Disney+ earlier this week, so maybe this weekend is for staying in and being a couch potato. —EC