Drexel House

We could recommend this charming corner café solely on the basis of its burger, which is a big, beefy, beautiful thing. But Drexel turns out exceptional soups, salads, and sandwiches, too—from a spicy-avocado-and-roasted-corn gazpacho to a tenderloin sandwich draped with rosy beef and caramelized onions. And splitting a Sweet Caroline pizza (chicken, pear, white cheddar, walnuts, and truffle oil) at dinnertime is heaven, especially on the patio with a bottle of wine.

Good Dog

The bricks-and-mortar version of this popular food truck comes complete with a sunny porch and a long, retro diner counter. The wieners, an 85/15 blend of beef and pork, are served on Slow Dough buns and with killer house-made ketchup, roasted garlic aioli, whole-grain mustard, and relishes. For the full-on Good Dog experience, get the Ol’ Zapata Dog with bacon, Muenster cheese, caramelized onions, and jalapeño relish. 

Local Foods

For its second location, this eatery expanded its menu of alluringly simple salads and sandwiches—all made with as many locally-sourced ingredients as possible—to include new favorites like an achiote pork torta at lunch and roasted chicken at dinner. Even the cocktails at Local Foods are made with Texas tipples: try the refreshing Upper Kirby Iced Tea with Deep Eddy vodka, hibiscus liqueur, mintade, and green tea.