Family-owned and operated, the simply furnished Cafe Lili has long been a Houston favorite. Lili Bejjani and her husband are from Beirut, and they proudly point to photos on the walls of old days when the city was called “the Paris of the Middle East.” They or other family members are always on hand to help guide diners through the daily specials and everyday favorites on offer. There’s fried cauliflower served with tahini, foul mudammas (stewed fava beans with lemon, garlic, and olive oil), some of Houston’s tastiest falafel, and “special” hummus topped with ground beef, onions, and pine nuts. While it’s easy to overindulge on the main courses, dessert, often made by Lili Bejjani herself, is also something special.