American cuisine is very diverse. Although it may seem to many that it consists only of fast food or donuts, this is a big mistake. Each American city has its own gastronomic history, unique meals and secrets in the preparation of some dishes. Find out more at i-houston.
Houston cuisine is just as diverse and historic. It was formed over several hundred years. Nowadays, it has reached great popularity and is loved by many Americans.
What dishes do belong to Houston cuisine? In which local establishments should you taste traditional Houston cuisine?
Significance of other ethnic groups
As mentioned earlier, Houston cuisine was formed for quite a long time and owes a lot to immigrants from other corners of the globe. The people who moved to Houston were of different nationalities: Europeans (especially English, Germans and Scots), Africans, Mexicans and so forth.
They got jobs in gastronomic establishments, were engaged in agriculture and gardening and were hired as cooks or nannies to the local residents (this was most often done by visiting women). In all these cases, immigrants expanded the ideas of the Houstonians about cooking, shared recipes from their homeland, prepared traditional dishes and even gave basic pieces of advice for cooking. In addition to that, they added new products to Houston cuisine.
Due to this, the local Houston cuisine has been replenished with a huge number of new dishes, recipes and secrets. In the 21st century, dishes that originally belonged to other countries or ethnic groups are now an integral part of Houston cuisine.
Therefore, Houston adopted in its ranks the following cuisines: Texas Mexican (since once Mexicans immigrated to Texas), Louisiana Creole cuisine (people who come from the former colonial Louisiana) and elements of the Vietnamese and Middle Eastern cuisines.
The best restaurants and cafes in the city
Houston is noted as a city with a huge number of restaurants or cafes, with the best ratio of price and quality. There are rather average prices for dishes in restaurants, which captivate people very much because nobody wants to overpay.
The most characteristic cuisine for Houston is Texas Mexican. It includes various tacos, burritos, tortillas, fajitas and so on. Meat (beef, chicken), bacon, potatoes, pepper (often spicy), a lot of cheese, spices and an egg usually serve as a filling.
Popular Houston tacos, usually eaten for breakfast, can be tasted at Villa Arcos and Brothers Taco House establishments. The famous fajitas (tortilla with beef, beans, cheese, spicy sauce and vegetables) are served at Fajitas A Go Go and Fajita Pete’s.
Louisiana Creole cuisine is an indispensable element in Houston gastronomy. Thanks to people of this ethnic origin, in Houston, they began to actively cook rice (in various manifestations), crayfish and shrimps, a dish called gumbo (thick soup with spices) and jambalaya (rice with ham or sausages). You can taste such dishes or combinations at Crawfish & Noodles and Frenchy’s Chicken.
Desserts and pastries are also loved in Houston. For instance, such a dish as pancakes is considered to be one of the most common ones in the city. They are prepared both sweet (with jams as well as nut pastes) and salty (with cheese or mushrooms). You should taste this dish at Melange Creperie.
Pecan cake (with pecans, honey or sugar on a sand basis) is one of the most favorite delicacies of Americans in the southern United States. Most commonly this pie is cooked only on Thanksgiving Day, but not in Houston because here it is eaten all year round. You can taste and enjoy this dish at Three Brothers Bakery or House of Pies.
Chicken and waffles are one of favorite combinations for the Houston residents. The combination of the sweet waffle and salty chicken, along with bacon jam or sweet syrup sounds rather strange, but it is in great demand. If you would like to enjoy an unusual combination, visit the small establishments of Houston such as Waffle Bus Food Truck, Liberty Kitchen and The Breakfast Klub.