Over the course of the next few months, I'm counting down 100 of my favorite Houston dishes. I chose some because they are such quintessential Houston creations, others for their cultural or historical significance, and others because they are just so damn tasty. Share your own nominations in the comments.
#69 Dulce de Leche Ice Cream Bar at La Paletera
The mango and coconut ice creams at La Paletera are both excellent, but the dulce de leche paleta is stunning. The caramel ice cream bar tastes like the middle of a Milk Dud, only richer and creamier. Try one of these on a hot day.
La Paletera also sells healthy fresh fruit cups, accompanied by the traditional Mexican chile sauce for dipping. You can also get your fruit covered with chile powder. Try the mango and cucumber combo with lots of chile -- you'll be amazed.
This Mexican fruit and ice cream shop franchise is headquartered in Houston, but it started out as a simple fruit cup and popsicle stand in Corpus Christi. There are two La Paletera locations in Houston, one at 5720 Bellaire (713-667-8311) and one at 1811 Wirt Rd. (713-467-0005).
The list to date:
#100: Green Chile Chicken Kebabs at Chatkhara Grill #99: The All-Day Burrito at Cherry Top Bakery #98: "You Buy We Fry" Trout Basket at Hank's Fish Market #97: Chicharron de Barriga at La Michoacana Meat Market # 10 #96: Pakistani Breakfast at Kings Chicken #95: Fried Mojarra at Taqueria Jesus Maria #94: Chocolate-Peanut Butter Cake Ball at Coffee Groundz #93:Cheeseburger at Leonard's Famous Burgers #92: Lasagna at Doyle's #91: Cochinita Pibil at Tacos La Bala #90: Fajita Tacos at Taqueria El Charro #89: Kubideh and Zereshk Polo at Kasra Persian Grill #88: Trentino Gelato's Dulce de Leche at Shisha #87: Deviled Eggs at Nielsen's Deli #86: Italian-Cuban Sandwich at Logan Farms #85: Vegetable Trio in Sichuan Sauce at Spicy Sichuan #84: Salchi-Burger at Brisa Cocina #83: El Ultimo Taco Truck's Breakfast Tacos #82: Kielbasa on a Sizzling Comal at Polonia #81: Shrimp and Grits at Bistro Alex, Hotel Sorella #80: A Bowl of Chili at James Coney Island #79: Lamb Dumplings at Lucky Pot #78: Crazy Irishman Sushi Roll at Soma #77:Tesar's "Magic" Burger #76: Mac n' Cheese at Two Saints #75: Spicy Armenian Kebabs at Café Rita #74: Jalapeño Gefilte Fish at Rustika #73: Greek Burger at the Hubcap Grill #72: The Basil Inferno at Thai Bistro #71 Paella at Rioja on Kirkwood #70: The Big Adrian Burger at Adrian's Local Café
