Melanie Knight

We couldn't be more pleased to see a place use "fusion" in its name yet offer nary an Asian dish. Not that Fusion Café (2442 Times Boulevard, 713-522-1884) doesn't adhere to the concept of combining different flavors. The cafe melds Caribbean, Creole and down-home Southern cooking, with the former being...

Cleburne Cafeteria (3606 Bissonnet, 713-667-2386) once sported a retro school-cafeteria feel. Unfortunately, when it was rebuilt after a fire a few years ago, the restaurant gave way to the neotraditional design trend of West University Place. But the line still snakes out the door for country favorites like roast beef,...

Mm-mmm good: With such a long list of fabulously fresh seafood -- hardly any of it fried -- it may seem odd to focus on a soup dish at Clary's (8509 Teichman Road, Galveston, 409-740-0771). But the seafood gumbo ($5 a cup, $7.50 a bowl) is no ordinary soup. Thick...

For a shot of Southern comfort that soothes the soul better than booze, head for Frankie B. Mandola's Steaks and Burgers (5333 Kirby, 713-529-1266). There, you'll find some of the best fried green tomatoes ($3.99) south of the Mason-Dixon Line. And yes, just about all fried green tomatoes are songs...

In Bellaire's battle of the burger, victory may be within the grasp of the rebellious Roadster Grill (5210 Bissonnet, 713-432-1800). Boldly opening its drag strip-themed spot on the same plot of land as the revered Bellaire Broiler Burger, the young Roadster peels out with old-fashioned griddle-fried burgers that could leave...