7. Conscious Cafe's bean pies and burgers

How creole can a city truly be without attracting nearly every ethnic, political and religious group under the sun? The fact that a Nation of Islam restaurant like Conscious Cafe is thriving so far away from the group's roots in the North and Northeast is a testament to the fact that anyone can find a foothold here...as long as they have great food to back it up. And Conscious Cafe does, from its softly seasoned salmon burger to its warmly scented bean pies, always served with a smile.

6. Gulf seafood at Reef

Say what you will about Chef Bryan Caswell. He's a staunch advocate for Houston and for Gulf seafood, and it's the latter that shines at Reef. No other kitchen in town treats our local seafood with such respect, nor has any other restaurant been as instrumental in promoting so-called "trash fish" and gaining it a wider, more appreciative audience. Reef was also one of the first restaurants in town to offer "named" Gulf oysters.

5. Pho Binh trailer in South Houston

Where Houston really shines is in places like Pho Binh, small, nondescript, off-the-beaten-path and true to the Vietnamese roots of its owners. Can you call it the best pho in town? That's a stretch, given the incredible variety of wonderful Vietnamese restaurants in Houston. But is it in the upper echelon? Absolutely. And the fact that the little trailer runs out of soup every single day attests to that fact.