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.
#77 Tesar's "Magic" Burger, Woodlands
The "Magic" Burger at Tesar's in the Woodlands is a juicy, six-ounce sirloin meatball-shaped patty topped with applewood-smoked bacon, sharp cheddar, lettuce and tomato. Perched on a toasted English muffin, this is a dainty little sandwich that looks like an overgrown slider. Cooked medium-rare, it is very tasty, if a little overpriced.
Chef John Tesar grew up in the Hamptons, the chic summer playground of New York's rich and famous. How he ended up opening a restaurant in the Woodlands is a mystery. But the experiment didn't last long. Tesar and the management of the restaurant that bears his name recently parted ways. According to the manager, there's a new chef, but the restaurant will keep Tesar's name and the signature hamburger.
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