Here is what I knew about Pasadena before exploring it recently and chatting with the locals about food:

1. It exists.

2. It is located southeast of Houston.

3. It has a reputation as a culinary wasteland filled with chain restaurants and mediocre hole-in-the wall Mexican joints.

After a few sojourns down to the "Strawberry Capital" (something else I learned about Pasadena--it hosts a large strawberry festival every year), I discovered that the city isn't so culinarily deprived. Yes, there are a number of chain restaurants, and yes, I believe there might be a pupuseria or taqueria for every five or so citizens.

But the local establishments in Pasadena aren't bad at all. In fact, they're somewhat nostalgic. I found a burger place that makes classic roadside burgers and a snowcone joint with the same wonderfully wistful fake fruit flavors I remember from my childhood. There's Cajun soul food, doughy pizzas and, yes, a fabulous Mexican restaurant or two.

5. Tostada Regia La Tostada Regia is actually a local chain with outposts on Airline, Long Point, Park Place and I-10 East, as well as a hopping location in Pasadena. It's not so hole-in-the-wall as places like El Rey on Preston Road or Pupuseria y Restaurante Martinez (both worth a try), but what it lacks in mom-and-pop charm it makes up for in great, dependable food. Open for breakfast and lunch, La Tostada Regia is known for its tostadas and giant tortas, but I prefer the trompo tacos and the enchiladas norteñas, with their ruddy red seasoned corn tortillas and creamy queso blanco.

4. Dollar Daze Snow Cones This place isn't exactly a hidden gem. In fact, the brightly painted snow cone shack is hard to miss, and that's how I found it a mere week after it opened in front of a car wash that's been there "forever," according to a Dollar Daze employee. The small shaved ice shack is getting in more syrup flavors every day, but for now, cool off with a bright green lemon lime or cherry cup (or mix them, as I did). The flavors might not be what you expect from the gourmet sno-ball shops in Houston offering strawberry and Thai basil or grapefruit and cardamom treats, but there's something wonderfully nostalgic about cherry syrup made with red dye that'll turn your tongue a shocking shade of crimson.

Note: Dollar Daze does not appear to have an address, but it's on Red Bluff Road a few blocks north of Spencer Highway.

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