5) Lila's Mexican Kitchen, 2704 South Main St.
Pronounced "Lee-lahs," this tiny Mexican hole-in-the-wall is unpretentious, cheap and plain good. There's nothing fancy or particularly original about the menu, but it does what it does well. Think crispy beefy tacos, cheddar cheese enchiladas and creamy, fresh guacamole. Two people can pig out for about $10, which is always a plus.
4) Little Tokyo, 8201 Broadway, Suite 101
Started in Pasadena in 2002, Little Tokyo opened a Pearland location five years later. The fresh ingredients and innovative menu are popular -- this place gets packed, so plan accordingly. The friendly servers, fully stocked bar and novel-like menu make for a pleasant weekend dinner. Start with some shumai (shrimp dumplings) and crisp vegetable tempura before embarking on the daunting list of maki. There are way too many to list, but if you'd like a suggestion as to where to start, we suggest the Cleopatra Roll with salmon, crab, avocado, apple and shrimp tempura all wrapped in soy paper.
3) D'Caribbean Curry Spot, 2548 Broadway
In a town of fast food burger joints and Mexican dives, D'Carribean is a breath of fresh air. Friends of ours that are actually from the Caribbean like this place and eat there frequently, so that's a good start. With an array of roti, from veggie to duck, and a dinner menu heavy on seafood but also featuring standard favorites like jerk chicken, D' Carribean is just the place to go when you want something out of the ordinary.
2) Thanh Phuong, 3236 Broadway
There's is a wide variety of Vietnamese options in P-Town, but this place is the best. With a courteously efficient wait staff and large menu of well-made, fresh options to choose from, Thanh Phuong distinguishes itself from the crowd. The cuisine here is actually described as Chinese and Vietnamese, so you can order your crab Rangoon right alongside freshly made chicken spring rolls. The large selection of tofu dishes is vegetarian-friendly, and there's also a good array of healthier steamed protein and vegetable options.
1) Central Texas Style BBQ, 4110 Broadway
Described by some as the best barbecue in town, Central Texas BBQ has lines that stretch out the door almost every day at lunch and dinner. Owned and operated by a local Cuban family, Central Texas offers up traditional barbecue favorites like tender brisket and smoky, spicy sausage. Central Texas offers excellent, bigger-than-your-head baked potatoes that come dressed to the max and filled with your choice of amazing meats. We have a hard time choosing between the grilled chicken or chopped beef versions. And the sides are so scrumptious that they actually hold their own against all that wonderful meat. Try the oh-so-deliciously cheesy broccoli casserole and check out the Cuban influence with black beans and Spanish rice.If you enjoyed this Top 10 list, check out our other restaurant roundups: