Convenience Big Store: Houston's most exciting new restaurant, according to Alison Cook

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What's cooking?

Summer always means dining out more than I usually do. Both because of revisits for our Top 100 restaurants list (out this fall, y'all!) and well, it's just a nice time to support local businesses. I couldn't be more thrilled with what I've eaten lately, including last night's dinner at BCN, a longtime favorite of mine. And I still have yet to visit Jun, the subject of critic Alison Cook's latest review. She says it's the most exciting restaurant to open in Houston recently.

Another reason to dine out this season: Houston Restaurant Weeks, which begins August 1. We'll have our personalized picks for that in next week's edition.

Jody Schmal, Food Editor

jody.schmal@houstonchronicle.com

Beef tartare with toasted rice, egg yolk, citronette, and bunuelo photographed at Jun on Thursday, July 13, 2023 in Houston.

Photo by: Karen Warren, Staff Photographer

Alison Cook reviews 'Top Chef' star Evelyn Garcia's Jun

Read why our critic says the Heights area restaurant is the most exciting new spot in town.

Local eats

Bottles of Huy Fong Foods Sriracha sauce are displayed on a supermarket shelf on June 10, 2022 in Larkspur, California. Due to a shortage of the chili peppers used to make Sriracha hot sauce, the popular condiment is becoming hard to find on store shelves. Huy Fong Foods announced that it will temporarily suspend production and will be unable to fill orders placed after mid-April.

Photo by: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Another Sriracha shortage hits Houston restaurants and diners

Restaurants are turning to other hot sauce brands and some people are paying over $100 for a bottle online.

Photo by: Mai Pham, Contributor

Popular Korean chain Yukdaejang opens its first Houston location

Yukdaejang Houston's menu features its famous spicy beef soup, bo ssam, galbi jjim and seafood hot pots.

Louis Maldonado is executive chef of Andiron, a new upscale steakhouse from Sambrooks Management Company opening April 19 at 3201 Allen Parkway.

Photo by: Jenn Duncan

Acclaimed chef leaves upscale steakhouse Andiron after opening

Louis Maldonado brought his Michelin credentials to one of Houston's buzziest restaurant debuts this year. Now he's out.

Three Brothers Bakery locations in Houston are offering

Photo by: Three Brothers Bakery

How Houston restaurants and bars are celebrating Barbie

The new Barbie movie opening July 21 has fans craving all thinks pink; here are several Barbie-related restaurant and bar deals to try.

Pistachio ice cream from Craft Creamery.

Photo by: Stephanie Lam Photography

17 ice cream shops in Houston to beat the summer heat

Ice cream is the AC in a cup or cone Houstonians will be seeking out all summer long.

Sugar Frk, a new dessert café in Midtown at 314 Gray, serves a menu of pastries, doughnuts, cookies, and coffee drinks.

Photo by: JRMH Photos

New Sugar Frk bake shop and dessert bar debuts in Midtown

The owner of Taste Kitchen + Bar launches dessert concept with specialty doughnuts, cookies and coffee drinks.

Shrimp cakes, or tod mun goong, from Four Region Thai in Spring.

Photo by: Bao Ong / Staff

Kin Dee chef opens new Thai restaurant in Spring

Four Region Thai shifts the spotlight from typical takeout fare to dishes such as grilled slices of beef tossed in fresh lime dressing and slow-cooked pork belly.

Photo by: Nataly Torres

Our favorite shrimp cocktails in Houston

From classic shrimp cocktails to campechana, Houston serves up a seasonal favorite.

Houston's top restaurants

Tiger cry ribeye with a side of funky som tam lao at Street to Kitchen.

Photo by: Annie Mulligan, Contributor

Houston Chronicle's top 100 Restaurants, according to our food critics

Houston's dining scene is exceptional. We feature the very best our city has to offer in this list.

Aprons on

Watermelon gazpacho, is a refreshing, chilled summer soup at Roost restaurant, 1972 Fairview.

Photo by: Karen Warren, Houston Chronicle / Staff Photographer

Houston chefs share recipes for watermelon gazpacho, aka summer in a bowl

Two of summer's abundant fruits are married in this fruit-forward take on the classic chilled Spanish soup.

Homemade Bug Spray from chef Anita Jaisinghani

Photo by: Carolina Ayala, Contributor

Anita Jaisinghani's homemade bug spray recipe

Over years and after much tweaking, she has developed a non-toxic solution of edible camphor with essential oils to deter mosquitoes.

Enchilada Queen Sylvia Caseres' cheese enchiladas with chili gravy are among nearly two dozen enchiladas available at Sylvia's Enchilada Kitchen.

Photo by: Paula Murphy

42 iconic Houston recipes you can make at home

To celebrate Houston's favorite foods, we compiled a cookbook of dishes and drinks from the city's favorite chefs and restaurants.

Barbecue

Photo by: J.C. Reid, Contributor

Dirty rice or jambalaya with barbecue? Here's where to find it

If you are a Houstonian now craving jambalaya or dirty rice with your barbecue, you are in luck at these spots.

25 best places to get barbecue in the Houston area: Greater Houston is enjoying a new era of smoked meat supremacy, making it, perhaps, the new capital of Texas barbecue. Here are some of the shining stars.