Convenience Big Store: 📸 TikTok star comes to Houston

It's cold, and it's wet. Not my ideal weather, but I know some like to dive into soup to take the edge off. Tacos Y Mas columnist Marco Torres wrote a loving tribute to pozole, the traditional Mexican soup that no one can seem to find in Houston. I guess we're a menudo town. But if you're not feeling soup, it's also the season for tamales! We have a guide on where to get them for the holidays.

- John-Henry Perera, food editor

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For Starters

Esquire just named a Houston pizzeria in its Best of 2023 list, crowning Nonno's as king.

Houston pizzeria crowned as nation's best in Esquire list

Just months after opening, Nonno's is earning plaudits for its Chicago pies.

Deer Park residents relied on a local cater for a Thanksgiving meal this year. The main dish? Nothing.

Caterer goes viral after Thanksgiving catastrophe

Deer Park residents were enraged after a local catering company failed to deliver promised Thanksgiving meals.

Sightings of Huy Fong have been reported at Houston's flagship H-Mart, as well as random locations throughout the city.

Are we seeing an end to the Huy Fong sriracha shortage?

The iconic rooster-label sauce has been spotted back on Houston's grocery store shelves. But is it a fluke or are we still going to fight over a bottle?

A bowl of pozole at El Hidalguense in Houston, Texas.

Houston's a menudo town (but maybe it shouldn't be)

It's pozole season, but Tacos Y Mas columnist Marco Torres can't find too many restaurants in town that will sell the traditional Mexican soup.

Houston sushi spot lands on best new restaurants list

And it was the only Texas eatery to earn this honor.

A table of Rosca de Reyes at Arandas Bakery on 9803 Gulf Freeway, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2013, in Houston.

Panaderia mascot stolen, owners issue cry for help

Earlier this week, Arandas Bakery reported that 'The Baker' was taken away.

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - OCTOBER 28: Keith Lee attends The One Music Festival at Piedmont Park on October 28, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage)

TikTok food critic is throwing his weight around Houston

After leaving a huge $2000 tip for a Pearland dessert shop, TikTok megastar Keith Lee was seen donating $1000 to another local Jamaican joint.

Last Bite

There are a lot of interesting happenings around town. Here are some things you might have missed this week:

Sambrooks Management Company, the people behind Candente and The Pit Room, have hired Michael O' Connor as the new executive chef for Andiron. Connor's past experience includes Better Luck Tomorrow and Vic and Anthony's. The restaurant is also now open for lunch on Friday.

Gao's BBQ and Crab is opening its first location in Houston along Bellaire Boulevard. The restaurant, which boasts other locations on the West and East coasts, is apparently popular for its Chinese-style charcoal barbecue skewers and Asian-Cajun fusion offerings.

Another Dallas restaurant has moved into Houston: La Cocina. The Tex-Mex joint has officially opened in the River Oaks. The new restaurant is officially the largest one in the La Cocina empire, which now boasts 24 locations in Texas and Oklahoma.

Earlier this week, 1891 American Eatery & Bar opened in the Heights. Like its name sounds, the gastropub, sells all sorts of brews and bites. The 11th Street location used to be the old Berryhill Baja Grill.