More and more, Houston is drawing international attention for its booming food scene. Just this past June, global lifestyle magazine, The Robb Report, named Houston’s own James Beard award-winning chef, Chris Shepherd, the best chef in the world (yes, WORLD). All this buzz adds weight to an idea that Houston’s residents have always known — Houston has some of the best food in the world. From August 1st-September 2nd, over 200 beloved Houston eateries participate in Houston Restaurant Weeks, releasing special two and three course menus at a discount with proceeds going to Houston Food Bank (the largest food bank in the country, by the way). Houston Restaurant Weeks is the single largest fundraiser of its kind in the country, run 100% by volunteers with 100% of donations going directly to Houston Food Bank.

 

 

A Houston classic since 1967, Brennan’s of Houston in Midtown is a perfect marriage between down-home southern cuisine and Gulf Coast cajun. Their three-course dinner includes crowd favorites like snapping turtle soup, pecan wood-grilled filet mignon, sugarcane smoked short rib, and decadent bananas foster. Brennan’s is also participating with two-course lunch and brunch menus. Surprisingly, vegan and gluten-free options abound, but you’d be remiss to skip a chance to taste their pimento cheese grits, tomato bacon jam, and peach barbecue sauce.

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

How about a satisfying Wed fajita special #Elbigbad #FajitaWed #FajitasHTX

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Otherwise known as the city’s best tequila joint, El Big Bad downtown has a three-course dinner menu featuring a full salsa flight and fajitas with two additional veggie options for entrees (mushroom fajitas and veggie enchiladas, anyone?). Their tres leches is divine, but so is their sliced mango with chile and lime. 

 

 

 

Montrose bistro Emmaline comes in swinging with four courses starting with the swankiest caviar this side of the Mississippi. Graze on some red snapper asparagus and prosciutto, but save room for the squid ink linguine or lamb pappardelle followed by the dark chocolate espresso torta. 

 

 

 

One of Houston’s heaviest hitters and another James Beard award winner, Hugo’s signature take on Mexico City classics is offering four different four-course dinners to choose from, though all start with their classic Roots of Mexico appetizer. From scallops seared in tortilla ash to lobster tail with mango relish, they even offer a rare full menu for vegetarians.

 

 

For just $35 a person, Houston’s oyster titan, Liberty Kitchen has a three-course dinner starting with half and half New England and Texas coast oysters on a half shell. Three entree options and three dessert options do the rest of the work, especially the garlicky roasted half chicken and the chocolate espresso cake topped with raspberries. 

 

 

On Fairview in Montrose, Riel’s three-course dinner goes global with a coconut-ginger grilled eggplant with Thai basil, a classic 7 oz. hangar steak with potatoes, and a market fish option with pea coulis and beech mushrooms. 

Check Houston Restaurant Week’s full list of participating restaurant to plan your next month around, so you can taste your way through our great city while fighting hunger on a massive scale!