H-Town: Off The Eaten Path

Joe’s Italian Restaurant, Conroe By Jacalyn May Delicious Italian food might not be the first thing you think of when you head north of H-Town to the city of Conroe; but after you visit Joe’s Italian Restaurant, it might be the only thing you think about when you crave all things Italian.    Recently, on a visit to Conroe, my husband and I happened to notice the unassuming, brown square building that houses Joe’s. Located on highway 75, close to downtown Conroe, we decided to stop in for an early dinner. As we pulled into the small parking lot, we immediately noticed a beautiful mural of New York City on the side of the square building which welcomed us to Joe’s. The painted Statue of Liberty, Twin Towers (among the New York skyline) and the American flag attracted our eyes and we felt excited to check out the inside of Joe’s.    Inside Once we opened the door, we felt as though we had stepped into an old Italian restaurant. To the right of the front door, the cozy b...

          Looking for a good burger joint? Consider checking out Poppa Burger off 1622 N Main St in the downtown part of Houston where they have been serving for over 50 years and are open 24 hours a day.                Poppa Burger is not just any burger joint; it is one of the best joints in town. The staff is incredible, and the food is absolutely amazing! They have their own unique kind of burgers and fries that you don’t want to miss out on!  "One of the unique things that Poppa Burgers does is to put the fries in a bag for you to eat with a fork along with their amazing ketchup. Those burgers will melt in your mouth with all the added cheese.”        They also serve other food such as Tortas, Tacos, Sandwiches and breakfast tacos. Recently, as I was visiting some friends who lived in the Downtown Houston area, I was craving a nice juicy burger; one that made me feel as it was one my...

The Colonial House of Sandwiches, Baytown by Jacalyn May   Looking for a good sandwich shop with a country hometown feel? Then consider checking out The Colonial House of Sandwiches in Baytown, and experience lunchtime like you used to have when you were a kid at home.  On a recent trip to Baytown, just east of H-Town, I made my way to this local sandwich shop on the north side of Baytown off Garth Road. As I entered, I was greeted warmly. My eyes glanced around at the twenty or so tables set up around the seating area and I was pleased with the clean interior.             Looking toward the counter I noticed the daily special signboard and since it was Wednesday, the Ham and Cheese Sandwich with chips and a drink became my choice for lunch. Other menu selections included salads, soups, house favorites like Egg Salad, and classic sandwiches like the Po’ Boy. I decided to add the Chicken Enchilada Soup because it sounded like a great complimen...

Gyros King, Conroe by Jacalyn May   Finding authentic Greek gyros can be a challenging task, unless you happen to drive south of Conroe and discover Gyros King. Located off 242, just east of I-45, is a little white building that houses one of the best Greek secrets of the H-town area. It can be easy to miss this amazing little Greek gem, but this is one you won’t want to miss.   Craving a really good gyro, I recently Googled “gyros” and found the listing for Gyros King so my husband and I decided to try it for lunch. Located in the same parking area as a small, local car dealership, we parked in one of three parking spots outside the azure blue, open door and stepped inside. Immediately, we felt as though we had stepped into a small, quaint and cozy European cafe. Roughly four tables sat around the perimeter of the café displaying the same azure blue theme as the front door. And many, what appeared to be, hand painted works of art of Greek landscapes and seascapes decorated th...

Looking for a healthier place to eat in the Houston area? Come check out Muscle Maker Grill located on Voss and San Felipe.        Muscle Maker Grill restaurants are a friendly, relaxed and social environment where guests can enjoy great-tasting food and engage with fellow health enthusiasts in their area. Not only do they have the best foods available for you, but they even offer an incredible meal plan program that comes with guidance. Some of their best foods include Flatbreads, Burgers, Salads, Sandwiches, wraps and pastas. They provide their guests with healthier versions of mainstream- favorite dishes that taste great, making it easy, affordable and enjoyable.      I absolutely love that they have a diverse menu for all fitness levels, from fitness enthusiasts, to those who are starting their journey to living a healthier lifestyle. I personally have experienced their meal program in the past and it was very successful as I was able to lose over ...