By Jim Ayres It was a beautiful afternoon. The temperature was climbing, but in September the blue sky already had an autumnal cast. Listening to Lana Del Rey’s latest (brilliant), I felt like I was in Austin. Fitting, as I was heading to a late lunch at Tarka Indian Kitchen, a fast-casual Indian-inspired spot on

By Jim Ayres If I’ve ever had better fried chicken than I experienced at Gus’s World Famous Hot and Spicy Fried Chicken, I certainly don’t remember it. And I’m sure I’d remember it, right? Friends, this is fried chicken perfection. It’s served hot from the fryer, flawlessly crisp on the outside, moist and succulent inside.

By Jim Ayres So long my dear, caseoso, borracho, caliente friend. It looks like our 50+ year refried kind of love affair is ending. It’s your fault, of course. I’m just getting older. But you are ageless, like a witch. Blessed with eternal life. Ever ready to pounce on accustomed Texans and unsuspecting Yankees alike

By Jim Ayres If you work from home (as I do) or have been sick lately (as have I) you may only have a fleeting knowledge that the height of summer is upon us. It’s hot and humid out there, so it’s time to dive into crisp, refreshing salads. Here are five of my favorite

By Jim Ayres Many Houstonians have a favorite spot for oysters, casual seafood, cold beer, and live bands in the bay area, south of town. I’m thinking about Gilhooley’s and Topwater Grill, both in San Leon. Or Tookies in Seabrook. Places you can let your hair down, put on cutoff shorts, make new friends, and

By Jim Ayres “Get yourself a gimmick…and you too can be a star.” Veteran burlesque performers sang this showstopper in Gypsy for a skeptical Louise as she learned the finer points of striptease. But in the restaurant world? Not if you’re spending the kind of money you’ll spend at Ritual, one of the most expensive

By Jim Ayres A spacecraft has settled on South Shepherd, the third such landing in Houston. Passing drivers gawk at the bright splashes of neon (which could be hazardous as they navigate the infamous curve). A few, like me, become transfixed. It could be a movie set, yet people come and go, and they’re eating

By Jim Ayres Are soon parted. Isn’t that how the adage goes? Happy Pride, everyone! As Houstonians and visitors gather to celebrate the 50thanniversary of Stonewall, I’m sure many of us will drop food on our clothes. I know I will! I do it nearly every day. Take a recent potluck, for example. The offerings

By Jim Ayres I hear fighting words around Shepherd Drive and 19th Street these days. La Lucha (the fight, or the struggle), has a new challenger across the street: Squable. Squable — wordplay on “squabble” — has only been open for six weeks, but it already has some extraordinary dishes and is one of the

By Jim Ayres Toto, I’ve a feeling we’re not at Waffle House anymore! Well, if you, Dorothy, Toto or anyone else stumbles upon Taste Bar + Kitchen, a new restaurant in the former Sterling House where Montrose meets Midtown, you certainly won’t be. Here, waffles are elevated to Emerald City stature. At Taste Bar + Kitchen