A restaurant with tables and chairs in front of the wall.

Discover what your neighborhood has to offer 


By Jim Ayres

Did you miss me? I certainly missed you, STAR readers.  

Mobility issues have kept me homebound for a few months, but miracles happen and I’m on the prowl again for restaurants I think you’ll want to know about. 

This month, I’m easing into it. Do you, like me, have days when you’ve done too much and you’re too tired to cook? Looking for a neighborhood place for comfort and nourishment at reasonable prices? 

Here are my suggestions for when you need a quick change of scenery. No fast food here! 

Collina’s Italian Café. If you’re hungry for American-style red checkerboard tablecloth Italian, Collina’s has it all — including the tablecloths — at three locations in Houston. Pizza, plates of pasta, salads, and panini are comforting and filling, if traditionally executed. And I’m glad Collina’s spaghetti can be had with meat sauce instead of meatballs. I never thought spaghetti and meatballs paired well together! 502 W. 19th Street, Houston 77008. 713-869-0492 • CollinasHTX.com 

Spaghetti Western. Much like Collina’s, Spaghetti Western has a wide-ranging Americanized menu, but with a few unique and wonderful dishes. Their Italian Nachos (wonton chips with alfredo sauce, sausage, mozzarella, tomatoes, black olives, and more) are a can’t-miss appetizer. If you’re feeling fancy, you’ll devour the Formal Wear bowtie pasta with chicken, sundried tomatoes, and mushrooms in a garlic cream sauce. 1608 Shepherd Drive, Houston 77007 • 713-861-1313 • SpaghettiWesternTX.com 

Molina’s. Since 1941, Molina’s has been one of Houston’s temples of all things Tex-Mex. Stop into one of three area locations to get your fix! Molina’s is known for its special platters named for beloved employees, such as the C.W. Special taco and enchilada combo plate. Or there’s William’s special with Carne Asada and two cheese enchiladas. And you can’t leave without dipping a chip in Jose’s Dip! 3801 Bellaire Boulevard, Houston 77025 • 713-432-1626 • MolinasCantina.com 

Antonio’s Mexican Restaurant is a recent neighborhood discovery. The menu is six pages of simple, rewarding Tex-Mex classics at reasonable prices. You see, I have a soft spot for Juanita’s Mexican Restaurant on TC Jester, but that’s not a “neighborhood spot†for me. However, the menu at Antonio’s (much closer to Holcombe) is eerily like Juanita’s. It’s vast and has everything anyone with a Tex-Mex tooth (that’s me) could want. 3147 W. Holcombe Boulevard, Houston 77025 • 713-797-1050 • AntoniosMexicanG.com 

Tarka is inspired by the cuisines of India. Each location is a bright, chic place for “fresh and flavorful Indian food that is also fast and affordable,†according to their website. Start with chickpea-coated Chicken Pakoras, served with mint-tamarind chutney. And you must order some of Tarka’s warm, joyful garlic naan. For a main, I suggest Chicken Tikka Masala with a lush tomato curry. You’ll like the rice just as much — fragrant basmati flecked with cumin. 3701 S. Shepherd Drive, Houston 77098 • 832-582-7102 • TarkaIndianKitchen.com 

Khun Kay Thai. This long-time Montrose staple serves some of the most delicious Thai food in town, even if it’s cooked to a price point we all appreciate. Khun Kay has mastered the sweet “coconutty-ness†of my favorite soup in the world, Tom Kha. And I love some Thai noodles; why not try Pad See Ew, an umami offering with that elusive wok sear that adds so much flavor? For dessert, I never miss out on Sticky Rice with ice cream — the ultimate comfort! 1209 Montrose Boulevard, Houston 77019 • 713-524-9614 • KhunKayHouston.com 

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