These 8 on the map
The 8 spots on this page, pinned where they actually are. Tap a marker to see which one it is — all 20 are on the map in the Whosly app.
Houston comfort food
Soul food lines in the Third Ward, Creole in a Midtown mansion and smashburgers worth a detour: Houston's American cooking leans South and toward the Gulf.
8 of the 20
Houston This Is It Soul Food
Third WardSoul food$A Third Ward soul food institution since 1959, where staff build regulars' usual trays from memory. Straightforward, satisfying comfort food.
Frenchy's Chicken
Third WardFried chicken$The Third Ward original near TSU, frying since the '60s: crackling golden chicken, boudin links and gris gris sauce, busy day and night.
The Breakfast Klub
MidtownSouthern breakfast$The weekend line wraps around this Midtown counter for Southern breakfast: fluffy eggs, krispy katfish, and hot syrup on tap next to the coffee.
Trill Burgers
MontroseSmashburgers$Possibly Houston's best burger: the OG double smash with American cheese, crinkle pickles and grilled onions on a Martin's potato roll, with spicy fries.
Stanton's City Bites
First WardBurgers & sandwiches$An old First Ward building full of memorabilia and a diner counter, cooking half-pound burgers to order on butter-soft buns, plus loaded sandwiches and fries.
Nancy's Hustle
EaDoNeighborhood bistro$$$A dark, sexy EaDo bistro where T-shirts are fine and everyone's splitting the burger and coconut-apricot martinis.
Brennan's of Houston
MidtownCreole fine dining$$$$A brick Midtown mansion under live oaks doing classic Creole: white tablecloths, tableside flambés, turtle soup with sherry and Gulf fish Pontchartrain.
Backstreet Cafe
River OaksAmerican bistro$$$A River Oaks bistro with a big fountain patio under striped awnings: banana brioche French toast at brunch, cioppino mussels and wine later.
The other 12
The 20 are spread across 13 neighborhoods. Midtown (4), Montrose (4) and Third Ward (2) have the most; EaDo, First Ward, Galleria, Independence Heights, Memorial, Museum District, Northside, River Oaks, the Heights and West University have one each.
+12 more in the app
Bison burgers from a shack under a freeway overpass, a West U cafeteria where families have slid trays since the '40s, smothered turkey wings on a Northside cafeteria line, a polished Memorial tavern where the fried chicken is the order, and more.
Add all 20 to your Whosly mapEvery one lands on your own map in a tap — save them, rate them, plan around them. City Packs are included with Planner Pro.
Or search “Whosly: Plans, Places & RSVPs” on the App Store
For barbecue, see the best BBQ in Houston.
Common questions
Where is the best soul food in Houston?
Where is the best burger in Houston?
Where should I go for breakfast in Houston?
Which Houston neighborhood is best for Southern restaurants?
Where can I see all 20?

All 20, on your own map
This page is 8 of them. The Houston American & Southern pack in Whosly has all 20 — add it and every one drops onto your map, ready to save, rate and turn into a plan your friends RSVP to from a text, no app needed to answer. The pack is included with Planner Pro.
Get Whosly — free on iPhoneOr search “Whosly: Plans, Places & RSVPs” on the App Store
“Whosly: Plans, Places & RSVPs”.
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