Welcome to the 12th and final part of a series where we showcase the noteworthy food and drink experiences of a very weird year. In the spirit of the holidays, it s also a very special collaboration between the food writers of the Houston Press and Houston Food Finder, the online publication founded by former Houston Press restaurant critic and food editor Phaedra Cook. This final edition will highlight some of our writers favorite restaurant experiences.?
Favorite Dine-In During The Pandemic
The spread at Burger Joint in the Heights.
Photo by Becca Wright.
With restrictions on guest occupancy and social distancing requirements placed on restaurants this year due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, many establishments created safe outdoor dining experiences.
Our dining editor writes about a weird year where the feelings flew fast and furious.
By
Timothy Malcolm
12/24/2020 at 6:00am
A typical scene in the Malcolm house in 2020, starring food from Pinkerton s Barbecue.
Itâs early February and Iâm sad. Yet again Iâm walking into a restaurant to eat alone. I donât have the vast network of plus-ones to share meals with all the time, and my wife and I donât have the money to constantly pay babysitters to watch our two daughters. While my sadness is pretty silly because Iâm a privileged food writer who actually gets to eat restaurant food all the time, it is my sadness. I tell myself itâs valid.
Where to eat in Houston right now: The very best meals of 2020
Where to eat in Houston right now: The very best meals of 2020
Photo by Kirsten Gilliam
Photo by Dragana Harris
Photo by Raydon Creative
Courtesy of El Topo Yes, this year has been a strange time full of unexpected challenges. We’ve all learned far more than we ever thought we’d need to about how virus are transmitted and the importance of wearing a mask to #stopthespread. Restaurants, along with live music venues, movie theaters, and other places where people gather in large groups to have a good time, have borne the brunt of restrictions designed to slow the spread. Lots of promising establishments have closed some before they even had a chance to build a following. One of my favorite meals of 2020 took place at Alma, an elevated South American restaurant in Highland Village that didn’t even last two months before it closed for good.
Special Report
Here s where to buy tamales in Houston this holiday season
Now is the time for tamale-making and eating, made easier with ready-made masa delights from these expert chefs and restaurants.
By Greg Morago |
Updated: Dec. 15, 2020 12:38 PM
Mexican tamales are among the local foods that rule the holidays, and rightly so. Tamales aren’t just delicious, they’re a festive way of sharing the joy of the season.
Houston is blessed with many fine tamale purveyors making a variety of styles and fillings; the flavors range from traditional red chile with pork or beef to barbecue brisket, to vegetarian to sweet dessert-like concoctions.