Houston is frequently misunderstood by outsiders as a monolithic sprawl of oil money and generic Tex-Mex, but in reality, it is one of the most ethnically diverse and culinarily dynamic cities in America. In season 8 of Parts Unknown (2016), Anthony Bourdain traveled to the Texas metropolis to dismantle the stereotypes and showcase a city where global immigrant communities have fundamentally reshaped the food landscape. This episode was a powerful testament to how immigration drives culinary innovation in America. Bourdain’s journey through Houston highlighted the incredible fusion of cultures that define the city’s modern dining scene. He sought out the unexpected intersections of flavor, from Indian-Pakistani curries laced with Texas heat to a bait shop on the Gulf Coast serving up Vietnamese pho alongside Mexican tacos. He also paid respect to the deep-rooted traditions of the city, indulging in legendary, family-run barbecue. It was an exploration of a vibrant, unpretentious food culture that thrives far from the trendy downtown core. Here are the essential spots that proved Houston is a true melting pot of flavor.
The great Anthony Bourdain left his mark everywhere he went. When his death was announced to the world in June 2018, media throughout the globe chimed in and listed all the great things he had done for their respective city. Whereas before, tourists would shy away from exotic foods, thanks to him, travellers now go the extra mile to find and try local bites. With this in mind, here are all the restaurants Bourdain visited and the dishes he tasted when he shot Anthony Bourdain Houston for his show, Parts Unknown Season 8 Episode 6 (originally aired October 30, 2016):
READ MORE: US HEARTLAND: ALL OF THE RESTAURANTS PICKED BY ANTHONY BOURDAIN ON NO RESERVATIONS
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DISH – Biryani, Goat Curry, Green Curry Chicken, Steak Tikka and Hunter’s Beef – Anthony Bourdain Houston
WHAT IS IT?
Biryani – Indian mixed rice dish; Goat Curry – goat marinated in yogurt, garlic and ginger, slow-cooked with cumin, cardamom and star anise; Green Curry Chicken – green curry dish made of chicken; Steak Tikka – steak cuts marinated with tikka then barbecued; Hunter’s Beef – Pakistani version of corned beef.
READ MORE: Chennai Travel Blog
WHERE IS IT?
Himalaya Restaurant
6652 Southwest Fwy
Houston, TX, United States
ANTHONY BOURDAIN HOUSTON NOTES
Himalaya Restaurant is an Indian-Pakistani restaurant in Houston. One of the dishes that Anthony Bourdain sampled here on Parts Unknown Houston is Green Curry Chicken, done Texas-Desi Style. It featured a blend of tomatillos, green chili, cilantro and cumin. The Hunter’s Beef at Himalaya Restaurant is brined for 10 days before being cooked and served with homemade mustard sauce.
DISH – Baked Potato and Barbecue – Anthony Bourdain Houston
WHAT IS IT?
Baked Potato – potato baked for eating; Barbecue – smoked, grilled or roasted meat.
WHERE IS IT?
Burns BBQ
8307 De Priest St
Houston, TX, United States
ANTHONY BOURDAIN HOUSTON NOTES
The legendary, family-run Burns BBQ in Houston is famed for its baked potato and barbecue. Its massive baked potato is filled with cheddar cheese, chopped barbecued beef and link sausage. Here, Anthony Bourdain also had slow-cooked pork ribs, beef ribs and brisket.
DISH – Pho, Shrimp Ceviche and Migas-style Tacos – Parts Unknown Houston
WHAT IS IT?
Pho – Vietnamese soup of rice noodles, meat, herbs and broth; Shrimp Ceviche – ceviche made of shrimp; Migas-style Tacos – tacos with eggs, jalapeños and tomatoes.
WHERE IS IT?
The Point
608 1st St
Palacios, TX, United States
ANTHONY BOURDAIN HOUSTON NOTES
The Point is a general store in Palacios, Texas that is a convenience store, bait shop and a Vietnamese and Mexican food stop in one.
READ MORE: ANTHONY BOURDAIN BBQ TRIANGLE : ALL OF THE RESTAURANTS PICKED ON A COOK’S TOUR
The Houston episode of Parts Unknown stands as one of Bourdain’s most effective arguments for the power of diversity in American food. By bypassing the clichés and focusing on the immigrant communities that make up the fabric of the city, he revealed a culinary scene that is as innovative as it is deeply rooted. His genuine delight in the “Texas-Desi” flavors of Himalaya and the surreal, cross-cultural offerings of The Point underscored his belief that the best food happens when cultures collide and adapt. The episode served as a timely and important reminder of what makes American cities great. The next time you visit Houston, skip the generic steakhouses and explore the incredible, diverse neighborhoods that define its true culinary identity.
