Thelistsept

THE LIST September 28, 2013

Page 2 • THE LIST • September 28, 2013 • @heightsleader

Morning stretch: breakfasts-brunches cater to all palates, lifestyles

by Charlotte Aguilar charlotte@theleadernews.com When Federico Marques was planning his latest Ruggles Green on 11th and Studewood, he tweaked the menu from his other locations to adjust to Heights’ tastes and made one major addition: breakfast on weekends. “This is a big breakfast neighborhood,” he said.

Park Blair, owner of the Berryhill’s Baja Grill a few blocks away (and an under-construction site in Garden Oaks-Oak Forest), had already discovered that importance long before. “Weekend breakfast is a leisurely pleasure in the Heights,” he explained, “and breakfast foods can be popular all day.”

Blair offers weekend brunch starting at 8 a.m., with the bar up and churning out brunch beverage favorites, and that same breakfast menu throughout the day Monday through Friday.

From grabbing a breakfast taco or two at a food truck or a farmer’s market, to elaborate and genteel weekend brunches, sipping mimosas, to a cup of java with a light bite –– that first meal of the day is attracting increasing attention and creativity from local restaurateurs – and from The Leader.

Throw in a patio and take Houston’s humidity out of the equation -- and you’ve added another reason that breakfasts and brunches, especially al fresco, are so popular.

Even neighborhood taverns, usually known as night spots, have started coming alive in mornings -- particu-

• Steak-N-Eggs • Chops & Eggs • Pancakes & Eggs Served Mon-Sat 6am-10:45 am • Biscuits & Gravy Ham, Bacon or Sausage • French Toast • Omelets

Got a Party or Event?

Banquet Hall Available

Especially in non-summer months, patios are a lure for Leader-area breakfast-brunch spots. A family enjoys breakfast at Onion Creek on White Oak Drive, one of the four ‘Creek’ restaurants in Leader neighborhoods.

(Submitted photos) larly on weekends -- to give patrons a place to hang out and enjoy a leisurely first meal, then linger to watch sports.

This month’s list brings you a sampling of that variety, including places in your neighborhoods that you might have overlooked.

As always, we spotlight those eateries which are kind enough to support The List with their advertising dollars, and we hope you’ll give them a close look.

Whether it’s sweet and savory chicken and waffles, down home diner fare, a crab and avocado omelette, or a steaming, spice infused bowl of menudo you’re craving, prepare to have your appetite whetted and your morning palate expanded

by The List – Breakfast & Brunch.

The LIST Alma Latina 2203 N. Shepherd

Opening at 6 a.m., it’s a go-to place for those who need an early breakfast fix. Get there before 10:30 a.m., and there’s a full menu of basic breakfast tacos to select from for only 99 cents each.

Andy’s Mexican Cafe 1115 E. 11st St.

A 24-hour Heights Tex-Mex classic, with traditional homestyle breakfasts. Among the favorite options: classic, gooey cheese enchiladas that can be had with fried eggs on top, a carne guisada (brown gravy beef stew) that can be served on its own or folded into flour tortillas, and a robust menudo.

WAKE UP TO BREAKFAST

Angela’s Oven 832-239-0437

A family-owned and -operated craft bakery that supplies area farmer’s markets and restaurants. On weekends, starting at 8 a.m., you can buy the baked goodies, including scones and croissants, plus breakfast sandwiches and a banana walnut French toast -- until they run out.

Our Leader Eater loved this.

Chilosos Taco House 701 E. 20th St.

Fluffy homemade flour tortillas filled with staples such as scrambled eggs mixed with your choice of potatoes, bacon, potatoes and three types of sausage. Carne guisada and fajita choices, too. When the weather cooperates, the outdoor deck is a nice place to linger.

Listings continued • Page 3

Credit Cards Welcome

2400 N. Shepherd 713-862-5958

Open Mon-Sat 6 am-4 pm • Breakfast 6 am-10:45 am

www.TexasCafeteria.com

Spotlight: Rainbow Lodge

Rainbow Lodge is unique in its setting and culinary viewpoint – so it should be no surprise that the Lodge’s once-a-week venture into morning dining can’t be found anywhere else in Houston.

Brunch is served from 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. every Sunday inside the rustic log cabin and (weather permitting) patios that sit on an acre of natural beauty rare for Inner Loop Houston -- providing the ideal setting for its wild game-focused menu.

Brunch offerings range from slow-smoked duck gumbo with Andouille sausage and wild rice pilaf, to salads, to sandwiches such as a braised buffalo short rib grilled cheese sandwich served with house-made chips.

Entrees range from a mixed grill of game sausage, venison and Texas quail with eggs, blistered jalapenos and Lodge potatoes, to a venison schnitzel with black pepper gravy, egg salad with capers and house-made pickles.

Listings continued from • Page 2

Cyclone Anaya’s 1710 Durham

Founded by a well-known professional wrestler from a bygone era, Cyclone Anaya’s has been serving Tex-Mex for more than 40 years and offers family favorites as well as more sophisticated twists, including eggs, tacos, and more exotic fare such as crab cakes.

Down House 1801 Yale

This is a locavore’s breakfast taco delight.

They’re $4 each, $10 for two including black beans or home fries. Among the fillings: Braised pork, fried farm fresh egg, pickled onions and cilantro, or the homemade venison sausage with roasted poblanos, farm egg and Grafton cheddar cheese.

Dry Creek Cafe 544 Yale www.drycreekcafe.com

From breakfast through supper, you can dine inside this 1930 gas station or on the patio at this cozy neighborhood joint. Breakfast is served from 7 a.m. daily with “sammiches,” tacos, lox, waffles and catfish with grits.

El Rey Taqueria 3330 Ella and 910 Shepherd

Basic offering of breakfast tacos –– scrambled eggs with a choice of chorizo, ham or bacon, and add-ons such as potatoes, beans and guacamole –– has put El Rey in the breakfast game, too..

Even the “sides” are intriguing – with fried oysters, buttered lump crab, crawfish fritters and game sausage among the selections.

You wouldn’t expect anything less adventurous in the Rainbow Lodge’s brunch drink menu – and it doesn’t disappoint. Specialty cocktails include Texas Bloody Marys, a hibiscus margarita, grapefruit and St. Germain martini – and 99-cent mimosas until 3 p.m. – palate-perfect accompaniments to the remarkable food offerings.

Rainbow Lodge 2011 Ella Blvd 713-861-8666 www.rainbow-lodge.com

Farm Stand at Petrol Station 938 Wakefield Drive

No matter the weather, this cozy farmer’s market sets up from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. every Saturday offering eggs and produce right off the farm -- and manager Mickey Morales’ popular breakfast tacos, omelettes, grilled cheese sandwiches, French press coffee and juice

Fiesta Tacos 4624 W. 34th St.

Locals at the Garden Oaks hangout swear by the breakfast tacos here. Try the chicharron tacos, too. Tues-Fri 6 a, Sun 730a

Happy Fatz 3510 White Oak Drive

Breakfast menu of full meals, breakfast tacos and sandwiches, and challah French toast. They just couldn’t resist, though: there’s a hash made with hot dogs.

House of Fries 5322 Antoine

Another deceptive name, House of Fries serves classic homestyle breakfast fare.

Jackie’s Kitchen 2210 Mangum

Opening its doors in 2010, Jackie’s Kitchen has quickly established itself as a family-friendly eatery specializing in comfort food, including traditional breakfast favorites.

Java Java 911 W. 11 St.

Started in the former Heights Above Florist

Listings continued • Page 4

Page 3 • THE LIST • September 28, 2013 • @heightsleader

Spotlight: Texas Cafeteria When you’re up early and have a hankering for a solid, old-fashioned meat-potatoes-and egg breakfast, Texas Cafeteria in the Heights is your go-to place. No waiting required, just slide your tray and ample plate down the cafeteria line to be heaped with classic breakfast items such as eggs, hash browns, grits, biscuits (gravy, too), pancakes, toast, French toast, and an array of traditional breakfast meats, including pork chops.

It’s been that way for almost 50 years, since the Texas Cafeteria - then known as the Texas Café – was opened by George and Polly Koumonduros in 1965. It’s still family-owned and going through one of its periodic updates, to freshen its look.

From the days when Miss Mary was the cook, running the kitch-

en like a master sergeant to today, they pride themselves with good meals at a good price – “home style food at fast food prices,” they’re fond of saying.

After breakfast, the bountiful steam table gears up with daily lunch specials, and there’s seafood, special salads, and barbe-

cue on certain days, hamburgers, chicken & dumplings and steaks.

Texas Cafeteria 2400 N. Shepherd 713-862-5958 6 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Saturday

Page 4 • THE LIST • September 28, 2013 • @heightsleader

Why limit yourself? Breakfast is an all-day affair at Berryhill in the Heights Monday through Friday. So if you have a craving at lunch or dinner for, say, a breakfast taco or spicy huevos or a plate of migas or chilaquiles, they can oblige.

Those breakfast tacos are huge and come with egg and a choice

Spotlight: Berryhill in the Heights

of chorizo, bacon, potato or pico de gallo with cheese and avocado offered as optional toppers.

Huevos hogados are poached in a tangy, spicy salsa and served between corn tortillas with a side of black beans, and Pablo’s huevos follow the same blueprint to start, but are served over rice and topped with guacamole.

Weekend breakfasts start at 8 a.m. and include the Baja options above, plus combo platters laden with meat, potatoes and toast, pancakes, French toast and omelettes filled with cheese, veggies and meat.

There are plenty of a la carte items, too, to exercise your own creativity.

And the legendary bar offers all sorts of brunch-y drinks, with fresh-squeezed orange juice and a powerful mint lemonade, also made fresh, matching any breakfast-brunch offering perfectly.

Berryhill is a Houston institution, and breakfast at the 11th Street outpost, with its bright, colorful décor, has become a

Spotlight: Frida Mexican Kitchen “People are surprised when they come by at breakfast-time and they see our menu,” says Frida Mexican Kitchen owner Diana Davila. “They say, ‘hey, you’re not just a huevos rancheros place.’”

The increasingly popular neighborhood eatery in a strip center on Ella Boulevard between 34th Street and the railroad tracks opens at 7 a.m.

Mondays through Saturdays for early risers (8 a.m. on Sundays) and just expanded its morning menu.

Although Frida’s chef, Linda Plascencia, turns out traditional Mexican breakfasts with panache, there are interesting twists plus plenty of gourmet options, such as Bananas Foster Toast and Belgian waffles, and healthy choices, such as oatmeal and fresh fruit. are offered.

The Mexican menu offers wake-up enchiladas and tacos, huevos cooked any way you like them, all manners of veggies and meats (including chorizo, beef and chicken fajitas, pork chops, carne asada, ham, bacon, sausage and machacado – a smoky, dried beef), plus self-contained

Listings continued from • Page 3 shop, Java Java has quickly become one of the city’s top coffeehouses and eateries, with a fun, family-friendly atmosphere.

Breakfast 8-11:30 a.m. SaturdaysSundays Breakfast served all day, from 11 a.m., Mondays-Fridays

MORE BREAKFAST ….

SERVED WITH BEANS & POTATO - CHOICE OF CORN, FLOUR OR WHEAT TORTILLAS

FAJITA & EGGS

6.99

EGGS WITH YOUR CHOICE OF BEEF OR CHICKEN FAJITAS

6.99

CARNE ASADA & EGGS

EGGS YOUR WAY SERVED WITH A TASTY CHEESE ENCHILADA ADDITIONAL CHARGE FOR GROUND BEEF OR JALAPENO SAUSAGE ENCHILADA

7.49

EGGS YOUR WAY WITH A DECORATIVE BEANS, SHREDDED CHICKEN OR GROUND BEEF CHALUPA

TACO AND EGGS 6.99

Mexican breakfasts in a variety of forms including tortas (sandwiches), sopapillas (beignet-like deep-fried dough), empanadas (turnovers) quesadillas (cheese and fillings in flour tortillas) and gorditas (a sort of thick, stuffed corn tortilla).

Tortillas – both corn and flour – are handmade, and the difference is discernible, giving each dish a comfort food quality.

EGGS YOUR WAY SERVED WITH A SOFT OR HARD SHELL TACO CHOICE OF MEAT FOR TACO SHREDDED CHICKEN OR GROUND BEEF

Laredo Taqueria 915 Snover St.

Kraftsmen Bakery 611 W. 22nd St.

Laurenzo’s 4412 Washington Ave.

Looking for a gourmet brunch? Laurenzo’s is known for its eggs Benedict, with a choice

Listings continued • Page 5

7.99

FLUFFY PANCAKES SERVED WITH TWO EGGS & YOUR CHOICE OF SAUSAGE PATTY, BACON OR JALAPENO SAUSAGE

BANANA-PECAN PANCAKE & EGGS MEAL

6.49

PANCAKE WITH EGGS YOUR WAY AND YOUR CHOICE OF A

6.99

“COYOACAN” PANCAKE SANDWICH

PANCAKE SANDWICH WITH BACON AND EGGS YOUR WAY

6.49

BANANA FOSTER TOAST

TWO SLICES OF BREAD WITH BANANA FOSTER SERVED WITH TWO EGGS

4.99

FRENCH TOAST WITH FRESH FRUIT FRENCH TOAST SERVED WITH FRESH FRUIT

6.95

OMELET YOUR WAY

WITH EGGS COOKED YOUR WAY

5.49

HUEVOS RANCHEROS

SUNNY SIDE UP EGGS WITH RANCHERO SAUCE, SERVED WITH POTATO & EGGS DIEGOS FAVORITE 6.49 CRISPY CORN TORTILLA PIECES CUT INTO SMALL PIECES, MIXED WITH PICO DE GALLO AND TOPPED WITH CHEESE

BREAKFAST TORTILLA STACK 6.99

CORN TORTILLA, TWO EGGS, CHEESE AND SALSA LAYERED ON TOP OF EACH OTHER TO CREATE A THE STACK

HUEVOS CON CHORIZO

HUEVOS CON JAMON

BACON

6.49

LIGHT BREAKFAST

6.49

DOES NOT INCLUDE POTATO OR BEANS

6.49

EGGS MIXED WITH DICED HAM

HUEVOS CON JALAPENO SAUSAGE

6.49

EGGS MIXED WITH JALAPENO SAUSAGE 6.99 HUEVOS CON MACHACADO EGGS WITH DRIED MEAT 6.49 HUEVOS CON BACON EGGS MIXED WITH BACON 5.49 SOPAPILLA SANDWICH EGGS, CHEESE AND BACON 6.49 BREAKFAST EMPANADA STUFFED WITH BACON, EGG & CHEESE

BREAKFAST CHALUPA

UP TO 3 INGREDIENTES

MUSHROOMS SPINACH HAM TOMATO JALAPENOS SAUSAGE ONIONS POTATO PICO DE GALLO NOPALES NOPALES CHEESE FAJITA BEEF/CHICKEN - ADDITONAL $1.29 BELL PEPPERS

EGGS WITH MEXICAN SAUSAGE

EGGS MIXED WITH PICO DE GALLO

Open for breakfast at 7 a.m. Mondays-Saturdays, 8 a.m. Sundays

BELGIUM WAFFLE & CHICKEN FINGERS

FAJITA BEEF OR CHICKEN

TWO PORK CHOPS & EGGS

HUEVOS A LA MEXICANA

Frida Mexican Kitchen 3452 Ella Blvd.

713-683-3980

6.49

MULTIGRAINED WAFFLE SERVED WITH TWO EGGS YOUR WAY. CHOICE OF PATTY SAUSAGE, JALAPENO SAUSAGE, OR BACON

PANCAKES & EGGS MEAL 5.99

7.49

EGGS YOUR WAY SERVED WITH A CRISPY CHICKEN FLAUTA 7.49 ENCHILADA & EGGS

CHALUPA AND EGGS

BELGIUM WAFFLE & EGGS MEAL

WAFFLE SERVED WITH FRIED CHICKEN FINGERS

EGGS WITH FAJITA STEAK

CHICKEN FLAUTA & EGGS

This Mediterranean restaurant and deli opens at 7 a.m. Monday-Friday for breakfasts including tacos, egg dishes and muffin sandwiches.

An artisan bakery in the Heights hosts a cozy cafe which offers gourmet omelets, quiche and breakfast tacos, among other breakfast fare, starting at 7:30 a.m. daily.

Berryhill in the Heights 702 E. 11th St. 713-225-2252

EGGS YOUR WAY SCRAMBLED - OVER EASY – OVER MEDIUM - OVER HARD – POUCHED – EGG WHITES ONLY

TRADITIONAL BREAKFAST

If you’re going to head down to this colorful neighborhood taqueria that’s survived the makeover of Washington Avenue, make sure you bring cash. Besides fluffy eggs and meats, you might just want to point at what looks tasty from a cumin-scented steam table. The authentic Mexican selections and rocking breakfast tacos include crispy whole pork chops –– if you arrive early enough.

Kojak’s Cafe 1912 W. 18th St.

Heights tradition.

5.49

TOSTADA TOPPED WITH SCRAMBLED EGG, CHEESE & CHORIZO

BREAKFAST TORTA 5.95 EGGS, CHEESE, AND BACON INSIDE TORTA BREAD

Breakfast Quesadillas

EGGS & BACON EGGS & PANCAKE BOWL OF OATMEAL GORDITA – BEANS AND CHEESE CORN TORTILLA STUFFED WITH BEANS AND CHEESE

GORDITA – NOPALES GORDITA STUFFED WITH NOPALES

GORDITA STUFF

CORN TORTILLA STUFFED WITH CHICKEN, BEEF OR MOLE CHICKEN

TACO TIME

1 INGREDIENTE ONLY – ADDITIONAL CHARGE FOR MORE

HAM BACON JALAPENO SAUSAGE CHORIZO SPINACH MUSHROOMS BEANS & CHEESE NOPALES JALAPENO POTATO FAJITA & EGG $1.99

PORK SAUSAGE BELL PEPPERS PICO DE GALLO BLACK BEANS

MACHACADO

CHOOSE FLOUR OR WHEAT FLOUR TORTILLA BREAKFAST QUESADILLA

BREAKFAST QUESADILLA 4.95 EGGS AND CHEESE PLACED BETWEEN TWO FLOUR TORTILLAS

SPINACH QUESADILLA

5.95

EGGS, SPINACH AND CHEESE NICEDLY MIXED TOGETHER INSIDE OF A TORTILLA

CHICKEN BREAKFAST QUESADILLAS

5.99

VEGGIE BREAKFAST QUESADILLA

5.99

EGGS, SHREDDED CHICKEN AND CHEESE

EGGS, SPINACH, MUSHROOMS, TOMATO, ONIONS AND CHEESE CREATE THIS MASTERPIECE

NOPALES QUESADILLA

5.99

EGGS, NOPALES, AND CHEESE NICELY MIXED TOGETHER

A LA CARTE SINGLE FRENCH TOAST 1.99 PANCAKES (2) 2.99 BANANA-PECAN PANCAKE (2) WAFFLE BACON SLICES, SAUSAGE PATTIES OR JALAPENO SAUSAGE

3452 Ella Blvd 713-683-3980 Breakfast from 7am Mon-Sat, 8am Sun * GRATUITY WILL BE ADDED TO GROUPS LARGER THAN 6 IF YOU HAVE ANY FOOD ALLERGIES LET OUR WAITSTAFF KNOW. WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY BELONGINGS LEFT UNATTTENDEDINSIDE OR OUTISDE THE RESTAURANT

Listings continued from • Page 4 of filet mignon, salmon, crab and more, served with crepes and marscapone grits from 11 a.m. on weekends.

Lola 1102 Yale Street

Youngsters love diner food, and this Ken Bridge Delicious Concepts take on the classics is perfect for homestyle eating. Breakfast ranges from oatmeal and omelets to chicken fried steak, and starts at 8 a.m.

Mi Sombrero 3401 N. Shepherd

Aficionados swear by the ample and varied breakfast tacos served daily until 11 a.m. and all day weekends at this Garden Oaks cafe. Their tout: eggs with machacado, a traditional dried, shredded beef.

Mom’s Country Deli 7918 Pinemont

www.momscountrydeli.com

Mom’s Country Deli features old-fashioned breakfasts starting at 6 a.m. daily.

PaPa Mo’s Deli 465-B T.C. Jester Blvd.

Priding themselves on offering Texas-sized portions with New York flavor, for a reasonable price. Breakfast all week, fresh homemade hot lunch specials, and authentic New York deli sandwiches.

Page 5 • THE LIST • September 28, 2013 • @heightsleader

Ruggles Green 748 E. 11th St.

Houston’s first certified green restaurant practices a strong ethic of healthy eating, offering an abundance of gluten- and dairy-free and vegetarian options, with a special emphasis on its Kids Live Well choices for youngsters. The Heights location serves breakfast on weekends, the only of the chain to do so.

Shade in the Heights 250 W. 19th Street

A bastion of fine dining in the Heights, Shade features a upscale menu and renown brunches on weekends starting at 9 a.m., with locally sourced ingredients.

Sunrise Taquitos 5601 Memorial Drive

Arrive early, especially on weekends, as a line forms for this breakfast-taco-and-lunch joint that custom makes each order. Sunrise lives up to its name, opening at 6 a.m. Monday-Saturday and 8 on Sundays,

Table 19 632 W. 19th Street

Table 19 is a cozy little dining spot in the Heights, featuring homemade breakfasts, soups, salads, sandwiches and pies (including a killer chicken pot pie) that are family-friendly.

Tacos A Go-Go 2912 White Oak Dr.

For breakfast tacos any time of day, Tacos A

Spotlight: BRC Gastropub

Go-Go offers a wide variety and selection for any palette. For $1.89, you can grab a taco with scrambled eggs and two additional ingredients, The food is inventive and the including bacon, sausage and chorizo to spinmimosas and sangrias are sold by ach, refried beans and mushrooms.

Texas Cafeteria 2400 N. Shepherd

Opening at 6 a.m. with fast-serve cafeteria service, this is the place to go when you’re craving an old-fashioned homestyle breakfast.

Come hungry -- the proportions are more than generations.

Triple A Restaurant 2526 Airline Drive

Billing itself as “Where Good People Meet to Eat,” the Triple A Restaurant recalls a 1940s diner, complete with waitresses that call you “sweetie” and classic comfort food dishes, including chicken fried steak, pork chops, grits, gravy and biscuits.

Yale Street Grill 2100 Yale Street

Long before there was brunch, there was breakfast at the Yale Street Grill. Take the family into a bygone era with a trip to this old-fashioned corner drugstore-diner. Located in a former pharmacy founded in the Heights in 1923, Yale Street Grill has made its reputation with old-fashioned food at old-fashioned prices, including simple and hearty breakfasts.

the pitcher -- $10 apiece – at BRC Gastropub’s brunch, which runs from 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday.

Hefty breakfasts run the gamut from sweet to savory, from traditional to quirky.

There are buttermilk pancakes with doubled cream and berries and the American breakfast of two eggs, a sausage patty, mapley bacon, potato, toast and a marinated tomato for the more convention.

More unconventional fare includes grilled trout with a Yukon potato hash and poached eggs, ? a jalapeno-potato chip crusted chicken fried steak served with creamed gravy, two local eggs, roast jalapeno, breakfast potatoes, bacon jam and a biscuit.

There’s also fried chicken biscuits and eggs with more of that gravy, bacon jam and crispy fries, a brisket-cheddar-tomato-fried egg grilled cheese on sourdough, and North Shore (as in Hawaii)

loco moco, with chopped steak and Spam, fried eggs, grilled pineapple and mushroom gravy served over rice.

If you get a longing for that CFS (chicken fried steak, to you Texas newcomers), a full version of it is sold as an “evening breakfast” on BRC’s regular menu, with the same eggs, potatoes and garnishes.

BRC Gastropub 519 Shepherd St. 713-861-2233 Brunch from 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Saturday-Sunday

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4701 NORTH MAIN

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www.spanish-flowers.com

OPEN 24 HOURS EXCEPT TUES. - CLOSED TUES @10PM REOPEN WED. 9 AM

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713-869-1706

Page 6 • THE LIST • September 28, 2013 • @heightsleader

Spotlight: Liberty Kitchen Liberty Kitchen in the Heights makes early dining on weekends both delicious and affordable with its unique Happy Hour Breakfast, served from 8 a.m.10 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays, and it offers a wider choice on its regular breakfast menu through early afternoon.

On the Happy Hour menu: the Mini American, two eggs your way, two pieces of mapley bacon and toast for $3; the Liberty Muffin, a fried egg, tomato, sausage patty, cheese on an English muffin for $4; the Shorty, two pancakes with brandy syrup and butter, for $3, and the Lean and Mean, two egg whites, two sliced tomatoes and spinach for $4. A palate-cleansing grapefruit brulee can be had for $2.

If you’re hungrier, a full breakfast menu is served from 8 a.m.2:30 p.m. on weekends that shows the range (and occasional whimsy) of its regular offerings during the week.

There’s the legendary fried chicken (that will soon spawn its own chicken and donut stand behind the Kitchen) with pecan waffles, brisket-potato hash,

Progressive e Mex x with w ith a C Cool o ol B Breeze reeze omelettes with fried oysters or smoked salmon and cream cheese, red velvet tacos, and a burger known as the Early Gorilla, served on an English muffin with a fried egg, grilled jalapeno-onion bacon and chile con queso. And where else would you find that Hawaiian favorite, loco moco, a concoction of ground beef, spam, egg, rice and mushroom gravy?

Liberty Kitchen 1050 Studewood 713-802-0533 www.libertykitchenoysterbar.com

702 East 11th Street at Beverly One block west of Studewood 713-225-2252

The Great Outdoors

Happy Hour breakfast 8-10 a.m.

Saturday-Sunday Breakfast menu 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Spotlight: Spanish Flowers Except for overnight TuesdayWednesday, you don’t ever need to worry about grabbing breakfast at Spanish Flowers on North Main Street, a 24-hour standby for Tex-Mex and more conventional breakfast items since 1979, with a reputation that blooms far behind the Greater Heights.

Available all day every day are standard and creative Tex-Mex items such as jalapeno sausage and eggs, chilaquiles, barbacoa, chicharrones and pork chops, with breakfast versions of tacos, burritos and enchiladas stuffed with eggs and your choice of fillings.

Spanish Flowers’ menudo – a spicy tripe stew – is considered by many the best in Houston, effective therapy for everything from allergies and colds to a wicked hangover.

Non-Tex-Mex offerings include omelettes, pancakes served with strawberries, bananas or mango, and oatmeal with fresh fruit.

And prepare to be surprised: there’s always a $4.95 breakfast special from 4 a.m.-10 a.m. Mon-

days through Fridays.

Among Spanish Flowers’ more conventional beverage offerings, so you can feel a bit virtuous in the morning, are licuados – a kind of Mexican smoothie – fruit blended with your choice of milk, soy or ice cream.

And perhaps the best feature of its round-the-clock operation is that if you don’t feel like breakfast in the morning, you can order off the enormous regular menu of Tex-Mex favorites.

Spanish Flowers 4701 N. Main St. 713-869-1706 Open 24 hours daily (except 10 p.m. Tuesday-9 a.m. Wednesday)

Sunday Brunch Specials

99 cent mimosas and champagne

Sunday Night Specials

half price wines by the glass After 5

Outstanding Gulf Seafood and Wild Game

713.861.8666 • rainbow-lodge.com

Page 7 • THE LIST • September 28, 2013 • @heightsleader

Spotlight: The ‘Creeks’ Wouldn’t you know that the closest thing to a restaurant “chain” in the Heights would be something not chain-like at all?

The four “Creek” restaurants have similarities -- great food and drink including breakfasts and late-night eats -- interesting locations and comfortable and charming decor, but each has its own personality.

And they’re infused with the personality of Gary Mosley, who began the group in 2002 with Onion Creek, now at the center of a revival along White Oak Drive in the Heights. Breakfast is served at Onion Creek from 7 a.m. seven days a week, and includes a wide range of offerings, from breakfast tacos to chicken ‘n’ waffles -with its famous frozen mimosas, signature cocktails and craft beer offered at appropriate hours. Onion Creek features comfortable indoor dining and drinking, but most aficionados favor the two shaded patios.

Dry Creek is a cozy spot in a 1930 gas station along a fast developing section of Yale Street -

- a little piece of history not far from the cookie-cutter sameness of burgeoning big box outlets and chain eateries just a few blocks to the south. It’s famous for its breakfast sammich, waffles and granola, migas and tacos, lox plate, and catfish and grits served every day from 7 a.m. (And its burgers were chosen among the best in the state by Texas Monthly.)

Cedar Creek is on the banks of a creek in the Shady Acres section of the Heights, with a sign proclaiming “Welcome to the Hill Country” greeting arrivals as they cross over a foot bridge.

Cedar Creek offers breakfast in a warm, friendly restaurant inside or on vast, shady patios outside -- voted the best in Houston.

Chicken ‘n’ waffles, breakfast tacos, pulled pork rancheros are popular dining choices, with frozen deep Eddy tea, frozen mimosas and craft beer to wash them down.

In fact, Cedar Creek’s “beer wall” celebrated brewing long before the current craft beer craze.

Canyon Creek, in the Memorial Park area, has that same neighborhood friendliness and mix of indoor dining, expansive outdoor dining and drinking. It serves lunch and dinner daily, breakfast from 7 a.m.-2 p.m. on weekends with the Creeks’ popular chicken ‘n’ waffles, shrimp and grits and chorizo and eggs as part of the lineup -- along with frozen mimosas and ‘ritas and an admirable selection of craft beers.

While Mosley has embraced the Austin-Hill Country vibe, devoted followers of the four Creeks brag that they have a unique Heights vibe all of their own.

Onion Creek 3106 White Oak Drive

Dry Creek 544 Yale St.

Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner from 7 a.m. daily

Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner from 7 a.m. daily

Cedar Creek 1034 W. 20th St.

Canyon Creek 6603 Westcott

Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner Breakfast Saturdays-Sundays from 7 a.m.-noon

Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner Breakfast Saturdays-Sundays 7 a.m.-2 p.m.

www.TheCreekGroup.com

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(713) 880-0100

12503 Telge Rd.

14759 Memorial Dr.

(281)373-0300

(281)493-2252

CYPRESS, TX

HOUSTON, TX

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www.lahaciendaescondida.com