Best Sandwich: McAlister’s
With our own location at the Welcome Center, it is no wonder McAlister’s was chosen as Best Sandwich among the community. “I love the Sweet Chipotle Chicken Sandwich on a croissant,” said Ashley Lara, a communications sciences and disorders senior. “This is my go-to sandwich because I get protein from the chicken and the sweet taste from the chipotle peach sauce.” In addition to their regular sandwiches, McAlister’s has vegetarian options for those that may not enjoy a chicken sandwich. Plus, have you tried the sweet tea?—BB Various Locations
Photo by Jessica Cruz|Cooglife
Best Pho: Pho Saigon
It’s tough to find a place that has faster service or better prices than Pho Saigon. It has some of the best Pho in the Houston area, and is the best value for your dollar. The Pho is large in this one, and you can order extra noodles for just a $1 more. Pho is a go-to comfort food which is perfect after bombing an exam or breaking up with a loved one. You know, #justcollegethings.–IB Various Locations
Best 24-hour Diner: House of Pies
Photo by Kyrie Bouressa|Cooglife
Late night diners are large part of college life, but there are not many late night dining options on campus. But have no fear —House of Pies is only a short drive away, and its open 24/7. Once you and your friends get there at 1 a.m., the question is what are you going to eat? House of Pies has you covered with a large variety of pies and breakfast foods. Some of its amazing pies include Dutch Apple, Banana Cream, Bayou Goo, Tres Leches and many more. From omelets to chicken fried steak, House of Pies can fix that late-night breakfast craving too. Whatever meal you are looking for, House of Pies can serve your taste buds, and serve them well. People are all around you talking and having a good time, and have been known to bring board games to House of Pies — it’s just that type of place.—DS 3112 Kirby Drive and 6142 Westheimer
Best Crawfish: BB’s Cafe
It’s that time of year, and we’re not talking about midterms, but crawfish season. What better place to get crawfish than BB’s Café, the best crawfish joint in Houston? With affordable crawfish starting at $7.95 per pound, why wouldn’t you grab some friends and enjoy some Tex-Orleans? It’s open 24 hours, so head out now. –TN Various Locations
Best Donuts: Shipley’s
The world of donuts reveres Shipley’s. Its convenience is married to its delectability, and the lovechild of that marriage? Our happier student body. The shop sits directly across from TDECU Stadium. Shipley’s can cater for student or work meetings, it accepts credit cards and the prices are inexpensive. Shipley’s menu boasts the options of yeast, cake or filled donuts; then, you choose the flavors and toppings to satisfy your wildest (or tamest) donut craving. –MV 3726 Scott St. 77004
Photo by Robyn Archer|Cooglife
Best Breakfast: The Breakfast Klub
A Houston tradition and long-time favorite, the Breakfast Klub still has lines out the door on most weekends. With specials such as Wings and Waffles and Katfish and Grits, the reasons to make this your new brunch spot are numerous. The southern-style breakfasts will rival your grandmother’s and its mid-town location lets you experience Houston at its finest. While its prices vary, the sit-down diner is well worth your time.—KJ 3711 Travis St. 77002
Best Desserts: House of Pies
Let’s face it: true to its slogan, the pies really are “a slice of heaven on earth.” Do you really need to hear about its mouth-watering Dutch Apple or the addicting Texas Pecan Fudge again? A shrine in the Cooglife office is dedicated to the Bayou Goo, and we’re pretty sure we speak for all the students when we say nous adorent le French Silk. And both the Kirby and Westheimer locations are only a few miles away, so why are you still reading this?—MV Various Locations
Photo by Matt Flora|Cooglife
Best Cupcakes: Crave
This probably comes to the surprise of no one, but Crave Cupcakes was voted Coogs Choose Best Cupcakes award. Crave has some flavors that are there every day and it has some that they rotate weekly. A few of their various delicious flavors are: Red Velvet (also made the Vegan way), German Chocolate, Strawberry and French Vanilla. You can them check out their website and see which ones you will love and what days they’ll be there. These cupcakes are only $3.75 each, and if you have ever tasted these cute and tasty cupcakes you know it is for sure worth it.—DS Uptown Park Blvd. 1151-06 and Kirby Drive 5600
Photo by Stewart Lyons|Cooglife
Best BBQ: Ray’s BBQ
How can you call yourself a Texan if you’ve never tried barbecue? Whether you like it or not, try out Ray’s BBQ for a genuine Texas-size barbecue. And, it’s just a hop off campus for a little taste of Texas. Known for its famous “Ray’s pit BBQ sauce,” it’ll have you coming back for more. Though it might not be the place to go daily, it is affordable for students looking to try something new.—TN 4529 Old Spanish Trail
Best Off-Campus Lunch: Mandola’s Deli
Sometimes lunch on campus just doesn’t meet the needs, but Mandola’s Deli is here to save the day with the Best Off-Campus Lunch. Mandola’s Deli is only about one and a half miles away, and it serves a multitude of different appetizers, yummy po’boy sandwiches and dozens of classic Italian dishes. Unless you are seriously into Pizza Hut or Pinks, then Mandola’s Deli is the place to go if you want authentic Italian food. Its food is great, and the prices are pretty cheap as well. This restaurant is run by Frank Mandola and his son Joseph, who is a UH graduate. Mandola was a hotel and restaurant management major and now he manages a Mandola’s Deli with his dad. Both of the Mandola men are usually in the front serving you. This is a family business, and it feels that way, too. The meatball on top is that UH students get a 10 percent discount at Mandola’s Deli. If that doesn’t get you excited to go, then I don’t know what will.—DS 4105 Leeland Street
Best Coffee: The Nook
If you’re looking for the best coffee on campus, visit the Nook Café near Calhoun Lofts. Chug a rattlesnake latte or a Darjeeling tea from their specialty menus, and top it with a Glazed maple bacon donut or a cupcake. The Nook has a super-cute, hipster vibe and you’re pretty likely to meet some classmates —although, yeah, that may not always be a good thing.—TN
Best Coffee: Starbucks
Want something more mainstream? Go to any Starbucks in town. They’re in every corner, and, in fact, three on campus: in the Student Center South, the Satellite and Melcher Hall and on the second floor of Bauer. Coffee, desert, drinks, pastries and more — there is plenty to snack on while cramming for finals.—TN Various Locations
Best Comfort Food: Mama’s Oven
What’s more comforting than comfort food? For a small family-owned business with big business taste, head to Mama’s Oven. From potatoes to beans and corn breads to oxtails, you can’t get more soul than this. They don’t have an official website, so when you’re thinking of something quick and filling to eat, stop by since it’s only a 10-minute drive from school. –TN 9295 Main St. 77025
Best Comfort Food: Poblano’s Mexican
Want a little Mexican with a taste of soul food? Visit Poblano’s Mexican Grill for affordable tacos and more! Famous for their $2 breakfast tacos, grab a few on they way to school. Located on 1000 Main Street near Discovery Green, it’s a great place to get a cheap lunch between classes. They offer take-out, catering services, full bar service, free Wi-Fi, live music, and numerous events & specials.—TN 1000 Main St. 77002
Best Tex Mex: Chuy’s
Who doesn’t like a little Tex in their Mex? If you’re tired of fast foods like Taco Bell but aren’t confident enough in your Spanish to head to one of Houston’s family-owned shops, Chuy’s is the place for you. They’ve got tacos, burritos, soups and salads, enchiladas, fajitas, and of course, their famous sauces, so grab all that Tex Mex without eating a hole in your wallet.—TN Various Locations
Photo by Stewart Lyons|Cooglife
Best Margaritas: Pistolero’s
If you’re looking for a great margarita at a great price, Pistolero’s is sure to please. House‘ritas — frozen and on the rocks — are regularly $7, but snag one for three bucks during happy hour or just $2 on Margarita Mondays. Customers even have the option to turn the restaurant’s large selection of tequilas into a margarita. Located inside the loop, this tequila and taco bar offers everything from the ubiquitous chips and queso to fresh shrimp fajitas. Plus, it boasts top-shelf liquor. Open seven days a week, customers can expect a good drink, good food and a good time.—BH 1517 Westheimer Rd. 77006
Best Margaritas: Chuy’s
It makes sense that one of Texas’ most famous restaurant chains houses Houston’s best margarita. Tex-Mex staple Chuy’s offers fresh and flavorful margaritas in a variety of ways — on the rocks, frozen and swirled, as well as with a dot of your favorite liqueur on top (and for only $6.50.). For about $3 more, customers can enjoy a full 18 oz. of their favorite drink. “I love, love, love Chuy’s,” kinesiology senior Lena Adams said. “They have some of the best margaritas in town.” Chuy’s customers can also build their own ‘ritas — choosing from six different tequilas and three liqueurs. With eight locations in the greater Houston area, there’s no excuse not to find yourself sampling their menu in the near future.—BH Various Locations
Best Happy Hour: RA Sushi
Ordinarily, cheap sushi would make a person run for the hills, but customers flock to RA Sushi for this exact reason. The restaurant and bar boasts an extra-long happy hour with discounted appetizers and entrees, sushi and drinks. Popular menu items run anywhere from $3.49 to $8.99 during happy hour, which lasts from 3 to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 3 p.m. to midnight Sundays. “I love that place,” media production junior Kendall Nissen said. “The RA Chips and Salsa and the Rainbow Roll are my favorites.” RA Sushi offers customers two locations — one in Highland Village, the other in City Centre — and plenty of chances to fill up on delicious eats.—BH 3908 Westheimer Rd. 77027
Best Burrito: Chipotle
As the adage goes, “when life gets hard, eat a burrito.” (Right?) Maybe Chipotle and its delicious tex-mex helped students bust stress from all-nighter, or maybe its food is just a go-to no matter stress levels. Either way, when someone says Chipotle, most people ooh and ahh as if it holds the standard for all other burritos. Chipotle is fairly healthy in terms of fast food, and it’s the same price range as others. For a few bucks you can fill your tummy with a Chipotle burrito that is delectably yummy.—MDV Various locations
Best Taco: Torchy’s Tacos
Don’t let the cute devil with the pitchfork scare you away because Torchy’s Tacos are really “damn good,” like the slogan says. Chances are you’ll see the line wrapped around the building when you go, but it moves fast and the food is well-worth the wait. “It is a great environment and the tacos are really good,” nutrition senior Ginelle Cabagay said. “(My friends and I) always go there because it is great food and the environment is really welcoming and friendly.”—BB Various Locations
Best Chicken Wings: Buffalo Wild Wings
There’s no better place to go to for a bite to eat and to catch the big game. BWW offers a variety of sauces ranging from sweet to blazing hot. Despite the name, they don’t just serve wings: B-Dubs flaunts appetizers like fried pickles and ultimate nachos, that are, maybe literally, to die for. Catch college students there on Tuesdays for 50% off traditional wings.—IB Various Locations
Best Burger: Whataburger
Last year, Whataburger was rated best burger in America by a number of publications and according to our Coogs Choose poll, they’re still on top. A 24-hour Texas icon, Whataburger is the best place to get a juicy hamburger at 3a.m. and the most likely place to see an armed robber get shot by a customer. Whether you’re getting hearty biscuits and gravy with some OJ on the way to class in the morning or a triple patty burger loaded with bacon and avocado to celebrate a winning March Madness bracket, you’re definitely not the only Cougar doing so.—GF Various locations 
Best Pizza: Pink’s Pizza
The University is fortunate enough to have Pink’s Pizza, one of the most daring, adventurous pie shops in the Houston area. The pizza is delicious, its composition original and undeniably pleasing. In a city with such diverse dining options like Houston, the pizza that you eat better be worth its marbles — and Pink’s Pizza is worth every one. Their pizza is gluten-free, and they deliver.—MV Various Locations
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