My random thoughts…brought to you once a week!  This week, we close out the Top 25 Houston Best Bites of the past year. Check back here and here and here for the previous entries.

10. benjy’s in Rice Village: Mom’s Chocolate Cake
benjy’s is the only restaurant that shows up twice on my top 25 list. The best description I can give for this Mom’s Chocolate Cake is that it tastes very similar to my mom’s chocolate cake.

9. Oh My Gogi: Fries
It was dark, late…and I was very tired when I consumed this food truck’s fries. I still for the life of me don’t remember all of the ingredients, but it really doesn’t matter. Spicy sauces, tender pork, and perfectly cooked French fries have me yearning for a return visit.

Leonard's

8. Leonard’s: Bacon Cheeseburger
I’m just befuddled. I have no idea how this burger joint is often overlooked when it comes to Best Of lists or competitions. It’s a place every Houstonian should check out at least once. The burger is greasy goodness served up in a shack inside Acres Homes.

7. Lai Lai Dumpling House: Pork Fried Dumplings
I say pork fried dumplings, but I could really choose anyone of their dumpling offerings. Bring cash, a big appetite, and be prepared to sink your teeth into enormous, crispy, doughy dumplings.  I max out at three.

6. El Hidalquense: Charro Beans
This one might be a head scratcher to some, but one taste will certainly convince the non-believers. A bowl of this eats more like a soup.

5. Samba Grille: Tres Leches Cake
I don’t like tres leches cake. I repeat…I don’t like tres leches cake. Samba Grille’s version ranks in my top 5 overall dishes. What does that tell you? Enough said.

Check out that creamed spinach in the top corner!

4. Perry’s Steakhouse: Signature Pork Chop
I’ve written extensively on my love for this pork chop. If you’re not a vegetarian, you haven’t lived until you’ve ordered it. If I had a dog, I’d name him Perry…in honor of the pork chop. Boom.

3. Strip House: Creamed Spinach
I tasted this dish on a Chef Chat interview with Eating Our Words. It was one of those culinary moments that make you sit back in your chair, collect yourself, and appreciate what just happened.

2. Gatlin’s: Pork Ribs
I waited for d@mn near an hour to sink my teeth into these perfectly tender ribs. It was worth it. Gatlin’s has the best ribs in Houston. Period.

1. Heights West: Duck
Another restaurant that gets virtually no pub (because of its location). That’s a shame, because the food coming out of this kitchen is special. The menu is fairly small, but what they do…they do quite well. And nothing is better than this duck breast soaked in a mango sauce.