EATING

Intermittent fasting, where people eat what they want, but only during certain daily windows of time, has skyrocketed in popularity in recent years.

You may find yourself snacking more than usual and indulging in delicious comfort foods that are high in sugar and starches. According to health experts, even this innocent behavior can be concerning.

Common Bond and Pinks Pizza are among the local restaurant concepts coming to William P. Hobby Airport under a new concessions contract Houston City Council approved Wednesday.

Chef Pedro Garcia of El Meson appeared on KPRC to share some of the restaurant’s delectable dishes.

It’s not every day that you prepare a feast as big as a Thanksgiving dinner, so it’s easy to forget something. Half-and-half. Butter. That pesky can of cranberry sauce.

A few miles southwest of downtown Houston’s towering high-rises, University Place is a wonderland of art and architecture.

Texas-based Blue Bell announced the return of a verry merry ice cream flavor, Christmas Cookies.

It’s an excellent time to try new food in Houston.

The founders of Grinder’s Coffee Bar, The CBD Apothecary, and Wild in the Heights announced that they will soon open a second Wild location in Montrose.

Blue Bell has release a new seasonal flavor. Salted Caramel Brownie Ice Cream.

Teacher appreciation week is May 2-6.

For this writer, there’s little better on a warm Texas day than a cool, sweet scoop of Blue Bell ice cream. On that, many Texas ice cream addicts can agree. Much more divisive, though, is this -- Which Blue Bell Ice cream flavor is best?

Make a foray into the fields and pluck your own produce.

Trigger cravings in an instant with two simple words: fried food.

It’s hard to believe that spring is right around the corner and Lent is here.

RodeoHouston judges ate their way through dozens of entries vying for glory at the annual Gold Buckle Foodie Awards.

After a late night, what you probably want before you head home is an after-midnight snack. Yes, come witching hour, pickings are slim, but you need not settle for a floppy dollar slice of gas station pizza, a regrettable combo from a fast food drive-thru or worse yet, a frozen TV dinner. Whether you have a hankering for pho, burgers, tacos or doughnuts, you have options.

The delectable, flavorful dishes that are a staple of traditional soul food have been accepted as a thing of the past by most transitioning to a vegan lifestyle.

Cool winter days call for steamy, intensely comforting bowls of first-rate ramen. Luckily, Houston is home to some seriously slurp-worthy ramen shops where you can find classic ramen as well inspired adaptations like stir-fry, curry and barbecue ramen. The biggest problem, if we can even it call it that, is the sheer number of ramen noodle denizens in our great city. Which ramen restaurants serve the best of the best? We asked locals where they go to get incredible ramen in the Houston-area, and they delivered.

No meat, no carbs, no dairy, no gluten. Did you know that it may be damaging to your health if you deprive your body of foods? A new way of honoring your body and fueling it without guilt is rising in popularity. It’s called intuitive eating. But what is this new anti-diet and does it work?

Each year, some Houston-area shoppers head to grocery stores to pick up some New Year’s Eve staples, hoping to bring luck and good fortune in the year to come.

In the late 19th century, a new holiday cake emerged in France (It’s unclear exactly which brilliant Parisian pastry chef deserves credit for the creation). The confection paid tribute to – and resembled – the Yule log, burned by ancient Europeans to honor the winter solstice. Now, bûche de Noël, which literally translates as “Christmas log,” is a beloved yuletide treat in many countries, including the good ol’ U.S. of A.

We put together the ultimate yuletide treat smackdown and asked you, our Insiders, to vote on your festive faves. Hundreds weighed in and over the course of five rounds thousands of votes were cast. What began with 32 delicious candidates slowly dwindled down to two finalists -- Hot chocolate and Christmas sugar cookies. And, finally, a winner -- Christmas Sugar Cookies.

Halloween has come and gone. Up next, Thanksgiving. This year, skip the thawing, brining, stuffing and basting and opt for a stress-free Turkey Day feast with a little extra oomph. These Houston barbecue joints are offering smoking-good turkey, briskets, ham and side items worthy of your Thanksgiving table.

In celebration of Halloween, Voodoo Doughnut is offering half off all donuts at its Heights and Montrose shops.

If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to snag Whataburger this week, Favor might have a tempting promotion for you.

Marcello Marini came to Houston from Argentina in the late 1960′s with $16.35 and a dream to work in news.

As if Texans needed yet another reason to eat tacos, Monday, October 4 is National Taco Day. We’ve assembled a list of Tex-Mex restaurants offering delicious deals to celebrate.

Whether they’re seeking a late-night snack, an after-hours dinner or a spur-of-the-moment midnight feast, night owls are guaranteed to find good eats at these beloved Houston restaurants.

Searching for someplace simple where you can score a stack of syrup-soaked buttermilk pancakes and a piping-hot cup of black coffee -- No frills, no fusions and no swarms of Insta-obsessed influencers? Slip into a booth or slide behind the counter at one of Houston’s longstanding diners.

Fall brings cooler weather and Whataburger’s latest merch drop makes it even cooler.

Located in the bustling Hong Kong City Mall, Bakery Ngoc Lan serves steamed buns as adorable as they are delectable.

The subset of humans out there who love both ranch and clogs will be pleased with this news food-meets-fashion collaboration -- Rapper Saweetie partnered with Crocs and Hidden Valley Ranch to create a creamy new clog.

The calorie-dense newbies run the gamut, from frozen ranch water to country fried shrimp grits. Essentially, if it could be deep-fried and dusted in powdered sugar, there’s a pretty good chance you can find it at the State Fair this year.

Listed chronologically by opening date, here’s a look at the longstanding Houston eateries that have been dishing out burgers and fries for decades. Note that several of the burger joints listed below have been in business longer than half a century.

In celebration of Autumn’s impending arrival, the Honey Baked Ham Company debuted a new fall product -- Pumpkin Spice Glazed Turkey Breast.

A panel of judges reviewed 1,200 products -- everything from books to beignets -- vying for glory in H-E-B’s annual search for the Lone Star State’s best new merchandise.

Beloved Height’s restaurant, Mico’s Hot Chicken, dropped a drippy new dish that blurs the line between dinner and dessert -- an ice cream chicken sandwich.

Texans’ cultish love for H‑E‑B is an unparalleled romance for the ages. Time after time, whether it be its response to a statewide disaster or merely the release of a quirky new Texas-inspired product, the Lone Star State’s beloved grocery chain has upheld it’s snappy slogan, ”No Store Does More.” For many, the grocery chain can do no wrong -- especially when it comes to its many in-house products.

Snack-food favorite Mountain Dew joined forces with fellow PepsiCo title Cheetos to unleash a Flamin’ Hot-flavored soda upon the world.

Nursing some serious Girl Scout cookie withdrawal symptoms? Unfortunately, the Girl Scout’s 2022 Cookie Season is still months away. But, during this dark, Girl Scout cookie dry spell, we’ve got a spark of good news for you -- Come 2022, the Girl Scouts will introduce a new cookie.

Texans’ cultish obsession with Whataburger is an unparalleled romance for the ages. The chain is a true Texas icon. Its orange-and-white-stripe A-frames are just about everywhere in Texas, as are its fans. We double-patty dare you to find a Texan who’s not gaga for Whataburger’s honey butter chicken biscuits, spicy ketchup and Texas-sized burgers.

As if Texans even needed another excuse to gorge on fajitas, Wednesday August 18 is National Fajita Day.

In preparation for the State Fair of Texas, judges ate their way through 43 entries from 26 concessionaires vying for glory at the 17th Annual Big Tex Choice Awards.

Craving a slice of ‘za brah? Slip on your pizza slides and suit up -- track suit up, that is. Earlier this month, the Texas-based, pizza purveyor Pizza Hut launched a sizzling new streetwear collection.

Texans, a distressing drink shortage is plaguing our great state, well, the nation actually. Topo Chico, a beverage many here in the Lone Star State hold near and dear to our hearts is being swept off shelves faster than the company can restock it. Stated bluntly, we’re experiencing a nationwide Topo Chico shortage , and, we might add, in the middle of a scorching summer.

Texans’ cultish love for H-E-B is an unparalleled romance for the ages. Time after time, whether it be its response to a statewide disaster or merely the release of a quirky new Texas-inspired product, the Lone Star State’s beloved grocery chain has upheld it’s snappy slogan,”No Store Does More.” Now, H-E-B’s upped its game once again, unveiling a wacky product we never knew we needed but now can’t conceive of living without: A butter tortilla-scented candle.

The Chocolate Bar at Montrose is closing August 1.

Here's a list to find the freshest produce in Houston's local farmers markets.

Beloved Brenham-based ice cream manufacturer Blue Bell released a new flavor, Coconut Cream Pie, in celebration of National Ice Cream Month.

Craving a good bagel but not sure where to go to satisfy your craving? We’ve got a list sure to come in handy.

Beloved Houston-based, Creole fried chicken franchise Frenchy’s Chicken celebrates its 52-year anniversary on Saturday, July 3.

Three Brothers Bakery is celebrating its 72nd anniversary this Friday, June 18th by offering all of their cookies for 72¢ each at their original location, 4036 S. Braeswood Blvd.

San Antonio’s River Walk is at its most spectacular in December when more than 2,250 strings of twinkling lights cloak towering trees and set bridges aglow.

In Houston’s food scene, high value is often placed on innovation, novelty and aesthetics -on the most Insta-worthy menu items, the most unique dining experience or the latest foodie fad. It is no wonder, then, that so many of the city’s oldest bakeries and dessert shops have disappeared.

Foodies, we’ve got stellar news for you -- One of Houston’s most anticipated food events of the year, Houston Restaurant Weeks, has begun. The event runs through Labor Day, September 6.

Tex-Mex chain Taco Cabana launched its annual MargaritaPalooza, offering nine new margarita flavors and three tried-and-true classics. All margaritas are available for just $2 all day, every day, at participating Texas locations.

Portland, Oregon-based Voodoo Doughnut recently opened its second Houston location in Montrose.

As if receiving a COVID-19 vaccine weren’t rewarding enough in and of itself, Krispy Kreme is sweetening the deal, offering free doughnuts to anyone who has received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and has the vaccination card to prove it.

Popular beverage Topo Chico will soon be available in Texas with a boozy upgrade. Molson Coors Beverage Company will begin distributing Topo Chico Hard Seltzer in Texas on March 29. The new beverage combines purified spiked sparkling water and natural flavors with minerals. Topo Chico Hard Seltzer will be available in four flavors including: Tangy Lemon Lime, Exotic Pineapple, Strawberry Guava and Tropical Mango. “Topo Chico Hard Seltzer is a modern take on refreshment that brings entirely new character to the red-hot seltzer category.”

A new ramen shop will open in Houston’s M-K-T in early April. Rakkan Ramen will offer authentic Japanese cuisine. “Houston has a great food scene and is incredibly diverse,” said Rakkan Ramen franchise owner Chris Lav, on what attracted the brand to Houston. Rakkan Ramen currently operates six locations across the United States, including three locations in Tokyo, Japan. The restaurant is scheduled to open early in April and in Building 5 of M-K-T, located at 600 N Shepherd Dr, Houston TX 77007.

These places get it right - from milkshakes to ice cream sandwiches to churros, there's something sinfully sweet at each spot that will make your kiddo's jaw drop and fulfill their...

HOUSTON – Chick-fil-A will open a new location in Houston’s Sharpstown area next week. Located off of the US-59 freeway feeder near Houston Baptist University’s campus at 7539 SW Freeway, the new location will open at 6 a.m. on Monday, March 8. The restaurant will operate 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Initially, the new location, which will employ some 120 people, will open for drive-thru service only. For more information about the new Chick-fil-A location, click here.

Halal Guys will hold a grand opening for its new downtown Houston location on Tuesday, March 2. The new location at 609 Main Street will occupy 3,400 square feet and offer seating for up to 38 diners. Founded in 1990, The Halal Guys began as a hot dog cart in New York City and has since grown into fast-casual Halal food restaurant franchise with locations worldwide, including six Houston locations at 609 Main Street, 3821 Farnham Street, 6609 Main Street, 3008 Ella Boulevard, 11700 Westheimer Road and 10111 Louetta Road. “We love Houston and are thrilled to be opening our sixth location here,” said Masroor Fatany, local franchise owner for The Halal Guys, in a recent release. We’re looking forward to being able to provide our delicious halal food and unparalleled customer service to even more fans in Houston.

Local Foods Market opened in Rice Village earlier this month. The new grocer-restaurant concept offers counter service and grab-and-go meals along with a grocery marketplace. “We are thrilled to continue the pop-up success with the conversion of benjy’s into a larger Local Foods Market,” said Benjy Levit, Local Foods Owner in a release. The grocery section of the concept offers “artisanal foodie staples” including specialty spices and sauces, local eggs and milk, Texas beef in retail packs and Houston Dairymaids cheeses. Local Foods Market operates daily 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

HOUSTON – If you’re craving for some slow-cooked brisket for breakfast, Einstein Bros. Bagels has your back with a new egg sandwich hitting participating locations nationwide starting Thursday. Try our NEW Texas Brisket Egg Sandwich on a fresh-baked Jalapeño Bacon Gourmet Bagel. #Brisket4Breakfast pic.twitter.com/wzVj2QzqEa — Einstein Bros. (@EinsteinBros) February 25, 2021Also making its debut is the Jalapeno Bacon Gourmet Bagel, which can be paired with the new egg sandwich. The new Texas Brisket Egg Sandwich is now available at all Houston-area Einstein Bros. Bagels for a limited time only for $6.79. Will you eat brisket for breakfast from Einstein Bros. Bagels?

‘We are still in complete shock’: Katy restaurant Midway BBQ destroyed in weekend blazeKATY, Texas – Flames ripped through Katy restaurant Midway BBQ over the weekend. The fire was reported at approximately 2:52 a.m. Saturday at Midway BBQ, located at 6025 Hwy Blvd in Katy. “Midway BBQ had an epic fire inside our building this morning,” wrote Jason Carlisle of MeyerFoods LLC on the restaurant’s Facebook page. The Meyer Family would like to thank the Katy Fire... Posted by Midway BBQ on Saturday, February 20, 2021The restaurant remains standing though images show it’s interior suffered severe damage in the blaze. We will be back.”Owner Herman Meyer opened the Katy restaurant in the 1990s.

Kroger announced plans to reduce operating hours at store locations across Texas as a major winter storm rolls toward the state. All 109 Kroger store locations in the Greater Houston Area and SW Louisiana will operate with amended hours:Sunday, February 14: All stores closing at 8pmMonday, February 15: All stores opening at 9amSan Antonio-based grocery chain H-E-B also reduced its hours in anticipation of severe winter weather. AdThe storm is bringing freezing rain and cold temperatures to many parts of Texas over the next several days. The National Weather Service issued winter storm warnings or watches for most Texas counties. The Houston area was forecast to have its coldest temperatures in 30 years.

Beloved Texas grocer H-E-B was recently named Grocer of the Year by industry publication Grocery Dive and in another recent report it was ranked the nation’s second-best grocer. The San Antonio-based supermarket chain is No.10 on online job-search company Glassdoor’s 2021 list of the 100 Best Places to Work. AdGlassdoor’s 100 best places to work list features employers across a range of industries, including technology, health care, biotech and pharmaceuticals, retail, travel and tourism, consulting and finance. Several other Texas companies claimed spots on Glassdoor’s 100 Best Places to Work list, including Dallas-based Southwest Airlines (No. “A mission-driven culture, transparent leadership, and career opportunities are always hallmarks of Best Places to Work winners.

Clutch City Cluckers, a new hot chicken food truck, will open in Houston in February. The food truck, located at 5550 Val Verde St., will operate daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. The menu will feature Halal hot chicken sandwiches, chicken tenders, loaded fries and more. While attending school as a full time student, Kilani began working at Abu Omar Halal, Houston’s first Halal Food Truck. Ad“Kilani is now using his experience and knowledge of the food industry to bring Nashville’s Hot Chicken to Houston with Clutch City Cluckers,” a recent release stated.

Here are some Valentine’s Day weekend dine out and takeout date night dinner ideas for your consideration. Artisans will serve a Valentine’s Day dinner from 5:00 p.m. to 10 p.m. Orders must be placed by Tuesday, Feb. 9 for pick-up on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14. Orders must be placed by Tuesday, Feb. 9 for pick-up on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14. AdThe Houston log cabin restaurant will offer a Valentine’s Day Dinner in-house as well.

Grab your gal pals and get ready to channel your inner Leslie Knope -- Feb. 13, a.k.a. Galentine’s Day, is fast upon us. Galentine’s Day reps unusual origins: The celebration of sisterhood was spawned by “Parks and Recreation,” the much-beloved NBC sitcom that chronicled the wild and impassioned antics of over-achiever Leslie Knope. Leslie describes Galentine’s Day as the best day of the year, adding “It’s like Lilith Fair, minus the angst,” she said, “plus frittatas.”AdFrom picnicking in the park to buddy films with your besties, here are a few ways to celebrate Galentine’s Day in Houston we’re sure Leslie Knope would approve of. Visit our Valentine’s Day page.

In select markets, with additional markets added throughout cookie season, consumers can order Girl Scout Cookies for pickup or delivery on Grubhub.com or the Grubhub app. Nursing some serious Girl Scout cookie withdrawal symptoms? In celebration of the collaboration, Grubhub will offer free delivery on Girl Scout Cookie orders $15 or more through Feb. 14. On the site, customers can enter their zip code into the Girl Scout Cookie Finder and order cookies for direct shipment. Beginning February 1, enter your zip code into the Girl Scout Cookie Finder at www.girlscoutcookies.org to purchase from a local Girl Scout troop online for shipment to your door or to donate cookies to first responders and local causes.

At Houston’s Downtown Aquarium restaurant, you can dine and drink underwater -- no scuba gear requiredBuilt from the shell of an abandoned downtown fire station, the Downtown Aquarium’s restaurant complex consists of the 400-seat Aquarium Restaurant and The Dive bar and lounge on the second level, banquet facilities on the third floor and a 15,000-square-foot aquarium on the ground level. Houston's Downtown Aquarium Restaurant (Landry's)In the Houston Aquarium restaurant itself, enjoy an intimate dining experience unlike any other. The restaurant offers a varied selection including seafood specialties, steak, chicken, salad, pasta dishes and desserts. Located on the third floor of the Downtown Aquarium, the Nautilus Ballroom offers ample space for a socially-distanced meeting or small get-together. The aquarium restaurant in Houston is one of several such underwater adventure restaurants -- others are located in Kemah, TX, Nashville, TN and Denver, CO.Houston's Downtown Aquarium Restaurant (Landry's)Houston’s Downtown Aquarium is located at 410 Bagby St.

Café Leonelli and Le Jardinier will open in the MFAH’s new Nancy and Rich Kinder Building. Both will be helmed by Michelin-starred chefs -- Jonathan Benno will lead Café Leonelli, and Alain Verzeroli will lead Le Jardinier. Bastion’s second concept opening in the MFAH -- Le Jardinier, the French word for “gardener”-- is led by Michelin Star Chef Alain Verzeroli. The Kinder Building opened in late November 2020. Designed by Steven Holl Architects, the Kinder Building boasts more than 100,000 square feet of exhibition space circling a three-level atrium.

MOUNT STERLING, Ky. (AP) – Nestlé Prepared Foods is recalling more than 762,000 pounds of pepperoni Hot Pockets, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service said. The problem was discovered when the company received four consumer complaints of extraneous material in pepperoni Hot Pockets, the department said. The company has received one report of a “minor oral injury” associated with consumption of the product, the USDA said. The recall is for 54-ounce packages containing 12 “Nestlé Hot Pockets Brand Sandwiches: Premium Pepperoni made with pork, chicken and beef pizza garlic buttery crust.” Affected boxes have a “Best before Feb 2022” date and lot codes of 0318544624, 0319544614, 0320544614 and 0321544614, the department said. “Consumers who have purchased this product are urged not to consume it,” the USDA said.

Bonchon -- a South Korean-based fried chicken chain with over 356 locations worldwide -- recently opened its fourth Houston-area location in Midtown.

This photo provided by Ben & Jerry’s shows Ben & Jerry’s dog treats. (Ben & Jerry’s via AP)Ben & Jerry’s isn’t just for people anymore. Doggie Desserts, sold in 4-ounce cups, go on sale in U.S. groceries and pet stores later this month. The treats are made with a base of sunflower butter, the same same ingredient Ben & Jerry’s uses in its non-dairy human desserts. Ben & Jerry’s is the latest food company to pivot to pets, joining Smucker’s and General Mills.

Esquire magazine has included a Houston restaurant on its list of places it deems too essential to lose to the COVID-19 pandemic. Huynh, the family-run Vietnamese eatery in Houston’s East Downtown Management District (a.k.a EaDO) was cited in the Dec. 29 article, which includes old and new, famous and obscure eateries nationwide. Because if we lose them, we lose who we are,” wrote Esquire editor Jeff Gordinier. The family-run Vietnamese eatery in operation for over a decade has received high praise for its home-made Vietnamese food, regularly landing on “best of” lists. “Visiting Houston without eating Vietnamese food would be like going to Bologna and neglecting the pasta,” wrote Gordinier.

Beachy new tiki bar and burger joint surfs into PearlandGood Vibes Burgers & Brews -- Pearland’s newest purveyor of burgers, brews and beachy vibes -- is slated to open Saturday, Jan. 9 at 1329 E. Broadway St. Good Vibes will offer diners the “feeling of being on a relaxing beach vacation where they can leave their worries at the door,” according to a release. “With our tiki-forward burger concept and being so close to the water, we wanted to create that same freeing feeling of being on vacation paired with a fresh, sustainable concept,” said Eric Nelson, executive chef and owner of Good Vibes Burgers & Brews. The menu will feature made-to-order burgers with specialty options such as The Good Vibes Signature, a half-pound RC Ranch burger topped with smoked gouda, pepper bacon, Vibin’ sauce, lettuce, tomato and pickle on a cheesy garlic bun. The restaurant opens for lunch and dinner daily beginning at 11 a.m.View the full menu at goodvibesburgers.com.

According to a new study, when Texans get a hankering for something deep-fried and delicious they turn to one fried chicken chain above all others-- Raising Cane’s.

In Houston’s restaurant scene, high value is often placed on innovation, novelty and newness -on the trendiest restaurant, the most unique dining experience or the latest foodie fad. His children own and operate the only Christie’s restaurant location still operating. Texas barbecue legend John Davis and his wife Leila opened the historic Houston restaurant in 1935 as Shepherd Drive Bar-B-Q. The eatery still operated out of its original location, situated at 7006 I-45 South at Woodridge. Following the success of its original location, several additional locations followed and a local fried chicken empire was born.

Houston’s Mexican-Asian fusion food truck Coreanos to open new location in SpringCoreanos -- Houston’s favorite purveyors of Mexican-Asian fusion food -- will open a new food truck in Spring in January. The new food truck, located at 6880 Louetta Road in Spring, will operate daily Monday through Sunday, 5 p.m. to midnight. The Houston based food truck offers Mexican-Asian Fusion food, which earned the truck national recognition on Food Network’s “Unique Eats & Food Paradise.” Korean barbecue burritos, tacos, rice bowls and kimcheese fries and quesadillas anchor the menu. The truck at 6880 Louetta Road will hold its grand opening on Jan. 9 from 2 p.m. to midnight. In honor of their grand opening, Coreanos will offer patrons 50% off their entire order.

New York City-based Van Leeuwen Ice Cream will open its first Texas shop in Houston’s Rice Village next year. The cult-favorite ice cream brand will open its doors at 2565 Amherst St, in Rice Village, sometime in spring 2021. Van Leeuwen offers over 30 dairy and vegan ice cream flavors “made with only quality ingredients using only simple recipes,” according to a release. The Rice Village location is set to open with a new flavor created to celebrate Van Leeuwen’s expansion to Texas. With its established ties, walkability, and bustling community, we knew Rice Village was perfect for our first venture into the Lone Star state,” said CEO and co-founder, Ben Van Leeuwen.

Can you imagine eating the same thing every day? Well, Matt Stoudt has been eating Chick-fil-A every day for over 130 days -- except, of course, on Sundays and on Thanksgiving Day. Back in July, the Nazareth, Pennsylvania resident set a challenge for himself -- to break the “unofficial” record for consecutive days eating at Chick-fil-A after learning of a California man who had eaten at the popular chain for 114 days straight. Stoudt said things got rough around day 100 but he didn’t chicken out. Now he’s asking other Chick-fil-A fanatics not to beat him, because he doesn’t want to do it all over again.

Don’t want to cook a big holiday meal yourself? This year, giving yourself the gift of an effortless holiday meal is easier than ever as countless area restaurants and caterers offer holiday fare. Dec.21 is the last day customers can order holiday packages. If your answer was an unequivocal yes, we have some stellar news for you: Houston’s famed restaurant family rolled out a new holiday meal package this year. The Merry Goode Meal ($200): The meal package includes smoked beef tenderloin, horseradish sauce, au gratin potatoes, creamed spinach and a dozen dinner rolls.

Sigmund Jucker, one of the original founders of Three Brothers Bakery, died Friday. Located on Holman Street across from Temple Beth Israel, the siblings renamed it Three Brothers Bakery, according to Jucker’s obituary. Around the year 2000, Jucker passed the business on to his eldest son, Robert Jucker, according to the bakery’s website. Sigmund was preceded in death by his parents, Morris Jucker and Bertha Siegel Jucker; his sister, Janie Rudy and his brothers, Solomon and Max Jucker. He is survived by ex-wife Edith Jucker, his sister-in-law Estelle Jucker, children Robert Jucker, Susan Goldberg and Michelle Jucker, five grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Turkey day is upon us! Luckily, many area grocery stores will remain open on Thanksgiving Day. Looking for a little help with that Thanksgiving turkey of yours? Take note: A number of Houston-area Thanksgiving Day festivities and events have been curtailed this year due to the coronavirus. Those events and organizations that are forging ahead with Thanksgiving Day events and programs are instituting pandemic policies, which include social distancing and face mask requirements.

Twisted Grilled Cheese, a popular Houston food truck devoted to the gooey grilled sandwich, recently opened its first brick-and-mortar location on Washington Avenue. Twisted Grilled Cheese at 5555 Washington Avenue operates Sunday through Thursday, 11a.m.-9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. 13 gourmet sandwiches anchor the offerings: Signature sandwiches include The 5 Cheese Pepperoni, The Smokehouse Brisket, The Buffalo Chicken, The Halal Philly Grilled Cheesesteak, The Halal Philly Grilled Chicken, and The Twisted Burger. The food truck will continue operating. It will circulate through several locations, including the Power Center Food Truck Park, the Galleria Food Truck Park, and the Foodie Trucks Park in Katy.

NEW YORK – After Christopher Hughey tweeted that he’s tackling his first Thanksgiving turkey this year, the advice started rolling in. As for the meal itself, experts say to get started well before the big day. Contrary to the advice many offered to Hughey, experts aren’t fans of the pop-up thermometers that come stuck in some birds. Molina, who works at a screen printing firm in Portland, Oregon, knows how badly first attempts can go; years ago, her aunt ended up burning the Thanksgiving bird. She’s cooked turkey breasts in her slow cooker before, but hasn’t yet figured out what she’ll do for Thanksgiving.

In Texas, we eat Whataburger.

Flying Saucer Pie Company, the beloved bakery in Houston’s Independence Heights neighborhood has proved its staying power. The pre-Thanksgiving lines are notoriously long at Flying Saucer Pie Company. A quick primer for Houston newcomers: Flying Saucer Pie Company does not take call ahead pie or cake orders the week of Thanksgiving or Christmas. This year, Flying Saucer Pie Company asks that customers in line maintain a six-foot social distance from those who are not in their party. Flying Saucer Pie Company is located at 436 W Crosstimbers St. in Houston; (713) 694-1141, flyingsaucerpieshop.com.

Rice Village food hall Politan Row has closed permanently, the dining concept announced in a statement on its Instagram page. The luxe food hall opened in November 2019 at 2445 Times Blvd, featuring a diverse collection of food concepts. The food hall announced its permanent closure Friday. “Politan Row Houston opened one year ago, giving us just 4 short months to serve Rice Village before mandatory shut downs,” the food hall said. Many from Politan Row are already developing new businesses designed for the pandemic and beyond.