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What to order at some of Houston’s best neighborhood restaurants

From pierogies to a chicken wing that’s among the best in the city, these dishes convert occasional diners to restaurant regulars

In this episode of “Eat Like a Local with Chris Shepherd”, we meet chefs who have set up shop inside local neighborhoods and share the signature dishes that keep people coming back.

  • Watch “Eat Like a Local with Chris Shepherd” Saturdays at 10 a.m. on KPRC and KPRC 2+

First up, it’s Coltivare in the Heights where chef Ryan Pera and his team are not only cooking for the locals, they’re also growing their own produce. With locally sourced products, they’ve created standby favorites like the wood grilled chicken with pickled grapes and an rotational items like seasonal pizzas, appetizers and crostatas. They’re mix of comforting classics with seasonal surprises keeps the neighbors coming back week after week.

Chris Shepherd shares his picks for what to order at Coltivare (Copyright 2024 by KPRC Click2Houston - All rights reserved.)

Chris sticks close to home with his next stop at Riel in Montrose. This is one of Chris’ own neighborhood spots. Here chef Ryan Lachaine is blending his Ukrainian/Canadian upbringing with Houston flavors for some knockout dishes like honey walnut crawfish, tempura cauliflower with kimchi, butter burgers and pierogies.

Eat Like a Local visits neighborhood restaurants to discover what regulars order. (Copyright 2024 by KPRC Click2Houston - All rights reserved.)
Chris Shepherd shares his picks for what to order at Riel (Copyright 2024 by KPRC Click2Houston - All rights reserved.)

Then, it’s over to the River Oaks area where Little Rey offers approachable, quick service dining with food that shows attention to every detail. Chris tries the salsa macha chicken wings and immediately puts them in his top five wings in the city. The quesadillas come in on top as well and the house made salsa bar, c’mon!

Eat Like a Local visits neighborhood restaurants to discover what regulars order. (Copyright 2024 by KPRC Click2Houston - All rights reserved.)

“Eat Like a Local with Chris Shepherd” is your guide to the best food in Houston. Watch new episodes Saturdays at 10 a.m. on KPRC 2.

Here are more great neighborhood restaurants to try (Copyright 2024 by KPRC Click2Houston - All rights reserved.)

Season 2 of “Eat Like a Local”


About the Authors
Dawn Campbell headshot

Sports mom, amateur nature photographer, and regional Emmy award-winning television producer

Field producer by day. Cruise director by night to a busy, foodie, outdoorsy family, which includes two sports loving boys and one craft beer loving husband.

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