HOUSTON – Everyone knows Houston has one of the (if not absolute) best food scenes out there, yet WalletHub is about to make some enemies with its latest study on the best foodie cities in the U.S.
2023 REPORT: Houston makes top 20 list of Best Foodie Cities in America
Researchers at WalletHub looked at over 180 of the largest U.S. cities, examining data ranging from grocery costs to affordability/accessibility to high-quality restaurants and the number of food festivals per capita.
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The final results only included one city in Texas to be among the top 15. And surprisingly, it wasn’t Houston, it was Austin.
Now, Austin certainly has its place in the top spots for best foodie cities, but here’s where my gripe is: Austin was ranked 14th best foodie city and Houston was ranked #24.
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San Antonio was ranked 21! How did the Alamo City outrank Houston?! Don’t get me wrong: the Tex-Mex food beats Houston’s but that’s about it. You can come at me if you want, but anyone who has ever had tacos from San Antonio knows I’m right. The tortillas are just next level.
And I’m not the only one outraged. Even, food bloggers like Christina Autry, who goes by @houstonsgotspice on Instagram and TikTok share my frustration.
“To me, this article shows that computer-generated statistics can’t account for good taste, or the experience of actually living and eating in a city,” Autry said via text message. “Houston is often named the most diverse city in the U.S., and our restaurants reflect that.”
@houstonsgotspice We don't have to leave Houston to eat some of the best food from around the world, aren't we lucky? 🌍 Clips: Honey Pig inside @dihosquare @bluenileatriveroaks & @impero_italiano @theartisan360 @karahiboys @everestcurrybarandgrill @aztecafarmersmarkethtx @royalroasteryusa @harazcoffeehouse @cucharitabakery#houstonfood #diversity #thingstodoinhouston #houstontx #houstonfoodie
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“It’s our quality, flavor, and authenticity rather than a bougie price tag that makes the Houston food scene one of the top in the nation.”
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So who beat out the city that was once considered the fattest city in the U.S.? Two cities in Florida and San Francisco.
“In the best foodie cities, including Miami, FL, San Francisco, CA, and Orlando, FL, there are tons of unique culinary experiences to try, from food trucks to specialty-food stores to Michelin-starred restaurants,” Chip Lupo, WalletHub analyst said in a press statement. “The top cities cater not just to people who enjoy dining out, but also to foodies who enjoy putting their own skills to the test by exploring new flavors in their own kitchens. In addition, these cities make delicious dining affordable for residents and visitors alike.”
As much as I can’t help but disagree with these findings, it could be worse. I mean Dallas was ranked #64...
Click here to see the full study on the best foodie cities in the U.S.