Texas Specialty

Disguised as a throwback to the ice pops of your youth, Steel City pops are actually a serious upgrade.

Also referred to as "the taco Truck outside West Alabama Ice House," Tierra Caliente is another runner-up for best tacos in Houston.

Czech immigrants left their culinary mark on Texas back in the 1800s with the gift of the kolache—a bite-size pastry filled with something sweet or savory.

This is a beloved local ice cream spot with an ever-evolving menu of handcrafted flavors.

Some of the best coffee in Houston comes from Amaya Roasting Company, a local coffee brewery specializing in seasonal beans and delivering them straight to the city's best cafés, like Catalina.

Common Bond's head chef, Roy Shvartzapel, returned to his hometown with one lofty goal: to build the best bakery in Houston.

Espresso-obsessive Matt Toomey has dedicated himself to roasting and sourcing the best cup of coffee possible.

David Buehrer was one of the first people to offer top-quality artisanal coffee to the local community back in 2008 via his first business, Greenway Coffee. He then built Blacksmith and doubled his dedication to serving the best coffee in town.

Cherry is an on-demand platform that offers classic and gel manicures and pedicures throughout Dallas. It’s the brainchild of time-short Texans, Bumble’s Whitney Wolfe Herd and rewardStyle’s Amber Venz Box, both of whom craved the convenience of an at-home manicure. Services are waterless, and technicians come armed with ten popular Essie shades, though you’re welcome to provide your own. (Basic treatments start at $15.) Everything, from the choice of service to the location and tip, is handled through Cherry’s user-friendly app.

This independent bilingual bookstore is an amazing spot, day or night. In the morning, stop by for Oak Cliff Coffee Roasters and breakfast tacos; in the evenings, the place transforms into a full-service bar with tapas and a lively backyard. Their events, like Shakespeare in the Bar and poetry and book readings, are absolutely fantastic.