Joanna O'Leary
Houston Press
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Past articles by Joanna:
Waffling on Where to Get a Waffle? Try These Five Houston Spots
When it comes to nooks and crannies, English muffins have nothing on waffles, which is why they serve as a terrific base for a spectrum of savory and sweet toppings and fillings. Such versatility also enables the noble waffle to obviate being restrictively classified as "only a breakfast food" and... → Read More
Need a Falafel Fix? Try These Five Houston Spots
What is it about falafel that makes it delicious at almost any time of the day, be it for a weekday lunch or post-revelry fuel at 2 a.m. or even for weekend brunch? Deep-fried garbanzo beans globes can be found across Houston, but their taste and quality varies considerably. Here... → Read More
Taco Bell's New Core Burritos Are A Mixed Bag
Taco Bell's latest creations are the Core Burritos. They're kind of like meat and rice burritos stuffed with a three-cheese burrito. Cheesy Core Burritos are available in two styles, "crunchy" and "spicy," which contain "red strips" and jalapeno peppers, respectively. Either can be customized with a protein of choice—steak, chicken... → Read More
The Crave-Worthy, Customizable Ice Cream Sandwiches at Smoosh Food Truck
Smoosh food truck is doing a good job serving the public for two reasons. First, it is providing a most-welcome return to the original meaning of the word "smoosh", following the development of a most-unfortunate second definition thanks to that cultural blight that was MTV's The Jersey Shore. Second, it... → Read More
Do The New Lay's Flavors Taste Anything Like The Dishes They're Named For?
In the past, Lay's "Do-Us-A-Flavor" contest has invited participants across the country to submit ideas for new flavors, four of which appear in supermarket shelves. Consumers were then invited to vote for their favorite flavor, and its creator awarded $1 million. This time around, Lay's has skipped the consumer submission... → Read More
How Sweet It Is: Five Cinnamon Rolls To Try in Houston
The cinnamon roll, not to be confused with the sticky bun, is perhaps Sweden's greatest culinary gift to the United States. Home preparation is a challenge for even the most experienced baker, for the requisite double-rise can easily became a double-fall, given the vagaries of yeast and humidity. If you're craving... → Read More
Some Menu Items Are, Appropriately, mythical at Myth Kafe
Although the newly-opened dining hall Conservatory offers consumers the opportunity to sample multiple types of fare in one convenient space, one recent weekday evening I wanted it to be all Greek to me. Thus, I put on my culinary blinders to the fragrant tonkotsu of Samurai Noodle, the fluffy crepes from Melange Creperie and... → Read More
A Sweet Inside Peek at Damian's In-House Bakery
Walking up the stairs to the in-house bakery at Damien's Cucina Italiana, I see dead people...in a good way. The walls are lined with photographs and memorabilia chronicling jubilant patrons and professional staff that have passed through this restaurant over its over 30-year history. Clearly, good times have been had... → Read More
From Work Lunches to Weekend Picnics: Compleat Cuisine Has You Covered
For more than two decades, the Shanahan family has been keeping Houstonians full through their home-grown catering business, Compleat Cuisine. The full-service operation offers breakfast and lunch options tailored to customers' nutritional needs as well as special hot entrees that rotate monthly. We were recently invited to sample some March-only... → Read More
Check Out the Rum Cocktail Pairings at Union Kitchen
Although tequila is king in Texas, Houstonians well-versed in and appreciative of the diversity in the world of mezcals will find equal variety in the rum spectrum. White rum, for example, is too often pigeon-holed as only appropriate for mojitos; however, many light types have hints of vanilla that pair well... → Read More
Excellent Middle Eastern Desserts Beyond Baklava at A Sweet Factory
If you leave only with baklava, you're missing out. That's the most important thing you need to know when you go to The Sweet Factory. In the dwindling daylight of a weekday afternoon, the bakery still attracted a steady stream of customers, confirming its status as one of the most comprehensive purveyors... → Read More
Ben & Jerry's and New Belgium Collaborate on Hybrid Brew and Ice Cream Flavor
Recently, Ben & Jerry's announced it had partnered with New Belgium Brewing to produce a limited edition beer (Salted Caramel Brownie Brown Ale) and ice cream (Salted Caramel Brown-ie) in the spirit of advancing the efforts of Protect Our Winters (POW), an advocacy group dedicated to engaging the snow sports community... → Read More
Chicken stuffed with cheese and raisins? Yes, please.
The Rice Village branch of Shiva Indian Restaurant offers on the whole decently-prepared chaats, biryanis, and curries of varying heat that will satisfy your craving for (slightly Americanized versions of) classic Indian dishes. There are two reasons, however, why you should favor Shiva over other the many Indian restaurants... → Read More
We enjoy some seasonal greens from Local Foods.
When visiting Local Foods, it can be hard to steer yourself away from its classics, like the Crunchy Chicken Sandwich and the Truffled Egg Salad. These installations have been on the menu since Local Foods first opened its doors and remain because they are consistently good. However, let us not... → Read More
The Key Tactics For Creating a Monster Sammie at Central Market's Sandwich Bar
Central Market's Make-Your-Own Sandwich bar is one of the store's loveliest features, with an amazingly diverse selection of breads, meats, cheeses, spreads, and fillings. Unsurprisingly, this spectrum of components gives rise to a rather startling range not only in the composition of sandwiches but also in their individual sizes. If... → Read More
$60 for a Lobstah Roll...That's Crazy. But Delicious.
Maine-ly Sandwiches is generally known throughout Houston a purveyor of quality lobster rolls, though a handful of nay-sayers on certain online review sites regularly gripe about the "high" prices. If you are one of those people, you may want to stop reading now. Because if spending about $22 on a full-size... → Read More
Rollin' Kitchen Food Truck Serves Up Quality Cajun Fare
Cross your fingers that the Rollin' Kitchen, the latest concept from GR8 Plate Hospitality Group, rolls into your neighborhood sometime soon. Or better yet, stalk them successfully yourself (via assistance from their scheduled posted weekly on Facebook), because there are some seriously delicious, one-of-a-kind (at least in Houston) dishes being... → Read More
Out of This World Desserts From Out of A Gourd at Urban Eats
Although there have always been a plethora of lovely pumpkin dishes to try in Houston, the merry chefs at Urban Eats have unveiled a truly remarkable line-up for squash-infused confections, beginning with the luscious Pumpkin White Chocolate Mouse and Ginger Snap Parfait (46). With alternating crispy and supple layers of pumpkin mousse made... → Read More
"Deliciously Dark" Black Whopper Available at Burger King For Halloween
Finally, we have caught up the good people of the Land of the Rising Sun. Since 2014 Japanese Burger King locations have offered customers not one but TWO black burgers featuring black buns and cheese colored with bamboo charcoal, leaving American fans to wonder what we did wrong to be... → Read More
Smashburger's Once Off-the-Menu Burger Is an On-the-Menu Hit
Bad news for those who get their kicks by ordering off Smashburger's secret menu: you can no longer feel like a cool kid by ordering the clandestine "Sin City Burger." But that's good news for those who value transparency in the terms of a restaurant's complete offerings, which I estimate... → Read More