Bao Ong
Restaurant Critic at Houston Chronicle
@HoustonChron restaurant critic. Proud Vietnamese-speaking Midwesterner. Slowly learning French. Gin collector. Tennis fanatic.
Articles
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1 week ago |
houstonchronicle.com | Bao Ong
The culotte steak and freshly prepared fries are seen alongside the garden salad, drinks and other items at Medium Rare in Houston. Jason Fochtman/Houston ChronicleHouston restaurants and steakhouses have plenty of choices for beef-loving customers: Ribeyes and filets show up on menus at white-tablecloth establishments and dive bars. Sushi counters serve pristine and pricey wagyu. Even the barbecue-centric rodeo pays homage to steaks. I love all those options as much as the next carnivore.
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1 week ago |
houstonchronicle.com | Bao Ong
Yiayia’s, a Greek restaurant from the Pappas restaurant group, will be opening in a new location in Houston photographed on Monday, June 16, 2025. Elizabeth Conley/Houston ChronicleYiayia’s Pappas Greek Kitchen, 2410 Richmond, is set to open in early August, according to Pappas Restaurants.
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1 week ago |
houstonchronicle.com | Bao Ong
Chef Thomas Bille of Belly of the Beast won the 2025 James Beard Award for Best Chef Texas. Karen Warren/Staff photographerBelly of the Beast chef Thomas Bille is the first Houston nominee to win a prestigious 2025 James Beard Award during a Monday evening ceremony held in Chicago. Bille came out ahead of not only Tatemó chef Emmanuel Chavez, but also chefs in San Antonio, Dallas and Marfa in the Best Chef Texas category.
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2 weeks ago |
houstonchronicle.com | Bao Ong
Horchata berlinesa, a brioche donut with horchata pastry cream at Casaema. Karen Warren/Staff photographerChefs and restaurateurs often talk about using local ingredients. Most customers don't fact-check those statements with receipts. I didn’t need to dig for proof at Casaema, which opened in the Heights just over a year ago as Ema.
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2 weeks ago |
houstonchronicle.com | Bao Ong |Sonia Garcia
Katy, formerly a quiet suburb, has evolved into a vibrant culinary destination on Houston’s western edge with homegrown barbecue joints, big-name Asian restaurant chains, even fine-dining venues. The Asian Town development provides a wealth of options, but there’s also the historic charm of old downtown Katy among plenty of other local favorites. This is a dining ecosystem where neighborhood loyalty meets fearless chef‑driven reinvention.
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The berlinesa, carrot taco and cafe de olla alone make Casaema one of my favorite restaurants in Houston right now. But there's so much more to love about this special spot. Here's my review: https://t.co/HAi9TSpZC0
RT @jodyschmal: New @baohaus review: Casaema’s savory dishes, pastries and coffee make it a top Mexican restaurant in Houston https://t.co/…
RT @jodyschmal: May I present the best restaurants in Katy from @baohaus and @suniagarcia... So many new-to-me spots to check out! https://…