Emma Balter

Houston

Senior Editor at Texas Monthly

editor in chief @HoustoniaMag ✨ forever food writer 👩🏻‍💻 past: @chron @HoustonChron @WineSpectator 🌈 she/her

Articles

The Definitive Texas Buc-ee’s Rankings

1 week ago | houstoniamag.com | Emma Balter |Uvie Bikomo |Sofia Gonzalez |Meredith Nudo

Image: Houstonia Composite/Shutterstock.comClean, friendly, and in stock. That’s the Buc-ee’s motto, and while we’ve found this to be mostly true on our road trips across Texas, let’s face it: Not all Buc-ee’s are created equal. Here is our definitive ranking of 10 locations in the Hill Country, West Texas, the Rio Grande Valley, and the Panhandle. Just a normal, crappy gas station with the Buc-ee’s logo slapped on it.
Iconic Texas Road Trips

1 week ago | houstoniamag.com | Emma Balter |Uvie Bikomo |Sofia Gonzalez |Meredith Nudo

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Houston's 50 Hottest Bars

1 week ago | houstoniamag.com | Emma Balter |Sofia Gonzalez |Meredith Nudo |Daniel Renfrow

ABandista at the Four Seasons pulls out all the stops. Image: Courtesy Four Seasons Hotel HoustonHouston may be best known for its food scene, but the bars here are equally deserving of praise. Whether you’re in the mood for the most sophisticated of sazeracs from a craft cocktail bar or simply thirsting for a Lone Star and a shot of whiskey at a neighborhood dive, there are plenty of watering holes in Houston where you can belly up, wet your whistle, and enjoy a drink or two.
Bingeworthy Podcasts for a Long Road Trip

2 weeks ago | houstoniamag.com | Emma Balter |Uvie Bikomo |Sofia Gonzalez |Meredith Nudo

Image: christoph hitzNot sure if you’ve heard, but Texas is quite large. This means that a fun road trip can stretch on for miles, and sometimes you need a little entertainment to make your drive through the flat expanse go by faster. Read on for our top podcast recommendations. For the best albums to listen to on a road trip, check out our music guide.
Now’s the Time for a Road Trip to the Rio Grande Valley

2 weeks ago | houstoniamag.com | Emma Balter

The region bordering the Rio Grande is ripe for exploration. Image: digidreamgrafix/Shutterstock.comI had the forethought to pack my passport, in case a quick jump across the border was in the cards, but forgot my swimsuit while preparing for this trip down the Texas coastline. Don’t be silly like me. But if you were, you’ll find that there’s still plenty to enjoy on a drive from Houston to the Rio Grande Valley without either of these things.
The Most Road Trip–Worthy Albums

2 weeks ago | houstoniamag.com | Emma Balter |Uvie Bikomo |Sofia Gonzalez |Meredith Nudo

Image: Andrey Bayda/Shutterstock.comA road trip is only as good as its soundtrack. And with miles and miles to drive when traveling through Texas-size Texas, you’ll need more than just a few boppy tunes to keep you going. Country is a given, but we also love Bad Bunny bangers and good ol’ English punk rock. Take your pick from our top album recommendations. In this economy, aren’t we all $10 cowboys on a Texas vacation? Baby, that’s a fact, as this handsome fella from San Benito, Texas, would say.
Our Go-To Dim Sum Spots in Houston

1 month ago | houstoniamag.com | Emma Balter |Mai Pham

Don’t miss the steamed bean curd dishes at Tim Ho Wan in Katy. Image: Courtesy Tim Ho WanDim sum, the Cantonese culinary tradition of eating all manner of steamed and fried dumplings, is traditionally a weekend brunch thing. In Houston, however, a handful of restaurants have it available seven days a week.
Houston Steakhouses to Have on Your Radar

1 month ago | houstoniamag.com | Sofia Gonzalez |Emma Balter

Toro Toro’s tomahawk steak is a must-order. Image: Four Seasons Hotel HoustonYou’d be hard-pressed to find anything that brings a Houstonian more joy than a juicy cut of beef (okay, maybe the rodeo and crawfish season, but still). The point is we love beef and we’re always on the hunt for the perfect filet, rib eye, or Wagyu to pair with a delicious glass of red. There’s no shortage of great places to indulge, thanks in part to big chains like Pappas Bros.
The Art Lover's Guide to Free Museums

1 month ago | houstoniamag.com | Emma Balter |Meredith Nudo

Contemporary Arts Museum Houston was founded in 1948. Image: Courtesy Houston First CorporationMuseums everywhere are celebrated for their ability to educate and inspire. But they aren’t always the most accessible to all. Houston is abundant with museums of all sizes and focuses, both inside and outside the Museum District. Thankfully, you don’t have to wait for an occasion like National Museum Day to enjoy a cost-free visit to one of these institutions.
150+ Reasons to Love Houston

2 months ago | houstoniamag.com | Emma Balter |Uvie Bikomo |Sofia Gonzalez |Meredith Nudo

When you ask Houstonians why they love the city, their answers are often vague—“the people,” they say, or “the food.” There are, last we checked, people and food everywhere, so what exactly does make Houston such a special place? It can be hard to pinpoint. Houston is a place that gets under your skin. A place with inexplicably infectious energy. A place that’s comfortable and easygoing while also providing discovery at every turn.