Jody Schmal

Houston

Travel and Food Editor at Chron

Houston Chronicle travel and food editor

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Articles

The top 30 Mexican restaurants in Houston

1 month ago | houstonchronicle.com | Alison Cook |Bao Ong |Jody Schmal

Whether it’s Tex-Mex or regional Mexican cuisines, taquerias or seafood spots, high-end restaurants or salt-of-the-earth joints, Houston lays claim to some of the best Mexican food in America. It’s a touchstone that spans cultures here, a foundational element of our ever-evolving local foodways. Mexican food revives us, and soothes us, and sits at the center of many of our civic rituals. We cannot do without it.
The best restaurants in the Houston Heights

1 month ago | houstonchronicle.com | Jody Schmal |Bao Ong

The Houston Heights has grown leaps and bounds as a dining destination in the past decade. World-class barbecue, award-winning Mexican food and intriguing new contemporary options barely scratch the surface of restaurant options available in an area of just a few square miles. These are our favorite spots right now. Note: The Houston Chronicle pays full price for every meal consumed during restaurant visits.
The best food at the Houston rodeo

Mar 11, 2025 | houstonchronicle.com | Jody Schmal

Is it me, or does the food at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo improve every year? Yes, the majority of the vendors stay the same, but the 2025 class seems to have a certain sparkle. Over the course of three visits, plus judging the fair-food Gold Buckle awards, I tried 46 dishes and drinks from this year's vendors, both outside the stadium and in, to come up with a list of my favorites. Was I able to try everything? Definitely not.
Houston rodeo's best fair food named at Gold Buckle Foodie Awards

Mar 6, 2025 | houstonchronicle.com | Jody Schmal

The Gold Buckle Foodie Awards, which celebrates the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo's best fair food, is in its 17th year and still manages to surprise and delight. On Thursday morning a few dozen journalists, influencers and chefs - including "Top Chef" finalist Evelyn Garcia, "MasterChef" winner Christine Ha, dessert queen Rebecca Masson, "MasterChef" finalist Suu Kin, "Top Chef" Michelle Wallace and others - gathered at the Ranch steakhouse at NRG to help select winners.
Always Able But Confused Cookers team takes top prize at 2025 Houston rodeo cook-off

Mar 2, 2025 | msn.com | Jody Schmal

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Results of 2025 Houston Rodeo barbecue cook-off

Mar 2, 2025 | houstonchronicle.com | Jody Schmal

The 2025 Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo's World's Championship Bar-B-Que Contest wrapped up Saturday night, capping three days of food and fun for attendees (sleepless nights for pitmasters) in the parking lots at NRG Park. Some 250 teams competed in the 51st annual cook-off. Ultimately, a team called Always Able But Confused Cookers took home the overall prize of Grand Champion with the best cumulative score in all the meat categories. Metro Go Texan 5/Second 2 None was Reserve Champion.
Houston rodeo's 2025 Best Bites competition draws huge crowd to NRG Center

Feb 24, 2025 | houstonchronicle.com | Jody Schmal

Every year we attend the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo's Roundup and Best Bites competition, which serves as the kickoff to rodeo season, and every year we are blown away by the undertaking. The 2025 iteration was no different. The sold-out dine-around Sunday night featured more than 100 restaurants and culinary businesses serving their "best bites" to more than 6,000 attendees spanning multiple halls at NRG Center.
Our favorite Black-owned restaurants in Houston

Feb 17, 2025 | houstonchronicle.com | Jody Schmal |Bao Ong |Sonia Garcia

By Jody Schmal,Bao Ong,Sonia Garcia Flavor newsletter: Get food news and tasty recipes delivered to your inboxThis site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service Terms of Use and acknowledge that your information will be used as described in our Privacy Notice.
Houston Chronicle names new restaurant critic to replace Alison Cook

Feb 11, 2025 | houstonchronicle.com | Jody Schmal

The Houston Chronicle is pleased to announce that Bao Ong will be our new restaurant critic, effective immediately. Ong moved to Houston in summer 2022 after writing about food in New York City for local and national publications, including Eater and the New York Times. The Chronicle's previous critic, Alison Cook, retired in November after 22 years in the position.
Where to find the most romantic restaurants in Houston

Feb 5, 2025 | houstonchronicle.com | Bao Ong |Jody Schmal

For some, a romantic dinner out means a multi-course meal kicking off with a glass of Champagne; for others, a bowl of perfectly-made pasta. For most, though, it's all about the vibes and space. Whatever your definition of a romantic restaurant may be, Houston offers plenty of choices from steakhouses to Mexican restaurants. Consider these favorites for your next date night, Valentine's Day or a special anniversary.