The 10 Best Restaurants in Pearland — By a Longtime Resident

bowl of pasta

As of May 2020, I’ve lived in Pearland for a decade. I was here long before Ronnie Killen expanded his mini-empire to four restaurants in Pearland alone, before the city got its second H-E-B on Pearland Parkway, and even before Pearland could sell liquor for off-premise consumption. You read that correctly; I couldn’t go to a liquor store in my own city for the first six years I lived here. Another development that I’ve delighted in is the expansion of dining options. No longer am I doomed to eat at chain restaurants or fast food joints, both of which are easy to find no matter where you are in the greater Galveston County area — even my tiny hometown of Santa Fe.

Those expanded dining options are in part due to population growth. With over 120,000 residents, Pearland is among the fastest-growing cities in the Greater Houston area. The explosive growth during the first two decades of the century transformed this once-quiet farming community into a bustling and diverse mini-metropolis. With that diversity came a boom in locally owned restaurants serving everything from soul food to ramen.  

Pearland is a mere 10 miles south of 610 and may be most well known to Greater Houston-area diners for the cluster of well-regarded, eponymous restaurants owned and operated by the aforementioned Ronnie Killen: Killen’s Barbecue, Killen’s Steakhouse, Killen’s Burgers and Killen’s TMX.  However, Pearland is also home to many additional fabulous eateries, as well as two local breweries. The 10 listed here are among my favorites. All of them currently offer takeout options for diners who aren’t yet ready to dine in person or those who simply need a quick, midweek dinner option.  

Atchafalaya Crawfish in Pearland is a drive-up shack serving authentic Louisiana-style crawfish with some of the best prices in the region. Photo by Samantha Morris.

Atchafalaya Crawfish, 2202 North Main: Crawfish season is, even in a good year, sadly only about five months long, and everyone born and raised in the region has very specific standards for excellent crawfish. When selling such a fiercely debated cuisine, a purveyor has to have a great product, because anything less would be insulting. Atchafalaya is a no-frills, drive-up outpost serving boiled and live crawfish during the season at incredibly reasonable prices. Live crawfish prices start as low as $2 a pound and boiled crawfish ranges from a mere $4 per pound to $6 per pound, depending on size and availability. Atchafalaya seasons the crawfish in the traditional Louisiana style and serves them with potatoes, sausage and corn. Atchafalaya Crawfish is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. or until the mudbugs are sold out.

Brooklyn Pizzeria, 9215 Broadway: Brooklyn Pizzeria started in 2006 with its first location in Humble. The Shahini family had moved from New York City to Houston a year earlier. They soon discovered that few area restaurants served a proper pie. So, they decided to start a pizza parlor like the one Mike Shahini operated for over 25 years in Brooklyn. A mere six years later, the Shahinis expanded with a second location in Missouri City. They now have eight restaurants serving fresh, New York-style pies. The menu is simple and hits all the basics. Pizza by the slice ranges from $2.77 to $3.70 for multiple toppings. A large pizza starts at $14.84 and goes up to $18.54 for the four-or-more-topping specialty pizzas. However, the large is an impressive, 16-inch monster that can easily feed a family of four (or two very hungry adults). The Shahinis make every sauce in house. For diners not in the mood for pizza (unfathomable, but it could happen), Brooklyn Pizzeria also offers 9-inch hero subs starting at just $7, salads for under $8 and a variety of pasta dishes from $8.50 to $11.50.  Brooklyn Pizzeria is open every day from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. 

Burger Tex in Pearland promises the best burger in town, and they deliver. Drive-through, to-go and dine-in available. Photo by Samantha Morris.

Burger Tex, 3006 Broadway: Burger places may seem like they’re a dime a dozen, and looking at  Burger Tex’s menu one might be inclined to shrug and question how a basic burger shop is surviving with so many other options available (not the least of which is Killen’s Burger a mere 1.3 miles away). Burger Tex is a lesson in not judging a book by its cover. The buns are made fresh in house daily and are toasted before hosting four-, six- or eight-ounce beef patties. The burgers are served unadorned, so guests can dress them at the salad bar with the typical condiments and vegetal accoutrements.  Burger Tex also offers a Bulgogi Burger for those who want to try something different. The fries aren’t much to write home about, but the onion rings are a treat, achieving the rare state of crispy outer shell surrounding a tender, fully cooked onion. The burgers are perfectly charred with a flavorful outer crust, while maintaining sufficient moisture and a pleasantly crumbly texture. It’s a basic burger shop, but the simplicity is exactly what makes it great. Burger Tex is open Mondays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Tamales De Puerco at Emma's Mex Grill in Pearland
Tamales De Puerco at Emma’s Mex Grill in Pearland. Two corn masa tamales filled with achiote and chile guajillo-marinated pulled pork topped with salsa gravy and melted cheddar cheese. Photo by Samantha Morris.

Emma’s Mex Grill, 5096 Broadway: Owners Jose Jr. and Luis Mendieta are proud, fourth-generation restaurateurs. Their family opened the first restaurant, Mely’s, in 1989 and it was a popular staple until 2008. After closing, Jose Sr. decided to open another restaurant in honor of his mother-in-law, Emma Arteaga de García, who passed away in 2009. In addition to offering Mexican cuisine, Emma’s also serves an impressive array of tequilas and agave spirits and occasionally hosts meet-the-maker events and tequila tasting dinners. The everyday menu runs the gamut of Mexican dishes that Houstonians crave such as tacos, fajitas, and tamales but also features more innovative dishes like Enchiladas San Miguel, which are stuffed with roasted corn, tomatoes and zucchini — a lacto-vegetarian dream. The Ceviche Golfo is a refreshing mix of shrimp, scallops and white fish that are marinated in lime and cilantro and tossed with fresh red onion, jalapeño, jicama and cucumber. The Mendieta family have spent the better part of 30 years serving Pearland, and if the success of Emma’s is any indication, they’ll surely be serving for 30 more. Emma’s Mex Grill is open Mondays through Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Thursdays and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Four Friends Tea Room, 3816 Broadway: This adorable spot, which includes a gift shop, was established 20 years ago in Pearland’s historic district. Owner Sherrill Kirby and her sister Joy keep the tea room well-stocked with an eclectic array of tea cups and pots. Guests can enjoy a spot of afternoon tea that comes with a full pot, three finger sandwiches and a dessert for just $15. For a mere $5 more, tea enthusiasts can upgrade to High Tea, which increases the repast to a cup of soup, salad and the choice of three finger sandwiches or two croissant sandwiches along with chips and a dessert. In addition, guests can enjoy an adorable Mommy & Me Take Out Tea Party package that includes an adult tea room sampler, kids meal, pink lemonade “tea” for kids, desserts, a teapot and two tea cups for just $50. It’s perfect for a birthday or a simply a fun activity for those long summer days. Four Friends Tea Room is open Mondays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for take out only.

Owners Paul and Evangelina Castillo of La Casita in Pearland. Courtesy photo.

La Casita, 18043 County Road 127: In 1976, Evangelina Castillo asked her husband Paul to build a small room next to their house, which was between Friendswood and Pearland, so she could start a restaurant. If it didn’t work out, Evangelina said they could just turn it into an apartment for rent. Her family on her father’s side, the Ybarras, were in the restaurant business, but this was Evangelina’s first restaurant. The family connections and her career working in the cafeteria at daughter’s school inspired Castillo to take the risk, which paid off. Everything at La Casita is made fresh and in house. The menu includes classics like fajitas, tacos, enchiladas and chalupas. During the filming of Apollo 13, Tom Hanks stopped into La Casita and diners can still enjoy the Tom Hanks Special that includes 3 chicken enchiladas, rice and beans for just $9.25. The prices at La Casita are a steal but perhaps nothing beats the $18.50 Fajitas a la Casita that comes with a generous pound of beef fajitas, six tortillas and all the traditional accoutrements. That’s a date-night meal for $25 including a tip, and that’s hard to find anywhere. La Casita is open Mondays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.    

Mikki’s Soul Food Cafe in Pearland. Photo by Samantha Morris.

Mikki’s Soul Food Café, 9603 Broadway: Twenty years ago, Jeanette Williams started the original Mikki’s Soul Food Café at 10500 West Bellfort. The Pearland branch opened on June 14 last year. The menu boasts classic sides such as black-eyed peas, collard greens and macaroni and cheese, as well as staples like stewed oxtails, turkey necks and fried catfish. The smothered pork chop is a must-have treat, but it’s recommended diners arrive hungry. The bone-in chop dominates the plate, measuring, on average, 6 to 8 inches in diameter. The tender meat is served over a generous pile of white rice and is smothered with a classic brown gravy. If you’re in need of comfort (and who isn’t these days), Mikki’s has something to soothe your soul. Mikki’s Cafe is open Mondays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The donut case at Pena’s Donut Heaven & Grill in Pearland. Cereal topped donuts, gigantic cinnamon rolls and more. Photo by Samantha Morris.

Peña’s Donut Heaven, 11601 Shadow Creek Parkway: Raymond Peña grew up in the doughnut business and worked with his mother at her local doughnut shop. After 20 years as a Houston firefighter, he opened Donut Heaven in 1996 with wife Debbie. At his latest shop, Peña offers all the doughnut classics, from iced to filled. In addition, the expansive breakfast and lunch menu has offerings for every mood. For guests wanting to test their gastronomical limits, the Peña’s Donut Burger offers a generous half-pound, all-beef patty with American cheese and a glazed doughnut bun. If you’re stopping in for breakfast and it’s Tuesday, don’t miss the two-for-$4 breakfast tacos. The tacos are made with fresh flour tortillas, eggs and your choice of two other ingredients. Guests can choose from chorizo, bacon, ham or sausage, or keep it vegetarian with spinach, mushrooms and bell peppers. Everything is cooked to order, and at just $4 it’s an outstanding bargain breakfast. Pena’s is open Mondays through Saturdays from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sundays from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Taiwanese style popcorn chicken at Super Bowl. Courtesy photo.

Super Bowl Asian Cuisine & Tea House, 4310 Bailey: Crystal and Sean Lee arrived in Pearland in 2016 from Taiwan by way of Los Angeles and quickly set up shop serving pan-Asian cuisine. For the Lee family, the restaurant business is a family affair. Daughter Elsa and son Osmond often help out after school and on weekends, answering the phone for take-out orders and busing tables. Everything is made fresh daily, including the tonkotsu ramen. It can take anywhere from 18 to 24 hours to develop the deep umami flavors in ramen broth. Super Bowl only serves about 40 bowls of ramen per day because they only make one pot. This is one of many examples of the Lees commitment to quality. Crystal regularly drives to Kemah to pick up the fresh Gulf shrimp that makes the curry coconut shrimp with rice a standout dish. In addition to being delicious, Super Bowl is budget-friendly, with most dishes priced between $8 and $11. Super Bowl also offers an impressive variety of milk teas, flavored green and black teas, smoothies with fresh fruits, specialty hot brewed teas, and frothy Dalgona coffee. Super Bowl is open Monday through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. and Wednesdays through Saturdays from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The Campanelle alla Panna at Taglia in Pearland. Courtesy photo.

Taglia Fresh Italian, 3115 Dixie Farm Road: Sheri Rabanal, fresh out of college at 23, opened this restaurant in September 2019. Taglia serves fresh Italian food, which is all made in-house, including the breads and pastas. The dishes are a mix of Rabanal’s ideas as well as recipes from her mother and her uncle’s pizzerias in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Guests can order Italian-American staples like fettuccine alfredo, but Taglia’s hidden gems are the lesser-known pastas. The Casarecce Al Pomodoro is a light and refreshing option with fresh Roma tomatoes, roasted garlic and herbs topped with freshly grated parmigiano. Campanelle, a pasta shaped like a bell-like flower, is served in a light Parmesan sauce with prosciutto and mushrooms. The commitment to quality, housemade pastas and pizza dough, family-friendly menu and pricing will no doubt lead to this recent addition to Pearland’s food scene becoming a weekly staple for busy, working families. Taglia Fresh Italian is open Mondays through Thursdays from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sundays from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

If you choose to dine in, make it a better experience for you, the staff and fellow guests by following the minimum Health Protocols for Restaurant Customers that have been established by the State of Texas. These include minimizing in-person contact, maintaining six feet of distance from those not in your party, washing or sanitizing your hands frequently and wearing a face covering when entering or exiting the restaurant or are interacting with restaurant staff. Even if you don’t agree with the rules, remember: the staff didn’t make them, so there’s no reason to be unkind.

Still hungry in Pearland? Check out the restaurant picks that writer Carlos Brandon made in 2018. 

Comments (21)

Leave a Reply to Samantha MorrisCancel reply

  • November 3, 2021 at 5:14 pmKay Neal

    As someone who has just moved here from Maryland, I appreciate any and all of the information here (both from the author and from those who made other comments). With each passing day I will learn more, but this is a good start. Thanks.

    Reply
    • November 3, 2021 at 5:33 pmPhaedra Cook

      Thank you, Kay! We’re currently also working closely with Visit Pearland, which does a lot to promote area restaurants. If you search for “Visit Pearland” on our website, you’ll find a lot of that content. It’s sponsored, but it’s also very informative and we’re proud of the quality. https://houstonfoodfinder.com/?s=Visit+Pearland&submit=

      Reply
  • September 2, 2021 at 5:09 pmGcodom

    If those are your picks, I am convinced there is not a decent restaurant in Pearland.

    Reply
  • June 17, 2021 at 1:34 pmMichael

    Some of these restaurants do not deserve to be on this list!!! Pena’s is horrible. Only good for American breakfast tacos. Dining area is horrible. Thalia is awesome but more in Friendswood not close to where the majority of Pearland residents live. Burger Tex is terrible. Small burgers with little flavor and a horrible dining area. I am excited about Hubcap grill if it opens and is like their location downtown. Pearland is really hurting for restaurants and bars and decent stores and a wine bar. Brooklyn Pizza has great food we go there weekly but again the atmosphere sucks. Italianos has a better atmosphere. Let’s demand better food for Pearland! We don’t compare to the other burbs in any category but we can!

    Reply
  • June 12, 2021 at 5:51 pmPotty mc Scooty

    You are probably part of the silvermistake family …. 10 years 😂😂😂😂… Lifetime Pearland resident here and besides burger Tex all these other restaurants are null and void for REAL residents

    Reply
  • November 29, 2020 at 8:01 pmGordon Hall

    thank you very well written article. It was very useful.

    Reply
  • July 13, 2020 at 11:29 pmLynda

    I have lived in Pearland for over 40 years. Central Texas BBQ and Juanitos Mexican Restaurant (previously called Gregorys) have been here the longest.

    Reply
    • January 19, 2021 at 12:45 amHadley Young

      I ate at Gregory’s in the 70s with my family. It was dark wood, red velvet curtains?, and a door that connected to a pharmacy. It was also next to the dirtiest Kroger I can remember. Does anyone else remember that dirty grocery store? Still to this day, my family will say, “HOT PLATE, HOT PLATE!” just like Gregory’s. I loved this restaurant.

      Reply
    • January 19, 2021 at 12:49 amHadley Young

      I ate at Gregory’s in the 70s with my family. It was dark wood, red velvet curtains?, and a door that connected to a pharmacy. It was also next to the dirtiest Kroger I can remember. Does anyone else remember that dirty grocery store? Still to this day, my family will say, “HOT PLATE, HOT PLATE!” just like Gregory’s. I loved this restaurant. We also at a tiny place called Robert’s Cafe. Is Robert’s still around? We left Pearland in 1983 after Alicia.

      Reply
    • July 17, 2021 at 9:43 pmMary

      I agree with Central Texas Barbecue. My favorite along with The Original Gringo’s! I’ve lived in Pearland for 30 years.

      Reply
  • June 24, 2020 at 5:10 amMary Helen Mendoza

    Central Texas bbq is the best in pearland

    Reply
  • June 23, 2020 at 9:03 amEd K

    So which is it? “Long time resident” or “Lived here 10 years” – only one of these things can be true.

    As for the list – I don’t disagree with most, though the list feels somewhat snobby and hipsterish for excluding the likes of Central Texas BBQ, Santa Barbara, and the original Gringo’s (the one that opened back in 1993…as a “long time resident” would know), just to name a few that have stood the test of time in Pearland.

    Pearland has long enjoyed a wealth of local restaurants – long before most of the chains that you decry even considered it to be a market worth serving.

    Reply
    • June 23, 2020 at 9:35 amSamantha Morris

      Hi Ed! Thanks so much for reading. I’ve had more than one stint in Pearland, but 10 years ago I bought a house there. So I am both a long time and for the past 10 years a homeowner, if that makes sense. For the purpose of the article, my permanent residency is more relevant. Readers don’t want to hear about my entire residency history.
      This list was in no way meant to be all encompassing of the Pearland dining scene. As stated, it was merely a list of my 10 favorites. Most readers tune out on lengthy articles, so we try to keep it succinct. If I included every single restaurant I love it would be far too long to remain interesting.
      Luckily there’s no shortage of great places to write about and I look forward to continuing coverage of Pearland’s ever-evolving restaurant industry.

      Reply
    • June 23, 2020 at 12:20 pmBrian

      I’ve lived in Pearland 40 years, and aside from Burger Tex, I have never heard of the restaurants on the authors list. Maybe I need to get out more.

      Reply
      • June 23, 2020 at 12:31 pmSamantha Morris

        Or order take out you don’t even have to go out to give them a try! Let us know what you think when you try one of these great restaurants.

        Reply
    • June 23, 2020 at 3:50 pmCheryl

      I wouldn’t consider 10 years as a “long time resident” and the fact that you’ve not included some of our amazing places that have been here LONGER than you, clearly shows how this is nothing more than an opinion piece by someone who provably receives free dining for the recommendations.

      Reply
      • June 23, 2020 at 4:02 pmSamantha Morris

        Hi Cheryl!
        Thanks for reading!
        This is indeed an opinion piece and in no way does it represent all of the restaurants Iike in Pearland. I have so many others, but in an effort to provide an article people will make it to the end of, I capped it at 10. Nice round number.
        Neither myself or any writer for Houston Food Finder ever accepts free food or any other gift for our articles. It’s unethical and we’re strictly prevented from doing so due to journalistic standards of integrity maintained by our fantastic editor and owner.
        Having said all of that, I’d love to hear all of your recommendations! I’m eager to write even more spotlight pieces on Pearland because in a city this size (and growing!) there’s always something new (or old!) to discover. Let me know where I should check out next!

        Reply
  • June 22, 2020 at 5:48 pmKC Taffinder

    Great article & photos I really enjoyed this thank you

    Reply
    • June 23, 2020 at 8:34 amSamantha Morris

      Thank you for reading! I hope you like the restaurants as much as I do.

      Reply
  • June 22, 2020 at 2:28 pmRaymond Pena

    This is mr. Pena , Peña’s Donut Heaven and Grill. Our correct address is 11601 Pearland Parkway, Pearland Texas, 77584. The Dine is in Houston, not Pearland. Could you fix your nice write up about our name and address.
    Thank you,
    Raymond Pena

    Reply
    • June 22, 2020 at 2:34 pmSamantha Morris

      We’ll get that fixed right away!

      Reply