9 Pearland Restaurants to Visit for Lunch

tray of mini tacos

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When it’s lunchtime in Pearland, head for the restaurants known for making the most of the midday meal. Choose from an array of cuisines that are sure to please, whether dining solo, with a crowd or on the go. Satisfy your cravings for many types of food with this guide and checkout our list below. Check out the Visit Pearland website for more ideas!

Round plate with finger sandwiches and sides
Four Friends Tea Room specializes in high tea service that includes finger sandwiches, salads and sides. Photo courtesy of Four Friends Tea Room.

Savor Popular Soup and Sandwich Combos at Four Friends Tea Room, 3816 East Broadway: Lunch is the only time to enjoy this charming cafe that is open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and locals take these hours seriously — specials routinely sell out, so plan accordingly. 

Start with a complimentary house tea, and make your selections from the extensive menu of traditional tea room noshes. The Afternoon Tea is $15 and includes a pot of tea, choice of three finger sandwiches and dessert. The hearty Four Friends Classic is $20 and includes a pot of tea, a cup of soup, salad, choice of three finger sandwiches or two croissant sandwiches, potato chips, pickle spear and dessert. Skip the pot of tea and go for the Tea Room Sampler that is $11 and comes with a choice of three finger sandwiches and two sides. 

There is a Sandwich and a Side deal, too, for $8 with a choice of two finger sandwiches and one side, as well as salad and side combos for $11 and $8. The sandwich selections cover sweet and savory options such as Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad, Creamy Chicken Salad, Pimento Cheese and Pumpkin Bread with Sweet Cream Cheese filling. The side dish choices are soup, broccoli salad, pasta salad, garden salad or a fruit cup. Full-size sandwiches are also available for $11 each: the Triple Decker Club and Croissant. Desserts vary daily and cost $4.50 each.

Soups are beloved, too, and guests clamor for the best-seller, Fresh Tomato Basil, which is so popular it is the only soup available daily. Owner Sherrill Kirby says she’s heard hundreds of effusive compliments, including that it “rivals anything else in the area.” It is an original gluten-free and vegetarian recipe made with tomatoes, fresh basil and cream. Add grated Parmesan cheese for extra flavor and croutons or crackers for a salty crunch. 

Taco Soup is another fan favorite, and it is available three days per week. It is based on a classic family recipe and is brimming with beans, corn, ground beef, tomatoes and spices. Other selections include Chicken Poblano on Tuesdays, Lobster Bisque on Thursdays and Loaded Baked Potato Soup on Fridays. The cost is a mere $3.25 for a cup, $4.25 for a bowl, or $12 for a quart. Pre-orders are recommended and welcomed for larger quantities. Order online, by phone or via Facebook Messenger for takeout, visit for dine-in or order delivery with GrubHub, UberEats or DoorDash. 

plate of creamy pasta with chicken
Try the popular Mike & Jen pasta from Grazia Italian Kitchen as a lunch box to-go. Photo by Ellie Sharp.

Find Comfort Food To-Go at Grazia Italian Kitchen, 9415 West Broadway: This family-owned and -operated kitchen has served handcrafted Italy-meets-Texas delights for years. Grazia’s dishes have earned multiple awards, including at the annual Houston Rodeo Uncorked! Best Bites Competition. It’s a great spot for weekdays, too, with a large selection of boxed lunches for takeout only Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Most cost only $11 and include a side. Add a chocolate chip cookie for $2 each. Note that lunch is to-go only at this time.

The box options offer a choice of eight sandwiches that each come with salad, chips or fresh fruit. Options include Short Rib Grilled Cheese stuffed with award-winning boneless short ribs and a blend of cheeses, and served with tomato basil soup (in addition to above side selection), Arrostito with grilled chicken, roasted peppers, red onions, pesto, cream, spinach and Romano, and the Italian Club filled with ham, Genoa salami, capicola, pepperoni, provolone, veggies and olive mix.

Pastas boxes include seven saucy selections such as the customer-favorite Mike & Jen with grilled chicken, bow tie pasta, garlic mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, capers and Romano cream, Lasagna with meat sauce and four cheeses and Pasta Primavera. Lunch pastas are priced at $11 and up and come with a side salad.

Pick from two box entrée salads for $11 each: Chicken Balsamic, a hearty blend of mixed greens, grilled chicken, grapes, strawberries, candied walnuts, gorgonzola and balsamic vinaigrette, or a traditional Chicken Caesar.

You can also get a personal-sized Wood Fired Thin Crust Pizza to-go for $9 with a choice of three toppings. There are 14 options such as Italian sausage, Wagyu beef, artichoke hearts, Roma tomatoes, mushrooms, red onion, fresh basil, ricotta and feta.

Double cheeseburger
Find classic burgers and specialty variations at Hubcap Grill in Pearland. Photo by Ricky Craig.

Get Your Burger & Fry Fix at HubCap Grill, 5627 Broadway: Owner Ricky Craig opened a Pearland location of his Houston-grown burger chain last year. Hubcap Grill gets its name from the hubcaps placed over burgers on the grill to fuse the patties and toppings together. Craig’s burger approach is to use fresh, never-frozen “straight old-school, old-fashioned beef chuck” — seasoned on the outside with his proprietary Hubcap Burger Dust — American cheese (his childhood favorite and go-to for melting) and high-end, locally baked buns that are delivered fresh each morning and finished in the oven onsite. (The buns have a bit of a following, too, and Craig notes customers consistently praise their ability to hold up to the burgers from first bite to last.) 

Hubcap Grill serves traditional standbys along with 16 specialty burgers inspired by Craig’s favorite dishes. Prices vary and are subject to change, but expect to spend $6.99 to $10.99 for burgers and $3 to $6 for fries. The most popular of these is the Philly Cheesesteak Burger made with thinly sliced rib-eye steak, grilled onions, green bell peppers, Swiss cheese and special mayo sauce. Others include the Corn Chip Burger with corn chips, chili, cheese, grilled onions and jalapeños, Sticky Monkey Burger topped with crunchy peanut butter, bacon, American cheese and grilled bananas, and the Hangover Burger, which is practically brunch-on-a-bun as it’s loaded with bacon, grilled ham, American cheese, fries and country cream gravy. Fries are cut and prepped fresh daily, and are wildly seasoned, too, such as Stinky Fries doused with malt vinegar and garlic salt or Hell Fries kicked up with cayenne, chili powder, Sriracha mayo and jalapeños. 

There are selections for salad-seekers, too! The Hubcap Wedge comes with iceberg lettuce, chunky fresh blue cheese dressing, tomatoes and bacon bits, and the Greek Wedge includes iceberg lettuce, Kalamata olives, onions, green bell pepper, tomato and vinaigrette dressing. Both come with your choice of grilled chicken or beef patty.

Follow the Pearland location on Facebook to find out about off-menu specials.

Exterior of brick restaurant
Italiano’s is a popular stop for specials, especially during lunch time. Photo by Rebekah Burns.

Snag Scratch-Made Italian Fare at Italiano’s Restaurant, 11710 Broadway: Visit this family-owned locale for housemade Italian food at a stellar price every weekday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dishes are prepared from using time-honored recipes, which ensure a comforting meal always awaits. It gets better: everything on the weekday lunch menu is under $10 — and many items are under $8. 

At lunch, choose from six pastas such as Homemade Lasagna layered with mozzarella, ricotta and Parmesan cheeses, ground beef, marinara sauce and finished with melted mozzarella, Pasta with Meatballs, Sausage, Meat Sauce or Alfredo over the choice of spaghetti, capellini, penne, fettuccine or linguine noodles, and Cannelloni stuffed with ground beef, spinach and ricotta then topped with mozzarella and marinara. There are four chicken entrées, such as Chicken Marsala with sautéed mushrooms, shallots and marsala wine or Grilled Chicken Penne Alfredo, as well as the vegetarian-friendly Eggplant Parmigiana

In addition to pasta, guests will find calzones, stromboli and pizza by the slice with an assortment of fillings and toppings. The base Calzone comes with mozzarella, ricotta and Romano, whereas the Calzone Special features pepperoni, sausage, Canadian bacon, ground beef, mushrooms, black olives, onions, green peppers, ricotta and mozzarella. Pizza slices start at $2.89 for cheese — toppings are $.25 each — and $3.62 for Supreme, Veggie or Meat. Choose NY Style or Sicilian deep dish for the crust.

There are also four sandwiches such as Italian Club with cheese and three meats, and the Sausage & Pepper. Add a garden or Caesar salad to sandwiches and pizza slices for a few dollars more.

tray of barbecue meats
Barbecue meat tray from Killen’s Barbecue. Photo by Kimberly Park

Nosh on award-winning barbecue at Killen’s BBQ, 3613 East Broadway: Blend tradition, tourism and lunch in one go at Ronnie Killen’s acclaimed barbecue restaurant where fans have flocked for tender smoked meats, exceptional sides and handcrafted desserts since 2013. Plan ahead, however, as the notorious line may be longer right now: the restaurant earned a spot on Texas Monthly’s The 50 Best BBQ Joints 2021

Choose from brisket, pork ribs, turkey, housemade pork and beef sausage and pulled pork available as a Meat Plate or sandwich. Plates come with two sides and one meat for $16, two meats for $20 or three meats for $24. Sandwiches are $12 for turkey, sausage or pulled pork and $13 for sliced/chopped beef. Add additional sides, French fries and onion rings for $5 each.

Sides are more than an afterthought here, and the kitchen prepares each one from scratch based on carefully crafted family recipes. Options include baked beans, potato salad, cole slaw, mac ’n’ cheese and creamed corn

Save room for can’t-miss desserts such as banana pudding, bread pudding, seasonal cheesecake and carrot cake priced at $7 for generous share-sized servings. Finish it all off with soda, tea or beer.

Bowl of seafood soup with bread
Chef Steve Haug cooks his beloved family recipe for seafood soup at Magnolia Cajun Comfort in Pearland. Photo by Steve Haug.

Enjoy Louisiana Classics at Magnolia Cajun Comfort, 1807 Broadway: Southern charm meets Cajun flair at this popular kitchen from Executive Chef and Owner Steve Haug. There are plenty of enticing selections for the midday meal, from hearty comfort food to lighter dishes. 

On cool, fall days, get cozy with warming Chicken & Sausage Gumbo or Chef Steve’s Seafood Soup, available by the cup for $6 and the bowl for $9. Counter the heat with a cooling salad: the House Mixed Green and Caesar are $5 to $9 depending on the size, while the regular Cobb is $14 and Seafood Cobb loaded with crabmeat and shrimp is $18.

There are 10 stellar sandwiches, too, priced from $10 to $19. Try customer favorites such as the Shrimp Po-Boy, Cajun Scallop Sliders — three blackened scallops on Hawaiian rolls with tomatoes, bacon and Cajun aioli — Boudin Grilled Cheese stuffed with housemade boudin and pepper jack cheese, The “Who-Blat” (bacon, lettuce, avocado and tomato), Cajun Cheesesteak and Angus burgers. Each sandwich comes with French fries.

Alternatively, make a meal of the generously sized starters or sides! At $16, the Appetizer Sampler is a filling combination of two boudin balls, two crawfish pies, two bacon wrapped shrimp and two fried green tomatoes served with Cajun remoulade sauce. Under the “Lagniappe” heading on the menu, there are 14 sides for $5 each such as Tasso Cream Corn, Poblano Jalapeno Grits and Red Beans and Rice with Andouille Sausage

table with multiple Asian dishes
Beef Pho with all the fixins’ at Pho Saigon. Photo by Carlos Brandon

Grab a quick bite at Phở Saigon, 11625 Broadway: This Vietnamese noodle house has been a fixture in the Houston area for more than two decades, and has a Pearland location. Although individual locations are operated by franchisees, the company is still owned by husband and wife Phuong and Rosie Tran, and guests still order the time-honored menu of soups, rice and noodle dishes that have earned them a loyal following. 

Popular starters include the crunchy, fried Vietnamese Eggroll that comes two to an order for $3 to $3.50 depending on filling, and the Fresh Spring Roll, which are both available with a pork and shrimp or vegetarian filling for $3.50 to $4.

For entrées, try traditional Vietnamese phở, or noodle soup, and choose from an extensive list of variations focused on beef, chicken, seafood and vegetarian broths that start at $8.25. These bowls are filled with all kinds of combinations such as the Phở Tai with eye round steak, Seafood with shrimp, fishballs and crab stick, chicken noodle soups, and tofu with vegetables or in a meat broth. Choose from add-ons such as fatty brisket or well done flank to add extra flavor and texture to any pho.

There are also 14 vermicelli bowls starting at $8.75, with charbroiled fillings such as sliced pork and fried egg roll, lemongrass sliced beef and fried egg roll or pork and shrimp. Most of the former combos are available in rice plates, too, with steamed rice in place of vermicelli noodles. Don’t miss the desserts and Vietnamese iced coffee, which offer a lovely sweetness to the meal in contrast to more savory selections.

tray of mini tacos
Mini tacos are just $1 each all day on Tuesdays (five purchase minimum). Photo courtesy of Taqueria Mi Pueblito.

Celebrate Taco Tuesday with work pals at Taqueria Mi Pueblito, 9607 Broadway: Tex-Mex is often a great choice when it comes to lunch, and this cheerful spot has an expansive menu to satisfy every appetite. Many menu items are priced well below $10, too, making it a home run for both the palate and the wallet.

Start with snacks such as ceviche, guacamole and bacon-wrapped jalapeños to whet the appetite before moving on to classics like enchiladas, carne guisada, burritos, quesadillas, rellenos and more.   

Visit on Tuesdays for exceptional all-day deals: tuck into $1 mini tacos (five purchase minimum) and $2 margaritas on the rocks.

Table with assorted Thai dishes of food
A selection of dishes at Thai Jasmine Express in Pearland. Photo courtesy of Thai Jasmine Express.

Discover weekday specials at Thai Jasmine Express, 1826 Country Place: This casual and inviting kitchen opened in Pearland more than 10 years ago and serves an extensive menu of freshly prepared Thai dishes. A friendly staff is on hand to make recommendations, and service is especially quick for making the most of lunch hour, which runs weekdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and offers dine-in, takeout and delivery (within a three-mile radius of the restaurant address).

Lunch appetizers such as egg rolls, fried Rocket Shrimp, chicken satay with peanut sauce and cucumber salad, and chicken puff cost $2.50 or less for two or more pieces; soft spring rolls filled with shrimp, lettuce, vermicelli and celery are $3.99 per order. Just want a nibble? Add single pieces to entrée orders for $1 each (excluding the soft spring roll). Each entrée also comes with a side of house soup.

Choose from 10 entrées that are just $7.50 to $8.25 each. Fill up on customer favorites such as red or yellow curry made with coconut milk, potatoes, onions, carrots and yellow curry paste or coconut milk, bell peppers, bamboo shoots, red chili paste and basil, respectively. Additional must-try dishes include Basil (Kra Pao), which is meat stir-fried with garlic, bamboo, chili, bell pepper, onion & sweet basil and Pad Thai, the perennially popular combination of stir-fried noodles, meat and egg tossed in a creamy-spicy peanut sauce. The standard protein for entrées is chicken, or substitute shrimp for $2. Portions are plentiful, too, with most sized for sharing or saving as a second meal for later.

Complete your meal with refreshing Thai Tea or smoothies such as avocado, mango, strawberry, “stranana” or peach. Smoothies are $4.75 a la carte, or $3.75 when added to an entrée order at lunch.

You can also check out the Pearland Convention & Visitors Bureau on social media for the latest updates. Follow on FacebookInstagram and Twitter. There is even a YouTube channel with videos that take you right to the people and places that make Pearland a great food and drink destination!

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