The Counter--LOVES IT!

Variety is the spice of life and every meal at the counter starts with this GIANT clipboard of options.
It took me FOR-EV-VER to order, so for the fickle at heart, you may be staring at this menu for awhile! :)

Rating: *****

Location: The Heights
Menu

Price: $$

Reviewed: Dinner

Attire: Casual

Reviewer: Yas 
The Counter is a swanky diner that serves up amazing burgers, made any way you like it!  With great service, an awesome ambiance, and even better food, there is no way you can go wrong. Think Chilli's prices with way better burgers!

taco diner - meh/yum

Rating: ***

Location: Uptown

Price: $$

Reviewed: Dinner

Attire: Casual, but feel free to get a little jazzy

Reviewer: Jenn

Taco Diner definitely embraces the diner ambiance while serving mostly tacos and Mexican food.    The mambo taxis are strong and delightful, but the tacos somewhat missed the mark for me.

Taverna - LOVES IT!!!

parmesan crusted shrimp on crispy polenta...uh, YEAH!

*****
Location: Downtown
Price: $$
Reviewed: Dinner, Happy Hour
Attire: Casual, but feel free to get a little jazzy
Reviewers: All 3 Foodies!

Taverna has an intimate feel with amazing Italian food. Great for a date, or just a dinner with the girls. If the weather’s right, sit outside and people watch for a New York eating experience. Come for happy hour and get great $2 peach bellinis or orange mimosas and half-off pizzas and appetizers!

Parkside - YES Please!

****

• Price: $
• Reviewed: Happy Hour
• Attire: Casual chic (but feel free to get jazzy)
• Location: East Sixth Street
• Short Description: With the weather getting warmer, head to the sixth street you never see during the day and sit on Parkside’s rooftop patio.  If it’s too hot, head inside to the swanky indoor space with its loft style and hardwood floors.  This happy hour, honestly, cannot be beat.

tenOak - YUM.

***
 Price: $$

 Reviewed: Dinner

 Attire: Snappy Casual (whatever that means)

 Location: Warehouse District

 Short Description: Affordable menu where the “ten” in tenOak stands for nothing being more than $10 dollars. Come here to share tapas before you head out for a night on the town. Or a fun ladies night.

MARIA MARIA - YES Please!

****

• $$
• Reviewed: Happy Hour
• Business or Dressy Casual (Jeans and heels are appropriate)
• Location: Warehouse District

Maria Maria is a wonderful place for happy hour, ladies night, or to pre-party before you really hit downtown hard. Fresh drinks and fresh queso at great prices start the night off right every time. Plus, there's live music! I mean, could it get better?

QUICK BITE: NoRTh - YES Please!

Please note the highlighters/pens as I tried to study while the pizza took all of the room.  The sacrifices I make for food!

 
****
Price: $
Location: The Domain
Attire: Whatever!
Reviewed: Happy Hour/Late Lunch


I know…we said no chains. But if there’s only one in Texas, it doesn’t count, right?  This restaurant doesn’t have the chain feel – and was a great quick stop as I was running errands (and trying to find time to study).  Plus, the day I stopped in, MC Lyte was there! I would have taken pictures...but this is a food blog, not People magazine, people! Ok...I was too shy to take the picture.