The siren sound of the classic diner calls to us all. Its promise: come hungry, leave happy, and do your best to save room for pie. Aside from being reliable and feeling familiar, a good ol’ fashioned diner is one of the few places where all kinds of people — from night owls and shift workers to teenagers plotting their escape from the suburbs — can come together over platters of eggs and pancakes. Something about the smell of fresh coffee brewing offers a warm and comforting feeling unlike any other place.
In Houston, locals are fiercely loyal to their neighborhood diners. There are plenty that have lasted the test of time in the same locations with age-old items that continue to grace their menus. Here is a list of 10 you can always count on.
Avalon Diner
A River Oaks staple since 1938, Avalon Diner feels like a blast from the past. Well before avocado toast was a twinkle in anyone’s eye, the diner was known for serving pancake stacks, malts, and much more for guests seated in chrome-trimmed booths. Here, you’ll find nostalgic comfort eats like patty melts ($11), chicken fried steak and eggs ($14), and corned beef hash ($13). Regulars love the daily Blue Plate Specials, featuring dishes like meatloaf with red sauce, chicken and dumplings, and Waldorf salad. 2417 Westheimer Rd., Houston, avalondiner.com
Tel-Wink Grill
The line out the door on most days is evidence that Tel-Wink is the East End’s answer to what breakfast should be — fast and satisfying. The pancakes ($5) are as big as the plates, the hash browns are golden and crispy, and juicy sausage links do not disappoint. Come early, or be prepared to wait. 4318 Telephone Rd., Houston, telwinkgrill.com
House of Pies
A Houston institution for night owls and sugar hounds alike, House of Pies keeps late night hours and never skimps on the whipped cream. Like its name suggests, you’ll find fruit, cream, and specialty pies of all types, but also a robust menu of dishes and drinks. There is a full coffee program, teas and sodas, and milkshakes; plus breakfast platters, soups and salads, sandwiches, fried plates, and more. Save room for a slice of the Bayou Goo pie ($5) made with chocolate, pecans, and clouds of meringue. 3112 Kirby Dr., Houston, houseofpies.com
Harry’s Restaurant
A Midtown mainstay with an international twist, Harry’s has been feeding the neighborhood’s eclectic mix of artists, professionals, and devoted regulars for decades. The menu hops from Texas diner staples to Greek and Latin comfort food without blinking. Can’t decide what to order? You can’t go wrong with the spikito Greek omelet ($12) and a mimosa crafted with pulpy fresh-squeezed OJ. 318 Tuam St., Houston, harryshouston.com
New York Deli & Bagels
Houston is a tough place to live if you’re serious about bagels, but thankfully New York Deli & Bagels is like an oasis in the bagel desert. The lox are silky, the schmear is generous, and the everything bagel ($3) lives up to its name. While the shop is popular among locals for grabbing bagels to go, the diner is a solid place to stick around for a meal. Indulge in deli staples like chopped liver ($8), egg salad ($7), and the hot kosher-style pastrami sandwich ($13). 9720 Hillcroft St., Houston, nydelibagels.com
Simos Diner
On the northern edge of Independence Heights, Simos Diner is a no-frills greasy spoon that opens at 6 a.m., six days a week, for breakfast and lunch service. Expect mismatched mugs, bottomless coffee, and regulars who greet the staff by name. Breakfast is the main event. It’s hard to go wrong with the Simos Special, a platter of three eggs, bacon, sausage, hash browns, and a choice of pancakes, biscuits, or toast for under $12. 5004 N. Shepherd Dr., Houston
Dot Coffee Shop
With wood-paneled walls, red vinyl booths, and servers who call you “hun”, Dot Coffee Shop is a time capsule and one of the city’s essential diners. The restaurant’s giant neon sign off of I-45 has been a beacon of comfort food for more than half a century. Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, it’s a go-to for pancakes ($9) at dawn and chicken fried steak ($17) at midnight… or vice versa. 7006 I-45 South, Houston, dotcoffeeshop.com
The Buffalo Grille
The Buffalo Grille feels like a small town Sunday morning every day of the week. A neighborhood staple for 40 years, the diner has grown to include three Houston-area locations and operates under the Adair Concepts restaurant group today. The pancakes ($6) are legendary, and can be amped up with fruit or nuts. Beyond traditional breakfast and lunch plates, find a variety of plates with Tex-Mex flair, like the huevos quesadillas ($12) and the cheese enchilada lunch ($10) served with two sides. 4080 Bissonnet St., Houston, thebuffalogrille.com
Kenny & Ziggy’s New York Delicatessen
Calling Kenny & Ziggy’s a diner is a major understatement. The lauded New York-style deli, which anchors Post Oak Plaza in Uptown, is a one-of-a-kind experience with splashy Broadway-themed decor, a full bar, deli counter, and an old-fashioned soda fountain. The larger than life menu, which you have to see to believe, is filled with sky-high sandwiches, Texas-sized salads, and Jewish delicacies like stuffed cabbage ($36) and Hungarian beef goulash ($32), not soon found elsewhere in town. If overwhelmed by the bountiful offerings, consider the one and only Reuben sandwich, served open-faced and well worth its $28 price tag. 1743 Post Oak Blvd., Houston, kennyandziggys.com
Yale Street Grill
Yale Street Grill is equal parts soda fountain, neighborhood diner, and antique shop. The classic Coke floats ($4) are reason enough to visit, especially when paired with the cheeseburger ($7), served in a red basket with crinkle-cut fries. Linger around after your meal, and peruse the wares in the antiques section, located under the same roof. 2100 Yale St., Houston
