Last year the National Restaurant Association reported that 75-percent of restaurant-going adults would opt for smaller-size portions at a lower price if given the option. Are they grazers who like to sample? Are they on Ozempic or Zepbound with decreased appetites? Or, are they on their own mission to stop wasting food? Whatever the reason, half portions make perfect sense. But, they’re not always so easy to find. Sure, many restaurants offer cups of soup or small salads. And some diners improvise by making a meal of side dishes. In Houston, there are indeed restaurants that offer a broader tour of their menu via half portions. Among them are favorites around the city, where going halfsies is both accommodated and encouraged.
Paulie’s
Since it opened in 1998, Paulie’s has exemplified the Italian spirit of abbondanza. The casual Italian restaurant’s full portions were always intended as family-style shared dishes—plates of plenty that went home with diners as delectable leftovers. Paulie’s soon realized that half portions made perfect sense and has since offered “small” or half-portion sizes of its filling salads, homemade pastas, and even dinner entrees such as grilled veal chop, chicken with mushroom saute, and chicken piccata. Fans know even these smaller sizes are generous to a fault. That’s a lot to love about Paulie’s. 1834 Westheimer Rd. Houston, pauliesrestaurant.com
Eugene’s Gulf Coast Cuisine
First, with Danton’s Gulf Coast Seafood, and now with Eugene’s, owner Kyle Teas has overseen a stylish, comforting brand of traditional Gulf Coast fare that keeps diners coming back to this lively Montrose neighborhood hotspot. Luscious gumbos, soups, and stews are available in two sizes, as are salads. The thoughtful half portions of redfish and catfish (grilled, fried, broiled or blackened), shrimp, oysters and sea scallops hit the spot for lighter appetites. Lunch-size portions are also available for the noontime crowd. 1985 Welch St., Houston, eugeneshouston.com
Kiran’s
Although its menu doesn’t state it, many dishes at this sumptuous Indian restaurant can be ordered as half portions. And you’ll want to work through as many as you can given chef-owner Kiran Verma’s reputation as Houston’s godmother of Indian fine dining. Half portions of dishes from the menu’s intoxicating “classics” section (butter chicken, chicken tikka masala, vindaloo, korma, saag or coconut curry madras) and the overwhelming riches of vegetarian dishes are a great way to get to know why Kiran’s is an Upper Kirby gem and why Verma is a treasure. 2925 Richmond Ave., Houston, kiranshouston.com
La Lucha
Since it opened in the Heights in 2018, La Lucha has been a favorite for when fried chicken cravings strike (as they often do). The house Pollo Especiale is fried chicken nirvana, available as a half bird and served with biscuits, pickles, special sauces and seasonal jam. Add a half-pound of fried Gulf shrimp to the order? Done. And what the heck? Order some bubbles, and conclude a finger-licking meal with a soft-serve sundae. Now you know why the locals keep coming back to La Lucha. 1801 N. Shepherd Dr., Houston, laluchatx.com
Little Rey
Houston-raised restaurateur Ford Fry’s local establishments (including La Lucha, Superica and State of Grace) are testaments, not just to his understanding of the Houston palate, but his deep need to please. With Little Rey, a fast-casual taco shop that opened in River Oaks in 2024, Fry indulges the all-day taco fixation. The house’s signature Pollo al Carbon, cooked on a wood-burning grill, is a half bird served with tortillas, smoked onions and jalapenos, ranch beans and cilantro rice. Family packs (that feed 3 to 4 or 6 to 8) are also available for clucker extravaganzas. 2345 Mid Ln., Houston, littlerey.com
Barnaby’s
Everyone has their favorite order at this happy indie with multiple Houston locations. Fresh, honest, unpretentious, filling: there are many reasons Barnaby’s has such a devoted following. For many, though, the salads are Barnaby’s great gift to the local dining scene. The Sausalito Chicken Crunch, Lebanese Chicken Fattoush, Chopped Chef, Petaluma, Chinese Chicken, Chicken Mediterranean, Cobb and California—they’re all winners. And, all are available in smaller portions. Just another reason to love Barnaby’s. Multiple locations, barnabyscafe.com
Marmo
For a fine-dining restaurant in Montrose, Marmo has incredible deals. Its daily happy hour from 3 to 6 p.m. (available in the bar and patio areas) is a steal with $6 house wines and $5 small bites. The luxe Italian steakhouse menu thoughtfully accommodates smaller and grazing appetites in its pasta selections that come in “grande” as well as “piccolo” portions. That includes dishes such as spaghetti alla chitarra, gnocchi with lamb ragu, squid ink campanelle, lobster fra diavolo and rigatoni vodka. These smaller sizes are suitable for sharing, as starters, or as side dishes to larger entrees. 888 Westheimer Rd., Houston, marmoitalian.com/Houston/
Giacomo’s Cibo e Vino
Does Giacomo’s purposely offer its house-made fresh egg pasta dishes in half portions just to keep folks coming back for more? If so, it’s working. This funky, unassuming River Oaks Italian restaurant offers real-deal fare without the fancy airs of its neighborhood society spots. Bring on the half sizes of fettuccine Alfredo, tortellini in parmesan cream, and tagliatelle Bolognese. There are also several mains (roasted chicken in sage butter, grilled chicken stuffed with prosciutto and mozzarella, and porchetta with bean stew) that come in half orders. 3215 Westheimer Rd., Houston, giacomosciboevino.com
Ostia
They say if you don’t ask, you don’t get. And maybe that’s what’s going on with the pasta section of the menu at this beguiling Mediterranean-inspired restaurant, a Montrose neighborhood essential. The menu doesn’t state so, but all the pastas—bucatini Amatriciana, garganelli with mortadella and peas, linguine with shrimp and cacio e pepe—-are available in half portions. Speaking of halfsies, the half chicken with salsa verde is a must. 2032 Dunlavy St., Houston, ostiahou.com
Cuchara
The weekend brunch soups at Cuchara are fantastic, but the portions are so big that some never make it to the bottom of the bowl. Que lastima. When a server with good ears heard a junior portion was desired, he quickly chimed in: “We can do a smaller bowl.” Now you know too: the signature pozole rojo (pork and hominy in a spicy red broth) and pozole verde (chicken and hominy in a vivid green broth) can be downsized. And what about the spicy shrimp soup? We can’t wait to return to our favorite Mexico City-style bistro to find out. 214 Fairview St., Houston, cuchararestaurant.com
