Koshary, Sahlab and Konafa

Koshary - Egyptian version of a 'mess of pottage' from Biblical times - brown lentils, rice, caramelized onions and macaroni, garnished with chickpeas and garlic tomato sauce (daqqah), served with additional tomato sauce and house-made hot sauce (shattah) to dress as desired.

Sahlab - a fragrant Middle Eastern hot beverage made from the ground roots of an orchid, garnished with grated coconut, raisins, chopped pistachios and slivered almonds.  The authentic ingredient is very rare and expensive and a substitute is often served.

Konafa - a Middle Eastern cheese pastry with a layer of a mild white, feta-like cheese sandwiched between layers of grated coconut, drizzled with simple syrup, garnished with raisins and crushed pistachios and lightly toasted on a griddle.

From Dandanah Grill and Cafe

Bison Chili Dog

Split, grilled, 1/4 pound bison wiener topped with bison chili, mustard and onions on a toasted hot dog bun

at Bubba's Texas Burger Shack.

Banh Mi

Vegetarian with mock meats (chicken and pork), cilantro, carrot, cucumber, daikon, jalapeno and sauce on a  Vietnamese style baguette.

from Duy Sandwiches, 6791 Wilcrest @ Bellaire.

Chicken Schwarma plate

with hummus, salad and pita

mujaddara with brown lentils, rice and caramelized onions

from Jerusalem Halal Meats Deli

Elk Burger

with lettuce, tomato, red onion, cheddar cheese, cilantro aioli and pickles on a soft pretzel bun

with apple slaw,

from Sammy's Wild Game Grill.

Barbekyung Tadnyang ng Baboy

Grilled Pork Ribs BBQ - untrimmed ribs, fork tender, in a sweet sauce, with rice

at House of Chicken, 10950 Bissonet

Italian Subs

A recent obsession, more or less in order of preference from best to worst.

Antonini's Subs and Steaks, Texas 3 @ Medical Center Blvd, Webster, TX -No menu description - 3 meats including peppered ham (prosciuttini) and Genoa salami, plus provolone cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and pepper relish on a soft roll.

Mr. Sub, 11030 Bissonnet - ham, Genoa salami, capicola, prosciuttini on Italian (ciabatta-like) bread with lettuce, raw red onion, tomato, oil and vinegar and Italian herbs. There are other bread choices.

Airport Italian Deli, 8101 Airport - ham, Genoa salami, provolone, lettuce, tomato, red onion, oil and vinegar and herbs and 'special sauce' on an Antone's Po-Boy like roll, Original, top two pictures, Super, bottom; served warm if requested..

Jersey Mike's - 1/2 Original Italian (top), 1/2 cross section of Mini (bottom) - Provolone, ham, prosciuttini, cappacuolo, salami and pepperoni, Mike's Way (lettuce, tomato, onion, oil, vinegar, spices)

Jimmy John's - # 5 Vito - Genoa salami, provolone, capicola, raw white onion, lettuce, tomato and Italian vinaigrette

Pappa Geno's -Hot Italian Hoagie - Lean ham, Genoa salami and provolone cheese topped with lettuce, tomato, mayo and a Seasoned Italian oil, heated.

Lenny's Sub Shop -Hot Italian - Provolone cheese, ham, prosciutto, capicola, Genoa salami, grilled onions, grilled green peppers, oregano, pepper, oil, vinegar