Photo courtesy of Morgan Gage
By Sydney Park 10/19/21 10:20 p.m.
At this point in the semester, it’s understandable to start running low on emotional excitement for the food being served. We all had our fair share of grilled chicken, Caesar salads, and fries, which got a bit repetitive on the palate. Fortunately, Houston is a culinary extravaganza for lovers of all cuisines. If you’re looking for fresh new bites, take a look at four affordable restaurants near campus for your next meal.
Pho Saigon
Want an authentic soup for the soul? A 10-minute subway ride from the Rice Campus, Pho Saigon is in Midtown, proving that sometimes classics never get old. Offering a range of traditional Vietnamese items from bánh mì and bowls of vermicelli to the almighty Pho Bò (beef pho), the restaurant offers great value for money as most of the items are in a price range from $ 8 to $ 10.
Pho Saigon sells beef and chicken pho in small and large sizes, accompanied by a plate of standard pho toppings: bean sprouts, lemon slices, cilantro, basil leaves, and spicy green peppers. Of course, the hoisin and sriracha sauces are already on the table upon arrival. If you’re not a big pho, try your hand at the homemade spring rolls or the grilled pork chop rice platter.
Agnès Café & Provisions
Fancy a brunch near campus? At Agnes you will find both typical breakfast dishes and modern variations of classics, such as baklava granola with Bulgarian yogurt for $ 6. About a 20-minute walk from campus, the “vaguely MediterraneanThe restaurant also offers a $ 9 avocado toast on sourdough topped with sunflower seeds, as well as a $ 10 lamb sausage-stuffed flatbread if you’re feeling particularly adventurous.
As a cafe, Agnes has a number of caffeinated drinks and baked goods to help you start your morning, including a homemade scone for $ 4 a day, as well as Americanos and other based drinks. espresso for around $ 3. Head to this fun new space for a modern breakfast at a reasonable price.
Japanese restaurant Oishii
Any self-proclaimed sushi connoisseur will appreciate the $ 1 nigiri and sashimi offered at Oishii – surprising, considering the high quality of their plates. Notable menu items include aged tofu with bonito flakes for $ 3.50, tempura udon for $ 7.50, and Hokkaido hotate (scallop nigiri) for $ 2.50. Oishii is a 15 minute subway ride, a small price to pay for 4 bread rolls and $ 8 chicken katsu.
by Fadi
Located on the other side of Hermann Park, Fadi’s is a Mediterranean and Lebanese restaurant about 4 minutes by metro from the Rice campus. Owner Fadi Dimassi has been serving family recipes for 25 years in Houston and has received many impressive culinary awards for his work along the way.
Between its lamb kebabs, gyro wraps, homemade chicken curry and Greek feta salad, Fadi’s has something for everyone. Vegetarian options include a plate of falafel, a veggie wrap, and pomegranate eggplant, and most main platters are reasonably priced for $ 8.99. Make sure to end the meal on a sweet note with their baklava or rice pudding.
