Houston day 1: All-Black Everything + H-E-B

Solo in H-Town eating vegan chick'n and cheeseburgers from Black-owned restaurants, buying books from a Black-owned bookstore, and seeing the alleged hype surrounding Texas' favorite grocery store.

I was supposed to be in Houston back in early November, but I didn’t have the bandwidth after being solo in New Orleans celebrating my 34th birthday.

One of my college besties’ baby was turning one MLK weekend, so I just postponed my trip to January. Tatie Talia wouldn’t miss it for the world.

You know I’m good for a kick-ass itinerary (see the Vegas, NOLA). I prefer it. I like a plan. I like to plan. But I couldn’t get it together to make one for this trip. My ears are to the streets (read: my TikTok fyp), so I knew enough about what to do and eat in Houston to wing it.

I took the first flight from D.C. to Houston with my Southwest (Christmas 2022 meltdown apology) points. Also free? My car rental. I used my Chase Ultimate Rewards points. It was the best decision. I generally don’t like driving in other people’s cities, but driving in Houston isn’t bad at all. I highly recommend renting a car for the freedom and possibly spending less than you would on ridesharing.

Watch the companion vlog on TikTok or Instagram

Brunch at Mo’ Better Brews

I went straight to the Museum District after the airport. Mo’ Better Brews is a Black-owned coffee shop/vegan restaurant/vinyl records shop. It’s not as unfocused as it sounds. The concept is very solid and makes sense.

I parked on a side street and used the ParkHouston app instead of using the meter. Park Houston is powered by ParkMobile, so if you have a ParkMobile account, just add the license plate number of your car rental.

For a Friday afternoon, it was buzzing! Friends, couples, and colleagues working over brunch or lunch at small tables. Patrons coming in and out for their afternoon caffeine fix. I sat at the bar. If the weather was nicer, I would’ve sat on the spacious outdoor patio. The music was good.

I ordered the Hot Honey 'Shrooms & Waffles. The waffle maker was broken, so I subbed for pancakes. Delicious for mushrooms cosplaying chicken. I see what Aunty Tab is saying! Had a side of the Naked Fried Brussels. Very good. Spent about $42 after tipping.

Shopping at Kindred Stories

After Baldwin & Co. and Community Book Center, I’ve committed to visiting all the Black-owned bookstores. It’s one of my travel things now.

Kindred Stories is the cutest bookstore located near Emancipation Park in Greater Third Ward. I parked in a lot across the street.

There’s a great selection of adult and children’s books by Black and POC authors. I would’ve loved to see a more robust romance section though. I got a copy of Restore Me by J.L. Seegars and Big Girl by Mecca Jamilah Sullivan. I read the former last year and loved it (and the three subsequent books in the New Haven series). I’m glad I have a physical copy for my bookshelf now.

There’s also a nice selection of gifts and novelty items from Black-owned brands. I snagged a daily planner notepad from Cloth & Paper and greeting cards from CheerNotes.

Seeing the fuss about H-E-B

People are very passionate about their regional grocery stores. Texans don’t play about H-E-B. Wanting to kill a little more time before check-in, so when in Rome.

It’s big. H-E-B is a cross between Wegmans and Shoppers or ShopRite. Like Wegmans, it has a too-wide selection of pre-made meals, prepped ingredients, convenience foods and cool products under its store brand, extensive deli, bakery, sushi and cheese counters, sample stations (with wine pairings), and a top-tier customer experience. The Shoppers/ShopRite kicks in with the 90s warehouse-y aesthetics.

All in all, I understand the local grocery pride.

Hotel Stay at Aloft Houston Downtown

I stayed at the Aloft Houston Downtown in 2022 and the price was right this stay, so why not? I booked with some more Chase points. Great location and clean. The King room was quite spacious. I love me a Marriott property.

I parked my rental in a parking garage across the street for $20/day (no in and out privileges, but when I’m out for the day, I’m out).

Dinner from Craft Burger at Finn Hall

Two blocks from the hotel is Finn Hall. I’ve been to the downtown Houston food hall before, but it was my first time at Craft Burger. I was exhausted from the afternoon, so I wasn’t trying to sit down somewhere for dinner. I wanted something I could pick up on foot and take back to my hotel. I wanted to watch RuPaul’s Drag Race in the bed.

Craft Burger is Black-owned. Celebrity Chef Shannen Tune was Houston’s first Chopped champion. I got the All-American cheeseburger with bacon and truffle fries. Came to about $28. It was good, but I let it get cold talking to my mama.

Read the day 2 blog here.