If you go to Houston...

Hugo’s has some of the best Mexico City cuisine in Houston. Never been but the owner has a higher rated place called Xochi as well if you want upscale Mexican food.

Driving just north of Houston you can get imo the best bbq in the Houston area at a place called Corkscrew(likely a 1 hour wait outdoors but you can drink beer while waiting in line). Other good bbq includes a place called Tejas Chocolate Factory and Killeen’s. But if I could only go to one it’d be Corkscrew.

There’s a place called Cajun Kitchen that has incredible Vietnamese and Cajun food.

I’m not originally from Texas and think Tex-Mex is just a fun way to serve bad Mexican food. With that said The Original Ninfa’s on Navigation is the traditional Tex-Mex place and is pretty good.

I haven’t been to any of his newer places but any restaurant by Chris Shepherd is probably good (I think his two big places are UB Preserve and One Fifth).

I think it won for best bar in Houston but there’s a bar that serves small plates called Better Luck Tomorrow. I have not been yet but I’ve tried that chef’s other restaurants and am sure it’s good.

Finally... since no one mentioned it... we have two incredible sushi places in Houston. Uchi (which is from Austin but has a Houston location) and Kata Robata. Uchi is the best sushi I’ve had in my life.

Sorry for word vomit. These are just some of my personal fav places or places I want to try. As others have said if you want to go to Texas for food Houston is probably the best spot.