As I looked over the list of Yelp's just-released list of top 100 restaurants in Texas, I shrugged. Of these 100 restaurants, I hadn't been to more than a handful. Heck, I hadn't heard of more than half of the 28 restaurants on the list from Dallas-Fort Worth, a region where it's my job to scout out restaurants big and small.
Except, wait. That first one. The No. 1 restaurant in Texas, according to Yelp, is Tony's Italian Delicatessen in Montgomery, Texas. Tony's ... Tony's ... Tony's. Wait, that deli? The one in a rundown strip center, sandwiched between a pet groomer and a cleaners on Highway 105, on the way to my mother-in-law's house?
That's the one. I'd driven past it 100 times on the way from Dallas to Houston's suburbs.
I happened to be driving past it four more times this weekend, so I stopped in for a bite at Texas' best restaurant. It's an adorable little place with giant sandwiches and pleasant service. Most of the sandwiches are served on crusty Italian bread studded with garlic flecks, and most are named for Italians, like the Joe Pesci (roast beef and provolone) and the A. Pacino (mortadella, bacon and provolone).
It isn't a secret among locals. On a Thursday at 2 p.m. — certainly a weird time to gorge on a sandwich that could feed four people — Tony's served new customers every 5 minutes or so. For an hour, I watched regulars chat with the friendly staff and ogle over the cannoli while they waited on their lunches.
When I got mine, a soppressatta, salami, mozzarella, tomato and basil pesto sam called the F. Sinatra, I tap danced a little in my seat. For a moment, I felt like I could have been at Jimmy's Food Store in Dallas. Or a deli in New York, for that matter.
Is Tony's the best restaurant in Texas? That's not really the point here. Yelp's list has never been a hyper-critical one: A press release says the list is picked "using a number of factors including the total volume and ratings of reviews," which is a little vague. It seems like the list ranks neighborhood restaurants that Yelpers seem to like. And Tony's has a solid 5 stars.
Driving anywhere on Highway 105, which is a good three hours southeast of Dallas? Stop at Tony's. I'm kicking myself for not having been before.
Yelp's list of top Texas restaurants includes more than two dozen from the North Texas area, and it's bound to include gems I haven't visited. More than anything else, Yelp's list seems like a celebration of smaller establishments with seriously loyal customers. And for most restaurateurs, isn't that the dream?
Take a look at the list of 100 restaurants in Texas and see if you've been to any worth discussing. Which would you recommend? Let's talk about it on Facebook.
Yelp's top 100 restaurants in Texas
North Texas restaurants noted in bold
1. Tony's Italian Delicatessen - Montgomery
2. Gino's Deli Stop N Buy - San Antonio 3. Kurry Takos - Austin 4. Tommy Tamale Market & Cafe - Grapevine 5. Frank - Dallas 6. It's a Punjabi Affair - Amarillo 7. Hatsuyuki Handroll Bar - Fort Worth 8. Nancy's Sky Garden - Austin 9. Las Tortas Perronas - Houston 10. DB's Rustic Iron BBQ - Terlingua 11. Boteco - Austin 12. Jewboy Burgers - Austin 13. Granny's Tacos - Austin 14. Hugs Cafe - McKinney 15. Nelson's BBQ - San Antonio 16. Fu Manchung - Spring 17. Aladdin Cafe - Crowley 18. Kat's Barbecue - Santa Fe 19. Munchiez - Carrollton 20. Vietwich - Sugar Land 21. Abo Youssef - Austin 22. Casa Mia Latin Cuisine - Lewisville 23. Tranky's Tacos - Garland 24. Ceviche Ceviche - South Padre Island 25. Yia Yia's House of Gyros Mesquite - Mesquite 26. Thyme For Lunch - San Antonio 27. Taste Community Restaurant - Fort Worth 28. Boca 31 - Denton 29. T-Loc's Sonora Hot Dogs - Austin 30. Le' Pam's House of Creole - Houston 31. Ceviche7 - Austin 32. Fuego Latino Gastropub - Round Rock 33. Van's Banh Mi - Austin 34. Leon Valley Cafe - San Antonio 35. The Pita Shop - San Marcos 36. Diced Poke - Houston 37. El Taquito - El Paso 38. Empa Mundo - Irving 39. Pappa Gyros - Katy 40. Mama Frances Soul Kitchen - La Marque 41. Slider Provider - Helotes 42. Butcher Block Food & Drinks - Dallas 43. Moi Vietnamese Grill - Pflugerville 44. Bowl Mami - Carrollton 45. Taqueria El Crucero - Waco 46. Cafe Homestead - Waco 47. Papa's Burgers - San Antonio 48. Whiskers Fish & Burgers - Dallas 49. Tiba Grill - Arlington 50. Quixote Bakery Cafe - Richland Hills 51. Coco Shrimp - Fort Worth 52. Yoyo's Hot Dog - Houston 53. Hoody's Sub Shop - Round Rock 54. Santorini Cafe - Austin 55. DEE DEE - Austin 56. The Shed Market - Abilene 57. Banh Mi Houston - Spring 58. E B Latin Bistro - Plano 59. Railway Cafe - Athens 60. Truth BBQ - Brenham 61. The Big Kahuna - Austin 62. Titas Taco House - Humble 63. Lula Jane's - Waco 64. Casa Jacaranda - Venus 65. Crepes 4 U - Plano 66. Ephesus Mediterranean Grill - Dallas 67. Pollos Asados Los Norteños - San Antonio 68. Irie's Island Food - Port Aransas 69. The Flying Carpet - Austin 70. Crepe Crazy - Dripping Springs 71. Banh Mi Ngon - Austin 72. Comfort Cafe - Smithville 73. CorkScrew BBQ - Spring 74. Outlaw Kitchens - San Antonio 75. Spicy Mikes Bar-B-Q Haven - Amarillo 76. Local Poke - Houston 77. BackDraft Pizzeria - Bee Cave 78. Alamo Hot Dog - San Antonio 79. Sky Rocket Burger - Dallas 80. The B's Kitchen - Austin 81. Spice Station - Kingsville 82. Iron Fish Sushi & Grill - Pflugerville 83. Taco y Vino - Dallas 84. Not Just Q - Dallas 85. Steves' Market & Deli - Brownwood 86. Papi's Pies - Round Rock 87. Avesta Persian Grill - Houston 88. Lebowski's Grill - Austin 89. Tyler's Barbeque - Amarillo 90. Up Inspired Kitchen - Frisco 91. Tender Smokehouse - Celina 92. Sharks Burger - Leander 93. Eggsquisite Cafe - Allen 94. 5 Ate Cafe - Spring 95. Sushi Kadan - Carrollton 96. Nyam Nyam Cafe - Cypress 97. Sikhay Thai Lao Cuisine - Fort Worth 98. The Red Vault Bistro - Flatonia 99. Okome Don - Houston 100. La Cocina de Roberto - The Woodlands