About Town: Houston

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MORE ON HOUSTON: K.J. Choi's favorite things about living in Houston | K.J. at home in Houston

If you're on your way to the Lone Star State for the Shell Houston Open, then get ready for some Texas-sized fun.

Wash that Texas food down with the "National beer of Texas" -- Lone Star. (Special to PGATOUR.COM)

HUNGRY?

More: Mo's BBQ
More: Vic and Anthony's
More: Pappadeaux
More: Taco Cabana

GET BUSY

More: Theatre District
More: Old Town Spring
More: Galleria shopping
More: Kemah Boardwalk

SOMETHING TO SNACK ON

If Houston does nothing else for you, it'll send you home with a happy stomach. Because of its location, Houston's restaurants have authentic food from several regions. The state's proximity to and entangled history with Mexico has left an indelible mark on the food industry, while Houston's position in the eastern part of the state makes finding quality Cajun food almost as easy as it is in Louisiana. Of course, you can't forget that the University of Texas chose the Longhorn as its mascot for a reason: This state loves beef. Whether you want a perfectly seared steak or a barbecued brisket, Houston can curb your cravings.
• For the best of barbecue, go to Mo's BBQ in Humble. It's a hole-in-the-wall type place, but if you order the three-meat combo with brisket, turkey and chicken, you'll be pleased.
• If you want a famous Texas steak, make a reservation downtown at Vic and Anthony's. It's Longhorn-licious.
• Houston has a chain of Pappas restaurants that serve different genres of food, and Pappadeaux is Pappa's answer to Cajun cuisine. While there are a few mom 'n' pop places around the city that might serve it a little more authentically, Pappadeaux is easy to find and knows how to use those Creole spices.
• If you have read any of these articles before, you'll know I love Mexican food, and you might even know I love Taco Cabana. Hardly a fast-food restaurant (though it falls into that field), this Texas-born-and-raised, fresh-everything Mexican joint is one of the biggest reasons I would move back to Texas. Try it. Love it.

SOMETHING TO TELL YOUR FRIENDS ABOUT

While Houston has a traditionally Texas air to it, it's also a growing city with a downtown area that has undergone much renovation and modernization. So if you want conventional Lone Star State fun, you can find it, but if you'd rather experience the big-city bonuses, you can do that, too. Here's a little spattering of both to keep you busy:
• Houston Theatre District: Most visitors to this oil-money city don't realize that after New York and Los Angeles, Houston has the biggest theatre district in the country. The play schedule always has plenty to choose from, so pack your fancy outfits and don't forget to turn your ringer off ... theatre etiquette please.
• Old Town Spring: Just up I-45 from the downtown area, an old railway town has been converted into a quaint little village of unique shops and restaurants. Take some time to wander around Old Town Spring and sample some of the stores that range from jewelry and knickknacks to clocks of all sizes and even one store with an entirely German inventory. You can easily waste an afternoon here, and if you get hungry, try Puffabelly's Old Depot Restaurant for some down-home Southern cooking.
• Galleria Shopping: What else does a big city afford its guests and residents if not fabulous shopping? If you want to frighten your wallet into hibernation -- or just do some good old-fashioned window shopping -- make a mental appointment with the Galleria Shopping Mall in the downtown area. From Armani to Yves Saint Laurent, the Galleria has the A to Z (or at least Y) for hot shops.
• Kemah Boardwalk: Just southeast of Downtown Houston, you start to run into the coastal towns on the Gulf of Mexico, including Kemah. A kitschy but cute attraction, Kemah has rides, music, shopping, food, boat access and more to keep you occupied -- you could probably even find some cotton candy if you so desired.

Minute Maid Park -- home of the Houston Astros (Mobley/PGA TOUR)

STICKING AROUND?

While you might think Texas' size gives a tourist plenty of options for travel and entertainment, the fact that it takes 12 hours to drive from east to west and 14 hours to drive from north to south makes it a difficult state to explore in one weekend. However, Houston's in a perfect location for getting as much out of a short trip as possible.
• Robert Earl Keen: If you like country music -- and I mean country music, not the pop-with-fake-twang junk you hear on CMT -- then you likely know who this talented singer/songwriter is and will jump at the chance to see him in concert. If you don't know who he is, then you really should take this opportunity to find out. Keen has a show in Snook, Texas, which is about two hours from Houston, on Saturday night. Snook is just outside College Station, Texas, home of Texas A&M University, so if you decide to make the trip, get ready to party with some Robert-Earl-Keen-lovin' Aggies. Snook. Yeah, I just wanted to type that one more time.
• Houston Astros Home Opener: Despite March Madness, baseball season is finally upon us, and the greatest team (in my opinion -- yes, let the mocking begin) not to win a World Series has its home opener the day after the Shell Houston Open ends. The 'Stros welcome the Chicago Cubs to kick off the new season at 7 p.m. on April 6.