Kenny & Ziggy's

I went to Kenny & Ziggy's on a Friday evening, even though it is located in the worst part of Houston to be on Friday evening: the Galleria.  The Galleria, best known for its horrific traffic, is also an extremely overpriced part of town (despite the recent opening of Gallery Furniture (saves you money! today!)).  Although the traffic was light when I ventured over, this restaurant kept it real, Galleria-style, by being ridiculously expensive.  To be fair, you get an enormous amount of food (more than a pound of meat) for your $15 sandwich, so it is probably decently-priced if you are willing to share.  

The ups: one of my dining companions couldn't decide between the corned beef and the pastrami, so the waitress brought him a few slices of both to try before ordering.  That's classy.   Other things I liked included the charming shit on the wall and the old/fat/rich clientele - good people-watching.  Also, I ordered a Brooklyn Lager, which I had never seen outside of New York (this made me pretty excited, but then I went to Cafe Boheme on Saturday and discovered they also serve Brooklyn Lager, so not that big of a deal, I guess, after all).  But I digress. Finally, and perhaps the most memorable part of this place was that a friend of a friend competed in a matzo-ball-eating-contest here some time back.  I like stories about eating contests, and also stories about milk-drinking contests.

I have some interest in returning for breakfast (or even breakfast for dinner).  I would put this food up against Katz's any day of the week, and it smells better inside.  In fact, I would say that unless it is very late at night and you are very drunk, you are better off at K&Z's for Jewish food in Houston, but bring your appetite and a friend.

Potbelly Sandwich Works

If you like your sandwiches hot and drippy, you will like Potbelly.  

A Potbelly sandwich consists of soft warm wheat bread, a load of meat, a little bit of cheese, and then a veritable shmear of assorted olives and peppers.  The first time I went to this place, I thought, wow, that little bit of heat from the peppers is nice, a fresh take on a sandwich.  But this week!  Good Lord!  Those peppers were hot.  My lips were burning so hot after finishing that baby off it looked like I was wearing ball-buster-red lipstick.  It really made my day.

Google lets me know that my readers in DC and Minnesota will have no trouble finding a location near them, but my loved ones in NYC are going to have to venture out into the greater Tri-State area.  I'm not going to say its worth a 45 minute train ride, as only few things are, but, if you find yourself in the neighborhood and work up an appetite (knocking on doors, perhaps) you might find one in Philly and chow down.