OPEN
By Jodie Eisenhardt | @ foodiehouston
STOKED TACOS
CUISINE : Farm to Taco EXECUTIVE CHEF : Adam Puskorius 2416 Brazos St . | 832.701.1973 | www . stokedmidtown . com 11am – midnight , Tuesday through Thursday ; 11am – 1am , Friday and Saturday ( food service ends an hour before closing )
Photography by Jodie Eisenhardt
Adam Puskorius , whose résumé includes stints as chef de cuisine at Mark ’ s and chef / partner with Eddie V ’ s , has returned from three years in Chicago , where he was inspired by the legendary Big Star taco bar in Wicker Park . His twist on the theme for Houston has the former Cook & Collins space rockin ’ via a vinyl-only playlist , “ day of the dead ” décor , awesome cocktails and some ridiculously good / fantastically sourced tacos .
Serious about quality ingredients , Stoked works with local farmers to source proteins and produce , making everything in-house from scratch , including tortillas , salsas and sauces . The commitment to quality , combined with innovative twists on familiar types of tacos takes it to the next level . Take , for example , the local redfish tacos with the option of super-fresh grilled or fried fish , along with mixed cabbages , carrot , radish , lime , cilantro and their chipotle remoulade or the sublime “ taco de queso ” with grilled Asadero cheese with fresh pico , chunks of avocado and salsa verde . Chopped , smoked brisket , roasted pork shoulder and grilled chicken all find their way into the taco options .
Want something other than a taco ? Try “ the bag ” – a Frito bag filled with brisket , onion , cilantro , fresh crema , pinto bean dip and the “ Valentina ” salsa . There ’ s also a stellar house-ground burger topped with queso fresco , avocado and pickled jalapenos .
Delicious margaritas and cocktails like the “ pink mule ” made with Deep Eddy Ruby Red vodka are the cherry on top . Clearly , I am … stoked !
Interior
HAROLD ’ S TAP ROOM
CUISINE : Kick-ass bar bites
EXECUTIVE CHEF : Antoine Ware 350 W . 19th St . | 713.360.6204 www . haroldsheights . com / tap-room /
Tues – Wed : 11am – 11pm ; Thurs – Fri : 11am – 2am Sat : 10am – 2am ; Sun : 10am – 11pm
( food service ends an hour before closing )
Photography by Harold ' s Tap Room
Interior
After a remodel of the previous “ Heights General Store ,” the downstairs shotgun bar is now its own worthy destination in this historic Heights structure on booming 19th Street – with the new live-music venue , the Heights Theater , just down the block .
20 L O C A L | september 16