Food & Drink

2024 Nick’s Local Eats Awards for Restaurant Owners, Chefs, Bakers, Coffee Shops, Breweries and more

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The 2025 Nicks Local Eats Awards was held on January 27, 2025 at Lasagna House – 1960 to honor the best of 2024 Nick’s Local Eats for Restaurant Owners, Chefs, Bakers, Coffee Shops, Breweries and more.

Why do we do this? To celebrate the greatness of the local mom-and-pop establishments of Spring, Tomball, Vintage Park, The Woodlands and Surrounding, Cypress, 1960 / Champions / Willowbrook areas. The areas that mostly get overlooked, and to highlight what they do best! 

(Nick) “I looked around the room, and my heart was filled with joy to see previous Nick’s Local Eats Awards winners and, of course, some new faces. We were all honored to have Michelin Bib Gourmand winners here: Thomas Bille of Belly of The Beast, Ben Maxwell and Jordan Rosemeyer of Rosemeyer Bar-B-Que, and Greg Moore of Tejas Chocolate and Barbecue. Plus, James Beard semifinalist Beatriz Martines of Xalisko Cocina Mexican.” 

“What an incredible night it was to be in a room of so many people that I have admiration for, it was an evening of our great community and camaraderie”

Theresa Wychico, Nick Rama and Lisa Benoit; Photo Credit: Amanda Virgadamo Photography

Here is the amazing video from the 2nd Annual Nick’s Local Eats Awards for Restaurant Owners, Chefs, Bakers, Coffee Shops, Breweries and more. Video

This year we renamed Nick’s Local Eats Chef of The Year Award to The Alex Au-Yeung Chef of The Year Award, which is presented in Memory of Chef Alex Au-Yeung for his dedication to excellence. 

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Special presentation Award – Portrait by Artist Chris Hernandez
Lisa Benoit, Nick Rama, Chris Hernandez – Artist, Kevin Lee and Leonel Fuentes of Phat Eatery Honoring the late Chef Alex Au-Yeung; Photo Credit: Amanda Virgadamo Photography.

 
2024 Year-End Awards

Stay tuned to Nick’s Local Eats Facebook with the Top 50 in each area coming soon.

Restaurant of The Year winners, Doris Miller, Chef James Lundy, and Paul Miller of The Union Kitchen Boardwalk Towne Lake – Cypress, Judy Garcia of Rita’s Cantina Mexican Kitchen – Pinehurst/Tomball, Chef Paul Friedman of The Chef’s Kitchen, Chef Beatriz Martines of Xalisko Cocina Mexicana – The Woodlands, Matt Vernon of Lasagna House 1960, and Chef Thomas Bille of Belly of the Beast – Spring; Photo Credit: Amanda Virgadamo Photography. 
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2024 Cypress / Fairfield / Bridgeland area:

Restaurant of The Year:

#5 La Viva Cantina 

#4 Ambriza Cypress 

#3 Passerella 

#2 Tavo’s Mexican Grill Cypress 

#1 The Union Kitchen Boardwalk Towne Lake (Lola Tostadas – Best Appetizer Cypress, Best Smoked Old Fashioned) 

The Alex Au-Yeung Chef of The Year Award:

Chef James Lundy  – The Union Kitchen Boardwalk Towne Lake

Restaurant Owners of The Year:

Paul Miller & Doris Miller  – The Union Kitchen / Passerella

Best New Restaurant:

4 Brothers NY Bagels 

Best Bakery:

Alchemy Bake Lab 

Best BBQ:

Killen’s BBQ – Cypress 

Best Coffee Shop w/ Desserts:

Plum Coffee / Cake Fine. Pastry 

Best Brewery:

Misfit Brewing

Best BBQ Winners: Jordan Rosemeyer and Ben Maxwell of Rosemeyer Bar-B-Que – Spring, Diedra and Troy Mulligan of 3rd Coast BBQ and Catering – The Woodlands, Greg Moore of Tejas Chocolate and Barbecue – Tomball, Sherice and Steve Garner of SouthernQ BBQ and Catering – Richey; Photo Credit: Amanda Virgadamo Photography. 

2024 The Woodlands /Magnolia /Oak Ridge /Shenandoah /Conroe area 

Restaurant of The Year Woodlands and Surrounding:

#5 Schilleci’s New Orleans Kitchen

#4 Back Table Kitchen and Bar 

#3 3rd Coast BBQ 

#2 Phat Eatery 

#1 Xalisko Cocina Mexicana 

The Alex Au-Yeung Chef of The Year Award:

Beatriz Martines – Xalisko Cocina Mexicana 

Restaurant Owner of The Year:

Troy & Deidra Golden Mulligan – 3rd Coast BBQ and Catering 

Best New Restaurant:

Don Chuy Tortilleria 

Best Bakery:

Luliet Ice Cream and Cookies 

Best BBQ:

3rd Coast BBQ & Catering (Ribs, Smoked Chicken, Catering, Brisket Chili, Pretzel)

Best Brewery:

B-52 Brewing  

Best Food Truck:

El Norteño Tacos (Street tacos, Trompo, Birria Ramen)

Best Coffee:

Tosca Italian Gourmet (Croissants, Focaccia bread, Panini)

Best Seasonal Crawfish of The Year:

3rd Coast BBQ and Catering

Best Coffee Shop Winners: Jerry and Elizabeth Hale – Plum Coffee / Cake Fine. Pastry – Cypress, Jesus Nava – Kafeina Kafe – Spring, Barbara Coglianese of Tosca Italian Gourmet – The Woodlands, Nykie Jones of Rao’s Bakery Spring, Matt Branter of Honor Society Coffee Co. – Tomball, and Nolan Holland of DeNovo Coffee – Spring; Photo Credit: Amanda Virgadamo Photography. 
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2024 Spring / Klein Restaurants

Restaurant of The Year Spring /Klein:

#5 Julio’s Mexican Grill – Sawdust

#4 Dolce Niente Ristorante

#3 Tavo’s Mexican Grill

#2 Olive Oil Restaurant

#1 Belly of the Beast 

The Alex Au-Yeung Chef of The Year Award:

Thomas Bille – Belly of the Beast 

Best New Restaurant:

Chana Thai Kitchen

Restaurant Owner of The Year:

Toula Huliaris – The Olive Oil 

Food Truck of the Year:

El Norteño Tacos 

Best Bakery/Desserts of the year:

Luliet Creamery and Bake Shop (Cheesecake, Macarons) 

Best BBQ:

Rosemeyer Bar-B-Que 

Best Brewery:

Excalibur Brewing Company 

Best Coffee:

Denovo Coffee Co. 

Best Coffee Shop with Pastries:

Kaefina Kafe (Tie – croissants) 

Best Seasonal Crawfish of The Year:

Texas Crawfish Company (formerly Big Cab’s Crawfish at Gosling Express Food Truck Park) 

Chef of The Year Winners: James Lundy – The Union Kitchen Boardwalk Towne Lake – Cypress, Judy Gonzalez (for Javier Gonzalez) of Rita’s Cantina Mexican Kitchen – Pinehurst / Tomball, Paul Friedman – The Chef’s Table – Vintage Park, Yannis Karagiannis – Sweet Greek – 1960/Champions/Willowbrook, Beatriz Martines – Xalisko Cocina Mexicana – The Woodlands, and Thomas Bille of Belly of the Beast – Spring; Photo Credit: Amanda Virgadamo Photography. 

2024 Tomball / Creekside / Pinehurst 

Restaurant of The Year:

#5 Mandi Cocina Mexicana 

#4 Craft Grill 

#3 Queenie B’s New Orleans Soul Food 

#2 Capt. Brad’s Coastal Kitchen 

#1 Rita’s Cantina Mexican Kitchen – Pinehurst 

Restaurant Owners of The Year: 

Javier and Judy Gonzalez – Rita’s Cantina Mexican Kitchen – Pinehurst 

Chef of The Year: 

 Javier Gonzalez – Rita’s Cantina Mexican Kitchen – Pinehurst 

Best New Restaurant: 

CC’s Cafe – Rosehill 

Best Bakery:

The Brownie Experience (Best Tomball Farmers Market Vendor) 

Best BBQ:

Tejas Chocolate & Barbecue  (Ribs, sausage, best BBQ Sandwich The Good Texan, Barbacoa, Brisket, Chocolatier Janie Williams / Michelle Dudley Holland / Chocolate Truffles) 

Best Food Truck: 

Queenie B’s New Orleans Soul Food  (runner up Crawfish Etouffee, Red Beans and Rice) 

Best Brewery: 

Paradigm Brewing Company  

Best Coffee:

HONOR SOCIETY COFFEE CO

Best Seasonal Crawfish of The Year:

Capt.Brad’s Coastal Kitchen

Food Truck of The Year Winners: of El Norteño Tacos, Rajan & Shivani Patel of Tikka Munch – Vintage Park, Vangie Bennett of Queenie B’s New Orleans Soul Food – Tomball, Tamekah Bost of The Better Box – 1960. Photo by Amanda Virgadamo Photography. 

2024 Vintage Park Area

Restaurant of The Year:

#5 Mo’s Irish Pub 

#4 Ambriza Social Mexican Kitchen 

#3 Juanita’s Mexican Kitchen 

#2 My Pizzeria Cucina Italiana 

#1 The Chef’s Table 

Restaurant Owner of The Year:

Fabio Jardim – My Pizzeria Cucina Italiana 

The Alex Au-Yeung Chef of The Year Award:

Paul Friedman  – The Chef’s Table

Best New Restaurant:

Yucca Grill 

Best Food Truck:

Tikka Munch (Best Sambosas) 

Best Bakery:

Treat Gourmet Cupcakes 

Best Brewery:

Bearded Fox Brewing Company Company (it’s the closest) 

Best Coffee shop:

CORE Coffee 

Best Seasonal Crawfish of The Year:

BB’s Tex-Orleans 

Best Bakery Winners: Nelia Shehaj of Luliet Creamery and Bake Shop – Spring and Luliet Ice Cream and Cookies – Magnolia, Kady Miller of Alchemy Bake Lab – Cypress, Yannis Karagiannis – Sweet Greek – Champions, Larissa Marie of The Brownie Experience – Tomball; Photo Credit: Amanda Virgadamo Photography.
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2024 1960 / Champions / Willowbrook 

Restaurant of The Year:

#5 Victor’s Deli and Restaurant 

#4 4 Brothers NY Bagels 

#3 Zara’s Authentic Mediterranean Kitchen 

#2 Sweet Greek Pastries and More 

#1- Lasagna House – 1960 (Gnocchi, Gelato, Lasagna (Non-traditional), Stuffed Mushrooms, Garlic Bread, Appetizer 1960/Champions/Willowbrook – Best Appetizer – Stuffed Mushrooms) 

The Alex Au-Yeung Chef of The Year Award:

Yannis Karagiannis – Sweet Greek Pastries and More 

Best New Restaurant:

The Lasagnaa Co. 

Restaurant Owner of The Year:

Matt Vernon – Lasagna House 1960 

Best Bakery:

Sweet Greek Pastries and More

Best BBQ:

SouthernQ BBQ and Catering (Smoked Boudin, Oxtails, strawberry cake) 

Best Coffee Shop:

Rao’s Bakery Spring (Muffins) 

Best Food Truck:

The Better Box 

Best Brewery:

Elder Sons Brewery – North

Winners for Appetizer of The Year / Kevin Lee – Phat Eatery, Dessert of The Year Guillermo and Becki Montiel – Mandi Cocina Mexicana, and Dish of The Year – Beatriz Martines – Xalisko Cocina Mexicana; Photo Credit: Amanda Virgadamo Photography
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2024 Overall and Best of Awards

*(New Category for this year’s awards ) 

*2024 Dish Of The Year:

Carne En Su Jugo – Xalisko Cocina Mexicana 

(Also runner-up flour tortillas, runner up Margaritas, best Ceviche, best corn tortillas) 

*2024 Appetizer of The Year:

Roti Canai – Phat Eatery – The Woodlands 

(best Malaysian, best restaurant Katy) 

*2024 Dessert of The Year:

Carlota – Mandi Cocina Mexicana 

(dang good Alambre, best flour tortillas) 

Best Birria Tacos:

Belly of the Beast 

*Best Boudin BALLS  Tomball:

Queenie B’s New Orleans Soul Food

(runner up Crawfish Etouffee, Red Beans and Rice) 

*Best Boudin Balls – Cypress:

R&R CraftHouse

(excellent Poutine) 

Best Breakfast

Craft Grill Breakfast Club

(Best Benedicts) 

Best Breakfast Diner:

Waterfalls Cafe 

(Best Club Sandwich, Best Fried Okra) 

Best Breakfast Tacos / Tortas:

La Casita Mexican Cuisine 

Best Breakfast – Craft Grill Breakfast Club (Chris ODonnell), Best Boudin Balls – Cypress – R&R CraftHouse Grill (Kyle LeBeouf), Best Boudin Balls – Tomball – Queenie B’s New Orleans Soul Food (Vangie Bennett), Best Birrira Tacos – Belly of the Beast (Thomas Bille). Photo by Amanda Virgadamo Photography. 

Best Burger:

Craft Grill 

(best food variety, tied for best Fried Pickles, best Happy Hour, best service, best use of pimento cheese, runner up for Shrimp N Grits, best American restaurant, (Tie) best banana pudding) 

Best Burger Joint – Spring:

Uncle Tony’s 

(Best Fried Pickles, Best Buffalo Chicken Sandwich, dang good chili dog, chicken tacos) 

Best Burger Joint – Tomball:

Tejas Burger Joint 

(also some great Hot Dogs) 

Best Cajun:

Bubba T’s Kitchen 

(Best Buffalo Shrimp) 

Best Cheese Enchiladas:

Tavo’s Mexican Grill

*Best Cheese Pizza:

Tony’s York Pizzeria II

(runner up on chocolate chip cookies and brownies) 

Best Cheesesteak:

Uncle Tony’s 

Best Chicken Fried Steak:

CC’s Cafe 

(best southern breakfast, best comfort food, best country Breakfast, best lunch specials, best onion rings, best waffles) 

*Best Chicken N Waffles:

Rose’s Kitchen Cuisine

(formerly BadAzz Chicken and Waffles) (also best-loaded fries) 

Best Chicken Wings:

RC’s NYC Pizza and Pasta 

(best Lasagna, Deep Dish, best Pepperoni Rolls) 

Best Chinese:

Hong Kong Chinese Restaurant 

(best Pork Fried Rice, Dumplings runner up) 

Best Crawfish Etouffee – Capt. Brad’s Coastal Kitchen (Francisco Jimenez) Best Burger – Craft Grill (Chris ODonnell), Best Burger Joint Tomball – Tejas Burger Joint (Greg Moore), Best Cajun – Bubba T’s Kitchen – (Yeyson), Best Cheese Enchiladas – Tavo’s Mexican Grill Spring (Efrain Hernandez), Best Chicken and Waffles – Rose’s Kitchen Cuisine (Rose Williamson); Photo Credit: Amanda Virgadamo Photography.

Best Crawfish Etouffee:

Capt Brad’s Coastal Kitchen

(Pistolettes, best appetizer Tomball – Stacked Green Tomatoes) 

Best Donuts / Kolaches:

Donut-Licious 

Best Dumplings:

Noodle Kitchen 

(Best noodle dishes) 

Best Fajitas:

Tavo’s Mexican Grill – Spring

Tavo’s Mexican Grill – Cypress 

Best Filipino:

Dad’s Best Filipino Cuisine 

(Best Lumpia) 

Winners: Best Hot Dog Gourmet – The Omega Grill (Marianna Huliaris-Stell), Best Greek and Best Gyro – The Olive Oil (Toula Huliaris), Best Filipino – Dad’s Best Filipino Cuisine – (Joy and Rodelio Abaun), Best Fajitas – Tavo’s Mexican Grill (Efrain Hernandez); Photo Credit: Amanda Virgadamo Photography. 

*Best Fish & Chips:

The Union Kitchen Boardwalk Towne Lake 

Best Greek:

Olive Oil Restaurant 

(Best Appetizer Spring, TX – Saganki, Best Bisque, Best Bisque) 

Best Gyro:

Olive Oil Restaurant

Best Hot Dog (Gourmet):

Omega Grill 

(Best Salads, Best French Onion Soup, Banana Pudding (Tie), Buffalo Blue Chicken Sandwich, Best Chocolate Truffle Cake)

Best Hot Dog Joint:

Divine Dogs Sausage House and Poutine 

Best Indian:

Khau Gully Indian Kitchen 

Best Italian:

Dolce Niente Ristorante Italiano 

(Best Chicken Parmesan, Pasta Dishes, Best Neapolitan Pizza, Best Service) 

*Best Korean:

The Noodle Korean BBQ and Tea Bar 

(Best Fried Ribs) 

Best Mac & Cheese:

Craft Grill 

Winners: Best Margarita Menu – Ambriza Social Mexican Kitchen, Best Margarita’s: Rita’s Cantina Mexican Kitchen – Pinehurst/ Tomball (Judy Garcia), La Viva Cantina – Cypress (Chris Smith) and Tavo’s Mexican Grill – Spring (Efrain Hernandez); Photo Credit: Amanda Virgadamo Photography. 

Margarita:

Rita’s Cantina Mexican Kitchen – Pinehurst 

(runner up Fajitas, chips and salsa, Key Lime Pie, Runner up best dessert Quattro Leches, Ground Beef Enchiladas, Taco Al Carbon, (Tie) flour tortillas) 

Best Margarita:

Tavo’s Mexican Grill – Spring 

La Viva Cantina – Cypress 

(Nick’s Classic Cheese Enchiladas) 

*Best Margarita Menu: 

Ambriza Social Mexican Kitchen – Vintage Park 

Best Mediterranean:

Zara’s Authentic Mediterranean Kitchen 

(runner up Best Appetizer – Fried Hullume Cheese) 

Best Meatballs:

My Pizzeria Cucina Italiana 

*Best Mexican:

Mandi Cocina Mexicana 

*Best Pho:

Pho Saigon 

Best Pizza/Pizza Joint:

RC’s NYC Pizza and Pasta 

Best Queso:

Tomball Craft Grill

Tomball Rita’s Cantina Mexican Kitchen

Spring / CypressTavo’s Mexican Grill 

Cypress La Viva Cantina

Winners: Best Shrimp N Grits – The Omega Grill Restaurant (Marianna Huliaris-Stell), Best Seafood – Tomball – Capt. Brad’s Coastal Kitchen (Francisco Jimenez), Best Taquería – La Regia Tacos and More (Maribel Casanova); Photo Credit: Amanda Virgadamo Photography. 

Best Seafood:

Tomball – Capt. Brad’s Coastal Kitchen

The Woodlands – Schilleci’s New Orleans Kitchen 

(Bread Pudding, Fresh fish, Lobster Ravioli) 

Best Shrimp N’ Grits:

Omega Grill 

Best Sushi:

Fukuda Sushi Japanese Restaurant 

Best Tacos:

Julio Mexican Kitchen 

(Charro Beans, Green Salsa, Enchiladas Al Carbon, Flan, runner up Margaritas, Puffy Tacos, Mexican Pizza, Quesadillas, runner-up flour tortillas) 

*Best Taquería:

La Regia Tacos and More 

(Choco Flan, Molletes) 

*Best TEX-MEX:

Julio’s Mexican Grill- Sawdust 

Lasagna House packed with restaurant owners, chefs, managers, bakers, coffee shop owners, and their guests; Photo Credit: Amanda Virgadamo Photography.
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2024 MEMBER VOTED RESTAURANTS

Cypress – TOP 5 Nick’s Local Eats Member Voted

#1 Creekwood Grill (Family Fun Dining w/ Play Area/ smoked Chicken Wings) 

#2 Ambriza Cypress

#3 The Union Kitchen Boardwalk Towne Lake

#4 La Viva Cantina Mexican Kitchen

#5 Passerella 

Spring/ Klein RestaurantsTOP 5 Nick’s Local Eats Member Voted

#1 Olive Oil Restaurant

#2 Dolce Niente Ristorante

#3 Thistle Draftshop

#4 Belly of the Beast

#5 Julios Mexican Grill – Sawdust

Tomball – TOP 5 Nick’s Local Eats Member Voted

#1 Capt.Brad’s Coastal Kitchen

#2 Craft Grill

#3 Tejas Chocolate and Barbecue

#4 Mandi Cocina Mexicana

#5 Rita’s Cantina Mexican Kitchen 

Lisa Benoit / Nick Rama / Beatriz Martines, Mia Gonzalez with her mom and dad’s awards for Rita’s Cantina Mexican Kitchen, Matt Vernon and a very tired Nick Rama and Lisa Nick and Thomas Bille; Photo Credit: Amanda Virgadamo Photography. 

1960/ Champions/ Willowbrook Area – TOP 5 Nick’s Local Eats Member Voted

#1 Lasagna House 1960

#2 Sweet Greek Pastries and More

#3 Victor’s Deli and Restaurant

#4 4 Brothers Bagels

#5 Zara’s Authentic Mediterranean Kitchen

Vintage Park Area – TOP 5 Nick’s Local Eats Member Voted

#1 Juanita’s Mexican Kitchen – Louetta

#2 Ambriza Social Mexican Kitchen

#3 The Chef’s Table

#4  Mo’s Irish Pub

#5 My Pizzeria Cucina Italiana

The Woodlands/ Magnolia/ Oak Ridge / ShenandoahTOP 5 Nick’s Local Eats Member Voted

#1 3rd Coast BBQ and Catering

#2 Phat Eatery

#3 Schilleci’s New Orleans Kitchen

#4 Xalisko Cocina Mexicana

#5 Amrina The Woodlands 

“Nick’s Local Eats and all of our area food pages couldn’t be run without our admins, Cassandra Kara Abercrombie Schultz, Elyssa Overstad, and Jennifer Unger of Tomball /Spring/ Woodlands Eateries and Keri Ford of Cypress /NW Houston Eateries. I need to thank my wife, Claudia and my son Zac, for putting up with me during all of this craziness”

Big thank you to especially our host, Matt Vernon of Lasagna House 1960, and our sponsor, Lisa Benoit of Century 21 – Lucky Money Real Estate and Partner Broker Theresa Wychico. 

We asked Lisa Benoit why she decided to sponsor and partner with Nick Rama and Nick’s Local Eats for the awards; she replied, “I do this because I know how much it means for a small business owner to be recognized by the community or even a local influencer. I remember the first time Nick walked into my business, Cajun Stop, and introduced himself. I simply made him a meal and moved on, not realizing what an impact he would have on my business by just a mention or a write-up in the area. In Houston, I was a huge somebody in the food world and nobody in the Tomball/Spring area. I quickly learned to appreciate what he did for me at my second location. People started pouring through the doors because of this “Nick.” I now support him and pay it forward by assisting him with hosting and sponsoring these events and awards. I know how much it means to the locals and small business owners. The one thing I love most about this award is that Nick makes the effort to be fair and personally visits each business, and the 2nd reason why these awards mean so much is he lets thousands of followers vote and make their choices for the Members Choice awards for best restaurants. The voice of the people is as important as the voice of one person. I’ll continue to support Nick at these awards and help promote every small business we come across. I know each and every person appreciates all that Nick’s Local Eats does for this community, so I’ll continue to support him! I support this because it’s fun, I get to meet great people in the community and I can help others find great gems in the local community.”

We couldn’t have done it without the help of other restaurants and bakeries that brought food, the Olive Oil Restaurant / Toula Huliaris – Spanokopita / Tiropitakoa. Capt.Brad’s Coastal Kitchen / Brittney Monique (Aplin) – Gumbo samples by Chef Francisco J Jimenez. Luliet Creamery and Bake Shop – Nelia Shehaj – Cookies, Brownie Bites, and Rice Krispy Treats. Plum Coffee / Cake Fine Pastry  – Elizabeth Hale – Nick’s Local Eats Cake!

Plus, our generous host, Lasagna House – 1960  / Matt Vernon – served Pizza, Meatballs, Stuffed Mushroom Caps, and two kinds of pasta. 

Thank you to Jeremy Hahn of Excalibur Brewing for having Matt Briggs – Director of Sales and Distribution give us samples of their Blonde and Red Ale. 

Plus, Conor Moran for filming a video for a Reel with his company On3Media and Capt Brad’s Coastal Kitchen sponsoring the video.

Nick Rama is a food writer, contributor to Hello Cypress, and shares his restaurant experiences on Nick’s Local Eats at NicksLocalEats.com and on social media Facebook, Instagram, and Cypress NW Houston Eateries on Facebook. Nick enjoys helping small business owners, supporting his community by fundraising for food banks, animal shelters and plans tasting events with locally owned mom and pop restaurants.

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