The Pappas Dynasty: A Houston Restaurant Empire

Few families have shaped how a city eats the way the Pappas family has shaped Houston. Descendants of a Greek immigrant who ran restaurants in Texas as far back as the late 1890s, the modern Pappas empire took off in 1966 with a single coffee shop and grew into more than a hundred restaurants spanning steaks, seafood, Cajun, barbecue, and Tex-Mex. This driving tour visits the flagship rooms of that empire — the concepts that Houstonians name-drop, argue over, and drive across town for. Along the way you'll trace how one family turned Gulf shrimp, sizzling fajitas, and a 24-hour diner into a dynasty. Come hungry, pick a stop or two to actually sit down and eat, and expect generous portions everywhere. Locations and hours vary, so check ahead before you go.