Phat Eatery

A badass holiday meal at this Malaysian street food spot, open till 8 pm on Christmas Day, is nothing short of a Christmas miracle. Rest assured that an excellent array of shareables—namely Crystal Prawn Dumpling, Roti Canai and Curry Dip, Stir-Fried Noodles, and an epic holiday special, the Wagyu Beef Rendang Wellington (available dine-in or to-go, $39)—will most definitely distract you from whatever uncomfortable familial shenanigans await.
Cost: A la carte menu prices vary.

Houston is a melting pot of cultures, which means you can easily amp up the classic Turkey Day spread with a Malaysian-influenced one instead. Enter Phat Eatery, which is taking pre-orders now through November 20 for pickup Thanksgiving Day. Your feast will include awesome stuff like Honey-Glazed Turkey Breast and Gravy (classic), Wagyu Beef Rendang Wellington (not classic), Roti Curry Chicken Enchiladas (definitely not classic), and Ginger Japanese Sake Cranberry Sauce (you get the deal), among other festive eats.
Cost: The Thanksgiving to-go package feeds six or more for $268; a la carte Thanksgiving and regular menu items also available.
How to book: Preorder online by Sunday, November 20.

Chef-owner Alex Au-Yeung’s Katy Asian Town haunt brings you Malaysia by way of Houston, rocking hawker-style snacks including Curry Dip and Roti Canai, Kerabu Prawn alongside more substantial endeavors like Beef Shank Rendang. Go for the six-course family-style meal for a real culinary trip, and for a game-changing Banh Mi, pop by Au-Yeung’s neighboring sandwich and Southeast Asian street food slinger, YELO.
How to book: Reserve via Minitable, order takeout online, or get delivery via UberEats.

Chef-owner Alex Au-Yeung has garnered his fair share of accolades, including a semifinalist nod in the 2022 James Beard Best Chef: Texas category, but it’s his passion for building community that really sets this Katy Asian Town venture apart. Phat Eatery has drawn an enthusiastic following thanks to its super craveable Malaysian street eats (the kind you’d find in mamak stalls and hawker markets in Asia), and you’ll also want to check out sibling establishment YELO, Yeung’s celebration of Southeast Asian comfort food, while you’re at it.

Think outside the (gift wrapped) box and do a holiday dinner at Malayasian street food spot Phat Eatery, which is open from 11 am - 8:30 pm on Christmas Day and Christmas Eve. Get a mix of crystal prawn dumpling, Kerabu prawn, roti canai with curry dip, beef rendang, and Hainanese chicken. Party trays are also available for at-home dining, and sibling establishment Phat Kitchen, a ghost kitchen operating out of Blodgett Food Hall over in the Third Ward, introduced catering options in time for the holiday, too.
Cost: A la carte, reservations are recommended