Tiny Champions

The talented crew behind Nancy’s Hustle has created another home-run neighborhood joint on Houston’s east side. This time, the team moves its attention to pastas, pizzas, small plates, and ice cream by the scoop. Bring a friend and go to town on Tomato Risotto, Saffron Casarecce with fall-apart lamb and torn olives, unexpectedly fantastic Braised Butter Beans, and savory pies topped with everything from anchovy and garlic to pineapple, speck, and jalapeño. For dessert, you’ll want some of that ice cream—think piles of Cookies and Cream Sherry and Passion Fruit Sorbet finished with olive oil, Maldon sea salt, and dulce de leche.

Your mission, if you choose to accept: Add a round of backyard pizza and cocktails at this beloved neighborhood joint to your summer bucket list. One, because you’re not a real Houstonian until you’ve established the art of sweating through dinner, and two, because these pies are stupid delicious. Get the thin, crisp numbers topped with things like kale and swiss chard, ricotta cream, and fennel sausage, then toss in shareables from the house favorite Octopus Pasta and an astonishingly good take on Braised Beans to the loaded ice cream sundae you’re most definitely having for dessert.

If crisp, cheesy, perfectly executed bar pies with cheffed up toppings are your thing (as they should be), this buzzy EaDo restaurant and patio is your new go-to. Choose from sublime signature combos like chili ricotta cream, Tuscan salami, and fennel, or pancetta, smoked mozzarella, and seasonal peppers, then do yourself a huge favor and add on a few Saucy Bois—AKA scratchmade dips and drizzles like ace hot sauce, Salami XO, and a superbly herby Fancy Ranch.
How to book: Order take-out via Toast.