Restaurants in Belton

Roaring flames rise and fall inside the kitchen of Wai Wai Thai Place Express. Some might think that a dragon lives there, but it’s just the dramatic cooking methods of Pa Noi and Pa Nut, the restaurant’s culinary team. The pair also makes noodles tumble through the air at this edible circus, where flavors from Thailand coalesce in classic dishes such as pad thai, panang curry, and galanga chicken soup. Guests can witness the performance from nearby booths and tables that sit within view of the kitchen, where cooks chop bell peppers rather than fashioning them into clown noses. The stove’s heat summons the veggies’ crunch for ginger-laced stir-fries, and scallions and garlic unlock the flavors that dwell within the peppers' colorful shells. At a handful of outdoor tables, diners can marinate in fresh air and sunshine as they munch soft spring rolls and crispy pork ribs kissed with garlic and sriracha.

Earthy aromas from fresh-brewed beverages greet guests at the door of Le Peep, hinting at the espresso-based creations that await inside—Colombian house coffee, specialty blends, or the flavor of the day. Beyond coffee, the staff also sweetens cups with fruit smoothies. These handcrafted drinks accompany a menu of breakfast and lunch fare dominated by omelets and sandwiches. Whipped eggs arrive studded with fresh veggies or chorizo sausage, and half-pound burgers come layered with Cajun bacon, weighing down tables so that they don't have to be anchored in place by linens made of iron.

As the doors to Gaslight Grill's back room swing open, the sounds of Dixeland jazz and the aromas of sizzling Angus steaks waltz forward together to greet guests. Lynn Zimmer and the Jazz Band play rollicking tunes from the 30s and 40s on Wednesday–Sunday nights as diners tap their fingers across the surfaces of menus filled with hand-cut steaks, pistachio-crusted salmon, and jumbo prawns drizzled in beurre blanc. More than 200 wines complement meats from land and sea, and a nimble barkeep dishes out mixed drinks and jetpack fuel for the ride home. It might be difficult to say goodbye, however, to a stately dining room lined with plush booths and illuminated by twin chandeliers.

Since throwing open their eatery’s doors in 2006, the Wing Busters clan has made it their mission to treat every customer like family. The chefs glaze crispy wings in 46 distinct sauces and seasonings, adding doses of garlic-parmesan, hickory-smoke-barbecue, or incendiary habanero sauce that enables diners to singe their own eyebrows with a single breath. They also craft po' boys and beefy burgers to order, plus down-home sides including jalapeño hush puppies and okra.

After ordering from the counter, guests can mosey over to one of the four-seat tables speckling the snug dining area. Dangling pennants adorn the walls alongside an array of framed pictures, memorabilia-filled shadowboxes, and freshly inspected fire extinguishers.