Restaurants in La Porte

It started with a single sound—the sizzle of eggs as they hit the bacon-greased iron skillet. And with that, an 8-year-old Chef Ambrose stepped into the culinary arts, going from a kid helping his dad with barbecue to a chef with two gold medals from Culinary Institute LeNôtre. At Just Burgers, Chef Ambrose lends his culinary expertise to hamburgers he sculpts fresh daily, grilling and sandwiching each Black Angus-beauty on a choice of a ciabatta, wheat, or the popular pretzel bun, which often sells out nightly. He also dresses each one in fresh toppings, along with occasional organic goodies gleaned from visits to the farmers' market. Running a BYOB establishment, Just Burgers' team members charge no fees for uncorking wine bottles or prying off beer caps with their teeth.

Whether they're busy hand-battering pickles and freshly cut zucchini or slathering wings in one of three succulent sauces, Crazy Frogs’ kitchen staffers craft each of their appetizers and bar snacks fresh daily. An extensive stock of beers, cocktails, wines, and imported liquors helps wash down meals as customers lounge on Crazy Frogs' roomy outdoor patio or inside its spacious bar. There, abundant televisions broadcast sports matchups while a shuffleboard table, dartboards, and pool tables bring out patrons’ own competitive spirits. Pool sharks and confused shark hunters take over the tables for eight-ball tournaments every Friday and Saturday evening, which begin alongside melodious rounds of karaoke.

Decades before opening the doors on his own sub shop, Len Moore was cutting his teeth on the lower rungs of the restaurant ladder. But, while he was running between busy tables as a busboy and fighting for a promotion to dishwasher, Len kept his eyes and ears open, slowly piecing together bits of kitchen wisdom that would eventually find their way into the sandwiches he makes today.

At Lenny’s, freshness comes first; sub rolls rise in the oven each morning, and the sandwich crew carves deli meats and cheeses for each order. The menu lists gargantuan favorites—large subs weigh in with a full pound of meat—including philly cheesesteaks, half-pound hot dogs, deluxe club sandwiches, and classic ham and capicola. Each sandwich is also willing to join up with combo standbys including drinks, chips, and cookies baked by each franchise owner's grandmother.