Restaurants in Pearland

Dubbed “a carnivorous extravaganza” by the Houston Chronicle, Angus Grill Brazilian Steakhouse serves all-you-can-eat feasts of skewered meat prepared in the churrasco tradition of southern Brazil. Servers run the piquant pageant, carving slabs of Angus beef at tables lined with crisp white linens instead of the stolen Little League rain tarps that some restaurants prefer. Filet mignons borrow crispy texture by donning strips of bacon, and top sirloin, the house specialty, flavors succulent juices with a hint of garlic. Treats such as fried bananas and papaya cream conclude meals on a sweet note.

The chef at White Oak Kitchen + Drinks—which opened in the Galleria Mall in April 2011—plucks fresh rosemary, oregano, mint, and basil from an herb garden he's cultivated on the roof, mixing them into a spread of contemporary dishes with international influences. He lightly breads calamari in panko breadcrumbs, adding a spicy sriracha aioli for some kick, and pan-sears mahi-mahi with grilled shrimp and a sweet red-bell-pepper coulis. Classic, southern-style crispy chicken gets extra flavor from Hungarian paprika and a creamy side of macaroni and cheese. For dessert, the s'mores bread pudding inspires stories of hard-won paranormal-investigation merit badges with toasted marshmallows and a graham-cracker crust drizzled with chocolate sauce. Staffers also serve up freshly baked pastries or farm-fresh eggs for breakfast.

The private dining area hosts up to 30 party guests in front of a 50-inch flat-screen HD television, and business-meeting presenters can place their laptops in a docking station to project a slideshow or a deadlocked game of solitaire. The restaurant's wood walls add texture and warmth to the ambience, as do the framed cross-sections of tree-trunk rings.

Those who say things aren't the way they were back in the good old days certainly haven't had a burger and fries from The Burger Shack. The welcoming spot echoes the low-key, homey feel of those iconic burger joints past. The walkup counter and pennant-strewn dining room act as a backdrop for a deliciously nostalgic menu of juicy Angus burgers and Blue Bell shakes. The cooks lovingly shape each third-pound grilled-to-order burger using beef that’s never seen a freezer or even received Valentines from a snowflake. Toppings for the juicy sizzlers can include Wisconsin cheddar, Hass avocados, or crispy bacon. The shack's staff members also hand make addictive sides such as curly fries and hand-dipped shakes.

Tucked away under a flight of stairs lies a family-owned eatery where meaty sandwiches and wraps reign supreme. Yorktown Deli's chefs layer grilled chicken, fresh avocado, lettuce, tomato, and pesto in the italian chicken sandwich, which arrives fresh from the kitchen in the shape of Italy. Other sandwiches include tuna melts and the Avocado Heaven, a colorful portrait of avocado, lettuce, tomato, red pepper, and cheese. To create each of the deli's eight wraps, chefs roll meats such as grilled chicken, turkey, and salami with veggies, condiments, and cheese, and diners can wash down meals with iced coffee, lattes, and espresso.

A blend of Indian dishes and American favorites keeps the chefs busy at Bismillah Cafe, where barbecue wings and samosas ink some space on the menu. Tamarind and mint sauces puddle over the edges of the ground-beef egg-and-lentil patty as a waiter brings the Bun kebab to a table. On another plate, the Ten chicken sandwich’s two burger buns grasp a deep-fried chicken fillet doused in special Ten spicy sauce. Fries are crafted 11 ways, including with cheese, garlic mayo, or Mr. Potato Head’s accessories. A colorful fish tank, modern chrome furniture, flowers, and wood accents inform Bismillah Cafe’s interior aesthetic, as do elegant pieces of woven art that fleck the wall.