Kim Son Cafe, Houston

The legacy of Kim Son restaurants owes its origins to the memory of its matriarch, Kim Su Tran. When "Mama La" and her husband fled Vietnam in 1980, she brought with her more than 250 recipes, each stowed safely in her mind. She also brought her seven children, four of which—Tan, Tri, Tony, and Tao—now watch over the business and coveted family recipes. Among their shared vision is Kim Son Cafe, which breaks from its predecessors by way of a simplified menu and the inclusion of sushi. Though the menu is simpler, the flavors are just as complex, showcasing ingredient orchestration in dishes such as coconut curry shrimp wound up in strands of spinach linguini. The menu even boasts a Vietnamese take on fajitas, giving guests rice paper with which to wrap marinated meats and veggies or write love letters to their mouths.