2020 was… a thing. Yes, I know that isn’t really profound, but that seems to be the most succinct way to describe my year. I previously discussed my feelings around picking the worst year to be more serious about travel and food writing. However, after taking better inventory of my blessings, I realized that this was one of the best years for Black Girl Meets World. Despite all the unprecedented changes, roadblocks, and emotional meltdowns, I still managed to experience one of the things that I love most: eating delicious food.
So for the last day of 2020, I’m celebrating and sharing (in no particular order) 20 delicious things that served as little joys in an otherwise objectively disappointing year.
The Cluckin’ Hot Biscuit from Boujie Biscuit
Not only was this biscuit the best thing I ate in all of Kentucky, it’s the only thing from my 2020 list that’s not from a Houston restaurant. The simple premise of a hearty meal on a square biscuit still makes my foodie heart smile, and I regularly think about and crave their signature 3-cheese sauce.
Read my full review of Boujie Biscuit here.
The Queen Kong from The Funnel Bar
Banana Pudding on a funnel cake. That’s it. That’s the description. I love The Funnel Bar so much! Seeing them expand, get a new food trailer and pop up all over the city brings me so much joy.
The Vegan Bowl from The Blind Goat
If I could bottle up that peanut sauce, I’d put it on everything! If you haven’t made your way to downtown Houston’s Bravery Chef Hall, you’re missing out on great gems, especially Master Chef Christina Ha’s outpost, The Blind Goat.
Bread Pudding from Eunice
Swimming in a delicious caramel sauce, Eunice’s bread pudding is everything good bread pudding should be. The modern Creole restaurant will absolutely receive the full write up it deserves on this blog, but I couldn’t let 2020 end without acknowledging how much I loved their bread pudding.
The Craft Burger from Craft Burger
I spent more time in downtown Houston this year than I’ve ever spent in my entire life. Mostly to get my burger fix from Chef Shannen Tune’s Finn Hall burger joint. While I enjoy all of the Craft Burger offerings, the classic burger is undefeated. Pro Tip: add the truffle mayo.
Self-prepared Dinner from Chef Dawn Burrell’s Virtual Cooking Class
I developed Zoom-fatigue pretty early in quarantine, but taking a virtual cooking class with Chef Dawn Burrell was absolutely one of my favorite online experiences and resulted in me making one of favorite meals of the year. The roasted chicken with soubise sauce was perfection! I plan on flexing a time or two in 2021 when I whip up this meal again.
BBQ Pork Belly Breakfast Biscuit from Gatlin’s BBQ
Seriously, my introduction to Gatlin’s BBQ was through the most perfect breakfast biscuit sandwich I’ve ever tasted.
Miso Janamel from Underground Creamery
2020 introduced me to Underground Creamery which introduced me to miso caramel, and nothing was ever the same! The sweet caramel-y goodness offers an umami flavor bomb that was all parts indulgent and paired perfectly with banana ice cream.
Fudgey Mint Cookies and Cream from Underground Creamery
Yes, another Underground Creamery entry. I’m fairly certain I was one of the luckier fans who had a good run at scooping up the weekly drops. When I praised this mint chocolate goodness, most of my audience let me know I was on an island by myself. Apparently, people are very passionate about their disdain for all things mint and chocolate. As for me and MY HOUSE, this was one of my favorite desserts in 2020 and I hope that it reappears on future menu drops.
Chicken Boudin Egg Rolls from The French Fry House
You go to The French Fry House for the specialty fries; you go back (again and again) for the boudin egg rolls.
Fried Mac & Cheese from Killen’s
Killen’s does BBQ well, but it’s the fried mac and cheese for me.
Down South Eggs Rolls from Daranne’s Soul Rolls
Daranne’s Soul Rolls served classic soul food wrapped in crispy eggrolls – a combination I didn’t know I needed in my life! The “Down South” rolls were stuffed with oxtails, rice and cabbage – and served with oxtail gravy!
Looking back, food trucks were my jam in 2020! The Power Center launched a food truck park with more than a dozen Black-owned food trucks each week. I hope this trend continues into 2021 and beyond.
The Fried Chicken from L.I.T. Chicken
Chef Ross Coleman’s fusion of West African and Southern cooking delivers big flavor and arguably the best restaurant fried chicken you’ll ever have.
Down South Coconut Cake from Davis Street
The beloved Chef Holley’s museum district restaurant has been temporarily closed for months, but I’m holding out hope that I’ll get another chance to enjoy the best coconut cake I’ve ever had.
Braised Oxtails from Lucille’s
Nobody:
Me: I want some oxtail and grits from Lucille’s.
It’s no secret that Lucille’s is one of my favorite Houston restaurants. I practically ordered their braised oxtails and creamy Serrano cheddar grits every day during the early parts of quarantine.
Oxtail Tamales from Lucille’s
What can I say? I’m a sucker for oxtails – in omelets, with grits, and apparently stuffed in masa. Lucille’s hosted a special holiday party on their patio and the one-night only menu included duck and oxtail tamales. Both were delicious, but the oxtail tamales were amazing. If the Lucille’s team happens to read this list – ADD THEM TO THE MENU.
Chicken and Sausage Gumbo from Chef Dominick Lee
From the summer Sweet Tea Supper Club series with Chef Dawn Burrell to winter Gumbo Love, the former Executive Chef of Poitín served some of my favorite pop-up dishes in 2020. Chef Dom‘s chicken and sausage gumbo was all the comfort I needed when Houston’s weather got chilly.
Bomboloni from La Sicilia Italian Bakery
If you follow me on Instagram, you know that I found a few of my favorite foods of 2020 through word of mouth from other Houston foodies. Josh DeLeon of Underground Creamery posted a pastry box from La Sicilia and I KNEW I had to get in on the action. Their menu changes regularly but the bomboloni with strawberries, chocolate filling and pistachios guaranteed I’ll be back for more in 2021.
Quesabirria de Res Tacos from Taco Fuego
Quesabirria landed on the radar of food publications across the country, then my timeline was flooded with a foodie scavenger hunt to find “the best” in the city. Just west of the Galleria area, I stood in a 45-minute line hoping to finally get my hands on Taco Fuego food truck‘s best seller.
Filled with top sirloin brisket, cilantro, red onion, Oaxaca Cheese and wrapped in a corn tortilla tinged red by birria grease, then dipped in the consomé, quesabirria is the messy and indulgent foodie experience we all need.
Spaghetti al Tartufo Nero from Potente
Of course “one of the best pastas in the country”, according to The Food Network, made my list! In fact, my birthday dinner at Potente was the best meal I had in 2020. Chef Danny Trace‘s black truffle spaghetti is an indulgent dish worthy of all the superlative praise.
Final Thoughts
While 2020 wasn’t the year I hoped for, I’m glad that I made it to the last day of this wild ass year still (mostly) in tact. This year taught a lot of valuable (and sometimes painful) lessons. One lesson I’m taking with me into the new year is this:
Oftentimes you have to reach for your little joy; other times the joy will embrace you. Celebrate those joys all the same.
I’m spending my New Year’s Eve at home with a good bottle (or two) of champagne and my 2021 planner. Cheers to a better year ahead!
I have big, scary plans in store for 2021 and I don’t want you to miss them.
Have a safe and happy new year!
