The self-styled Nubian Queen originally opened this closet-sized restaurant as a way to feed the homeless (which she still does every Sunday). The building appears nearly condemned, but the colorful storefront is exciting and inviting. Inside, it’s flourescently lit and cramped, but diners happily chat each other up while waiting (and waiting and waiting) for their food. The sponge-painted room is decked out with inspirational quotes and observations in Lola’s handwriting, and when she’s done cooking your meal, she’ll come… [More]

This young star formed when several of Asia Café’s front and back of house staff jettisoned to a nearby strip-mall restaurant, at the time called Sichuan Garden. After objections from the unrelated Round Rock Sichuan Garden, it slapped on a directory-savvy “A+A” and switched to “Cuisine.” Its red glow, from several lanterns hanging out front, is easy to spot from Highway 183. The very friendly, very Chinese-speaking cashier and order-taker will heed your requests of “extra spicy”—just be certain, and… [More]