Xiong's Cafe !

9888 Bellair Blvd.
713-771-8448

A hole of a restaurant. No one speaks English. Most of the menu is in Chinese. Go for the scallion pancakes. Try the $1 cold appetizers. Indulge in the dozen fresh wontons. Give the noodles in beef broth a shot. Order lots of food--your budget will allow it. Rekha and I usually order 5 dishes and have yet to hit $20.

Try not to let the little tables and the deep ethnic flavor scare you away. Wait for that rare open table during weekend lunch. The chili sauce, hot tea, garlic and chopsticks are in front by the counter. They also take your order at the counter. Make sure that before you order, you've looked in the refrigerator and picked out some pickled cabbage or pig ear.

Look around at what other people have on their table and copy how they eat their food. If you're really at a loss stick with what you understand on the menu. Please don't blame me if what you order is 4 times as spicy as you usually get it.