James Coney Island (shown here at 1011 Walker in 1991).  Photo: Larry Reese, Houston Chronicle

"Ninfa's on Navigation...been going there since the 60s." Photo: Eric Hester

"You can only get Mattress Mack in Houston. God bless him." Photo: Buster Dean, Houston Chronicle

"One of a kind - Goode Co. BBQ." Photo: Kevin Fujii

Frenchy's Chicken Photo: CRAIG H. HARTLEY, SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE

Cleburne Cafeteria Photo: E. Joseph Deering, Houston Chronicle

"Summer in January," as in this bikini-weather photo from last month's TopGolf party.

Greg Fourticq's Moo Boo's boutique manufactures its dresses for girls exclusively in Houston and sells them in its Stafford storefront (although you can get these luxury items online). Read more about Moo Boo's and other Houston-based fashion here.
Photo: Michael Paulsen, Staff

Heath Wendell, left, and Marlo Evans pose for a portrait in the bakery at Slow Dough Bread Co. on Friday, Oct. 26, 2012, in Houston. Wendell, a fifth-generation baker, founded Slow Dough with Evans three-and-a-half years ago and have more than doubled their sales during the last year.
Photo: Brett Coomer, Houston Chronicle

Tookie's burger restaurant in Seabrook makes a lot of burgers, and one of the most popular is The Squealer, which has the bacon mixed right into the patty. Carnivores all across Houston mourned the Tookie's closure after Hurricane Ike in 2008, and then celebrated when the restaurant reopened in 2011.
Photo: Nathan Lindstrom, Freelance

The former Rockets hall-of-famer will soon make his clothing line, DR34M, available online, but for now the only way to get it is by appointment at his new store in Clear Lake's West mansion.
Photo: Handout

The Tamale Man truck has been a staple on FM 2351 in Friendswood for more than 35 years. People from out of town have been known to drive to Friendswood for these tamales. They're that good.
Photo: Paul Galvani

These cocktails at Underbelly are unique in that they are made with wine instead of liquor. Try "The Spicy Meyer," Meyer lemon and chili marmalade with dry sherry and rhubarb bitters, or a "Champagne Julep," made without bourbon.
Photo: Alison Cook

"Dazed and Confused" may be a film about coming of age, but nothing s gonna keep you from growing up like a cup of Eatsie Boys' Glazed and Confused ice cream, made with real Shipley's donut mixed in, and a donut hole on top, too. Eatsie Boys just opened a new cafe on Montrose.
Photo: Mai Pham

Sold exclusively at Rice Epicurean Market are  these brownies Photo: Brett Coomer, Houston Chronicle

There are a lot of places you can get a fried bologna sandwich, but only here can you get one from Gilhooley's in San Leon and wash it down with a tray of delicious grilled oysters.
Photo: DirectToArchive

This may look like wine, but it's not. Smoke on the Bayou is a limited release beer from Houston's Buffalo Bayou Brewing Co., a new craft brewery that made its first packaged sales in December.
Photo: Brett Coomer, Houston Chronicle

This workshop on Kirby offers one-of-a-kind furniture built to each client's specifications. You can select re-claimed and recycled materials from the store's warehouse or bring your own. Learn more at houstonchronicle.com.
Photo: Karen Warren, Staff