Casaema

From popular bakery pop-up to a brick and mortar in the Houston Heights, this daytime restaurant can do no wrong. Celebrating Mexican traditions and quality coffee, the menu is finely curated and endlessly tempting. We suggest working backwards to make the most of your appetite: Flaky, guava-queso empanadas and the famous horchata cream doughnut are essential desserts that sell out early. Chilaquiles built on superb tortilla chips and tender chunks of brisket is one of many worthy entrees. Heirloom corn is a point of pride here, exemplified by one very large tetela stuffed with mushroom-carrot tinga and set in a zippy salsa verde. There’s more, like the hoja santa French toast or the occasional mole special but save them for next time.