Three of the ‘50 favorite’ restaurants in America are in Texas, says New York Times

Three Texas eateries have made the New York Times’ best restaurants of 2024 list.

The annual list takes aim at the best restaurants of the year, with 50 eateries from 27 states and Washington D.C. making up this edition. On the 2023 list, Texas had three different restaurants make it.

This year’s Texas representatives include Simply South in Irving, Barbs B Q in Lockhart and Viola and Agnes’ Neo Soul Cafe in Seabrook.

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Here’s a look at each restaurant and what the New York Times said about them:

Simply South

• Opened: February 2024
• Location: 1001 MacArthur Park Drive, Irving
• Hours: 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 6 to 10:15 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 6 to 9:45 p.m. Sunday
• Food cuisine: Vegetarian Indian

Simply South serves the vegetarian cuisine of India and the restaurant is a homage to spices, herbs and vegetables found in the country.

New York Times reporter Priya Krishna highlighted the restaurant’s ambiance and large menu that tastes like home cooking. A few standout items include the gunturu thatte idli, dosas and various chutneys.

Barbs B Q

• Opened: May 2023
• Location: 102 E. Market St., Lockhart
• Hours: 11 a.m. to sold out (around 2 p.m.) on Saturday and Sunday
• Food cuisine: Barbecue

Barbs B Q is a women owned and operated barbecue joint serving brisket, ribs and more.

Krishna said the restaurant’s tangy pork ribs are standouts, along with smokey and pepper crusted brisket. Another highlight is the green spaghetti, which is topped with a roasted poblano pepper sauce.

Viola and Agnes’ Neo Soul Cafe

• Opened: 2015
• Location: 3659 Nasa Road 1 suite A, Seabrook
• Hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday
• Food cuisine: Creole

Viola and Agnes’ Neo Soul Cafe serves creole cuisine from gumbo and catfish, to red beans and rice.

Krishna called the restaurant a “soul-food dreamscape” for its flavorful Southern menu. A few highlights include the gumbo, fried catfish, spicy stew and cornbread.