Bao Ong

It's official: I’m the @HoustonChron's new restaurant critic. Thank you to my editors for the opportunity & support, all the sources for sharing their stories, & the friends, family, editors & mentors for cheering me on. Lots of eating & writing ahead, so keep sending those tips!

Houston chefs reflect on Noma’s $1,500 L.A. dinner and abuse allegations against René Redzepi — and what it reveals about restaurant culture. houstonchronicle.com/food-restauran…

If you want to use this new map or read any upcoming reviews and guides, be sure to subscribe: bit.ly/47zEMl0

The @HoustonChron food team is constantly delivering more ways to help readers find the best food and drinks in America’s fourth largest city. Our latest is a nifty map that pulls options based on more than 1,300 reviews: bit.ly/4ufVrUN

ICYMI, @houstonchron dropped its 2025 Top 100 restaurants list. Our food team pays for every meal to ensure transparent, unbiased recommendations. If you value that kind of journalism, please consider subscribing: subscription.houstonchronicle.com

Hi, y'all! I'll be back on Reddit at r/houston 12 p.m. CT Tuesday, Nov. 18. Ask Me Anything about the @HoustonChron’s new Top 100 restaurants guide.

This year’s Top 100 Restaurants marks a new era. Restaurant critic Bao Ong took the reins, driving the miles, logging the meals and paying his own way, from The Woodlands to Kemah and everywhere in between. @baohaus

In a city of more than 10,000 restaurants, good meals are never far away, and opinions about what’s “best” come with passion and plenty of debate.

From sushi counters and taco shops to steakhouses and white-tablecloth destinations, we highlight restaurants that define Houston dining right now. See Houston Chronicle restaurant critic Bao Ong’s picks for the best. houstonchronicle.com/project/top-10…

New @baohaus review: At Griot Gardens, a mother and daughter share the soul of Haitian cooking houstonchronicle.com/food-culture/r… via @houstonchron

Ever wonder what it’s like to get paid to eat at some of the best restaurants around? Today’s @GoodtasteSoul podcast guest knows that world inside and out—because he lives it. @Baohaus is the food critic for the @HoustonChron, and he spends his days exploring what many call the most exciting food city in America. In this brand-new episode, Bao shares how he landed the job, the reviews he wishes he could take back, and his advice for anyone dreaming of becoming a food critic. LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE HERE: youtube.com/watch?v=Ie-rOb… #foodcritic #houstonfood #htx #houston

New @baohaus review: Medium Rare, which serves culotte steak, fries, salad and free seconds for $33 in Midtown houstonchronicle.com/food-culture/r… via @houstonchron

Bille's Mexican-inspired cooking draws from so many different cultures. It's just one of the many reasons to love Houston's food scene.

One of my favorite Belly of the Beast pop-ups was at Tenfold on a misty, overcast day in April 2023. Brought my good friend @deannating so we could order one of everything.

Belly of the Beast chef Thomas Bille has been cooking for two decades. Opened his first restaurant 5 weeks before the pandemic and closed in July 2021. No PR. His wife quit her job to help him reopen in a strip mall. Now he's a @beardfoundation winner. 🧵houstonchronicle.com/food-culture/r…

@Burntheboats yes yes the pastries are so good!

@baohaus I need to go there. I had some of their pastries when they sold some out of a coffee shop in the galleria and everything was amazing

The berlinesa, carrot taco and cafe de olla alone make Casaema one of my favorite restaurants in Houston right now. But there's so much more to love about this special spot. Here's my review: houstonchronicle.com/food-culture/r…

New @baohaus review: Casaema’s savory dishes, pastries and coffee make it a top Mexican restaurant in Houston houstonchronicle.com/food-culture/r… via @houstonchron

May I present the best restaurants in Katy from @baohaus and @suniagarcia... So many new-to-me spots to check out! houstonchronicle.com/projects/guide…

Many Houston restaurants are struggling right now. We wanted to know why. Here, @suniagarcia breaks it down in @HoustonChron: houstonchronicle.com/projects/food/…