Mediterraneo Market and Cafe

Mediterraneo, the Houston Restaurant That Astronauts—and My Grandparents—Hit Up for Lunch | Bon Appétit

"A cozy, welcoming Greek and Middle Eastern market-restaurant popular with astronauts and NASA employees thanks to its proximity to the space center; it serves affordable, comforting meals that make dining out possible for budget-conscious families. The owners, Magdy and Sonia Kotb, who emigrated from Egypt and opened the place in 1999, are active community supporters—catering events, sponsoring arts festivals, and feeding hospital workers after Hurricane Harvey—and the restaurant often hosts live music and belly dancers on weekends. Decor is playful and travel-themed, with MapQuest-era tabletops, habanero-red and Castelvetrano-green walls plastered with Grecian coastal photos, NASA swag and astronaut portraits (including a class photo near the checkout), and rocket-launch memorabilia. Signature dishes and favorites include flaky baklava (displayed in silver aluminum trays), moussaka, must-order spanakopita, lentil soup, minestrone, tomato basil, grilled kebabs, and a generous mezze platter featuring dolmas, hummus, cabbage rolls and baba ghanoush; Grandma Rose also recommends a sweet Mavrodaphne if you drink. A mini-market inside sells imported staples like grape leaves, tahini, and large cans of olive oil, and the takeout baklava is not to be missed; the business has since added a second location and a supersize flatscreen for watching soccer." - ByAlex Beggs