The 2021 MLS season kicks off this month with in-person attendance which means we are gearing up for some sports-related travel. It has been a long time since many Americans have been able to cheer on their favorite teams at the actual game. Today, we share our first of many GameDay Guides — a new series detailing our favorite restaurants & bars in every city that we visit for sporting events. Up first: our guide to visiting BBVA Stadium (home of the Dynamo & Dash soccer teams) in Houston, Texas.
Places to eat near BBVA Stadium
If you are looking for food near the stadium, check out some of our favorite places within walking distance of the entrance gates.
Huynh Restaurant
If you love Vietnamese food (or are even just a little bit curious about the cuisine), Huynh Restaurant is an absolute gem. It is tucked into a modest strip mall within viewing distance of BBVA Stadium where this family-run restaurant has been serving Houstonians for over 10 years.
Every dish we tried here was delicious, but the Bit Tet (Vietnamese steak & egg dish served on a cast-iron skillet along with French bread) served only on Saturday mornings is to die for.
Oh, and did we mention that this place is BYOB? Grab your favorite beer from the local corner store and the awesome staff here will reward you with some chilled mugs to complete the BYOB experience.
Rodeo Goat
Rodeo Goat is our favorite burger joint in Texas, hands down. While it is originally a Fort Worth establishment, it deserves a spot on this list for serving some of tastiest (and most creative) burgers we have ever had the pleasure of eating.
You can expect local beers & cheap well drinks to accompany wild-sounding burgers like the Chaca Oaxaca (a beef & chorizo patty topped with avocado, queso fresco, and a fried egg) or my personal favorite the Sugar Baby (a sweet & savory burger with grilled peaches & candied bacon).
Rodeo Goat is also famous for their never-ending Battle of the Burgers which pit two limited-edition burgers against each other with the most popular recipe getting rewarded by staying on the menu for another month.
Brothers Taco House
This old-school taco shack is a 10-minute walk south of the stadium in an older part of EaDo. Brothers Taco House serves up such legendary breakfast tacos that you can expect a line of hungry patrons waiting to be served when you arrive (don’t worry, the line normally moves quickly).
Brothers also offers daily lunch specials that change throughout the week to attract people after the morning rush, but keep in mind that they close up shop by 3pm.
Moon Tower Inn
If you are willing to walk a bit further, Moon Tower Inn serves up classic American fare with 60+ beers on tap over in the nearby Second Ward (about 15-20 minutes away by foot).
Moon Tower Inn is known for offering up some pretty crazy wild game weiners. Seriously, where else can you order a link made of wild boar or rabbit? What about a hot dog made with duck & apple brandy or even pheasant & cognac? Served out of a rustic shack built with reclaimed materials, this unique spot is worth going out of your way to visit.
Places to drink near BBVA Stadium
If you want to grab some beers before or after the game, here are a few bars & breweries worth visiting near the home of the Houston Dynamo/Dash.
Pitch 25 Beer Park
If you are in Houston for a Dynamo or Dash game, you have to swing by the industrial soccer bar that opened just down the street from the stadium.
Pitch 25 Beer Park features over 100 beers on tap and an on-site kitchen. This bear features plenty of indoor & outdoor seating along with an astroturfed soccer pitch that plays host to both watching parties or impromptu games.
This friendly soccer-themed beer hall is a must-visit for locals & visiting fans alike.
True Anomaly Brewing Company
There are a few breweries in the EaDo area, but our favorite is True Anomaly. If you have to pick just one to visit, this is the brewery to try.
TABCO produces a wide range of solid beers at their cozy taproom. We were fans of their Belgian style beers, but their taps also feature plenty of IPAs and sours to satisfy any type of beer lover.
Truck Yard
We have to preface this feature by letting readers know that Truck Yard is another DFW transplant (with locations in Dallas & The Colony), but it is too good not to mention.
Truck Yard bills itself as a “come-as-you-are beer garden & adult playground”, and we simply cannot come up with a more fitting description.
This laid-back establishment is essentially an outdoor food court with good food, plenty of drinks, and live music. The expansive outdoor seating area features a hodgepodge of mismatched patio furniture enclosed in decommissioned shipping containers.
If you want a casual spot for drinks & food that offers something for everyone in your group, this is your spot.
Lucky’s Pub
Unfortunately, Lucky’s Pub had to shut its doors in 2020. It was one of our favorite bars & it was located right in the shadow of BBVA Stadium. Anyone who had the pleasure of grabbing drinks here on matchday is surely sad to see it go.
We thought that including this in our list would be our final tribute to this EaDo staple.
Final Thoughts
If you are visiting Houston for a Dynamo or Dash game, we would love to hear your thoughts on your favorite restaurants & bars in the area.
Do you agree with our recommendations (or angry about us not including your favorite spot)? Let us know in the comments below!
