Mexican food and awesome margaritas await you at Paparruchos. Tacos, tortas, pizzas, ensaladas are served hot and the fare is wholesome Mexican cooking. Don't look for sophistication here, this is one of those places where you can be messy and still have a ball. The staff is prompt and the crowd laidback. Local bands play great Mexican numbers and the DJ keeps you on your toes.

If Ricky Martin, Jennifer Lopez and Gloria Estefan are among your favorite artists, give this Metropolis Discotheque a try. The name does not bring to mind anything Latino, but all of the hottest Latin singing sensations are featured. You and your friends will enjoy swinging your hips to the tunes the DJs spin. The full-service bar features numerous "drink until you drop" specials. The drinks at the bar are worth a shot if you manage to get a ride home.

This popular cafe offers the perfect blend of down-home atmosphere and cooking. The walls sport pictures and relics from years gone by, creating the feel of a roadside diner from the 1940s or 1950s. The menu delivers a full range of dishes from Mom's Meatloaf to the Texas Burger to chicken-fried steak with gravy and mashed potatoes. If you are feeling fancier than that, go for one of the fabulous cuts of steak. It is also a great place for breakfast if you have time to stop by in the morning.

Two-story and wood-paneled, this popular sports bar is definitely a great place to hang out with all your sports-loving friends. Televisions are spread all over the room, from big-screen TVs to the smaller versions placed close to the benches. The upstairs area with pool tables is a popular hangout for beating the summer heat. It gets a little noisy from time to time, but the regulars certainly do not seem to care. You will not miss a minute of the sports action while emptying a bucket of cold beer and chomping on delicious Cajun food.

Sullivan's Steak House features great food, good music and exceptional drinks for guests looking for a complete gastronomic affair. The main bar features mellow jazz sounds from a piano on most nights and the back room comes alive with the sounds of some of the best jazz bands in Houston. Gorgeous hand-painted murals pay tribute to the 1920s and '30s, and the wood paneling and raised bandstand behind the curved bar are every bit as elegant as the Galleria-area clientele. The well-stocked bar serves celebrities, entrepreneurs, investment bankers and a host of other guests who can put down a credit card and never ask about the price. Even though the menu encompasses delicacies like Cajun Ribeye and Filet Mignon, the main focus is cocktails and entertainment.

This family-owned and operated Middle Eastern restaurant with its Mom and Pop ambiance and style attracts a wide range of diners. In fact, its overwhelming popularity led to a recent expansion that will ensure shorter wait times for valued guests. Stop in and see what all the fuss is about! Flavorful Lebanese dishes dominate the Middle Eastern menu. Excellent service and reasonable prices perfectly complete every dining experience.

Bistros are common in the Galleria area, but the concept of a Chinese bistro is relatively unusual. The decor is dressy and elegant, and attracts a lot of sophisticated shoppers and business diners. Most of the menu is Americanized to appeal to a broader range of diners. Sample one of the yummy chicken or vegetable appetizers that are designed to be rolled in crisp lettuce leaves and munched. Entrees are served family style and are meant to be shared among your party. Enjoy each flavor and ever occasion with their luscious cocktails and wines.

There is no need to dress up to eat here. The friendly staff and low-key decor create a wonderful sense of small-town dining. The effect is so real, you might actually forget you are dining in the middle of a bustling city. Unfortunately, the cafe has limited hours, but the good news is that it serves its famous breakfast offerings from open to close. The popularity of breakfast is amazing, but you certainly will not be disappointed if you opt for one of the deli-style sandwiches or a thick and juicy burger. Try the corned-beef melt and you will agree.

Typical red-checked Italian decor adds coziness and a satisfying feeling of warmth to this dining experience. Tucked away on a somewhat secluded street, it particularly appeals to young couples and families on a budget. Menu selections consist of traditional Italian dishes and zesty handmade pizzas. Repeat visits will be in order so you can try them all. Bottled beers and wines are available, but there is not a full bar.

Walk in to Old Heidelberg and you will find yourself transported to a Bavarian Inn, complete with wood-beamed dining room. The inviting atmosphere is complete when the aroma from hearty German dishes starts filling the air. The menu includes potato and sausage soup, weiner schnitzel, rouladen and sauerbraten, and grilled salmon.