Here are the finalists for the 2020 Woodlands Culinary Awards, presented by the Woodlands Area Foodies. These outstanding organizations and individuals received the most nominations from WAF membership.
All of these finalists are among the very best in their respective fields, and provided numerous memorable experiences to guests in the 12 months preceding January, 2020.
Congratulations, Finalists!
Best Restaurant – Large
Peli Peli
The Republic Grille
Tris / Cureight
Truluck’s
Best Restaurant – Small
Fu Manchung
Papa Amadeus
Schilleci’s New Orleans Kitchen
Tejas Chocolate & Barbecue
Best New Restaurant
Killen’s Steakhouse
Peli Peli
Tejas Burger Joint
Zanti
Best Food Truck
BBQ Godfather
Sofy’s
Taste the Asian
Twisted Chefs
Best Service
Fu Manchung
Peli Peli
Perry’s
Tris / Cureight
Best Casual Restaurant
Black Walnut Cafe
Fielding’s Wood Grill
Fu Manchung
The Kitchen
The Republic Grille
Best Upscale Restaurant
Killen’s Steakhouse
Peli Peli
Tris / Cureight
Truluck’s
Best Romantic Restaurant
Kirby’s
Peli Peli
Perry’s
Sorriso
Tris / Cureight
Via Emilia
Best Family Restaurant
Buffalo Run
Craft Grill
The Kitchen
Republic Grille
Vernon’s Country Catfish
Best Bar
Buffalo Run
Fielding’s Local
Local Pour
Tewbeleaux
Tommy Bahama’s
Tris / Cureight
Truluck’s
Best Caterer
Crave Catering
Peli Peli
The Abundant Harvest
Tris / Cureight
Woodlands Classic
Amerigo’s
Black Walnut Cafe
Guadalajara
Pallotta’s Italian Grill
Perry’s
Chef of the Year
Edel Goncalves (Fielding’s)
Arturo Huerta (Papa Amadeus)
Macey Maples (Peli Peli)
Austin Simmons (Tris / Cureight)
Service Person of the Year
Natalie Ellen (Fielding’s Local)
Stephanie Gonzales (Fu Manchung)
Andrew Kelley (The Kitchen)
Meghan Kuzmann (Tris)
Restaurateur/Manager of the Year
Cary Attar (Fielding’s)
Austen Goodwin (The Kitchen)
Paul Huynh (Fu Manchung)
Chris Perry (Tris/Cureight)
Patrick Wise (Peli Peli)
Favorite Bartender
Thomas Camerino (Peli Peli)
Meghan Kuzmann (Tris)
Leighton Hughes (Refuge)
Matt (Sabbatical)
Muri (Tewbeleaux)
Favorite Private Chef
Brian Brumley
Amy Martinez
Shawn Sanchez
Favorite American Restaurant
The Kitchen
Mia’s Table
The Republic Grille
Tommy Bahama
Woodson’s
Favorite Bakery / Donut Shop
Donutlicious
Flour-ish
Nothing Bundt Cakes
Robin’s Snowflake Donuts
Victory Pie Company
Favorite BBQ Joint
BBQ Godfather
Corkscrew BBQ
Goode Company BBQ
Tejas Chocolate & Barbecue
2 Guys 1 Pit
Favorite Breakfast Spot
Another Broken Egg
Black Walnut
The Kitchen
La Cocina de Roberto
Snooze
Toasted Yolk
Favorite Brunch
Black Walnut
Jasper’s
The Kitchen
Peli Peli
Favorite Burger Joint
Buffalo Run
Burger Fi
Fielding’s Wood Grill
Tejas Burger Joint
Uncle Tony’s
Favorite Chinese Restaurant
Chef Chan’s
Fu Manchung
Golden China
Shanghai Bistro
Favorite Coffee Spot
Beanpunk Coffee
Blue Door Coffee
Noe’s Crepes
Third Gen
Favorite Dessert Spot
Cheesecake Factory
Coco’s Crepes
Noe’s Crepes
The Kitchen
Favorite Greek/Mediterranean Restaurant
Mary’z
The Olive Oil
Ta’bleyeah
Zara’s Mediterranean
Favorite Indian Restaurant
Amaravati Indian Cuisine
Himalaya Restaurant
Palette Indian Kitchen
Sitar Cuisine of India
Favorite Italian Restaurant
Lasagna House 3
Nona’s
Pallotta’s
Papa Amadeus
Via Emilia
Zanti
Favorite Japanese Restaurant
Fukuda
Jinya
Sakekawa
Sapporo
Uni Sushi
Favorite Mexican / Tex Mex Restaurant
Goode Co. Cantina
Julio’s Mexican Grill
La Cocina de Roberto
Los Cucos
Pappasito’s
Rita’s Cantina
Favorite Pizza Joint
Brother’s Pizza
Grimaldi’s
MOD Pizza
Pizza Tonight
Favorite Sandwich Shop
Honey B Ham
Katz’s Deli
Mainly Subs
Tony’s Italian Deli
Favorite Seafood Restaurant
Pappadeaux
Schilleci’s
Tris / Cureight
Truluck’s
Favorite Steakhouse
Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse
Killen’s
Morton’s
Perry’s
Tris / Cureight
Favorite Taco Spot
Bigotes
La Cocina de Roberto
Sofy’s
Torchy’s
Favorite Thai Restaurant
Patra Thai
Ploy Thai
Thai Cottage
Zato Thai
Favorite Vietnamese Restaurant
EAD
Fu Manchung
Lucky Cafe
Pho An and Sushi
Favorite Restaurant Atmosphere
Amerigo’s
Peli Peli
Tris
Truluck’s
Via Emilia
Zanti
Favorite Business Lunch
Del Frisco’s
Fielding’s Wood Grill
Peli Peli
Tommy Bahama
Favorite Restauant Entertainment
Amerigo’s
The Butler House
Fielding’s Wood Grill
Truluck’s
Favorite Happy Hour
Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse
Fielding’s Local
Morton’s
Tris / Cureight
Hidden Gem
2 Guys 1 Pit BBQ
Papa Amadeus
Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse
Hop Scholar Ale House
Radunare
The Woodlands Culinary Awards is produced by the Woodlands Area Foodies. It is not associated with the Best of the Best Culinary Awards, Chicago Culinary Awards, Garden State Culinary Awards, Houston Culinary Awards, Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Awards, Tuscan Lifestyle Culinary Awards, or any other awards programs.