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.