A great Vietnamese brewpub with a wide beer selection and delicious bo luc lac.

Best Vietnamese style crawfish you can get outside of your Vietnamese friend’s family crawfish boils.

Second favorite within-driving-distance-to-Downtown lunch spot for Vietnamese food. I usually pair a banh mi with the wonton soup, but I also love the banh xeo here.

Best phở in town. Great bun bo hue as well.

Overall best banh mi in town. I love the special (dac biet) and the chopped ribeye sandwiches.

Best classic banh mi. Get the grilled pork sando.

Best homestyle Vietnamese/best Vietnamese restaurant within lunch-break-driving-distance from Downtown. Also one of my most-recommended restaurants in general. Things to order: #8, #5, #16, #50, #58, #64 (always order with additional lap xuong), #70, #94, #S3, #F5 with shrimp

A cool outdoor beer garden right in downtown Magnolia. They’ve always got some fun limited-release beers on tap, but start with their Yellow Rose, a fantastic SMaSH (single malt and single hop) IPA.

Great coffee conveniently located near Tejas BBQ

Things to order: of course, you’ve gotta get the Texas Trinity of brisket, ribs, and sausage – and for your sausage link I highly recommend ordering their chile relleno sausage. Honestly my favorite sausage link in town. Grab a chocolate bon-bon on your way out. And if they’re not too busy, ask the owner (you’ll see him checking on tables throughout your meal) if he’ll give you a tour of their smokers so you can geek out at their sweet setup.