By Alex Jack, Foodie

If you are not quite ready to hit the airport, I would love to invite you to explore the great city of Houston and its surrounding areas for an amazing foodventure. Driving up I-45 North, about an hour outside The Woodlands, is the beautiful town of Trinity. As we were driving, we saw a sign that said, “SHRIMP & BACON TACOS” and we had to make a U-turn. The cutest little outdoor eatery was waiting for us right next to the train tracks called Tacos by the Trax. We ordered their famous shrimp and bacon tacos, and this is where our world shifted. We opened our container to 5 mini corn tacos topped with shrimp, bacon, cheese, pico de gallo and a side of 3 salsas. In the first bite there was a flavor explosion that melted our worries. The shrimp and crispy bacon paired so well with the soft corn tortilla. When you stop by please try the horchata and melon agua frescas to wash it all down. Probably one of the best Horchata I've ever had.

Our second stop on our foodventure was family owned and operated Tallent Sausage, slightly outside of Huntsville, in Riverside. If you are a fan of sausage, this is a very good place to go. They have a massive selection of sausages, meats, spices, preserves, pickled goods and even syrups. They also have cooked foods and we were able to try the German and original smoked sausage. The awesome part of the whole experience was knowing that they make the sausage right there. As a home cook, my mind instantly lit up with different dishes that I can cook at home. If you want to try and not drive, they can ship their yummy sausages to you.

Last stop of this food venture, I would like to take you to a charming winery in New Waverly, Texas called TOSCA. As you enter the property, peeking past the beautiful vineyard and trees is a breathtaking view of massive rolling hills that remind you of a fairytale. The winery was named after Italian opera composer, Giacomo Puccini’s masterpiece and TOSCA is an absolute masterpiece to visit. One of the most unique parts of the winery is the restored cabin from the 1830s that is used as the tasting room. Founder Willy Leisner built this winery from nothing and transformed it into a lush experience for you to enjoy. The co-owner Rennie van Wyk is the winemaker of the beautiful wines you will enjoy. TOSCA offers wine tastings, tours, events and you can also buy wines on their website. Perfect place for a girl’s trip, a marriage proposal, or just an escape from the city.

I would advise that you take a moment to escape the city and visit these wonderful places.

Happy Foodventures Houston!