Raising three kids in Katy means I've become an expert at finding great food that won't empty my wallet. After twenty years here, these are the spots where flavor punches way above the price tag.
Midway BBQ on Highway Blvd is a Katy institution. They've been smoking meat since before most of us moved here. It's cash only, the line can wrap around the building on Saturdays, and a loaded plate with two sides runs about $12. My family of five eats like kings for under $50. If you haven't been, you're not really from Katy.
Torchy's Tacos on Katy Freeway brought Austin's creative taco energy to our doorstep. The Trailer Park taco is legendary, and at $4-5 per taco, two of them with chips and queso makes a solid meal under $15. The kids get the simple beef tacos and never complain.
Pho One on Westheimer Parkway serves enormous bowls of pho for around $11. On a cold January evening, there's nothing better. And Kolache Factory handles breakfast for under $8 per person. Czech kolaches are a Texas thing, and this is how we start most Saturday mornings before soccer games.