Get to Know West University Place

About 15,000 people live in West University, a little city that’s completely inside the city of Houston’s boundaries. Named for its proximity to Rice University, West U. feels like a small town: It has its own fire department, police department, and quaint restaurants. City Cast contributor Evan Mintz and novelist Chris Cander, both residents, recently shared their favorite spots on our podcast. Here are some places they recommend:



Tiny’s You can’t make a stop in West U. without hitting up the Tiny’s franchise. Tiny’s No. 5 has delicious choices for breakfast, lunch and dinner. My favorite: buttermilk pancakes with blueberry compote and warm syrup. Afterwards, go next door to Tiny’s Milk & Cookies, a walk-up bakery and cookie counter, where you can order freshly baked cookies and milk.



Keep on Grubbing 
Little Matt’s Cafe, a kid-friendly restaurant, was founded in 2009 by Jim Reid during his son’s battle with cancer. The restaurant is a safe space for kids in the community, and it donates proceeds to Texas Children’s Hospital. You’ll find typical kid food — burgers, fries, pizza — and kids can play games on the iPads or in the arcade. Childless grownups, though, might prefer a stop at El Topo, a stylish Mexican restaurant with a great wine menu and delicious tacos.



The Darth Vader House
This Star Wars-esque house — a neighborhood landmark that would look at home on @CocaineDecor — is on the market for $3.6 million. The original owner wanted it to look like “a stealth fighter jet.” Mission accomplished.