If you want to see what’s new or interesting in regards to dining out, one good GoTo source to check is Nick’s Local Eats, a Facebook page run by Nick Rama who has a team that checks out many local restaurants or watering holes from Lake Conroe, The Woodlands, Spring, to Cypress and beyond. For NLE fans it’s all about the food and drink that the area offers, and each year he holds a ceremony to proclaim the best his team has compiled throughout a year. For 2025, Rama held his 3rd Annual Nick’s Local Eats Awards on January 20th, a ceremony to celebrate Restaurant Owners, Chefs, Bakers, Coffee Shops, and Breweries. Nick has held his awards for eleven years, but has done in person awards ceremonies only in recent years. The 2025 recognitions were held at RC’s NYC Pizza and Pasta, owned by RC Gallegos, with the restaurant being located just off Sawdust Road in The Woodlands.
Nick, even though he has a normal 9 to 5, still finds time to get out and meet restaurant owners and staff, getting to know them, and having been in the restaurant highlighting game more than 15 years, the personable Rama greets his food and drink peeps with hugs and kind words. For Nick and his NLE team, it’s a labor of love, and the relationships he develops are truly meaningful. His support of food and drink service workers is vital for an ever-changing industry where, the owners and staff in many ways are doing their best to vie for the competitive dining dollar that keeps them going.
The 2025 NLE Awards night was time to celebrate achievements, and the cozy setting of RC Gallegos pizza shop was electric as the area kings of the food industry packed into RC’s NYC Pizza and Pasta like sardines, with all attendees loving every minute of it. Many restaurants provided sample appetizers and desserts, each made with the love and care that goes along with being the best in the North Harris-South Montgomery County Foodtropolis.
“Never in a million years did I think it would grow to this level,” said Rama telling the restaurant owners and chefs. “We are here to celebrate you, the best of the best.”
The attendees were treated to some great award winning appetizers and desserts, and no one left the place disappointed. Thistle Draftshop’s Mary Thorn and Chef Trenis Shields, provided some Thai Chicken Wings that went above and beyond the taste of deliciousness; while My Pizzeria Cucina Italiana’s Fabio, brought his Mini Housemade Meatballs. Luis and Jimmy from Pizzaiolo’s contributed their House-Made Italian Sausage, which rocked; while Zara’s Authentic Mediterranean Kitchen brought their Chicken Kefta Kebabs. RC Gallegos featured 8 styles of pizza that makes his Pizza and Pasta shop the best in the area. Troy and Diedra’s 3rd Coast BBQ and Catering’s Brisket Chili, Toula’s Olive Oil Restaurant’s Crawfish Bisque, and Chef Betty’s Xalisko Cocina Mexicanas’ Ceviche, made for some delicious spooned appetizers.
The dessert table was equally out of This World, with the chemists over at Alchemy Bake Labs creating sweet treats that makes their shop a treasured stop for area sweet tooth’s; their Brown Butter Krispy Treats, Buttercream Brownies and Strawberry and Cream Tarts, were a real hit. Elizabeth Hale at Cake Fine Pastry contributed a Two-tier Chocolate and Strawberry Cake; while Luliet’s Creamery and Bake Shop brought their Tres Leches cake.
The NLE Team goes above and beyond the call of duty in presenting their yearly awards. This year the number of notables grew to over 140, with members of his Facebook page and Rama’s staff determining the best of the best they’ve sampled throughout the year. It’s a thankless and tasty job, but someone has to do it. Generally, the best of the geographic districts that NLE covers, The Woodlands, Spring, Tomball, Vintage Park, 1960/Champions/Willowbrook, and Cypress are recognized, in the twenty plus categories that the awards ceremony covers.
Categories such as The Best: Bakery, Restaurants, Best Coffee Shops, New Restaurants, Chefs, Pastry Chef, Rising Star Chef, Lifetime Achievement Awards, Owners, BBQ, Brewery, Bartender, Crawfish, Food Trucks (Burger, Taco), Appetizer, Dish, Dessert, Sandwich, Bagels, Birria Tacos, Bisque, Boba Tea, Boudin Balls, Breakfast, and the list goes on and on.
The sponsor for NLE Awards is Lisa Benoit from Lucky Money Real Estate, and she is happy to hand out $2 Bills in a Chinese New Year gold and red envelope signifying another year of good luck for the restaurants, their chefs, and staff. The event could not have taken place without Nick, Lisa, and restaurant owners like RC Gallegos, who donated his dining area and staff to recognize greatness in food and drink preparation for a public that craves the best that the area provides. Rama also has his geographic administrators Cassandra Ambercrombie, Elyssa Overstad, Keri Ford and Jennifer Unger, who without their assistance throughout the year, couldn’t pull off the awards event year after year.
The Nick’s Local Eats Facebook page is a wealth of food and drink knowledge that area diners turn to for the best dining experiences available. It’s about love and friendship shared over a dish or drink, and the extra mile that Rama and his team go, to keep his readers informed in regards to the best that the area offers. Well, it’s tops.
A Partial List of Winners from NLE 2025 Awards
Member Voted Bakery/Desserts Of The Year – The Woodlands – Luliet Ice Cream and Cookies
Member Voted Restaurant Of The Year – Spring – Thistle Draftshop
Member Voted Restaurant Of the Year – The Woodlands – 3rd Coast BBQ and Catering
Nick’s Local Eats Restaurant of The Year – The Woodlands – Xalisko Cocina Mexicana
Nick’s Local Eats Best New Restaurant – The Woodlands – Kokoro Hand Roll Bar
Chef of The Year – The Woodlands – Beatriz Martines – Xalisko Cocina Mexicana
Rising Star Chef of the Year – Trenis Shields IV – Thistle Draftshop
Best BBQ – The Woodlands – 3rd Coast BBQ and Catering
Food Truck of The Year – The Woodlands – Raise Pizza and Eats
Ruben can be reached at: ruben@montgomerycountynews.net