Where to Eat on Highway 105

Amore Seafood

Chef Ron Nicoletta strikes again with another category-defining restaurant along Highway 105. Chef Ron has departed, but the crowd-pleasing seafood lives on. Amore specializes in expertly prepared seafood that ventures beyond the Gulf and brings in great flavors from the East Coast. Seared tuna steak was a highlight; a slab of beautiful sushi-grade tuna delicately seasoned and seared rare. Fried calamari was among the very best we’ve tried; exquisitely tender, and accented with deep fried red and jalapeño peppers. Standards like fried shrimp are outstanding as well; unique Italian breadcrumb crust compliments the large, tasty shrimp. Don’t let the casual, charming setting fool you; this is serious seafood.

(Formerly The Original Tony & Al’s Seafood Shack)

Seafood | Outside the Bubble: Hwy 105

17099 Walden Road Suite 110 | Montgomery 77315
936-582-1053 | Map | Details
$$ ($10-20)

Buldogies

Foodies in search of the best hot dogs around make the hike up to Highway 105 to drop in at Buldogies. Inside they’ll find handcrafted versions of the food that’s found at a state fair… but prepared far better. Huge hot dogs made from quality ingredients and assembled with attention to detail are the centerpiece, but the excellent sandwiches, carnival favorites, and indulgent desserts delight kids and adults alike. Foodies jump right to the City Crafted Dogs or the Outlaws, each of which is a well-balanced dish with expertly layered flavors. This isn’t James Coney Island; you don’t need to order three, although you may want to try them all.

American and Sandwiches | Outside the Bubble: Hwy 105

14543 TX 105 #406 | Conroe 77304
936-588-6688 | Map | Details
$ (under $10)

Ocean Boulevard - closed

This quaint waterside bistro is the place to go for foodies who want to dine on the shore of Lake Conroe. Grilled seafood is the star here, very fresh and expertly prepared. Highlights include the fish of the day and the large, perfectly grilled scallops. But don’t skip more humble favorites like beer-battered cod fish and chips and burger that’s getting quite the local reputation. Friendly, efficient service.

Seafood | Outside the Bubble: Hwy 105
Outdoor Dining

1200 Marina Dr | Montgomery 77356
936-588-4962 | Map | Website | Details
$$ ($10-20) and $$$ ($20-40)

Tony’s Italian Deli

UPDATE: Tony’s Italian Deli has changed hands in 2018. On our return visits, we have noticed distinct changes in the sandwiches, and not for the better. We detected obvious changes in the ingredients, the quantities, and the attention to detail

Tony’s still makes good sandwiches. But they’re not the remarkable creations that Hootie put together, and in our opinion, aren’t worth a long drive anymore.

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According to Yelp, the best restaurant in the nation is Tony’s Italian Deli, on Highway 105 outside of Montgomery. While we haven’t tried all the nation’s restaurants to verify this, we can confirm that the sandwiches at Tony’s Deli are simply the best Italian subs we’ve ever tasted. Chef Hootie Trant constructs huge po-boys stacked with high quality Italian meats and cheeses, with just the right spreads and seasonings to perfect the flavor. His bride Mary is the smiling face at the counter, greeting the guest and keeping the line moving. Expect a wait at peak lunch hours.

Choosing from the wall of options is tough. New visitors should resist the urge to build their own and delve into one of Hootie’s recommended creations; our favorites are the J. Gandolfini (cold) and the Lucky Luciano (hot). Expect a filling meal, and another one at home with the half you couldn’t eat in the store.

Italian and Sandwiches | Outside the Bubble: Hwy 105
Outdoor Dining

16235 TX 105 | Montgomery 77356
(across from April Sound)
936-588-4800 | Map | Details
$$ ($10-20)