Tejas Chocolate & Barbecue is home to some of the finest artisan chocolates in the state, and it is also home to some of the finest barbeques in the state (it was ranked No. 6 on Texas Monthly’s list of the “10 Best BBQ Joints in Texas”). Indulge in salt-and-pepper-kissed, fat-rendered smoked brisket and ribs by the pound, then finish with chocolate bread pudding topped with cajeta caramel sauce and truffles and chocolates in flavors like jalapeno fig and key lime pie. 

Visit Old Town Tomball  During Annual Events, Including the Tomball German Heritage Festival and the Tomball German Christmas Market, but Take a Stroll Around Old Town Any Time of Year! Main Street Crossing is a music establishment with a schedule of live jams, pub cuisine, and drinks. The Tomball Museum Center features exhibits on local history, and the Railroad Depot is a fun destination for kids. After working up an appetite, you can stop by Jane and John Dough Bakery for a star-studded breakfast and delicious in-season pies, the Whistle Stop Tea Room for tea sandwiches and raspberry cream cake, the Tejas above Chocolate & Barbecue to smash brisket and ribs, or The Empty Glass, a rustic chic wine bar and tasting room with a genuine Texas vibe, to relax with wine and cheese.

You should do the insane burger challenge at Mel’s Country Cafe at least once, but you should also eat the fantastic, bigger-than-the-plate chicken fried steak every time you go. The challenge is to consume a burger plate consisting of 1.5 pounds of ground beef, 1 pound of bacon, 1/4 pound of cheese, and all the fixings in under 2 hours without assistance while maintaining full mental and physical faculties. Yeah, and a prominent place on the wall. 

The Matt Family welcomes visitors to their 40-acre orchard, where they may pick their blueberries, blackberries, figs, dates, and pears. Stop by for a pumpkin patch at the October Harvest Festival, pick-your-own fruit by the pound, have a great family picnic, or buy fruit plants. The time of day you can gather fruit changes with the seasons. Call the fruit hotline at (281) 351-7676 to find the current hours and days or check the expected picking schedule. Tours of the orchard, including a hayride through the forested 145-acre grounds, are offered for $10 per person all year. To view the map, please click here.

The Tomball Farmers Market is open year-round on Saturdays, so you can stop by and support your local economy no matter the weather. There are over 50 exhibitors selling everything from locally grown produce and pasture-raised meats to farm-fresh eggs, cheeses, seafood, and artisan goodies like jams, honey, bread, pasta, local coffee, and spicy salsas, so it’s essential to be there early for the best selection. Open 9-1 on Saturdays. To view the map, please click here.