Seven late night Houston outings from tacos to pie

Start at Taquería De Jalisco when deciding where to eat in Houston before the week's midnight stretch. I favor its traditional Mexican cooking as a measured opener for taco hunters. Arrive before Monday's listed 10 p.m. close, and ask which tacos are available before committing to a larger order.

Pizza hunters get a focused second night at King's Pizza. Order a Chicken Alfredo pie first, then ask about last kitchen orders before the listed 10:30 p.m. close. I prefer one specialty pie to a table scattered with extras; the pizza photograph gives this stop a clear visual brief.

Keep Wednesday on the taco track at Rancho's Taqueria. I rate a direct taco order above another breakfast plate for an evening visit. Make this the earlier checkpoint before the week's seafood rooms, and arrive before the listed 10 p.m. close. Ask which fillings are available before joining any line.

Seafood changes the register at Ostioneria Michoacan 16 Fuqua. I choose oysters before another taco for a sharper midweek contrast. Ask about oyster availability and last food orders; Thursday's listed venue close is midnight. Keep the blue-lit dining room in the photo plan, rather than photographing only the plate.

Friday earns two Fuqua stops for the late eater. Begin with jerk chicken at Island Flavorz; its listed Friday close is 2 a.m. Follow with a short walk toward House of Pies after checking the pedestrian route. I like savory first, pie second, with the diner's around-the-clock listing providing flexibility.

After the Friday double, give Tequila 45 mexican restaurant its own night. I pick seafood empanadas before fajitas to keep the tasting focused. Arrive ahead of the listed 2 a.m. Saturday venue close, and confirm kitchen service first. Use the plated-food photograph as the visual reference, not a promised special.

Finish with street tacos at Mexicanos Taquería rather than another sprawling order. I value a compact final plate after the week's seafood and pie. Aim before the listed 10 p.m. Sunday close, and ask what is still being served. Keep any line decision about tonight's menu, not assumed scarcity.