Monday, 5th October 2020
When it comes to enjoying the best beignets Houston has to offer, there are only a handful of names that pop up in the ‘beignet’ search results. (Pronounced ‘ben-YAY’.) Some of them, however, aren’t even in the state of Texas. This can make a good Houston beignet seem very few and far between. All the same, Texans love beignets! Whether as a weekly breakfast tradition, midday snack, or late night treat, they make a great addition to our traditional ‘southern cooking’.
Plus, from okra to oreos, we love our fried foods. Don’t believe me, then believe this. The 2016 Texas State Fair Winner of the Big Tex Choice (Food) Awards was none other than…wait for it…deep fried Jello.
What Is a Beignet?
First things first. What is a beignet?
Well, a beignet is a deep fried French pastry made from choux pastry, and layered with confectioners sugar. (What is choux pastry? Glad you asked! Choux pastry is a light pastry made with egg. It’s the kind of dough also used for éclaires, profiteroles, and crullers.) Generally speaking, beignets are similar to ‘fritters’. They are typically made from small squares of pastry deep fried in oil, then heavily dusted with confectioners sugar.
What’s the Big Deal About Beignets in Houston?
Beignets have a long, rich history, dating back to the ancient Gauls and Romans. Here in America, however, they were popularized through the Cajun cuisine of French settlers in Louisiana. Nowadays, they are the most popular breakfast treat in New Orleans’ French Quarter, and most famously so at the Cafe du Monde. This twenty four hour cafe, originally opened in 1862, has been repeatedly featured in popular songs, books, and even the occasional celebrity buzzfeed.
That said, the big deal about beignets in Houston, however, is that New Orleans and the Cafe du Monde are 350 miles away, across the state border, in Louisiana! That makes a good Houston beignet pretty hard to find.
Enjoy the Best Beignets Houston Has to Offer
Lucky for you, our two Houston Shipley Do-Nuts locations have dramatically increased your chances of finding great beignets in Houston, TX. Now you can get these hot, fresh, New Orleans Style pastries (made-to-order) twenty four hours a day, seven days a week, without ever leaving the the comfort of Space City or, for that matter, the Lone Star State.
Plus, be sure to check our coupon section for regular deals on beignets, kolaches, and far more varieties of donuts than you could ever eat in a single sitting. And don’t forget to check out our great catering and delivery options. We look forward to your visit!
*Made-to-order, New Orleans style beignets available exclusively at Shipley Do-Nuts. 12403 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77077 (24 hour location) & a 1001 McKinney St, Houston, TX 77002. Call (713) 589-3292 for more information.
