Texas’ food scene is having a moment in the daytime talk show spotlight. Beloved Houston breakfast chain Shipley Do-Nuts and critically acclaimed barbecue pop-up Khói had starring roles on The Drew Barrymore Show in one week.
The Drew Barrymore Show featured Khói Barbecue‘s signature Viet-Tex barbecue on its April 20 episode. Chef Pilar Valdes highlighted her visit to the Near Northside fixture in her segment “Pro Tips from Pilar.” Valdes spoke about how sibling-owners Don and Theo Nguyen have made waves in Houston’s barbecue scene since starting Khói (which translates to smoke) in their backyard in 2017.
Fans have lined up for Khói’s weekend pop-ups at 2911 Hardy St., eager to try the beef rib curry and brisket pho. Barrymore and Valdes sampled the brothers’ crispy whole-hog Banh xeo crepes with chili jam on the show.
A week later, Houston R&B singer and rapper Lizzo introduced Barrymore to Shipley Do-Nuts. (The April 27 episode also happened to be the Grammy award-winning artist’s birthday.) Lizzo shared her love for the chain’s signature kolaches, the savory pastry filled with cheese and sausage, or, as Barrymore called it, a “wiener.”
This isn’t the first time Lizzo has been loud and proud about her love for kolaches, specifically Shipley’s. Last fall, she posted a TikTok review ranking Christy’s, Kolache Factory, and Shipley Do-Nuts, which she deemed the best in all of Houston with a 10 out of 10 rating.