Houston makes the list! Food & Wine highlights America’s top dining cities, and our hometown shines for its incredible diversity. From Ethiopian to Vietnamese to Gulf Coast favorites, Houston truly lets you taste the world—no passport required.

This mashed potato recipe from Food & Wine has everything: creaminess, depth of flavor, fluffiness, and reheatability without loss of flavor or texture, which provides the make-ahead convenience we all crave when we’re doing holiday cooking.