Meet Megha McSwain | Food & Travel Journalist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Megha McSwain and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Megha, what do you attribute your success to?
I believe that being enthusiastic about the work that I do has been the key to my success. I have a true passion and genuine curiosity about food, travel, chefs, and restaurants, and I think that is evidenced through the stories that I share. Dining out, exploring new destinations, writing, and sharing my experiences on social media may not sound like work in the conventional sense, but it surely is, and I take it very seriously.

I take pride in experiencing things firsthand and soaking in as much information as possible before I put pen to paper. I think this work ethic has helped me to become a trusted voice in Houston, and is a significant factor in any success I have attained over the last decade.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Since I was a young child, I was fond of writing, and I am lucky enough to have built a career reporting on food and travel. I contribute to multiple local and national outlets, including Food Network, Eater, Texas Monthly, and InsideHook, and have appeared regularly on KHOU’s local lifestyle show, Great Day Houston. I think what sets me apart from other journalists is that I am passionate about the work that I do and the stories that I tell. I spend enormous time and effort on the things that I create. When researching a story, I think it is important to explore various angles and understand different viewpoints. If it is a restaurant or a travel destination I am writing about, I like to get a sense of the place – the way it looks and feels, and the energy that it has. I take pride in knowing that the audience can trust my voice.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
As a lifelong Houstonian, I have had many friends and family members visit Housto over the years, and they know that they are in for a treat every time! Almost everyone who visits requests great Mexican/Tex-Mex and barbecue, and I am always thrilled to show off Houston’s bounty of choices. In the case of Mexican and Tex-Mex, I like to showcase the breadth of offerings that the city has. I take them to casual places like La Mexicana, Laredo Taqueria, or Tacos Tierra Caliente for a fast taco meal, and one of Hugo Ortega’s restaurants like Hugo’s or Xochi to experience regional Mexican cuisine in a festive space. When it comes to barbecue, I love taking people to Truth BBQ and the Pit Room. Truth BBQ is a pretty much a household name in Texas, and the Pit Room incorporates its smoked meats into Tex-Mex offerings, so it’s the best of both worlds!

If the weather cooperates, I definitely take them to the Menil Collection. My husband proposed outside the museum, and it is very special place to me, as I know it is to a lot of people. Menil Park is calm and serene, and serves as as perfect backdrop for a lazy picnic (which my husband and I do often with our pups!); plus Menil Bistro is steps away and is a great spot for a glass of wine or afternoon tea.

The Museum District is another place I love exploring with visitors. Beyond the lush environs, there are countless museums to duck into on any given day. I especially love the MFAH and its onsite restaurant Le Jardinier, which I think is among the best restaurants in the city. And, I enjoy the CAM, which is always free to visit.

My friends and family love visiting the Mahatma Gandhi District, aka Little India, and Houston’s Asiatown. The markets are bountiful for shopping ingredients, condiments and snacks, plus there are so many great restaurants to stop and eat along the way. Katy Asiatown has also become a recent favorite, and I enjoy adding it into the mix. Its close proximity to fun gaming destinations like Home Run Dugout and Popstroke make it twice the fun for visitors.

And finally, I love taking people to River Oaks District. It’s like Houston’s own mini version of Rodeo Drive, with all of the luxury boutiques, trendy restaurants, an iPic movie theater, gelato shop, and plenty of pedestrian-friendly walkways. It’s the perfect place to roam around aimlessly and people watch. And, during the holidays, it’s great for photo ops when the entire complex is illuminated with Christmas lights.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to shoutout my dear friend Greg Morago, the former longtime Food Editor of the Houston Chronicle, who has been my eating partner, friend, mentor, and confidant over the last eight years. Greg has a keen sense of reporting and has always held journalistic integrity in high regard. I was lucky enough to learn so much from him at the start of my career, and I attribute a lot of my success to him. He not only taught me how to maneuver through this business, but encouraged me to fearlessly create my own path.

Website: https://meghamcswain.com

Instagram: @meghamcswain

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megha-mcswain-047989120/

Twitter: @meghamcswain

Image Credits
IMG 7045 – Duc Hoang
IMG 7635 – Paula Murphy
IMG 8707 (Lead photo) – Lisa Gochman