Jacob Voncannon

I wasn’t always intentional about what I carried in my pockets. For most of my life, it was automatic: phone, wallet, keys. That was the standard setup. Everyone carried those things, so I did too. There was no deeper thought behind it, no sense of purpose. It was simply a habit shaped by observation — the kind you pick up without ever questioning why it exists in the first place. A few years back, that changed. I started managing multi-family apartment properties, and I realized something that caught me off guard — I wasn’t very capable when it came to practical, hands-on tasks. Small issues became big problems. A faulty toilet valve, a damaged hose, a lock that needed replacing — these weren’t complicated jobs, yet I found myself calling someone else to handle them. What should have been quick fixes turned into unnecessary expenses and a quiet sense that I was lacking something important. That realization stayed with me. It wasn’t just about money — it was about capability. The Tools...

When people land in Houston, they usually expect to be guided toward the Heights, Montrose, or Downtown spots. I live in Spring Branch, and over time I’ve realized I rarely need to leave the neighborhood to show someone a great meal. The Long Point corridor has quietly turned into one of the most diverse and interesting food stretches in the city. Houston’s largest Koreatown runs right through it, and the Vietnamese food scene here is deep enough that you could explore it for months without repeating a dish. That’s not new—it’s been building for decades. What’s changed is that more of Houston is finally paying attention. As the city expands west and north, Spring Branch is now part of the conversation alongside more established food neighborhoods like the Heights, Montrose, and Rice Village. And honestly, it holds its own. Below is my current rotation. Some places are longtime staples, others are newer additions, but all of them are spots I confidently take people when they’re visiting...