Tiny Champions: A Houston Pizza Restaurant with a Gourmet Twist

Tiny Champions Introduce

Welcome to Tiny Champions, a standout pizza restaurant nestled in the heart of Houston's bustling McKinney Street. This isn't just another pizza joint; it’s a destination that elevates the casual pizza experience into something truly special. For Houstonians looking for a meal that is both comforting and sophisticated, Tiny Champions strikes the perfect balance. The restaurant has quickly become a local favorite, known for its commitment to high-quality ingredients, creative menu, and vibrant atmosphere. Whether you’re on a date night or meeting up with friends, Tiny Champions provides a setting that feels both trendy and cozy. From expertly crafted pizzas to unique small plates and a stellar drink menu, this restaurant offers a complete dining experience that goes far beyond a typical slice. This article will guide you through everything you need to know about this popular spot, from its location and services to the features that make it a champion in Houston’s culinary scene.

The menu at Tiny Champions is a testament to its creativity and commitment to quality. While pizza is undoubtedly the star, the offerings extend to a variety of Italian-inspired dishes that are perfect for sharing. Start your meal with "to start" options like marinated olives, a charcuterie plate with capocollo, or a generous portion of burrata. The "vegetables" section provides a fresh counterpoint with dishes like a mushroom salad or a braised butter beans plate. The handmade pastas are a must-try, with classic options like rigatoni and the beef and pork bolognese.

The pizza menu itself is a highlight, featuring both classic and inventive pies. While the menu changes seasonally, you can typically find a delicious pepperoni pizza, praised by customers for being "thin, crispy, and flavorful," as well as other unique creations like the roasted spring onions or the pineapple pizza. Customers have noted that even when a dish might not suit their personal taste, the high-quality ingredients and excellent service ensure a positive experience. The dessert menu is also a must, with unique offerings like the coconut sorbet sundae and the coffee ice cream sundae. The option to take a pint of ice cream to go is a perfect way to end the meal.

Beyond the food, Tiny Champions is known for its exceptional beverage program. The restaurant boasts a great beer selection, a well-curated wine list, and a fantastic cocktail menu. From a classic bourbon sour to a house margarita, the bar is a major part of the experience. The "Happy hour" is a popular feature with drink and food specials, making it an excellent opportunity to sample their offerings. The lively and trendy atmosphere, complete with a bar on-site, makes it a great spot for a celebratory drink or a casual evening out.

Tiny Champions is conveniently located at 2617 McKinney St, Houston, TX 77003. This location places it in a vibrant and accessible part of the city, making it a desirable destination for both locals and tourists. The restaurant offers outdoor seating for a comfortable al fresco dining experience. A key point for planning a visit is the parking situation; the restaurant relies on free street parking, which can be challenging to find, especially during peak dining times. It is recommended to plan for this. However, its prime location and easy access to major thoroughfares make it a great spot to meet friends from different parts of town. The establishment is also committed to accessibility, with a wheelchair accessible entrance, restroom, and seating, ensuring that all guests feel welcome.

Tiny Champions offers a variety of services to enhance your dining experience.

Outdoor Seating: Enjoy your meal on the patio, a great option for a beautiful Houston evening.
Takeout: For those on the go, the takeout service allows you to enjoy their delicious food from home.
Dine-in: Experience the cozy and romantic atmosphere by dining in.
Reservations: Reservations are highly recommended, especially for dinner, as the restaurant often has a wait.
Table Service: The staff provides excellent and attentive service, as noted by numerous customers.

The key features of Tiny Champions are what make it a must-visit spot in Houston.

Fast Service: Customers appreciate the quick service, which is a great benefit, particularly during busy times.
Great Drinks: The impressive selection of beer, cocktails, and wine makes Tiny Champions a destination for drinks as much as it is for food.
Great Dessert: The creative ice cream sundaes and other sweet treats provide a perfect finish to any meal.
Romantic and Trendy Atmosphere: The cozy and romantic vibe makes it an ideal spot for a special occasion or a quiet dinner.
Serves Local Specialty: The menu often features locally sourced ingredients, showcasing the best of what Texas has to offer.

What is worth choosing?

What truly makes Tiny Champions a worthwhile choice for Houstonians is its perfect blend of quality, ambiance, and service. It’s a place that takes a humble dish like pizza and elevates it with premium ingredients and inventive combinations, without losing the comforting essence that makes it a favorite. The consistent praise for their pepperoni pizza is a testament to their mastery of the basics, while their unique offerings show a willingness to experiment. The outstanding service, as highlighted by a customer who received a kind and understanding response when a dish wasn't to their liking, is a significant reason to choose this place. This level of hospitality, combined with the lively and engaging atmosphere, makes for a truly memorable dining experience. While the parking situation can be a minor inconvenience, the overall quality of the food and the excellence of the service more than compensate. It's a fantastic spot for a special occasion, a celebratory dinner, or even a simple night out where you want to feel pampered and well-fed. For anyone in the Houston area looking for a top-tier pizza experience in a trendy, welcoming environment, Tiny Champions is a clear choice.

Contact Information:

Address: 2617 McKinney St, Houston, TX 77003, USA

Phone: (713) 485-5329

Tiny Champions Menu

to start
olives $9.00
marinated with citrus and rosemary
capocollo $18.00
with housemade pickles
mix of marinated vegetables $16.00
and roasted fennel with meredith dairy cheese
scamorza $14.00
fried cheese + pickled cherry peppers w/ marinara
burrata $16.00
with zhoug, toasted almonds, and za'atar flatbread
pork sausage $17.00
seared over creamy polenta with braised bell peppers and onions

vegetables
green salad $12.00
with parmesan labneh, celery vinaigrette, basil, pickled celery + garlic
mushroom salad $14.00
shaved cremini parmesan + olive oil
cabbage salad $15.00
kale, radicchio, pistachio apricot agrodolce, pecorino cheese
braised butter beans $14.00
charred pickled peppers, garlic toum, torn croutons + dill

pasta
risotto $21.00
creamy roasted mushrooms + shallots, fennel and parmesan
linguini $19.00
marcona almonds, tomato, feta, chili, mint
casarecce $24.00
saffron braised lamb, torn olives, pecorino
rigatoni $23.00
beef + pork bolognese, parmesan

pizza
anchovy $20.00
filets, tomato sauce, sliced garlic, salsa verde
greens $21.00
ricotta cream base, mixed seasonal mozzarella, pickled garlic
pineapple $22.00
thinly sliced smoked ham, jalapeño, tomato sauce, mozzarella
roasted spring onions $21.00
red onion cream base, mozzarella, pickled scallions
sausage $23.00
fennel red peppers, red onion, basil, tomato sauce, mozzarella, parmesan
cheese $17.00
tomato sauce, mozzarella, parmesan

dessert
coconut sorbet sundae $10.00
with rootbeer granita, candied cashews, and lime
pantaleo goat cheese ice cream sundae $10.00
with pickled apple + candied sage
coffee ice cream sundae $11.00
with hot fudge + lil' donut holes
chocolate torte $11.00
served warm; with walnut, kumquat, and ricotta ice cream
ice cream pints to go $10.00
cookies n cream sherry ricotta, walnut + kumquat

Tiny Champions Details

Service options
Outdoor seating
Takeout
Dine-in
Delivery

Highlights
Fast service
Great beer selection
Great cocktails
Great dessert
Great wine list
Serves local specialty

Popular for
Dinner
Solo dining

Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Wheelchair accessible restroom
Wheelchair accessible seating

Offerings
Alcohol
Beer
Cocktails
Coffee
Comfort food
Happy hour drinks
Happy hour food
Hard liquor
Small plates
Vegetarian options
Wine

Dining options
Dinner
Dessert
Seating
Table service

Amenities
Bar onsite
Gender-neutral restroom
Restroom

Atmosphere
Casual
Cozy
Romantic
Trendy

Crowd
Groups
Tourists

Planning
Dinner reservations recommended
Accepts reservations
Usually a wait

Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Credit cards

Parking
Free street parking

Tiny Champions Photos

Tiny Champions Location

Tiny Champions

Texas Harris County Houston East Downtown McKinney Street

2617 McKinney St, Houston, TX 77003, USA

Tiny Champions Reviews

An average rating of ★4.7 from 1139 user reviews.

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★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1

Wife and I met up with some dear friends for dinner here last night. The food and service was excellent. Loved the quail appetizer. The pepperoni pizza is amazing! My only complaint is the parking situation. There is no dedicated parking lot. You have to do street parking which is hard to find especially during the peak dining times. Highly recommend this place!
August 03 · Reggie Karikottu
I took my boyfriend here for his 25th birthday since he had been wanting to check out the place—it was both our first time visiting.We started with the fried quail, which was delicious and came with a fancy ranch and hot honey sauce that paired perfectly. The crispy pork belly was melt-in-your-mouth good, though the oil from the skin hit my throat a little harshly and lingered longer than I liked.We shared the beef and pork bolognese and an anchovy pizza. Personally, I found the bolognese too salty, though my boyfriend enjoyed it. As for the anchovy pizza... it was questionable. The presentation felt a bit off, and the combination of anchovy and tomato sauce made it overly salty. Thankfully, my boyfriend agreed. Our amazing server noticed our reaction and kindly offered to replace it—we went with the classic pepperoni, and it was great! Thin, crispy, and flavorful. We even dipped it in the leftover quail sauce, and it was chef’s kiss.Overall, I’d rate this place 4 out of 5. The atmosphere was lively, service was excellent, and by the time we left, there was already a long wait (thankfully we had a reservation!). The missing star is just based on personal taste—some dishes were too salty for me, but we still had a great time celebrating.Would we go back? - YES!
April 18 · Anh Nguyen
My friends and I stopped by for dinner after a serious pizza craving. While it was a weekday and the restaurant wasn't overly busy, they did mention a preference for reservations. Thankfully, they were still able to seat us--but we were told upfront that they'd need the table back for a later reservation, which made the experience feel a bit time-sensitive.We ordered a mix of items to share, starting with oysters and two pizzas: pepperoni and greens. The pizzas were decent--crispy and fresh--but not particularly memorable. The real standout for me was surprisingly the oysters. As someone who usually doesn't enjoy oysters, I found theirs genuinely good. The pickle juice mignonette added such a unique and flavorful twist that even I couldn't stop reaching for them.The ambiance leaned more toward romantic date night with its dim lighting, but it still felt casual and laid-back. The service was great--friendly, attentive, and accommodating. Even though we had a limited time at the table, they never made us feel rushed.Overall, it was a nice evening with friends. If you're planning to visit, I'd recommend making a reservation just in case--and note that parking is limited to street parking only.
August 11 · Fiona L
Pork belly with lentils are to die for. The combination of flavors were just out there so much that this IS the go to dish to try. The pizzas are phenomenal. Something about their dough that stands out from the rest. We also ordered the oysters that came with a very spicy salsa yet flavorful and delicious. Burned our mouths but still had us wanting more. The only thing off putting was that they had all their cab wines chilled. I was not a fan of that. Alfredo, our waiter, was knowledgeable and gave us recommendations throughout the service. Hands down, he is the reason why we will be back. We sat outside and enjoyed the evening. They played a mix of tunes which made it pleasant. I WILL be going back and trying the rest of the menu.
April 13 · Ura Yakov
The food was amazing. Everything tasted fresh and delicious. The place is really cute and I loved all the art work. I just got to say it’s not really kid friendly. The hostess told us there would be a wait time and offered to take a drink order while we waited, which I thought was nice of her. My 4 year old daughter ordered a lemonade. She came out with a beautiful fancy looking GLASS cup for my clumsy daughter to accidentally drop. I asked her if she can pour it in a To go cup. She said they do not offer to go cups. Luckily one of the other workers offered a solution he got a ice cream pint container and poked a hole on the lid for the straw. I thought that was very clever. We were the only people there with a kid which made me feel kind of awkward but if the website or social media would of said it’s not really a family restaurant, more of date night bar restaurant I would have not taken my kid. Either way my daughter and I loved our food and had a great time seeing all the art on the way to the restrooms! I’ll definitely be back just with adults though.
May 13 · Lydia Solis