Spring’s Belly of the Beast Earns Spot on 2025 MICHELIN Guide Texas Bib Gourmand List
Spring’s acclaimed Belly of the Beast has officially joined the ranks of Texas restaurants recognized for excellence and value, earning a coveted Bib Gourmand distinction in the 2025 MICHELIN Guide Texas.
The Bib Gourmand category, awarded to just eight new Texas restaurants this year, honors eateries that deliver outstanding cuisine at a great value — a hallmark of the Guide’s focus on accessibility and quality. The announcement was made during the MICHELIN Guide Texas 2025 Ceremony at Houston’s Wortham Theater Center, where 140 restaurants statewide were honored across multiple categories, including 18 One MICHELIN Star and four Green Star establishments.
"From the very beginning, Belly of the Beast has been a labor of love — built on heart, grit, and the belief that food has the power to connect people. To be recognized once again at this level means more than words can express," said Chef Thomas and his wife Elizabeth on social media.
Governor Greg Abbott praised the honorees for “making Texas the best place to live, work, and dine,” while Travel Texas Director Tim Fennell celebrated the Guide’s ability to “make history, recognizing our state’s longstanding barbecue traditions and incredible diversity of flavors.”
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Located at 5200 FM 2920 Rd Ste 180, Spring, TX 77388, Belly of the Beast is led by chef-owner Thomas Bille and his wife and co-owner Elizabeth Bille. The restaurant first opened in Old Town Spring in 2020 and relocated to its current space in 2023, where its intimate setting and inventive dishes have captivated diners.
Chef Bille — a Los Angeles native who previously worked at Otium under renowned chef Timothy Hollingsworth — brings together his Mexican-American heritage, fine-dining skill, and passion for storytelling through food. MICHELIN Inspectors highlighted Belly of the Beast for its “vibrant flavors, heartfelt service, and creative use of local ingredients that elevate comfort dishes into something memorable.”
Menu standouts include street-corn agnolotti, cherry mole duck, and tuna tostadas with serrano-lime crema — each showcasing Bille’s ability to fuse global influences with Texas ingredients. The restaurant’s thoughtful plating and warm hospitality make it a standout among Greater Houston’s growing list of culinary destinations.
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This latest honor builds on an impressive list of prior achievements. In the 2024 MICHELIN Guide Texas, Belly of the Beast was recognized as a Recommended Restaurant, praised for its soulful, inventive cooking. The same year, the restaurant was named one of the Houston Chronicle’s “Top 10 Best New Restaurants,” and Chef Thomas Bille was longlisted for the 2025 James Beard Award for Best Chef: Texas. The restaurant has also been featured by Edible Houston and Community Impact for its dedication to local sourcing and its creative revival after the pandemic.
Houston-area restaurants also celebrated major wins in this year’s MICHELIN Guide, including March, Bludorn, Golfstrommen, and Nancy’s Hustle, alongside new One-Star winners Isidore and Nicosi in San Antonio and Mamani in Dallas.
For Spring residents, Belly of the Beast’s Bib Gourmand recognition is more than just an award — it’s a celebration of passion, perseverance, and community pride. In a region known for its diversity and heart, this small-but-mighty restaurant has proven that world-class dining doesn’t require white tablecloths — just creativity, care, and flavor worth every bite.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
