Trevor Noah and a Mystery Woman Enjoy a Special South African Meal in Houston

It’s not every day you meet the host of The Daily Show. And it’s even rarer that you serve him at a restaurant. But this rare double happened at Peli Peli, Houston’s beloved haven for South African eats.

Trevor Noah stopped in for a meal at the popular location at 9090 Katy Freeway.

The 35-year-old Noah was in Houston this weekend for his “Loud and Clear” comedy tour, for a show at Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in The Woodlands. It looks like Noah must have been homesick, craving some of his favorite South African dishes before the show.

Peli Peli customers and its owners alike were shocked when Noah, comedian, television host and best-selling author, showed Saturday.

Peli Peli’s Thomas Nguyen had extended an invitation to Noah’s team earlier, but the invite was met with radio silence.

“We tried, but his people never responded. So it was quite a surprise when we did see him,” Peli Peli Hospitality Group culinary director Ryan Stewart tells PaperCity.

Stewart couldn’t believe it. “Oh man, I was really nervous. I was doing a catering gig in the back, and one of my employees came to me and said ‘Someone just spent quite a bit of money on food, and he looks like Trevor Noah,’ ” Stewart laughs.

“I went out, and it was Trevor Noah.”

Stewart, a fellow South African, held back from the table while Noah enjoyed his Cornish hen and signature Peri Peri chicken, tossed in blitz sauce, accompanied by a trio of friends, a woman and two men.

Actually, the woman in question may have been more than just a friend.

“I’m thinking it’s his girlfriend, they were kissing, so I assume it’s his girlfriend,” Stewart says. Noah broke up with his girlfriend Jordyn Taylor, who he dated for four years, last summer. There hasn’t been much chatter about his dating life since.

After their meal, which lasted just over a half hour, the star-struck Stewart approached the table.

“I brought up some courage and went out there. I was shaking. We chatted and he took a photo with me,” Stewart says.

Noah was down-to-earth, taking the time to take photos with several diners.

Stewart notes that Noah was more than satisfied with his meal. “He loved it. We said we really appreciated him coming out. He really enjoyed it,” Stewart says.