My Houston recommendations:
Spec's downtown- cheapest Padron ani's in Houston. priced at or near cost.
decent selection of other smokes but nothing special. It's a huge liquor store and I suspect they make next to no money on cigars so for many smokes, they sell them at damn near cost. If there is a mark-up, it can't be more than a few cents per stick.
Serious cigars- huge walk-in, tons of good smokes, knowledgeable staff, lots of promo events, probably the best all around store in Houston. also a great mail order place. check out their website.
www.seriouscigars.com
The Briar Shoppe- cool store/sh!tty prices. average to boring selection of smokes but they also specialize in pipes and single malt scotches. Go for the scotch and other accesories. skip the overpriced cigars in their modest walk-in. I believe they are an official Fuente dealer so they get Opus/Anejos regularly, but better get in good with the management. I tried to pick up some Anejos once and they told me they got one box earlier in the week and sold it unopened to a regular... well good for him I guess
I haven't been back.
Cigar Emporium- this is my neighborhood shop. not a huge walk-in but not a lot of BS cigars either, just the good stuff. the husband/wife owners are very knowledgeable and stock all the brands we drool over. Pepin, Tats, Cabaiguan, Riqueza, LFD, Padron, Casa Magna, Camacho. Prices are fair. lounge is nice too, with leather couches and a big TV.
There are a ton of places in Houston, these are just the ones I can honestly give my personal opinion on.