We made it! Just thought I'd update for anyone searching.
International transit with United in Houston - bags are checked through, no collection and recheck. Apparently only US airport that does this. Must be recent as no online info.
2 hour transit - very hairy. We ran, queued, ran, queued, ran etc.
Got to gate 2 mins after boarding 'closed' and 8 mins before departure time. Plane then of course didn't leave for 30 mins. Crew were really calm - everyday occurrence for them.
3 bags were unloaded for missed connection I assume. Flight was full otherwise.
Food - signs just talk about meat, nuts, fruit, dairy. Nothing indicating no food at all. No forms either. Carry on snacks were fine and stuff for today was checked through in the end
Queues were a joke - 3 immigration counters. Eventually they got up to 8. So many people! No one sifting out people in a rush. Repeat for cabin bag scans.
May well have been a different story travelling with younger kids. Teens ran fast from e to c terminal and gate to let them know we were coming, with me slower behind 🤣.
Thankfully 3 hrs 40 layover on the way home 🥳