[u080570]

I stopped by Mings (near the corner of Montrose and Westheimer) yesterday for some take-out and there is a sign on their door thanking everyone for their support....

Sorry to see them leave the neighborhood....

[ricco67]

u080570, on Wednesday, August 6th, 2008 @ 6:13am, said:

I stopped by Mings (near the corner of Montrose and Westheimer) yesterday for some take-out and there is a sign on their door thanking everyone for their support....

Sorry to see them leave the neighborhood....

WHAT??

Tell me you're kidding. I was going there tonight for dinner.

Great, now I'm too bummed to sleep.

[memebag]

Eh. Ming's gave me food poisoning a long time ago. Head south to Kam's. Best chinese food inside the loop.

[Trae]

Ming's? Same as Yao's restaurant?

[Pumapayam]

u080570, on Wednesday, August 6th, 2008 @ 6:13am, said:

I stopped by Mings (near the corner of Montrose and Westheimer) yesterday for some take-out and there is a sign on their door thanking everyone for their support....

Sorry to see them leave the neighborhood....

That makes no sense, everyone, especially the local neighborhood, supported that joint.

Must be a lease issue or the land was too valuable for them to pay taxes on.

[sevfiv]

Definitely not Yao's restaurant.

What is it with the old standards closing up? First Chicken n Egg Roll, now Ming's

[ToolMan]

This is the worst news I've heard so far this month.

[sheeats]

Sad news, indeed.

I'm going to be grumpy and snippy all morning now. I hate hearing news like this.

[jayshoota]

That is bad news. I loved this place...

[Original Timmy Chan's]

Add me to the "this sucks" list. Ming's had become my favorite Chinese place. I just ate there last week...and finished the leftovers this weekend!

OK memebag, where's Kam's?

I guess I've also got more reason to try 888 now.

[travelguy_73]

Both 888 and Kam's (down Montrose near the 59 underpass) are awesome.

[ricco67]

travelguy_73, on Wednesday, August 6th, 2008 @ 6:48pm, said:

Both 888 and Kam's (down Montrose near the 59 underpass) are awesome.

Well,you don't have to sell me on 888, didn't know there was one in the 'Trose. But I guess I'll give Kam's a shot.

Mings was more convenient, though.

[memebag]

Original Timmy Chan, on Wednesday, August 6th, 2008 @ 6:47pm, said:

OK memebag, where's Kam's?

travelguy_73, on Wednesday, August 6th, 2008 @ 6:48pm, said:

Both 888 and Kam's (down Montrose near the 59 underpass) are awesome.

What he said, sorta. Head south on Montrose from Ming's and Kam's is on your right, just after Nippon. Parking in the rear, or on the other side of Montrose behind the big house that looks like it used to be a funeral home. If you go, check out the pan fried dumplings, the bo luc lac, the ginger beef and the fried rice. Oh, baby, that's making me hungry.

[groovehouse]

Ming's had the best bubbly wrapper eggrolls. All the other Chinese restaurants I eat at serve those crappy, wafer thin, spring roll type eggrolls.

Does Kam's or 888 have bubbly wrapper eggrolls or those other weak kind?

Ming's closing is truly sad news.

This post has been edited by groovehouse: Thursday, August 7, 2008 at 2:32 PM

[memebag]

groovehouse, on Thursday, August 7th, 2008 @ 2:31pm, said:

Does Kam's or 888 have bubbly wrapper eggrolls or those other weak kind?

Bubble wrap egg rolls? I think you're talking about American-style egg rolls. I dunno, I never get egg rolls at Kam's. Try the pan fried pork dumplings.

[rsb320]

Somebody told me that they were moving Downtown or to Midtown. I was going to pick something up there yesterday but ended up going to Niko Niko's. I'm going to check out Kam's.

Does anyone remember when Ming's location used to be a hotdog place (Frank's or something)? We could use one of those again.

Who has tried Aladdin, right by the old Ming's?

[crunchtastic]

rsb320, on Tuesday, August 12th, 2008 @ 8:22am, said:

Does anyone remember when Ming's location used to be a hotdog place (Frank's or something)? We could use one of those again.

Aladdin, right by the old Ming's?

Big Franks. Yum! I remember going there a lot back in the 80s (nothing like giant hotdogs on the corner of Westheimer and Montrose). I was not impressed with Aladdin. Expensive I thought for your basic schwarma and sides. I think Fendee down the street on Westheimer is a little better. But then I'm pretty much a Niko Nikos loyalist. For the really good stuff, I head to Beautiful Southwest Houston for Lebanese (Cafe Lili).

This post has been edited by crunchtastic: Tuesday, August 12, 2008 at 9:32 AM

[skwatra]

rsb320, on Tuesday, August 12th, 2008 @ 8:22am, said:

Who has tried Aladdin, right by the old Ming's?

i wasn't too impressed with aladdin, its authentic but pretty basic. nothing special. i love niko niko's too, but wouldn't compare the two as its a completely different style (americanized greek vs Mediterranean).

i went to kam's once, didn't really like it. i'll have to go try something else. its been several years.
someone mentioned 888, i've to the one on 45, is there one off Montrose?

I went to Montrose Chinese (just north of Niko Nikos) which was pretty authentic Cantonese. i think they'll be my delivery place for now on.

[ricco67]

Well, I went by mings yesterday and actually read the sign. It mentioned "Austin Location" but it gave no details.

now I AM wondering if they opened up a new location and possibly closed this one over tax or lease disputes.

[Original Timmy Chan's]

Right across the street from old Ming's is BB's Restaurant. I tried them out for the first time last week, and really enjoyed their po-boys.

I've been hearing about them for quite some time now on the UH message boards. It's owned by Brooks Bassler, who played basketball and was also a high jumper at UH. Also comes from a very prodigious UH athletic family (dad and brother played football for UH, sister was a decathlete for UH.)

Anyways, I really enjoyed their po-boys (tried the oyster and the roast beef), and I've heard good things about their gumbo. I was very disappointed in the bread pudding; it was one of the worst I've ever had. It was also fairly pricy...in the same range as eating at Niko Niko's, which is not exactly a cheap dining experience.

Another plus for night owls, they're open late...till 4 am on the weekends, I believe until 2 am on Thursday night. They do serve beer and daiquiris.

[Saddleman]

http://houstonist.co..._jian_mings.php

The Houstonist talked about it last week. They even mention HAIF and have pictures.

[crunchtastic]

Original Timmy Chan, on Tuesday, August 12th, 2008 @ 6:44pm, said:

Right across the street from old Ming's is BB's Restaurant. I tried them out for the first time last week, and really enjoyed their po-boys.

Thumbs up for BBs. I had a shrimp po-boy that was very good. As good as some I've had from family.
I understood from the guy there that they do buy seasonal oysters, so once the fat ones come back in season, I'll have to try one. I hope they do well. Parking is a delicate flower at lunch though, word's got out.

[Original Timmy Chan's]

crunchtastic, on Tuesday, August 12th, 2008 @ 11:36pm, said:

Thumbs up for BBs. I had a shrimp po-boy that was very good. As good as some I've had from family.
I understood from the guy there that they do buy seasonal oysters, so once the fat ones come back in season, I'll have to try one. I hope they do well. Parking is a delicate flower at lunch though, word's got out.

The roast beef po-boy was amazing. I might have to get one tonight!

[musicman]

crunchtastic, on Tuesday, August 12th, 2008 @ 11:36pm, said:

Thumbs up for BBs. I had a shrimp po-boy that was very good.

I"ll have to try the place again. i had a good recommendation so i went however whatever i ordered was mediocre

[memebag]

ricco67, on Wednesday, August 6th, 2008 @ 7:50pm, said:

Well,you don't have to sell me on 888, didn't know there was one in the 'Trose.

There isn't. Maybe folks are confusing it with 3-6-9?

[Jax]

It sucks that Ming's is gone. The corner of Westheimer is really starting to become empty. Not that I ever went to Blockbuster, but now there's a huge vacant Blockbuster and a vacant MIng's on the same corner (almost). Vacant buildings suck.

I'll have to try Kam's one day too, but it seems to be more expensive than Ming's. When I walk by it always seems to be filled with older people (not necessarily a bad thing but the demographic really seems different than Ming's).

[memebag]

Jax, on Wednesday, August 13th, 2008 @ 8:33am, said:

I'll have to try Kam's one day too, but it seems to be more expensive than Ming's. When I walk by it always seems to be filled with older people (not necessarily a bad thing but the demographic really seems different than Ming's).

Yeah, if you're young you should stay out of Kam's. We don't need your type eating our bo luc lac. And stay out of my yard.

[infinite_jim]

musicman, on Wednesday, August 13th, 2008 @ 6:08am, said:

i went however whatever i ordered was mediocre

.

Growing up in cajun country gives ya some idea about where I'm coming from.
My buddy did the design & CD's for this place, owner went cheap, overall pretty dissatisfied w/ the architectural result of the remodel.
I miss alfredo's tbh

edit:
fyi
the chef from Kams recently moved on to open "369" at westheimer&montrose

This post has been edited by infinite_jim: Friday, August 15, 2008 at 11:07 AM

[sabasushi]

crunchtastic, on Tuesday, August 12th, 2008 @ 9:31am, said:

Big Franks. Yum! I remember going there a lot back in the 80s (nothing like giant hotdogs on the corner of Westheimer and Montrose). I was not impressed with Aladdin. Expensive I thought for your basic schwarma and sides. I think Fendee down the street on Westheimer is a little better. But then I'm pretty much a Niko Nikos loyalist. For the really good stuff, I head to Beautiful Southwest Houston for Lebanese (Cafe Lili).

Was this hotdog place a drive-in? The reason I'm asking is that I noticed that there was a window on the west side (facing the Montrose street) of the building that looked as if it was used as a drive-in window at one point.

[ssullivan]

WHAT? Ming's was always so busy! They didn't have the best Chinese food, but it was always reliably good and fast. And those egg rolls were the best in Houston.

Do they still have the Three Dragons place out in Westchase on Wilcrest at Briar Forest? It's been years since I've been out there, but back in the days when I lived in Westchase it was a regular stop on the way home from work for take-out. Three Dragons had the same menu as Ming's, and the food was almost as good.

I agree that Kam's is great, and I've heard great things about 3-6-9, which I haven't tried yet. However, Ming's and Kam's were really very different concepts. Ming's was the place to go for take-out or a fast meal; Kam's was always the place to go for a nicer dining experience, with waiters, and candles and white tablecloths.

Now I wish I had made one last stop at Ming's before I moved. It's probably been about a year since I've eaten there.

[sevfiv]

Look's like we're getting a burger (slider) place:

The owners of Midtown's Reef restaurant have signed a five-year lease (with a five-year option) to take over the former Ming's Cafe on Montrose to open a late-night slider-and-shake hangout.

Partners Bill Floyd and Bryan Caswell wanted to buy the 1,300-square-foot building, but the owner wasn't willing to sell, because he owns the properties on either side.

The restaurant is expected to open Dec. 1 after it's remodeled and new patios built on three sides of the structure, which is just north of Westheimer at 2703 Montrose. Most of the 135 seats will be outdoors.

The new operation will be called Little Big's and specialize in sliders — or mini hamburgers — fries, onion rings and shakes. It will sell beer and wine, too.

http://www.chron.com...ff/6026325.html

[crunchtastic]

Is anyone else tired of the 'slider' phenom? When Aramark turns up with a 'slider grille' at Minute Maid Park, I think it's safe to say the food fad has jumped the shark. Unless you're White Castle.

[ricco67]

I read that and it seems like it is going to provide some competition to that cajun place across the street for late night fare.

Knowing that Westheimer is getting to be known for the variety of eateries (up to Dunvale), I wonder if this entire area is eventually going to be more known for its dining options than "gay" section of town.

[neverfull]

ricco67, on Monday, September 29th, 2008 @ 1:36pm, said:

Knowing that Westheimer is getting to be known for the variety of eateries (up to Dunvale), I wonder if this entire area is eventually going to be more known for its dining options than "gay" section of town.

i think you mean dunlavy, not dunvale.

[ricco67]

neverfull, on Monday, September 29th, 2008 @ 1:51pm, said:

i think you mean dunlavy, not dunvale.

Yeah, that's what I meant. Those two streets throw me off quite a bit.

Still going to be interesting to see what that street is going to be like in the future.

[SecondTour]

We lost our Thursday night motorcycle hang-out. Maybe this will be a worthy replacement. I still ride out to Austin occasionally to see Fai and eat at the other Ming's.

[Jax]

Looks like something is about to replace the old Ming's...
http://blogs.chron.c...ext_lateni.html

[rsb320]

Jax, on Monday, November 24th, 2008 @ 4:18pm, said:

Looks like something is about to replace the old Ming's...
http://blogs.chron.c...ext_lateni.html

I had a PoBoy at BB's Sunday and I noticed some brickwork had been done on the outside at Ming's.

Um, what's a 'slider'? At first, I thought it was an oyster, but oysters and milk shakes???

[rsb320]

Okay, I looked it up and it's supposed to be spelled Slyder. It's like a White Castle burger - Can't wait.

[mkultra25]

Huh? I've seen it spelled "slider" for as long as I can remember. I've never seen it spelled "slyder". Where'd you see this?

[rsb320]

mkultra25, on Tuesday, November 25th, 2008 @ 11:06am, said:

Huh? I've seen it spelled "slider" for as long as I can remember. I've never seen it spelled "slyder". Where'd you see this?

Wikipedia.com

"Slider (officially spelled Slyder), a hamburger sold by the White Castle restaurant chain"

Or, maybe it's taken from this: "Naval slang for a cheeseburger" - spelled Slider.

This post has been edited by rsb320: Tuesday, November 25, 2008 at 12:42 PM

[crunchtastic]

heh, "slyder" could be the hair-band variant spelling.

[sowanome]

rsb320, on Tuesday, November 25th, 2008 @ 12:59pm, said:

Okay, I looked it up and it's supposed to be spelled Slyder. It's like a White Castle burger - Can't wait.

Slider's are all the rage and they are a lot better than White Castle burgers..They are basically mini burgers (1/3 the size of a regular burger), and you can get anything from pulled pork to Vegan sliders....Really good and 3 will usually do the job.

[rsb320]

sowanome, on Tuesday, November 25th, 2008 @ 12:43pm, said:

Slider's are all the rage and they are a lot better than White Castle burgers..They are basically mini burgers (1/3 the size of a regular burger), and you can get anything from pulled pork to Vegan sliders....Really good and 3 will usually do the job.

Quizno's has Sammies, now we have Sliders. Oh, and what about Tapas? We seem to be trending to miniature foods.

A restaurant in this location and with its hours of operation should do a killer business.

[Texmex1]

SecondTour, on Thursday, October 23rd, 2008 @ 3:06pm, said:

We lost our Thursday night motorcycle hang-out. Maybe this will be a worthy replacement. I still ride out to Austin occasionally to see Fai and eat at the other Ming's.

Ming's will be missed on Thursday nights, but there ar several places to get a good bike night going...
I wish Alabama Ice House had a kitchen...

[SecondTour]

Texmex1, on Monday, December 1st, 2008 @ 12:36am, said:

but there ar several places to get a good bike night going...
I wish Alabama Ice House had a kitchen...

Yeah, but they do have that big heater going during the winter months.


On a related note; I drove by the old Ming's location today. Man, that is some kind of huge deck they have going. It dwarfs the old Ming's deck. This thing is from the sidewalk on Montrose to the fence between Ming's & the parking lot next door. The old Tallow tree is still there, nice that they kept it. Kind of strange seeing it converted when I think of how many years I ate at Ming's every Thursday night.

[musicman]

drove by here yesterday i believe it said open.

[ricco67]

thats because it was.
i was very surprised to see that it was and i snuck in just before closing time..
the burgers are OK ,but i will go back a couple of times before i pass judgement.

[jim1126]

Went today and were amazed at how GOOD this place was. The beef and chicken sliders were both superb (the beef being JUST like the ones at Reef). Nice wines by the glass. With the big patio, this place is a great fit for the neighborhood and... boy was it good!!!

[Jax]

It doesn't sounds that interesting to me (small burgers?) but if I keep reading good stuff about it, I might have to check it out.