Sharon

Someone said Velvet Turtle? I worked there in 81. I don't think I've ever seen a place quite like it to this day. The chilled bowls in ice for gazpacho and cucumber soup, the presentation of chilled salad forks at the tables, and tableside tossed salad in green goddess dressing, and I have never had anyone remove the shell from a lobster tail like we did there. But let me tell you, the managers were a unique kind of crazy! I remember an older lady, head waitress named BJ with the old fashioned hair "do" sitting on the end barstool drinking till she slurred her words. And Gordon was the very flamboyant bartender/manager he was hilarious and fun, but pretty strict. And Marvin Ziegler saw a mouse in the kitchen but didn't even care because he enjoyed dinner so much. Wait.... I may have mentioned that before. If so, sorry. Fun times there!

We never left Astroworld without one of those mini-loaves of bread!!!

I think Cardi's has its own thread. It was past cool-it was legendary!!!

Yes. It was still a family run business back then, and they were from LA. You probably did not get good service because they were short staffed, due to firing servers for stupid reasons. Lol. They never had enough servers on the floor, front of the house was very poorly managed. The kitchen, however, was run like a well oiled machine. Only the the finest equipment and ingredients-the food was excellent, and a bit pricey. Then it's hurriedly dropped off at your table by a stressed out, sweaty waiter in green polyester.

Let's take a moment to comment on Don's Seafood, one of the first Landry joints. Great food. Between Hillcroft and Post Oak, or thereabouts. In the early 80s, I was running late to work my dinner shift- couldn't get to work from the Gessner area, where l lived- Intersections were all flooded, cars just kind-of floated thru till tires got traction again. Of course no one had brakes going thru that much water. The underpasses were 4-5 feet deep. I didn't realize that till l looked at the stop the sign, and it was only about a foot above the water level. I gunned my little Firebird in reverse, (no brakes) and luckily didn't wind up underwater, or stalling out. They fired me for not covering my shift. Yall stay safe, Houston.

Was it off Gessner near the Woodlake apartments? And, if your in that area now, is it flooding?

Ah yes, Cardis, met my first love there......And The OP(Old Plantation)...on West Alabama, I think?

Texas Cattle Company? Near Hillcroft?

Sharpstown mall was THE BEST. I do remember Princes and Hamburgers by Gourmet. Spoons, on Westheimer made good burgers. I worked there. We actually thought we could compete with Chili's. HA. You see whose still on business and who isnt.... I have vague recollections of Dirtys. BEST burgers, real casual. No one else seems to remember it, though

I think so. But Chi-Chi's was the best. 3 for 1 drinks with free food. I rarely cooked dinner during the week, when l lived in Houston in the 80s

Oooooooohhhhh Tokyo Gardens, sat on the floor.....so good. Such awesome decor.

Will check them out on my next visit to my old hood. I'm ALWAYS ready to find the next great enchilada.

My favorite is LA Hacienda on Memorial, near Dairy Ashford. The cheese enchiladas have not changed in 35 years. And in my opinion, are second to none!

Oh...Tokyo Gradens?

Is that the place that used to have free margaritas and nachos at happy hour?

Dirtys Spoons Velvet Turtle? Old San Francisco Steakhouse (really Target?) Great Mine Company Taco Bueno