tmariar

Running tally so far...

8 - El Rey (ceviche, Cuban tacos, El Rey tacos, carnitas tacos, fish torta, tacos al pastor, fish tacos, fajita tacos)

7 - Berryhill (fish tacos)

5 - Onion Creek

5 - Lola

3 - Stella Sola (brunch)

3 - Dacapos (sandwiches, custom cakes, cakes, pie by slice)

3 - Star Pizza

3 - Dry Creek (chicken tender salad)

3 - Chilosos (breakfast tacos)

3 - Beaver’s (Nacho Mamma’s oysters)

3 - Someburger

3 - Teotihuacan (fajitas)

3 - Hickory Hollow (chicken-fried steak)

3 - Pink’s (pizza, the Mediterranean)

3 - Big Mamou (hot roast-beef po-boy N.O. style)

3 - JAX Grill

2 - King Biscuit (spicy fries, outdoor grill)

2 - Empire Seafood

2 - Carter and Cooley (sandwiches, honey ham and brie sandwich)

2 - El Tiempo

2 - Chicago Pizza (deep dish)

2 - Pie in the Sky

2 - Mission Burrito

2 - Dragon Bowl

2 - Antidote

2 - Shade

2 - Chatter’s Café

2 - Crickets Creamery (coffee, gelato, vegetarian food)

2 - Jenni’s Noodle House

1 - El Gallo de Jalisco (tacos al pastor)

1 - Sweet Temptation

1 - Patrenellas (lasagna)

1 - Spanish Flowers

1 - Andy’s (“regular” breakfast)

1 - Queen Burger (shakes with stuff in them)

1 - 11^th St. Café

1 - Laredo Taqueria

1 - Pizzitola’s

1 - Candelari’s

1 - Glass Wall

1 - Porch Swing

1 - Boom Boom Room

1 - Cedar Creek

1 - Freebirds

1 - Jus’ Mac

1 - Nundini (paninis, Italian cold cuts)

1 - House of Mam

1 - Otto’s (BBQ)

1 - Bibas Greek Pizza (gyros)

1 - Zoe’s Kitchen

Recapping, the question is which Heights-area places do you eat at or order from most frequently? And:

(1) "Most frequently" - For this purpose, places at which you eat (or from which you order) at least 12 or more times a year

(2) "Heights area" - For this purpose, let's broadly call it the area bounded by Memorial to the south, 610 to the west and north, and 45 to the east

(3) If a place is new, or somewhere you've just discovered, go ahead and include it if your best guess is that you'll easily eat there at least 12 times in the next 12 months

Thanks all!

Running tally so far...

7 - El Rey (ceviche, Cuban tacos, El Rey tacos, carnitas tacos, fish torta)

6 - Berryhill (fish tacos)

5 - Onion Creek

4 - Lola

3 - Stella Sola (brunch)

3 - Dacapos (sandwiches, custom cakes, cakes, pie by slice)

3 - Star Pizza

3 - Dry Creek (chicken tender salad)

3 - Chilosos (breakfast tacos)

3 - Beaver’s (Nacho Mamma’s oysters)

3 - Someburger

2 - King Biscuit (spicy fries, outdoor grill)

2 - Empire Seafood

2 - Carter and Cooley (sandwiches, honey ham and brie sandwich)

2 - Pink’s (Mediterranean)

2 - El Tiempo

2 - Chicago Pizza (deep dish)

2 - Pie in the Sky

2 - Mission Burrito

2 - JAX Grill

2 - Dragon Bowl

2 - Antidote

2 - Hickory Hollow

2 - Shade

2 - Teotihuacan

2 - Chatter’s Café

2 - Big Mamou

1 - El Gallo de Jalisco (tacos al pastor)

1 - Sweet Temptation

1 - Patrenellas (lasagna)

1 - Spanish Flowers

1 - Andy’s (“regular” breakfast)

1 - Queen Burger (shakes with stuff in them)

1 - 11^th St. Café

1 - Laredo Taqueria

1 - Pizzitola’s

1 - Candelari’s

1 - Jenni’s Noodle House

1 - Crickets Creamery (coffee, gelato, vegetarian food)

1 - Glass Wall

1 - Porch Swing

1 - Boom Boom Room

1 - Cedar Creek

1 - Freebirds

1 - Jus’ Mac

I'm guessing Jus' Mac will be eating at/from Jus' Mac at least 12x!

[side musings: It's a question beyond my skill set, but I think it would be interesting to find out more about what puts certain places on our "most-frequented" lists when they might not make our "best in the area" lists. Convenience obviously plays into it to some extent - places close to us, delivery and drive-thru places. Where we socialize is likely another factor (I think it's behind a number of these). The food has to pretty good, I'm sure, even if it's not the best around (if it's the best around, then it's obvious why we're regulars - I'm more interested in the other places we're regulars). Predictability/consistency helps. Perceived value. Habit. Kid-friendly for those with kids (and kid-light for some people without). Dietary issues/preferences. Can I get a much-needed adult beverage there, in some cases. It's a pretty day, where's a nice patio - that's got to be one. Wanting to support a place because it's local or helped save an historic building or puts forth an ideology we like or something. Knowing the owner/chef/bartender is important to some people. And some people will intentionally become a "regular" at a certain place because being a regular there fits in with a notion they have of where they'd like to say they're a regular (and hey, why not). Maybe I'm over-complicating it, or maybe our reasons are even more complex. Like I said - beyond my skill set. But I'm guessing that many of those factors have a role to play in whether a restaurant is a success b/c, while people raving about your restaurant is great, at the end of the day, what makes most restaurants successful will be those 12x regulars. I think. Am guessing.]

Thanks again for the input! If y'all keep listing, I'll keep tallying.

Recapping, the question is which Heights-area places do you eat at or order from most frequently? And:

(1) "Most frequently" - For this purpose, places at which you eat (or from which you order) at least 12 or more times a year

(2) "Heights area" - For this purpose, let's broadly call it the area bounded by Memorial to the south, 610 to the west and north, and 45 to the east

(3) If a place is new, or somewhere you've just discovered, go ahead and include it if your best guess is that you'll easily eat there at least 12 times in the next 12 months

Running tally so far...

6 - El Rey (ceviche, Cuban tacos, El Rey tacos, carnitas tacos, fish torta)

5 - Berryhill (fish tacos)

4 - Lola

4 - Onion Creek

3 - Stella Sola (brunch)

3 - Dacapos (sandwiches, custom cakes, cakes, pie by slice)

3 - Star Pizza

3 - Dry Creek (chicken tender salad)

2 - King Biscuit (spicy fries, outdoor grill)

2 - Empire Seafood

2 - Chilosos (breakfast tacos)

2 - Carter and Cooley (sandwiches, honey ham and brie sandwich)

2 - Beaver’s (Nacho Mamma’s oysters)

2 - Pink’s (Mediterranean)

2 - El Tiempo

2 - Chicago Pizza (deep dish)

2 - Pie in the Sky

2 - Mission Burrito

2 - JAX Grill

2 - Dragon Bowl

2 - Antidote

2 - Hickory Hollow

2 - Someburger

2 - Shade

2 - Teotihuacan

2 - Chatter’s Café

1 - El Gallo de Jalisco (tacos al pastor)

1 - Sweet Temptation

1 - Patrenellas (lasagna)

1 - Spanish Flowers

1 - Andy’s (“regular” breakfast)

1 - Queen Burger (shakes with stuff in them)

1 - 11^th St. Café

1 - Laredo Taqueria

1 - Pizzitola’s

1 - Big Mamou

1 - Candelari’s

1 - Jenni’s Noodle House

1 - Crickets Creamery (coffee, gelato, vegetarian food)

1 - Glass Wall

Recapping, the question is which Heights-area places do you eat at or order from most frequently? And:

(1) "Most frequently" - For this purpose, places at which you eat (or from which you order) at least 12 or more times a year

(2) "Heights area" - For this purpose, let's broadly call it the area bounded by Memorial to the south, 610 to the west and north, and 45 to the east

(3) If a place is new, or somewhere you've just discovered, go ahead and include it if your best guess is that you'll easily eat there at least 12 times in the next 12 months

Cheers, y'all. Pretty interesting stuff! I counted 5+ places I haven't even tried...

Running tally so far...

6 - El Rey (ceviche, Cuban tacos, El Rey tacos, carnitas tacos, fish torta)

4 - Lola

4 - Berryhill (fish tacos)

3 - Onion Creek

3 - Stella Sola (brunch)

3 - Dacapos (sandwiches, custom cakes, cakes, pie by slice)

2 - King Biscuit (spicy fries, outdoor grill)

2 - Empire Seafood

2 - Chilosos (breakfast tacos)

2 - Carter and Cooley (sandwiches, honey ham and brie sandwich)

2 - Dry Creek

2 - Star Pizza

2 - Beaver’s (Nacho Mamma’s oysters)

2 - Pink’s (Mediterranean)

2 - El Tiempo

1 - El Gallo de Jalisco (tacos al pastor)

1 - Sweet Temptation

1 - Patrenellas (lasagna)

1 - Spanish Flowers

1 - Pie in the Sky

1 - Antidote

1 - Chicago Pizza

1 - Andy’s (“regular” breakfast)

1 - Queen Burger (shakes with stuff in them)

1 - 11^th St. Café

1 - Someburger

1 - Laredo Taqueria

1 - Hickory Hollow

1 - Pizzitola’s

1 - Big Mamou

1 - Mission Burrito

1 - JAX Grill

1 - Dragon Bowl

1 - Candelari’s

Recapping, the question is which Heights-area places do you eat at or order from most frequently? And:

(1) "Most frequently" - For this purpose, places at which you eat (or from which you order) at least 12 or more times a year

(2) "Heights area" - For this purpose, let's broadly call it the area bounded by Memorial to the south, 610 to the west and north, and 45 to the east

(3) If a place is new, or somewhere you've just discovered, go ahead and include it if your best guess is that you'll easily eat there at least 12 times in the next 12 months

Thanks for contributing!

Running tally so far...

3 - Onion Creek

3 - El Rey (ceviche, Cuban tacos, El Rey tacos, carnitas tacos)

3 - Stella Sola (brunch)

3 - Lola

2 - King Biscuit (spicy fries, outdoor grill)

2 - Berryhill (fish tacos)

2 - Empire Seafood

2 - Chilosos (breakfast tacos)

2 - Carter and Cooley (sandwiches, honey ham and brie sandwich)

2 - Dacapos (sandwiches, custom cakes, cakes, pie by slice)

2 - Dry Creek

2 - Star Pizza

2 - Beaver’s (Nacho Mamma’s oysters)

1 - Pink’s (Mediterranean)

1 - El Gallo de Jalisco (tacos al pastor)

1 - Sweet Temptation

1 - Patrenellas (lasagna)

1 - Spanish Flowers

1 - Pie in the Sky

1 - Antidote

1 - Chicago Pizza

1 - Andy’s (“regular” breakfast)

1 - Queen Burger (shakes with stuff in them)

1 - 11^th St. Café

1 - El Tiempo

Recapping, the question is which Heights-area places do you eat at or order from most frequently? And:

(1) "Most frequently" - For this purpose, places at which you eat (or from which you order) at least 12 or more times a year

(2) "Heights area" - For this purpose, let's broadly call it the area bounded by Memorial to the south, 610 to the west and north, and 45 to the east

(3) If a place is new, or somewhere you've just discovered, go ahead and include it if your best guess is that you'll easily eat there at least 12 times in the next 12 months

Thanks for the lists!

Running tally so far...

2 - King Biscuit (spicy fries, outdoor grill)

2 - Berryhill (fish tacos)

2 - Empire Seafood

2 - Chilosos (breakfast tacos)

2 - Carter and Cooley (sandwiches, honey ham and brie sandwich)

2 - El Rey (ceviche, Cuban tacos, El Rey tacos, carnitas tacos)

1 - Beaver’s (Nacho Mamma’s oysters)

1 - Pink’s (Mediterranean)

1 - El Gallo de Jalisco (tacos al pastor)

1 - Sweet Temptation

1 - Patrenellas (lasagna)

1 - Spanish Flowers

1 - Stella Sola

1 - Dacapos (sandwiches, custom cakes)

1 - Onion Creek

1 - Lola

1 - Pie in the Sky

1 - Dry Creek

1 - Antidote

1 - Chicago Pizza

1 - Andy’s (“regular” breakfast)

1 - Queen Burger (shakes with stuff in them)

Recapping, the question is which Heights-area places do you eat at or order from most frequently, and:

(1) "Most frequently" - For this purpose, places at which you eat (or from which you order) at least 12 or more times a year

(2) "Heights area" - For this purpose, let's broadly call it the area bounded by Memorial to the south, 610 to the west and north, and 45 to the east

(3) If a place is new, or somewhere you've just discovered, go ahead and include it if your best guess is that you'll easily eat there at least 12 times in the next 12 months

It interests me because, at least in my case, there's a difference between my "favorite" local spots food-wise and where I actually eat or order from regularly. 12x per year was a somewhat arbitrary cut-off, but I figured that would keep most people's lists at about 10 places or under.

If there are more lists to come, I'll keep up the running tally - thanks!

Interested to hear what Heights-area restaurants y'all eat at (or order from) most frequently, and if you have a standard order there.

To keep us on the same page:

(1) "Most frequently" - For this purpose, places at which you eat (or from which you order) at least 12 or more times a year

(2) "Heights area" - For this purpose, let's broadly call it the area bounded by Memorial to the south, 610 to the west and north, and 45 to the east

(3) If a place is new, or somewhere you've just discovered, go ahead and include it if your best guess is that you'll easily eat there at least 12 times in the next 12 months

I think that the above criteria narrow my list down to just the below places. If there's something I order more often than not, I've listed it also.

- King Biscuit (spicy fries)

- Beaver’s (Nacho Mamma’s oysters)

- Pink’s (Mediterranean)

- El Gallo de Jalisco (tacos al pastor)

- El Rey (ceviche)

Anyone else want to share their list? If a number of people respond, I'll keep a running tally.

I think the filling station came up once in another thread. In case it helps, looking quickly, I saw the following city directory information for 1402 Oxford (and 1404 Oxford):

In 1936-38, in 1940, and in 1942, the listing for that address is the "Oxford Street Service Station".

In 1936-38, a Mrs. Frances Schauer is listed as living next door, at 1404 Oxford.

In 1940 and 1942, Frederick R. Schauer is listed as living next door, at 1404 Oxford.

And it looks from a quick search online that, when it was constructed in 1929, it was known as the "Schauer Filling Station".

Someone with the maiden name "Schauer" is mentioned in the acknowledgments section of Ann Sloane's new book of Heights photos. Assuming she's part of the same Schauer family, she might be a good person to contact regarding old photos of the filling station.

Thanks!

FWIW, I don't believe the author of that article intended to suggest anything about the level of general criminal activity in the Heights. The article focused on a specific criminal activity, the string of arson incidents, and referenced the Heights as the center of criminal activity for that reason. The center of the arson incidents, not all criminal activity in Houston. The author probably should have said "a center" rather than "the center", but I still think the author's intent is pretty apparent in context.

I like them a lot. And they've gotten some recognition in the press.

I also like the little El Gallo de Jalisco taqueria that's right across the street from this prospective location. Maybe both could make it at that intersection.

I heard it would be a second location, not a move. If it happens.

The TABC sign mentioned something to the effect that Tacos a-go-go applied for the license for some place that included "Club" in the name. Sorry, that's vague, but the fact that the name had "Club" in it might indicate that, yes, they are going for private club status.

Yeah, I saw that, too. I think that was probably what made me think they might be applying for a private club license. Their tacos are good enough that they probably wouldn't have to serve beer, but I bet they'd prefer to have the option.

The raw video I just saw on Ch. 11's site was a police officer saying they would do it "next Friday" and are going to have cops at the building 24/7 until then to make sure people don't go in and cars don't park there. Don't know if that's the official word, it's just what I saw.

If anyone is interested I have two names for the above station which was not really a station by itself it was also a shop.

The very first name I have heard given to this i "Shauer's Garage". Came from family members seeing as my Grandfather bough gas and had some maintance done from them.

But theres still a sticker on the door of the car that says the following.

Harley R. Weyand

Gulf

1402 Oxford St

Houston, Texas

862-1584

The service sticker is dated 10-25-79. So it is fully possible that this "station" used to b Shauer's Garage and then became Harley R. Weyand Gulf. Either way I have phyical proof that it was atleast Harley R. Weyand Gulf station that also did services. The sticker said the transmission and axle was checked.

It's near that you stil have that sticker! I can check some other directories later, but I checked quickly and saw a listing at this address in a 1930's directory for "Oxford Street Service Station".

The house does look nice.

It looked this morning like they were putting the finishing touches next door on the strip center's tile work - I like it.

And then I saw a TABC sign outside Indian Summer Lodge that mentions Tacos-A-Go-Go having applied for a license for the location. I didn't have a camera with me, unfortunately. That's in the dry zone, but maybe they're trying to get a private club license like Shade has?

There's a newspaper article/ad on sale on Ebay for MKT Station Houston. It would not let me post the picture here.

I think I saw the same article on ebay. I really hate it when I see old books, magazines, and newspapers chopped up in an attempt to make more money off them. Here's a copy of the article(not from ebay):

Depending on the depth of research you're planning to do, I'd consider some or all of the following:

(1) Looking at the various past threads on the houses on HAIF.

(2) Talking to someone at the Houston Metropolitan Research Center. They can be very helpful, but call first as I think their hours are or will be different because of the construction at the Ideson building.

(3) Looking for archival material on the architects/homes/neighborhood on TARO. Looking quickly, I saw:

Oscar Holcombe Collection @ HMRC ("Of particular interest is the material available on the development of the Herman Park and Braes Bayou areas of Houston during the 1920's. Blue print drawings and reports are included in the collection.")

A Guide to the Hogg Family Papers, 1895-1948 ("1929-1935 MacGregor Drive Development Company")

(4) Searching old Galveston newspaper articles on newspaperarchive.com - you can often find a lot of information there just on your computer. [speaking of which, I would LOVE to see a Press story sometime on why Houstonians have such poor access (compared to other major cities) to the wealth of historical information contained in the Post and Chron archives. Rumors abound.]

Good luck with the article!

A Chronicle article on Ruggles Green earlier this month mentioned that the Ruggles on Westheimer will "reopen this fall".

Keep forgetting to add that I noticed a few days ago that Aunt Mike's (NE corner of White Oak and Arlington) appears to have vacated its building.

HCAD says the building dates to 1950 - I'd figured it was older. The owner is (still?) listed as someone named Michael, so maybe he's just going to put something different in the space?

I don't mind the original look of the strip center, and think the update looks even nicer - though that just comes down to personal aesthetics, I suppose. Apart from personal aesthetics, though, things I like about the update: (1) it's respectful of the building's original lines; (2) it's retaining a style that to me echoes other older buildings in the neighborhood, per post 119 above (though someone who knows more about architecture may say I'm totally wrong on that score); and (3) the more money that's put into updating the building, the less likely it is (I assume) to be replaced by something along the lines of the new owner's original conception.

If the same guy still owns it, my recollection is that at least at the time the original rendering was unveiled on White Oak, he lived in one of those residential high-rises on Allen Pkwy.

i agree it's not a museum and i am in favor of smart development in the heights. i have said many times on this forum that i wish more new construction would reflect the time period in which it was built, rather than pretend to be something its not. there are some great craftsman style homes that are thoroughly modern on 16th which reflect this, as well as the white "modern vic" previously discussed on this board. as far as it not being a theme park- that is my issue with this building. it looks like it belongs in a theme park. i half expect to see an old timey photo booth where you can dress up as a flapper or wear a zoot suit. i think it's ugly. it's not about the act of restoration in and of itself. it's specific to this building. to me this building has always looked like a cheapy that went up in the 80s with no architectural merit. the fact that i am wrong about that is great but that doesn't mean i have to love what it is about to become. and i think "vitriol" is a very strong word.

the beauty of the building on the corner of 11th and Yale is that something was discovered under years of poor renovation and redevelopment; that something was given a second life with that restoration. i just have my doubts that the original building we are discussing here looked at all like the current rendering. i could easily be wrong, but i have my doubts. i also have residual issue with the developer due to his prior plans. the fact that he thought a high rise on white oak was a good idea makes me skeptical about him, his current project and his level of caring or understanding about where he is building. that is an emotional reaction to the project. i know that. yeah yeah- he's probably a nice guy and lives here and loves it and thinks he's doing the right thing and whatever else. i just couldn't buy that if you tried to sell it to me.

Scaffolding and other equipment around the building. It looks like they have started renovations. Anyone know whats going to end up in the building?

I know the rendering doesn't guarantee anything, but I'm hoping for a restaurant.

Hadn't heard about this until today, and didn't see it posted elsewhere (if so, pls delete!). This sounds like the old Timber Wolf location.

I don't know if my opinion would count as I left Houston in 1959, but grew up there from 1936-1959. As a Girl Scout in Harris County I would spent at least one or two weeks at Camp Tejas Girl Scout camp next door to the Jim West Masion. At that time the scouts had permission to use the swimming pool at the Masion. I remember peeking throught the windows of the deserted mansion and wishing with all my heart I could live there someday. We scouts loved the beautiful old home, and hated to see it not being cared for in the 40's. It would be such a shame to tear down this wonderful old place representing the great past.

The boys orphanage was across the inlet from the Girl Scout camp. As Scouts we rowed on Clear Lake when it was CLEAR and clean. My great aunt taught Webster HS teaching English and Latin, she produced Shakespearian plays for several years in that school. So many wonderful memories of days gone by.

Thanks so much for posting your memories of the mansion and the area, Sue! I know from having grown up in Clear Lake in the 70's and 80's that not many people knew much of its history in the period you lived there. I would love to hear more. If you ever have time to share some stories in the Coastal Prairie or Historic Houston sub-forums, I bet others would be interested as well. I know that not many people remember the orphanage, for example, though I think there is an historical marker at the location.

That sounds like maybe good news - thanks!