KinkaidAlum Posted April 2, 2012 Share Posted April 2, 2012 This building has SO much potential for a restaurant/bar.Personally, I'd love to see a relatively "local" chain move there like a Chuy's, El Tiempo, lil Pappasitos, etc... They'd have the staying power to keep it open for a bit until it gains it's legs but that second floor patio is screaming for a full-service Tex-Mex joint that serves good drinks.I would definitely venture downtown a few times a year to hit up a place like that just to sit on the patio and spend a few hours getting sloshed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arrodiii Posted May 23, 2012 Share Posted May 23, 2012 Will open Saturday, according to Culture Maphttp://houston.culturemap.com/newsdetail/05-22-12-crazy-good-a-78-year-old-opens-up-a-new-restaurant-bibas-on-main-vows-to-help-save-dead-downtown/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockmat Posted May 23, 2012 Share Posted May 23, 2012 It'll be open 24 hours Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houston19514 Posted May 23, 2012 Share Posted May 23, 2012 Cool. Also, I walked by the former Cabo's a couple days ago. It appears work is being done inside to prepare for a new occupant. Anyone know anything? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kylejack Posted May 23, 2012 Share Posted May 23, 2012 Cool. Also, I walked by the former Cabo's a couple days ago. It appears work is being done inside to prepare for a new occupant. Anyone know anything?Still for least afaik. Could be they're just knocking out all the internal construction to make it more leaseable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsb320 Posted May 24, 2012 Share Posted May 24, 2012 Cool. Also, I walked by the former Cabo's a couple days ago. It appears work is being done inside to prepare for a new occupant. Anyone know anything?I just noticed yesterday that they've papered over the windows. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kylejack Posted May 24, 2012 Share Posted May 24, 2012 (edited) I just noticed yesterday that they've papered over the windows. I peeked. They've ripped out the booths, but not a ton going on. I did notice the For Lease signs are gone, so it could be that something's coming in. Edited May 24, 2012 by kylejack Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LTAWACS Posted May 24, 2012 Share Posted May 24, 2012 Uh... what cuisine? Greek? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kylejack Posted May 24, 2012 Share Posted May 24, 2012 Uh... what cuisine? Greek?Yes. Also, he says he's going to have "the best pizza downtown", whatever that's worth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsb320 Posted May 24, 2012 Share Posted May 24, 2012 I peeked.They've ripped out the booths, but not a ton going on. I did notice the For Lease signs are gone, so it could be that something's coming in.The Cabo comments should probably be moved to the Cabo topic. Anyway, I just walked by (Cabo). Some dudes were walking out the back door. I asked "Who's moving in." One just giggled and said "Nobody". I did not believe him.Biba's is a Greek - American diner. They were always really popular for breakfast and other American fare. So, I'm assuming they'll have b-fast, burgers, pizza, Greek salad and baklava. They also used to have a pizza place on Memorial. It was across the street from the Biba's One's a Meal that was in the building that was formerly an A-Frame I-Hop. This new location downtown should be really popular with the courthouse set. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevfiv Posted May 28, 2012 Share Posted May 28, 2012 I've moved the Cabo comments from the Biba's topic (http://www.houstonar...ng-to-downtown/) I was in the area and there was a sign for "Pepper Jacks" 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevfiv Posted May 28, 2012 Share Posted May 28, 2012 The Cabo comments have been moved to the Cabo topic:http://www.houstonar...ed/page__st__30 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChannelTwoNews Posted May 28, 2012 Share Posted May 28, 2012 Excellent timing for this then...http://blog.chron.com/primeproperty/2012/05/pepper-jacks-to-open-in-cabo-space-downtown/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arrodiii Posted May 28, 2012 Share Posted May 28, 2012 Wonder what their ETA is and what their menu looks like Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
little frau Posted May 29, 2012 Share Posted May 29, 2012 Does anybody remember what was in this building during the 70s and 80s? I should, but don't (at the moment). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skwatra Posted July 17, 2012 Share Posted July 17, 2012 This sounds like a non-profit I will be supporting:http://blogs.houston...r_to_open_d.phpNew bar that will donate profits to a monthly voted on (by patrons) charity potentially to open in the old Red Hat Jaz Cafe location at 924 Congress. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kylejack Posted July 17, 2012 Share Posted July 17, 2012 Yeah, I'm excited. That's a beautiful space. I spent a lot of time there in high school, when they'd let under 21 in if you paid a cover. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LTAWACS Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 Great. Will this attract even more homeless to the area? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kylejack Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 Great. Will this attract even more homeless to the area?No, and there are very few in this area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nate99 Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 Interesting idea. Seems that many bars downtown can't manage enough proceeds to keep the doors open, hope they beat the odds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kylejack Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 Interesting idea. Seems that many bars downtown can't manage enough proceeds to keep the doors open, hope they beat the odds.Clubs fail, but bars seem to be doing okay. Butterfly High was kind of half club half bar. It was replaced by a bar called Sunny's that seems to be doing okay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatesdisastr Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 This should be a great addition. Can't wait to see it full and busy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arrodiii Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 This is going to be awesome. Now if someone will start looking at the old St. Pete's place... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jgriff Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 Seems like it would be a good publicity stunt to declare that you are a non-profit, pay high enough wages to yourself and employees to make almost no profit and donate what's left to charity. I'm not saying that's what they're doing here but non-profit doesn't mean that no one is profiting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kylejack Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 Seems like it would be a good publicity stunt to declare that you are a non-profit, pay high enough wages to yourself and employees to make almost no profit and donate what's left to charity. I'm not saying that's what they're doing here but non-profit doesn't mean that no one is profiting.Maybe, but I'm quite sure they'll be transparent about just how much money is donated to each charity at the end of each month. If the prices seem in line with other bars, I'm not really that bothered by this possibility. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
totheskies Posted July 21, 2012 Share Posted July 21, 2012 Market Square is open now, and from what I've heard we need more bars in the area again. Isn't Hearsay doing pretty well? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kylejack Posted July 21, 2012 Share Posted July 21, 2012 It looks like downtown dining's struggles aren't over yet.On his Facebook page, Samba Grille executive chef David Guerrero announced Friday night that Saturday's service would be the restaurant's last."Tomorrow will be our last service at Samba Grille, one door closes, ten will open. I Left my soul, heart and passion in this place. Thanks to everybody who showed me love and support and who believes in this cuisine," he wrote. "We'll be back soon. Salud."This is a huge loss for downtown and for the Houston dining scene in general — Guerrero's South American steakhouse fare was consistently excellent and unmatched in Houston.According to rumors, Samba's investors are looking for another location that would offer steadier crowds than the current Bayou Place/theater district spot. Where would you like to see Guerrero and company cooking next?http://houston.culturemap.com/newsdetail/07-21-12-11-01-the-last-dance-samba-grille-to-close-downtown-after-saturday-service/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LTAWACS Posted July 22, 2012 Share Posted July 22, 2012 Not good. I love that place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j_cuevas713 Posted July 23, 2012 Share Posted July 23, 2012 It's terrible it closed but I mean downtown is becoming a hot be for development. Don't be surprised if something better fills that spot. I was in downtown about two weeks ago and saw a few empty spots where restaurants used to be, and like two days later I read that 4 new restaurants are coming downtown and filling those voids. Barnabys and PepperJacks to name a couple. I used to be very sceptical when something was proposed downtown because I felt it had little chance of surviving, but in the 26yrs I've been alive, I've never seen Houston go through such a rennaissance of new development and better planned infrastructure. This is an exciting time to be from Houston. The attention we've lacked for years nationally is about to explode. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsb320 Posted July 23, 2012 Share Posted July 23, 2012 I work a block or so away and had never heard of it.As far as where they should relocate. I think Montrose. We are lacking in dining options. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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