Chi-Char-Hou-Dal Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 Will they have a sign? Serious ? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobruss Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 Well with all of the discussion I decided to make Christian's my destination for lunch today. I spent the morning taking pictures around the city and did a lot of walking. I met one of the owners Zack and general manager Blake after lunch. it was almost 2:00 when I got in line to order. It was only about five people but still this was at 2:00. There were maybe twenty people eating and having a good time. I had the small cheese burger and fries and the burger was incredible. The fries were crisp and very good. Zack said that he has been involved with bars in downtown since the mid nineties, with Power Tools and several other ventures. Just to clarify this is on Congress and Fannin on the south side of Congress. I asked Zack how the start of business went and whether it met their expectations. First he made it clear that they wanted a soft opening without any fanfare so they could grow at a nice pace and be able to handle the business as it grew. Which is a very savvy approach. I know from experience that if you can't handle the crush from a lot of advertising you hurt yourself more with unhappy customers that might be hesitant to come back. Second he made it clear that they knew how to advertise and that would come. I know they sponsor Sports 610 at their four different locations for live broadcasts and I can promise you that there will be no grass growing in the sidewalks around this sports bar ever. Congratulations on an outstanding weekend. Oh did I tell you they had the busiest weekend they have ever had at any location. So like I said before if you have a name around town for good food, fun and good service you can open anywhere if people live or work in the area. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houston19514 Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 Well with all of the discussion I decided to make Christian's my destination for lunch today.I spent the morning taking pictures around the city and did a lot of walking.I met one of the owners Zack and general manager Blake after lunch. it was almost 2:00when I got in line to order. It was only about five people but still this was at 2:00.There were maybe twenty people eating and having a good time.I had the small cheese burger and fries and the burger was incredible. The fries were crisp and very good.Zack said that he has been involved with bars in downtown since the mid nineties, with Power Tools and several other ventures.Just to clarify this is on Congress and Fannin on the south side of Congress.I asked Zack how the start of business went and whether it met their expectations.First he made it clear that they wanted a soft opening without any fanfare so they could grow at a nice pace and be able to handlethe business as it grew. Which is a very savvy approach. I know from experience that if you can't handle the crush from a lot of advertising you hurt yourself more with unhappy customers that might be hesitant to come back.Second he made it clear that they knew how to advertise and that would come. I know they sponsor Sports 610 at their four differentlocations for live broadcasts and I can promise you that there will be no grass growing in the sidewalks around this sports bar ever.Congratulations on an outstanding weekend.Oh did I tell you they had the busiest weekend they have ever had at any location. So like I said before if you have a name around town for good food, fun and good service you can open anywhere if people live or work in the area. Doesn't matter. We all now know that if Burger King can't make it at that location, nobody can. ;-) Thanks for the informative report, bobruss. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j_cuevas713 Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 Will they have a sign? Serious ?Isn't there a dumb ordinance on not being allowed to have nicely lit signs? A cool sign on top or on the side of the building would be cool, almost like cheers. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moore713 Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 Think one of the recommendation that was part of the Downtown revitalize study was to repeal that ordinance, don't know if it ever came to be Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UtterlyUrban Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 Oh did I tell you they had the busiest weekend they have ever had at any location.When I went on Sunday at 1pm only to find no place to sit, I must say that I really was shocked (and pleased). For them to have had the "busiest weekend ever" when compared to their other locations, they must have had a really good Saturday too. I wish them much success. Opening just before football season was smart. Hopefully the trend will continue ...... But hopefully not too much more! I want a seat on a Sunday! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
102IAHexpress Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 Think one of the recommendation that was part of the Downtown revitalize study was to repeal that ordinance, don't know if it ever came to be Interesting. So a business in downtown can't submit an on-premise sign permit application with the CoH like every other business in the city and county can? I didn't know that. I thought if they wanted to put one up they just needed a permit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moore713 Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 I remember when the study report was released and I do recall them mentioning signage height ,and how Houston ordinance was outdated.. it may have been about billboards which would explain why their are almost non in downtown proper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houston19514 Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 Hold on. Let's not get carried away with disinformation about downtown signage AGAIN. There are restrictions on signage downtown that do not apply elsewhere (although most of those restrictions apply to certain other designated areas of town) . There is not and never has been a ban on lighted signs downtown. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adr Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 The District looks to be close to opening. Furniture and signage is in place. This is in the Chase garage building, across the street from the Rice and the new Hines tower at 609 Main. Still much work to be done inside Morningside Thai, but they are busting their asses and working on it late. Window decals are up. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j_cuevas713 Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 Wow The District looks very nice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quietstorm Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 The District looks to be close to opening. Furniture and signage is in place. This is in the Chase garage building, across the street from the Rice and the new Hines tower at 609 Main. Still much work to be done inside Morningside Thai, but they are busting their asses and working on it late. Window decals are up. Is this from the District 7 Grill folks? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adr Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 Is this from the District 7 Grill folks? Yes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chi-Char-Hou-Dal Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 Went today with 6 co-workers. It was very busy; ordered at bar got our burgers in 10-15 minutes. Everyone loved the place, clean, TV's were on, parked one block away. Walked to the Chase Tower afterwards which probably burned one onion ring off. This place doesn't need any luck or help - it's going to do great business. Plus it's right there off main, looks further on a map, walking outside you can easily see Hooneymooners, ect. Good to go. Wish CT all the best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j_cuevas713 Posted September 24, 2015 Share Posted September 24, 2015 Went today with 6 co-workers. It was very busy; ordered at bar got our burgers in 10-15 minutes. Everyone loved the place, clean, TV's were on, parked one block away. Walked to the Chase Tower afterwards which probably burned one onion ring off. This place doesn't need any luck or help - it's going to do great business. Plus it's right there off main, looks further on a map, walking outside you can easily see Hooneymooners, ect. Good to go. Wish CT all the best.Are you referring to The District? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nate99 Posted September 29, 2015 Share Posted September 29, 2015 Saw a lady wearing Pappas Bros chef gear walking through the shops too... 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
102IAHexpress Posted October 2, 2015 Share Posted October 2, 2015 Went today with 6 co-workers. It was very busy; ordered at bar got our burgers in 10-15 minutes. Everyone loved the place, clean, TV's were on, parked one block away. Walked to the Chase Tower afterwards which probably burned one onion ring off. This place doesn't need any luck or help - it's going to do great business. Plus it's right there off main, looks further on a map, walking outside you can easily see Hooneymooners, ect. Good to go. Wish CT all the best. Allison Cook of the Chronicle just reviewed Christian's Tailgate Downtown. You can read the review on chron.com, but it's not very good unfortunately. She graded their burger a D but said good things about the onion rings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moore713 Posted October 2, 2015 Share Posted October 2, 2015 Never cared for critics food ones being the lowest. .Never understood basing your views off someone else personal taste 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigFootsSocks Posted October 2, 2015 Share Posted October 2, 2015 The District (or whatever it's called) across Main from 609 Main was pretty packed today. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbates2 Posted October 2, 2015 Share Posted October 2, 2015 The District (or whatever it's called) across Main from 609 Main was pretty packed today. I went during lunch. They are on their "Sneak Peak" menu prior even to soft opening. Needless to say, they are still learning here and the food could use a bit of work. I have been to most of their locations though and they will clean it up. Good build out of the interior. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigFootsSocks Posted October 2, 2015 Share Posted October 2, 2015 When I walked by it looked packed outside, but not a lot of waiters walking around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j_cuevas713 Posted October 2, 2015 Share Posted October 2, 2015 Allison Cook of the Chronicle just reviewed Christian's Tailgate Downtown. You can read the review on chron.com, but it's not very good unfortunately. She graded their burger a D but said good things about the onion rings.Allison Cook is an idiot. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
astros148 Posted October 4, 2015 Share Posted October 4, 2015 i dont get this huge thing about their burger, its really nothing special. since the new owners came in, their fries are AWFUL 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tigereye Posted October 7, 2015 Share Posted October 7, 2015 Saw a lady wearing Pappas Bros chef gear walking through the shops too... And now, it's just about complete. Pics: https://twitter.com/thachadwick/status/651823959621537792 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UtterlyUrban Posted October 8, 2015 Share Posted October 8, 2015 Stopped by Moonshiners and Christians this past weekend. Moonshiners had a good crowd and seems to be doing fine. Christians was hoping on Sunday. Not a "sell out" like the first football Sunday that I stopped by a few weeks ago but still quite crowded....... The waitstaff was hustling beers and burgers routinely. Interestingly, on the beautiful weekend, no one was outside on the well appointed patio when I was there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Urbannizer Posted October 11, 2015 Share Posted October 11, 2015 The Starbucks at HIlton-Americas is nearly complete, pics c/o Houston First via Facebook. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monarch Posted October 11, 2015 Share Posted October 11, 2015 ^^^ outstanding illustrations urbannizer! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UtterlyUrban Posted October 11, 2015 Share Posted October 11, 2015 This Starbucks will be a good addition to the area. I personally wish it was not a Chain but a locally owned business going in here but, I can see that this will fit well with the convention crowd. Christians Tail gate was busy Saturday in the early afternoon. In the lat afternoon Pastry War was a tad empty. Early evening Moonshiners was quite full. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaggieMay Posted October 11, 2015 Share Posted October 11, 2015 i dont get this huge thing about their burger, its really nothing special. since the new owners came in, their fries are AWFULYeah, burgers at the White Oak location suffered after the ownership change. Still, hope the downtown Christian's does well. (How many years has the ground floor of the Scanlan Building boasted that "Live Sports Bar Coming" sign?) Meanwhile, I'll plot my next visit to Jackson Street BBQ. Definitely out of the way but well worth it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryrohtx Posted October 11, 2015 Share Posted October 11, 2015 Yeah, burgers at the White Oak location suffered after the ownership change. Still, hope the downtown Christian's does well. (How many years has the ground floor of the Scanlan Building boasted that "Live Sports Bar Coming" sign?)Meanwhile, I'll plot my next visit to Jackson Street BBQ. Definitely out of the way but well worth it.Here at Jackson Street BBQ and it is busy! Everyone is getting ready for the game! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Urbannizer Posted October 13, 2015 Share Posted October 13, 2015 La Fisheria, a seafood and Mexican restaurant, is planned for 213 Milam. 213_Milam_MATERIALS.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArchFan Posted October 14, 2015 Share Posted October 14, 2015 La Fisheria, that's good news for downtown. My 1st experience at Jackson St. BBQ was disappointing, but I do plan to try it again: went on a quiet Sunday, BBQ was somewhere between room-temperature and cold, as if partially reheated from the day before. My impression was that it would be rather good, if at the right temp. The staff was great, very friendly and helpful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
102IAHexpress Posted October 14, 2015 Share Posted October 14, 2015 La Fisheria, that's good news for downtown. My 1st experience at Jackson St. BBQ was disappointing, but I do plan to try it again: went on a quiet Sunday, BBQ was somewhere between room-temperature and cold, as if partially reheated from the day before. My impression was that it would be rather good, if at the right temp. The staff was great, very friendly and helpful. Yeah I agree about Jackson St. I've been a couple times. Eh. Nothing special. The restaurant is a typical bbq restaurant setup, meaning it's counter service. No hostess, no waiter waiting on you. Yet they have one of those iPad point of sale machines at the register that forces you to click on "no tip". I'm not stingy with tips at a typical restaurant, but come on, this is counter service. And who is receiving this tip? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texasota Posted October 14, 2015 Share Posted October 14, 2015 Yeah I agree about Jackson St. I've been a couple times. Eh. Nothing special. The restaurant is a typical bbq restaurant setup, meaning it's counter service. No hostess, no waiter waiting on you. Yet they have one of those iPad point of sale machines at the register that forces you to click on "no tip". I'm not stingy with tips at a typical restaurant, but come on, this is counter service. And who is receiving this tip? I find your consistent and predictable negativity almost... inspiring. Jackson St. is good. Is it the best bbq in the city? No. Is it better than Pappas (or anything else downtown)? Yes. By quite a bit. Prices are pretty reasonable too. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
102IAHexpress Posted October 14, 2015 Share Posted October 14, 2015 I find your consistent and predictable negativity almost... inspiring. Jackson St. is good. Is it the best bbq in the city? No. Is it better than Pappas (or anything else downtown)? Yes. By quite a bit. Prices are pretty reasonable too. Negative? I was just agreeing with what ArchFan said. He found it disappointing but wants to try it again. He liked the staff. What are we supposed to do when we talk about our experiences at a restaurant? Lie? Jackson St. is Awesome!, (does that make you feel better?) It's not better than Pappas by quite a bit. By saying stuff like that you're doing a disservice to good bbq and to readers who take this forum seriously. It's about the same quality as Pappas (but lacks a drive thru and with less reliable hours) and maybe a little better than Otto's downtown locations. I would say Otto's has a much broader menu than just bbq, but they call themselves otto's BBQ, so just comparing otto's bbq and Jackson st. bbq, then Jackson st's is better than Ottos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryDierker Posted October 14, 2015 Share Posted October 14, 2015 (edited) c'mon. pappas is the worst bbq in the entire city. just trolling at this point.we probably need a bbq thread. Edited October 14, 2015 by LarryDierker 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbates2 Posted October 15, 2015 Share Posted October 15, 2015 I agree with 102, I have been pretty disappointed with Jackson Street so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ross Posted October 15, 2015 Share Posted October 15, 2015 c'mon. pappas is the worst bbq in the entire city. just trolling at this point.we probably need a bbq thread. Pappas isn't the best, but it is by far not the worst. The place on 610 East of Ella near Lowes is not good at all. Dickeys is mediocre, an dthere are others where the brisket is dry and obviously cooked in an oven. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nate99 Posted October 15, 2015 Share Posted October 15, 2015 (edited) Pappas isn't the best, but it is by far not the worst. The place on 610 East of Ella near Lowes is not good at all. Dickeys is mediocre, an dthere are others where the brisket is dry and obviously cooked in an oven. Pappas is entirely serviceable stuff. That said, I'm in the "even when it's bad, it's still pretty good" camp when it comes to BBQ. Far too much energy has been expended on the claim to the absolute best BBQ in the world/city/state. I personally blame Austin Hipsterism™ and its adherents' natural inclination to presume that something's scarcity and difficulty to obtain automatically correlates with quality. The wait becomes a feature instead of a bug. Anyone who gives a damn can smoke a brisket to where it tastes really good with a bit of practice. Maybe higher volume inhibits certain aspects of the perfect process, but if there's a line forming an hour before the place opens, I'm going to drive down the street, eat something 95% as good and get on with my life. Edited October 15, 2015 by Nate99 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollusk Posted October 16, 2015 Share Posted October 16, 2015 (edited) Pappas isn't the best, but it is by far not the worst. The place on 610 East of Ella near Lowes is not good at all. Dickeys is mediocre, an dthere are others where the brisket is dry and obviously cooked in an oven. Dickeys is a chain, so humongous that I saw one in Vacaville, California last week. I tried it. I was not poisoned. I also had no joy. It is a chain BBQ place that fits in perfectly in suburban hell. Edited October 16, 2015 by mollusk 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rechlin Posted October 16, 2015 Share Posted October 16, 2015 Although it isn't much, at least they are doing something about the dollar store at Main and Walker. According to this article they will be putting a rotating art installation up to cover that boring blank façade. http://blog.chron.com/primeproperty/2015/10/main-street-art-project-to-bring-color-to-downtown/ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j_cuevas713 Posted October 17, 2015 Share Posted October 17, 2015 It took this city long enough to realize how much art brings things to life. Very excited that more monies will be distributed to promote artwork throughout the city. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
102IAHexpress Posted October 17, 2015 Share Posted October 17, 2015 I went during lunch. They are on their "Sneak Peak" menu prior even to soft opening. Needless to say, they are still learning here and the food could use a bit of work. I have been to most of their locations though and they will clean it up. Good build out of the interior. I don't know if the district is currrently in a soft opening, or sneak peak, or fully opened but my co-workerd went yesterday. She said the service was terrible. She only ordered a salad but it took 50 minutes for it to arrive. They did comp it for free and included a free coupon for a future meal. I doubt she's returning though, her salad looked pitaful. Bummer, I was hoping this place would be good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigFootsSocks Posted October 17, 2015 Share Posted October 17, 2015 They hardly have enough staff for the crowds they get.I for one would give them a second chance because it's kinda ridiculous to judge a new place off of one bad initial experience. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j_cuevas713 Posted October 19, 2015 Share Posted October 19, 2015 I don't know if the district is currrently in a soft opening, or sneak peak, or fully opened but my co-workerd went yesterday. She said the service was terrible. She only ordered a salad but it took 50 minutes for it to arrive. They did comp it for free and included a free coupon for a future meal. I doubt she's returning though, her salad looked pitaful. Bummer, I was hoping this place would be good.One bad experience shouldn't keep her from going back. The place seems to be doing well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arndthwrld82 Posted October 19, 2015 Share Posted October 19, 2015 Dickeys is a chain, so humongous that I saw one in Vacaville, California last week. I tried it. I was not poisoned. I also had no joy. It is a chain BBQ place that fits in perfectly in suburban hell. Small world. I'll be in Vacaville in 3 weeks for a wedding. And no I won't be eating at the Dickey's. Also the last time I was there my friends took me to a Mexican restaurant called Chevy's. I ordered Queso to start and they looked at me cross-eyed. Apparently they don't serve Queso there. I was appalled! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houston19514 Posted October 19, 2015 Share Posted October 19, 2015 Small world. I'll be in Vacaville in 3 weeks for a wedding. And no I won't be eating at the Dickey's. Also the last time I was there my friends took me to a Mexican restaurant called Chevy's. I ordered Queso to start and they looked at me cross-eyed. Apparently they don't serve Queso there. I was appalled! That's odd. They have it on their menu. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobruss Posted October 20, 2015 Share Posted October 20, 2015 It took this city long enough to realize how much art brings things to life. Very excited that more monies will be distributed to promote artwork throughout the city. Wait till you see the sculpture going up at Main and Walker. Its going to be amazing! 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tumbleweed_Tx Posted October 20, 2015 Share Posted October 20, 2015 I was appalled when I ate at Chevys, too. There is a pace in Fairfield, the next town over called Dave's Giant Burgers. It's on Texas street. It's worth the drive 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j_cuevas713 Posted October 20, 2015 Share Posted October 20, 2015 Wait till you see the sculpture going up at Main and Walker.Its going to be amazing!Oh wow really? I didn't know something was going up there! Are they putting it up now or what? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.