memebag Posted August 8, 2008 Share Posted August 8, 2008 Um ... it's still only 7:00 a.m. I have a few hours yet before I am gonna be fiending for hot spicy foods.Excuses! Run around! Do something!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desirous Posted August 8, 2008 Share Posted August 8, 2008 Excuses! Run around! Do something!! :lol: They're right about the line. The Chipotle downstairs here takes twice as long, and their line looks shorter than the Doozo line. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
houstonmacbro Posted August 8, 2008 Share Posted August 8, 2008 (edited) They're right about the line. The Chipotle downstairs here takes twice as long, and their line looks shorter than the Doozo line. I didn't know there was a Chipotle there. Okay, I am not gonna get derailed with thoughts of their delicious pork burrito. And I certainly am not gonna drive downtown for THEM! Edited August 8, 2008 by houstonmacbro Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desirous Posted August 8, 2008 Share Posted August 8, 2008 I didn't know there was a Chipotle there. Okay, I am not gonna get derailed with thoughts of their delicious pork burrito. And I certainly am not gonna drive downtown for THEM!At the Rice Hotel. Doozo is good, but driving here just for them... you must love food. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
houstonmacbro Posted August 8, 2008 Share Posted August 8, 2008 At the Rice Hotel. Doozo is good, but driving here just for them... you must love food.Well, because it's my last Friday off for some while, I am almost finished with my paper, and everyone else is raving about how wonderful they are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crunchtastic Posted August 8, 2008 Share Posted August 8, 2008 Well, because it's my last Friday off for some while, I am almost finished with my paper, and everyone else is raving about how wonderful they are. You mean you're not in line yet!??! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
houstonmacbro Posted August 8, 2008 Share Posted August 8, 2008 You mean you're not in line yet!??! Leaving in a few minutes. Forgot I needed to do a Powerpoint to accompany this damned paper! In the immortal words of Florence Evans (Good Times) Damn! Damn! Damn! Not to mention I am starving! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
houstonmacbro Posted August 8, 2008 Share Posted August 8, 2008 Okay, my partner and I just got back from lunch at The Shops downtown. I had been hearing about this place on the food court that has dumplings. Asian dumplings. At Doozo's you can get 10 for like $5 and they come with this vinegary hot sauce. When I was on jury duty and ate there, the line was out the door, so I decided I would come back when I had more times.Well, the people didn't lie. The dumplings were wonderful. I split mine so had 5 veggie and 5 pork. They are big, moist, hot and fresh! The sauce is hot, but not so much and it is kind of a blend between vinegar, sugar, a little salty and spicy. Not too spicy though. Was there another sauce I should have gotten? Probably.Was it worth a trip to The Shops? Not sure, but it was a nice day, a nice trip into town, and I was also able to hit the Borders' Discount books for a few late birthday gifts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livincinco Posted August 9, 2008 Share Posted August 9, 2008 I was walking by there today and it looks like the white concrete spaces could be opened up to street level retail. Can someone confirm if that is correct? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
houstonmacbro Posted August 9, 2008 Share Posted August 9, 2008 I was walking by there today and it looks like the white concrete spaces could be opened up to street level retail. Can someone confirm if that is correct?Could be, as in it's construction going on towards that end? Or wishful thinking could be? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livincinco Posted August 10, 2008 Share Posted August 10, 2008 Could be, as in it's construction going on towards that end? Or wishful thinking could be?Strictly wishful thinking. Just appears from the outside that it was built with that option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
totheskies Posted October 14, 2008 Share Posted October 14, 2008 (edited) I'm excited about HP, but there's something that I'm more excited about...Healthy competition. Houston Center is now going to have to up its game to keep the lunchtime patrons. So much so that they'll seriously have to think about expanding their hours to evenings and maybe even weekends. Then they'll also have to diversify their retail offerings to lure people away from the one or two good ones that HP has. We've set the stage for a restaurant and retail war for downtown Houston, but it's a war that everyone is going to win. Edited October 14, 2008 by totheskies Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
houstonmacbro Posted October 14, 2008 Share Posted October 14, 2008 I'm excited about HP, but there's something that I'm more excited about...Healthy competition. Houston Center is now going to have to up its game to keep the lunchtime patrons. So much so that they'll seriously have to think about expanding their hours to evenings and maybe even weekends. Then they'll also have to diversify their retail offerings to lure people away from the one or two good ones that HP has. We've set the stage for a restaurant and retail war for downtown Houston, but it's a war that everyone is going to win.I really wished they were open on weekends. I've always thought they could have those electric helicopter competitions in all that open air space they have. That could be a big draw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kylejack Posted October 14, 2008 Share Posted October 14, 2008 Ok, im not saying im going to HP just to buy me some pants, but i like to go to downtown as much as possible and ifall i see is a food court at HP then that will be dissapointing(yes im exaggerating, i know theres forever 21 and HOB and more besides restaurants)Look, nobody shops there. Several retail establishments have failed in Houston Center, because people go there to eat, not shop. Maybe Discovery Tower, Discovery Green, and Pavilions will change that and bring more shoppers down and ultimately to Houston Center, but for now opening a retail establishment in Houston Center is generally a bad idea.And yes, Doozo is so fantastic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
houstonmacbro Posted October 14, 2008 Share Posted October 14, 2008 And yes, Doozo is so fantastic.I enjoyed the pork a bit better than the veggie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kylejack Posted October 14, 2008 Share Posted October 14, 2008 I enjoyed the pork a bit better than the veggie.Me too, but I get a mix anyway because I like both, with spicy sauce. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
houstonmacbro Posted October 14, 2008 Share Posted October 14, 2008 Me too, but I get a mix anyway because I like both, with spicy sauce.The sauce was yummy. Tell me ... exactly what are those veggies? I thought it was spinach, but then I wasn't so sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kylejack Posted October 14, 2008 Share Posted October 14, 2008 The sauce was yummy. Tell me ... exactly what are those veggies? I thought it was spinach, but then I wasn't so sure.Spinach, tiny noodles, and a little tofu.The sauce comes in normal, spicy, or extra spicy. I like spicy, but they're all really good.Those guys are like the dumpling nazis, though! You'd better know exactly what you want when you get to the front, because they will not wait at all, and any question you ask will not be answered when they've got a line. That's probably mostly a matter of necessity more than them being rude, because they get so much business. "Half and half with 2 spicies" is my order, and has never failed me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
editor Posted October 14, 2008 Share Posted October 14, 2008 Look, nobody shops there. Several retail establishments have failed in Houston Center, because people go there to eat, not shop. Maybe Discovery Tower, Discovery Green, and Pavilions will change that and bring more shoppers down and ultimately to Houston Center, but for now opening a retail establishment in Houston Center is generally a bad idea.And yes, Doozo is so fantastic.The big reason that nobody shopped there was because the stores were lame. Radio Shack, Hallmark, a lottery/cigarette place and that was pretty much it. I went there a few times back in the 1999-2003 time frame and was continually disappointed. It only catered to the immediate needs of office workers. Without something special, there's no reason to go there.Looking at the list of merchants there today, it doesn't look like much has changed.Banks - 5Gift stores - 9Convenience stores - 4Restaurants - 28Clothing for office workers - 4It's going to need more than a Jos. A. Bank to get people in there. And I see that both the crappy Radio Shack and the crappy Hallmark store are still there. At least they finally came into the 80's and got a Starbucks.If HP puts the Shops at Houston Center out of business, it will be no great loss. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kylejack Posted October 14, 2008 Share Posted October 14, 2008 The big reason that nobody shopped there was because the stores were lame. Radio Shack, Hallmark, a lottery/cigarette place and that was pretty much it. I went there a few times back in the 1999-2003 time frame and was continually disappointed. It only catered to the immediate needs of office workers. Without something special, there's no reason to go there.That's not the only reason. Who wants to pay $10 to park to go shopping in a mall when there are a dozen malls where you can park for free, convenient or no? Actually I think HP might run into the same problem, which is probably why they are leaning the focus heavily on restaurants and venues and very gently on shopping establishments. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
editor Posted October 14, 2008 Share Posted October 14, 2008 That's not the only reason. Who wants to pay $10 to park to go shopping in a mall when there are a dozen malls where you can park for free, convenient or no? Actually I think HP might run into the same problem, which is probably why they are leaning the focus heavily on restaurants and venues and very gently on shopping establishments.Good point about the parking. I always walked there, so I didn't think of it.Do any of the shops at Houston Center validate parking? Do any of the ones in HP?I was surprised when I visited L.A. a few weeks ago that every restaurant or business I went into offered to validate my parking. In that respect, they really know what they're doing there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
citizen4rmptown Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 Good point about the parking. I always walked there, so I didn't think of it.Do any of the shops at Houston Center validate parking? Do any of the ones in HP?I was surprised when I visited L.A. a few weeks ago that every restaurant or business I went into offered to validate my parking. In that respect, they really know what they're doing there.me too , I've always walked to the shops...So what are the possible scenarios that might happen to theS@HC 1. Out of business?<25%2. More retail will come to challenge that of HP's? <25%3. Extended Weekend and Week Day Hours? 50%4. (insert here) (> <)--% Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdude Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 me too , I've always walked to the shops...So what are the possible scenarios that might happen to theS@HC 1. Out of business?<25%2. More retail will come to challenge that of HP's? <25%3. Extended Weekend and Week Day Hours? 50%4. (insert here) (> <)--%I would say it would just stumble on as a really big food court. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
memebag Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 I would say it would just stumble on as a really big food court.Yeah. It's a really good food court. It's got Doozo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniepwils Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 Crescent needs to lower their rent at this place as well. It is sad that many of the "store fronts" are empty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cloud713 Posted April 22, 2015 Share Posted April 22, 2015 Is it public knowledge that Houston Center is in the planning stages of a ~$250 million renovation focused on the pedestrian experience and street scape? Saw some renderings flash by on a slide show real quick. Looked interesting. 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naviguessor Posted April 22, 2015 Share Posted April 22, 2015 This part of the public was is unaware of that. Good idea. HC is in the middle of everything now. And the "pedestrian experience" is abysmal. Just where did you see this, Cloud? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cloud713 Posted April 22, 2015 Share Posted April 22, 2015 Yeah it really is a great location, just crappy street interaction. Not sure the info is supposed to be public knowledge yet, so idk if I should say exactly where, but the firm didn't seem too secretive about it. Lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naviguessor Posted April 22, 2015 Share Posted April 22, 2015 It could be our little secret... shhhhh. tell me. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cspwal Posted April 22, 2015 Share Posted April 22, 2015 Yesterday I was walking next to Houston Center (the shops at Houston center - don't remember which number that is) and noticed there's big plastic panels that seem perfectly sized to be windows. Were there street level windows that were removed? That could really enhance its street level presence. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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