TJones Posted October 5, 2005 Share Posted October 5, 2005 (edited) Over the years many many restaurants have come and gone in out fair city. Houston is known as "The Restaurant Capital of The World". Houston has more restaurants per capita than any other U.S. city. I started this Thread to let people list their all-time favorites, of the ones they miss the most. Does anyone remember The Rail Head and Victoria Station from back in the 70's? These were Rail Road themed restaurants, that's were really popular in the 70's and 80's. As a kid it was wonderful. At the Rail Head, they actually had a stage for music acts, surrounded by open rail cars with dining booths and tables. I used to frequent it alot when The Elliot Walter Band used to play there. My mother is really good friends with them. If you never heard of The Elliot Walter band, you have probably heard a song of their's though, it's called "Slime in the Ice Machine". Marvin Zindler's theme song. Edited October 5, 2005 by TJones 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Original Timmy Chan's Posted October 5, 2005 Share Posted October 5, 2005 I miss Tony Mandola's Blue Oyster Bar on the Gulf Freeway near Park Place. That was me and my wife's favorite place...especially during their lunchtime happy hour: $2.00 beers, $0.25 oysters and $0.10 boiled shrimp! I also miss the old Fusion Cafe at Main and Alabama. After it moved to Rice Village, it seemed to lose some flavor....and some "flava". It wasn't the right setting for soul food. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarthaG Posted October 5, 2005 Share Posted October 5, 2005 My favorite was the Cyclone Anaya's that was on Durham at Center (Washington). I know they have opened a new one on Woodway and now even one on Durham, but they will never compare to the one I use to visit on a regular basis. I can remember getting out of the car in the cruddy parking lot in back and smelling the meat cooking. My favorite was the Tacos el Carbon they served with Black Beans. And the Top Shelf Margarita.... one would make you wobble a bit and two could put you down. So Chuy, if you are reading this...we don't want a fancy place, we just want the good food and drinks that use to be. And Rico, I liked the salsa that your dad use to make.I remember the Rail Head. I remember the Velvet Hammers for desert. Do you guys remember Fat Ernies that was Downtown? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJones Posted October 5, 2005 Share Posted October 5, 2005 I seem to remember a Fat Ernie's was at Gessner and Harwin, it is now a blockbuster movies. Good burgers at Fat Ernie's Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MidtownCoog Posted October 5, 2005 Share Posted October 5, 2005 Fat Ernie's used to Also be at Allen Center, I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarthaG Posted October 5, 2005 Share Posted October 5, 2005 The Fat Earnies I'm referring to was across the street from the Hyatt Regency. When I worked downtown, we would take the tunnels to the Hyatt, then cross the street to the restaurant. Why is it that I remember the drinks more than the food at these places? Singleporsalings at Fat Earnies... I was not even 20 at the time, that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MidtownCoog Posted October 5, 2005 Share Posted October 5, 2005 Allen Center is across the street (Smith) from the Hyatt.It was Ninfa's until a year or so ago, and now is Don Patron. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJones Posted October 5, 2005 Share Posted October 5, 2005 "SINGLEPORSALINGS" I dare you to say that 5 times really fast. Ummm, I'm putting up SQUARE PAN PIZZA here. I just talked about it in another thread, but it just popped into my mind. One of the absolute BEST pizza places ever. It was on the NW side of town in a strip mall, on 290 and 34th I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedScare Posted October 5, 2005 Share Posted October 5, 2005 The Fat Earnies I'm referring to was across the street from the Hyatt Regency. When I worked downtown, we would take the tunnels to the Hyatt, then cross the street to the restaurant. Why is it that I remember the drinks more than the food at these places? Singleporsalings at Fat Earnies... I was not even 20 at the time, that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it.MarthaG, I think you've had one too many of the drinks. Would it be a "Singapore Sling" that you are referring to? Gin, sweet-n-sour, with a splash of cherry brandy and grenadine. It will knock a grown man on his butt, after a few of them, even though it is a sweet drink. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarthaG Posted October 5, 2005 Share Posted October 5, 2005 Thanks Red... you are correct about the name. I did not take the time to look it up and was splelling it phonically (and not doing a great job at that).I sort of remember Square Pan Pizza. But the best Pizza in Oak Forest (IMO) is Doyles...which is still in operation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarthaG Posted October 5, 2005 Share Posted October 5, 2005 There use to be an area that was upstairs at Sharpstown Mall that had bars and resturants. Anyone remember that? Names of any of them? I use to go see live music there sometimes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJones Posted October 5, 2005 Share Posted October 5, 2005 (edited) There use to be an area that was upstairs at Sharpstown Mall that had bars and resturants. Anyone remember that? Names of any of them? I use to go see live music there sometimes. Chelsea street pub was one of those places I'm pretty sure. I heard they made one helluva "SLINGAPOURSING" hic-up. Edited October 5, 2005 by TJones 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowspark Posted October 5, 2005 Share Posted October 5, 2005 There use to be an area that was upstairs at Sharpstown Mall that had bars and resturants. Anyone remember that? Names of any of them? I use to go see live music there sometimes.That was pretty much the first food court in a mall in Houston as far as I know. It was put in when they put the second floor on the mall -- sometime in the mid 70s. The entire food court was called "Good Time Charlie's". And yes, one of the restarants was Chelsea Street Pub which was a sort of a bar/appetizer type of place. I'm pretty sure they had live music at the beginning. There was also a very nice restaurant up there, I can't remember the name of it. It was a reservations only/maitre d' type place -- very hoity toity and high $. It lasted about 5 minutes. Oh, and you might want to check out this thread which has a ton of memories of long lost houston restaurants.Houston Restaurants No Longer Here 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
escapee Posted October 6, 2005 Share Posted October 6, 2005 (edited) I seem to remember a Fat Ernie's was at Gessner and Harwin, it is now a blockbuster movies. Good burgers at Fat Ernie'sWait.....it's coming back to me now. The fog is lifting. Yes, I remember now. I used to work for the people who owned Fat Ernie's in Allen Center. Ernie Criezis (sp) owned it with his wife Toni. They had the Bowery downtown and La Bastile, the nightclub. They also had Harlow's (remember, it stayed open after hours and had long lines for the deli style sandwiches?) and The Great Caurso, which was near Gessner and Westheimer. Also, Good Eats Cafe which was on Woodway. Ernie also had The Great Greek with his brother, Spiro. I destroyed many brain cells in those places. How 'bout the clubs that are no longer with us? Bogangles on Market Square. The Bismark. Texas Steak House with Boyce and Kramer. More brain cells gone...........what were we talking about? Edited October 6, 2005 by escapee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevfiv Posted October 6, 2005 Share Posted October 6, 2005 (edited) not a restaurant, but are there any bert wheeler liquor stores still around? i seem to remember new names on what i thought were old locations, but i could be mistaken...and i know bert's widow sold the company in 1998, but then what? Edited October 6, 2005 by sevfiv 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJones Posted October 6, 2005 Share Posted October 6, 2005 not a restaurant, but are there any bert wheeler liquor stores still around? i seem to remember new names on what i thought were old locations, but i could be mistaken...and i know bert's widow sold the company in 1998, but then what?2 things. Harlow's is reopening, and I believe the last Bert Wheeler's is on Beltway8 by I-10, if it's still open. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
57Tbird Posted October 6, 2005 Share Posted October 6, 2005 I'm trying to remember where I heard them, and I believe it was Steak and Ale in SW Houston.Heights, you are right on! I remember them as Elliot, Walter, and Bennett, if we are talking the same group here. They played at the Steak and Ale on the SW Fwy not far from Sharpstown Mall in the mid-70's. My daughter and some her pubescent friends adored them. My wife took them to see E, W, & B in person and they got to (gulp) talk to them. I forget which was her favorite. I bet that 41 year-old "girl" still has a record or two of theirs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJones Posted October 6, 2005 Share Posted October 6, 2005 (edited) Heights, you are right on! I remember them as Elliot, Walter, and Bennett, if we are talking the same group here. They played at the Steak and Ale on the SW Fwy not far from Sharpstown Mall in the mid-70's. My daughter and some her pubescent friends adored them. My wife took them to see E, W, & B in person and they got to (gulp) talk to them. I forget which was her favorite. I bet that 41 year-old "girl" still has a record or two of theirs. Bennett left the group around 1984 or so. Elliot, was accidentally killed by his own shotgun while cleaning it, (NO,it was NOT a suicide!). Clark Walter is still here in Houston. They really have some good albums. If you could find one in an old record shop, go ahead and spend the $.99 cents and get it. Edited October 6, 2005 by TJones Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dream Posted October 7, 2005 Share Posted October 7, 2005 Anyone remember Spoons on Gessner by the Katy Freeway. Closed down in the late 80's or 90's.Dream 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevfiv Posted October 7, 2005 Share Posted October 7, 2005 don't remember spoons, but what about Platters on I-10 (where 59 diner is)...i remember going there when i was younger and they had platters of food hanging on the walls with disconnected hands around them... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJones Posted October 7, 2005 Share Posted October 7, 2005 Do you remember the short lived Galaxy restaurant on Richmond. Had a SCI-FI theme. Neat little place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowspark Posted October 10, 2005 Share Posted October 10, 2005 2 things. Harlow's is reopening, and I believe the last Bert Wheeler's is on Beltway8 by I-10, if it's still open.The new Harlow's is owned by Landry's so I'm not sure it's as much a reopening as a reusing of a familiar name. Their website boasts a lot of arcade type games so I'm guessing they want it to be a teen hangout to increase business for the movie theatre. I haven't been there but it looks to me that it's not really like the old original Harlow's and not my kind of place. I might go there for lunch to check it out one of these days though, since I work very near by. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EastEnd Susan Posted October 12, 2005 Share Posted October 12, 2005 (edited) Wait.....it's coming back to me now. The fog is lifting. Yes, I remember now. I used to work for the people who owned Fat Ernie's in Allen Center. Ernie Criezis (sp) owned it with his wife Toni. They had the Bowery downtown and La Bastile, the nightclub. They also had Harlow's (remember, it stayed open after hours and had long lines for the deli style sandwiches?) and The Great Caurso, which was near Gessner and Westheimer. Also, Good Eats Cafe which was on Woodway. Ernie also had The Great Greek with his brother, Spiro. I destroyed many brain cells in those places. How 'bout the clubs that are no longer with us? Bogangles on Market Square. The Bismark. Texas Steak House with Boyce and Kramer. More brain cells gone...........what were we talking about?Oh man! Roast Beef Dip sandwiches at Fat Ernies. The Best!! Edited October 12, 2005 by EastEnd Susan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gnu Posted October 12, 2005 Share Posted October 12, 2005 Thank you. Yes, I did miss your thread due to Hurricane Rita. Today is my first day back online since September 20. I lost all communication with the "outside world". I couldn't even find out what the lottery numbers were during that time. But I guess that it was worth it because I received a little over $4000 from FEMA. you could put your FEMA money to good use buying that ashtray and cup...just kidding So whaddya think? Do the logos jog your memory anymore? might be more on ebay now..since that is a month ago... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EastEnd Susan Posted October 14, 2005 Share Posted October 14, 2005 I liked going to Bill Williams restaurant on OST right before Southpark, across the street from MacGregor Park. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brucesw Posted October 14, 2005 Share Posted October 14, 2005 I liked going to Bill Williams restaurant on OST right before Southpark, across the street from MacGregor Park.I remember that one now. I knew he had more than just the one on Main and the one near Richmond. He was kind of like Pappas today -- a very famous restauranteur. His annual Capon Dinner was a big charity bash -- can't remember what it raised money for. OST was a very cool street. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EastEnd Susan Posted October 14, 2005 Share Posted October 14, 2005 I remember that one now. I knew he had more than just the one on Main and the one near Richmond. He was kind of like Pappas today -- a very famous restauranteur. His annual Capon Dinner was a big charity bash -- can't remember what it raised money for. OST was a very cool street.I loved traveling down OST. When we went to Rosenberg on Sundays to visit kinfolk we would take Wayside to OST to South Main, South Main to Rosenberg. That was before 610 and 59. It was a long trip. When I was dating one of our favorite places to go was to the putt putt golf course on OST. We liked that one because there wasn't any street noise like the one on the Gulf Freeway. And It had 3 different courses. Get a hole in one on the last hole and get a free game. What fun. I also like watching what I used to call the "Army Men" while they were training at what I think was the National Guard facility. It was a very cool street. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EastEnd Susan Posted October 14, 2005 Share Posted October 14, 2005 (edited) Not many cattle until you were farther out South Main. Then of course there was Sugar Land, Richmond and Rosenberg where the cattle outnumbered the people. Edited October 14, 2005 by EastEnd Susan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EastEnd Susan Posted October 14, 2005 Share Posted October 14, 2005 EastEnd Susan,Have you seen this old thread on OST motels? http://www.houstonarchitecture.info/haif/i...?showtopic=3194 There are also several threads on S. Main street in this Historic Houston forum. My mother was a very good cook and she loved to cook so we seldom ate out unless we were far away from home. I'm wantin' some fried chicken today . We seldom ate out either. My brother and I lived in the house with 2 great cooks. My great gandma Ida and my Grandma Mattie Lou. Best chicken ever in that old cast iron skillet. And Cream gravy form the drippings. Oh man, I so want that chicken. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
editor Posted October 14, 2005 Share Posted October 14, 2005 Old San Francisco Steakhouse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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