Historic Houston Restaurants

[RhinoVP]

I think there was more than one location of the Courtyard but I don't remember where - on Fondren at ???

Steak House Associates was the name of the company and they owned the 2 Stables restaurants, Bordman's, a seafood place on Westheimer where Chuy's is now, and Bud Bigelow's, another steakhouse on Westheimer in the Galleria area.

It was about a block north of West Belfort, on the west side of the street. There was a Jim's which later became a Champ's on the corner of W. Belfort and Fondren too.

The Great Greek

That was a "first date restaurant" if there ever was one!

I remember that you could buy plates for a buck, and then throw them at the waiters feet while they danced tableside!

[hadooga]

Anyone remember Zappos sandwich shop in Bellaire?

The one over on Beechnut? I used to go all the time back during high school. I missed my cheese melts when they closed.

[readam]

The one over on Beechnut? I used to go all the time back during high school. I missed my cheese melts when they closed.

Yea I remember the place at the far end of the strip center opposite Los Tios...seems to me that Schlotsky's took some of their sandwich ideas when they opened in the area and Zappo's shut down...is there any connection between the two operations??

[readam]

In regard to Der Weinerschnitzel... the last one I saw in Houston was on HWY 6 near 290...They still have one in downtown Bryan with the old A frame set up...stop there any time I'm in the area. There is one also in Austin near Braker and MoPac. James Coney Island basically ran them out of the area; too much competition for the SoCal boys

[Subdude]

Great thread. Being new here I'm glad someone ressurected it or I might never have found it. Jenny's and Harlow's were two of my favorite places back in the 80s. I was very sorry to see Jenny's close. Harlow's had the best split pea soup on the planet!

Another place my friends and I used to frequent was Stax at Richmond and Montrose. Used to love to drop in there for an early breakfast after an all night gaming marathon (on an Apple IIe no less )

Wasn't Harlow's open all night? Just the place to go after an exciting evening at Cooters.

[Native Son]

Wasn't Harlow's open all night? Just the place to go after an exciting evening at Cooters.

yep Harlows was open late back then, we always tried to save emough money after the clubs for an omlet and coffee

[brucesw]

It was about a block north of West Belfort, on the west side of the street. There was a Jim's which later became a Champ's on the corner of W. Belfort and Fondren too.

I don't remember that at all and I can't think of anything along there that would have been a building it was in, but I don't think W. Bellfort went all the way through to 59 back then and I seldom got over there on Fondren. I do remember the Champs, later an Antone's at the next cross street (now a Subway?).

Later in the decade and into the early 80s there was a Texas Tumbleweed further north on Fondren, at the southern end of that big strip center at Fondren and S. Braeswood - that would be close to a mile north of W. Bellfort.

[Native Son]

Luke's Hamburgers

Strawberry Patch

Harlow's... before Tillman got his hands on it

Dot's Cafe

The Brisket House downtown

Christi's on S. Post Oak

and

the consession stand at Gateway Pool!

I forgot about the great fried snapper at and shrimp and Kapan's

Bill Williams Steak House in old Sugar Land, fried chicken on Sunday, way before there were kids meals!

[RhinoVP]

I don't remember that at all and I can't think of anything along there that would have been a building it was in, but I don't think W. Bellfort went all the way through to 59 back then and I seldom got over there on Fondren. I do remember the Champs, later an Antone's at the next cross street (now a Subway?).

Later in the decade and into the early 80s there was a Texas Tumbleweed further north on Fondren, at the southern end of that big strip center at Fondren and S. Braeswood - that would be close to a mile north of W. Bellfort.

This would have been the Courtyard, right in the center. It closed down back sometime in the mid 80's, Champs was on the corner where the gas station is now.

By this time W. Belfort did go all the way through, however back in the 70"s it was "broken" at about the location where beltway 8 is now. You would have to kinda jog around where Rufffino Rd. is, then W. Belfort would pick back up on the other side. We lived in the Meadows back then and made this trip a lot.

I was no stranger to the Texas Tumbleweed either! That one, or the one on Richmond.

[Blender]

Yea I remember the place at the far end of the strip center opposite Los Tios...seems to me that Schlotsky's took some of their sandwich ideas when they opened in the area and Zappo's shut down...is there any connection between the two operations??

Zappo's was much better in my opinion. I think Schlotsky's had already been open a couple of years before Zappo's closed. When they remodeled the shopping center they raised the rent, which is probably why Zappo's closed.

[Ptarmigan]

I don't remember Zappo's.

[hadooga]

Zappo's was much better in my opinion. I think Schlotsky's had already been open a couple of years before Zappo's closed. When they remodeled the shopping center they raised the rent, which is probably why Zappo's closed.

Yeah, I liked Zappo's better, too. You remember how you could buy half sandwiches? I used to go pretty regularly during my high school years and get a whole cheese melt. One day I went & ordered just a half and the guy working asked me if I just wasn't that hungry that day or what... I told him that I was just too broke that day! When I got home & opened the bag, he'd given me a full sandwich.

[WestUNative]

Yeah, I liked Zappo's better, too. You remember how you could buy half sandwiches? I used to go pretty regularly during my high school years and get a whole cheese melt. One day I went & ordered just a half and the guy working asked me if I just wasn't that hungry that day or what... I told him that I was just too broke that day! When I got home & opened the bag, he'd given me a full sandwich.

Oh, thank you for the name! I have often thought about the place, but couldn't recall what it was called. I swear the best sandwiches I still have ever eaten. And being a small person, loved being able to buy the half. One thing I found so special was their homemade bread, but the variety and quality of fillings was superb as well. Living in the area and shopping at Meyerland a lot, we made good use of Zappo's while it lasted.

[houstonmacbro]

Wolfgang Puck in Carillion. Gone.

When I got home & opened the bag, he'd given me a full sandwich.

See, back then it was just an innocent gesture. Today, he'd have all kinds of cops on his behind for attempted soliciation of minor.

Funny how times change, huh?

[brucesw]

This would have been the Courtyard, right in the center. It closed down back sometime in the mid 80's, Champs was on the corner where the gas station is now.

By this time W. Belfort did go all the way through, however back in the 70"s it was "broken" at about the location where beltway 8 is now. You would have to kinda jog around where Rufffino Rd. is, then W. Belfort would pick back up on the other side. We lived in the Meadows back then and made this trip a lot.

I was no stranger to the Texas Tumbleweed either! That one, or the one on Richmond.

I didn't even realize that building had been there that far back. Also realized by the time I moved out to that part of town (west of Gessner), my company had changed hands and we no longer had the perk of eating at Steakhouse Associates on the company dollar so I wouldn't have been looking for a Courtyard. Another feature of the place on I-10 was the hot 'steamed' bread - can't remember if it was a salad bar but you could help yourself to a variety of breads that were kept in steam heated enclosures so were always hot and moist - included a dark rye or pumpernickel, a white bread and maybe one other? Also a big slab of butter to carve. Helped to soak up the martinis we drank like water.

I don't remember the jog on W. Bellfort you mention either - that must've been gone by then.

[Vertigo58]

Alfie's fish and chips

And don't laugh....Steak and Egg

Regards,

Rhino

Alfie's was actually very delicious! I can just mentally picture the neat little basket of fish & chips now! (forget about the Slimfast right).

and Steak & Egg was also a very great place to have a nice fresh steaming breakfast and good coffee! We had one for years at intersection of 45 & Telephone Road right next to the huge Coca-Cola neon billboard sign. Was our teen hangout for a good while. It finally closed around earky 80's?

Although Taco Bell is still here, how many remember when the Taco Bell's all had that big FIRE pit flame as you walked in the front? I had to light that blasted thing on ocassion while working there!

In 76 that silly jingle/slogan was "Come to Taco, taco, taco , taco, Taco Bell".

Edited June 9, 2008 by Vertigo58

[RhinoVP]

Another feature of the place on I-10 was the hot 'steamed' bread - can't remember if it was a salad bar but you could help yourself to a variety of breads that were kept in steam heated enclosures so were always hot and moist - included a dark rye or pumpernickel, a white bread and maybe one other? Also a big slab of butter to carve. Helped to soak up the martinis we drank like water.

From that description, I'd say these were definantly the same places! The inside had a sort of "Mill" type decor or feel to it.

Alfie's was actually very delicious! I can just mentally picture the neat little basket of fish & chips now! (forget about the Slimfast right).

and Steak & Egg was also a very great place to have a nice fresh steaming breakfast and good coffee! We had one for years at intersection of 45 & Telephone Road right next to the huge Coca-Cola neon billboard sign. Was our teen hangout for a good while. It finally closed around earky 80's?

Although Taco Bell is still here, how many remember when the Taco Bell's all had that big FIRE pit flame as you walked in the front? I had to light that blasted thing on ocassion while working there!

In 76 that silly jingle/slogan was "Come to Taco, taco, taco , taco, Taco Bell".

You know..... One of the people I work with lives in Texas City, and swears theres still an Alfie's out there. Has anyone ever seen or been to an Alfie's in Texas City? If there is, and it's still the same, I'd make the drive out there. At least once, just for old time's sake.

Alfie's put Long John Silvers to shame.

Now as for Steak and Egg.... That was the original "greasy spoon"! I used to grumble every time someone suggested going there, and now I miss the place.

I can't remember the fire pit at Taco Bell though. I do remember Taco Bell way before they came out with thier dumb value menu, back when they still had the Bell Beefer, but not the fire pit.

[poohbear2]

Several from long ago in my childhood when we used to come to Houston to see my grandparents:

-Kapan's on South Main at Kirby (where the Eckerd's is now), our usual Sunday after church lunch place - good steaks and seafood, and those excellent crab ball appetizers that the guy in the white suit used to bring around to all the tables

-Angelo's, another long gone seafood restuarant

-The Strawberry Patch on Westheimer, the Pappas family's country/home cooking concept (Pappas Bros. Steakhouse is there now)

-Tokyo Gardens, the first place I ever had Japanese

Kapan's.....that was the best fried shrimp...kapan's was my husband's aunt's restuarant....Greek ya know!

Does anybody remember the Tiki Room ( I think that was the name) on S. Main just down from Sonny Looks?

No but my father would take me to Sonny looks ...for his afternoon stop before going home...How funny...I have not thought o that place in years...Anyone remember The black angus or the cellar door?

Yeah, I liked Zappo's better, too. You remember how you could buy half sandwiches? I used to go pretty regularly during my high school years and get a whole cheese melt. One day I went & ordered just a half and the guy working asked me if I just wasn't that hungry that day or what... I told him that I was just too broke that day! When I got home & opened the bag, he'd given me a full sandwich.

I loved Zappos....you either went to bellaire or St. thomas....I was a St. thomas kid...

[memebag]

I miss The Pot Pie. I used to live next door to it. Very unhealthy food. They served stuff like mac & cheese & ham in big bread bowls. It was super gay, too. I'll never forget a breakfast on New Year's Day when the wait staff was hung over and in the shredded remnants of last night's drag.

[hadooga]

I loved Zappos....you either went to bellaire or St. thomas....I was a St. thomas kid...

Yeah I went to Bellaire & would walk to Zappo's regularly ... before driving was even an option!

[cdollaz]

Another place we used to go to often was the Der Weinerschnitzel (sp?) that was in a red A-shaped building. I think it was on Hillcroft near Bissonnet. The drive thru went thru the building and divided it in half.

[houstonmacbro]

Another place we used to go to often was the Der Weinerschnitzel (sp?) that was in a red A-shaped building. I think it was on Hillcroft near Bissonnet. The drive thru went thru the building and divided it in half.

That sounds pretty cool.

[WestUNative]

No but my father would take me to Sonny looks ...for his afternoon stop before going home...How funny...I have not thought o that place in years...Anyone remember The black angus or the cellar door?

Ah, The Cellar Door! The best BBQ, ever, on Bellaire Blvd. between Academy and Weslayan. I worked for 4 years in the SWBT building a literal stone's throw from the restaurant and spent as many lunchtimes as possible lapping up the excellent food. 15 years after that, I'd run by for the take-out for the family when I didn't want to cook. Their Boston Cream Pie was literally to die for, if you missed that, you missed tasting heaven.

By the way, the owner had one of the largest homes in West University on Buffalo Spdwy. I was heartbroken when they closed up shop.

[poohbear2]

No but my father would take me to Sonny looks ...for his afternoon stop before going home...How funny...I have not thought o that place in years...Anyone remember The black angus or the cellar door?

Ah, The Cellar Door! The best BBQ, ever, on Bellaire Blvd. between Academy and Weslayan. I worked for 4 years in the SWBT building a literal stone's throw from the restaurant and spent as many lunchtimes as possible lapping up the excellent food. 15 years after that, I'd run by for the take-out for the family when I didn't want to cook. Their Boston Cream Pie was literally to die for, if you missed that, you missed tasting heaven.

By the way, the owner had one of the largest homes in West University on Buffalo Spdwy. I was heartbroken when they closed up shop.

I grew up ion West U...i remember when they built that house....way back then we called it "Tara". I dated her nephew forever...

[WestUNative]

Poohbear! Always great to hear of someone from the neigborhood. Although the time factors are way off, I am sure, I grew up at 4226 University and my cousins lived at 3724 Jardin in Southside. Stayed around, my daughter went to St. Mark's and West U. Elementary. After some years away, she is grown and lives on Community. Nothing quite like it.

On topic, I only went to The Black Angus once, was very nice, but I didn't find the steak tasted different than any other breed served elsewhere.

You are Greek? How about that incredible shish-ka-bob they served at the Greek Festival every year at the church? Now, that was superior.

[poohbear2]

Poohbear! Always great to hear of someone from the neigborhood. Although the time factors are way off, I am sure, I grew up at 4226 University and my cousins lived at 3724 Jardin in Southside. Stayed around, my daughter went to St. Mark's and West U. Elementary. After some years away, she is grown and lives on Community. Nothing quite like it.

On topic, I only went to The Black Angus once, was very nice, but I didn't find the steak tasted different than any other breed served elsewhere.

You are Greek? How about that incredible shish-ka-bob they served at the Greek Festival every year at the church? Now, that was superior.

i lived at 5724 Buffalo...Then 2807 quenby......My husband is greek and his father use to own the Black Angus.... The greek fest food is incredible!

[Disastro]

Alfie's was actually very delicious! I can just mentally picture the neat little basket of fish & chips now! (forget about the Slimfast right).

and Steak & Egg was also a very great place to have a nice fresh steaming breakfast and good coffee! We had one for years at intersection of 45 & Telephone Road right next to the huge Coca-Cola neon billboard sign. Was our teen hangout for a good while. It finally closed around earky 80's?

Although Taco Bell is still here, how many remember when the Taco Bell's all had that big FIRE pit flame as you walked in the front? I had to light that blasted thing on ocassion while working there!

In 76 that silly jingle/slogan was "Come to Taco, taco, taco , taco, Taco Bell".

I remember that! One of the first Taco Bells I can remember had that fire pit and was over on Bellaire near the Broiler Burger...

[albertnurick]

The one over on Beechnut? I used to go all the time back during high school. I missed my cheese melts when they closed.

Right across Beechnut from Meyerland Center, at the end of the strip center, across the parking lot from the carwash.

Great place. "Zappo's _andwich Land", IIRC, the S was missing for a long time. I think my parents got tired of my wanting to go there; Schlotzky's is a pale imitation, of the Zappo sandwich.

[cannon24]

These threads have really brought back some great memories....Absolutely loved my time growing up in Houston during the 60's and 70's..

Wanted to put in a mention for The Mariner, near Westheimer and Fountain View. There was one on 1960 close to Champions also, and both were outstanding.

[IronTiger]

I loved that clown too, not to mention the old building design which was actualy a box.

Not sure thats the reason they got rid of it though. I think it was just a part of some goggle faced executives' plan to spruce up the company's image, and make it more upscale. This was the same time that they introduced the "steak sandwich" which actualy was a steak on a hoggie roll. It wasn't too bad either.

The biggest goof they made though, was blowing up the drive thru clown in the TV comercials. Do you remember the lawsuit that resulted from that. One family sued the company saying that their child would no longer go to Jack in the Box because she was having nightmares about the clown exploding, and was even scared to pass by one on the street! If memory serves....they won!

It was years before anyone saw "Jack" again.

Well, I actually posted an "expose" in a nutshell on my blog here, to demonstrate the great changes...

Man, you guys seem like you're having a blast discussing Houston restaurants! I had done a similar, unrelated thread that didn't do very well.

Edited June 26, 2008 by IronTiger

[Subdude]

Does anybody remember the Tiki Room ( I think that was the name) on S. Main just down from Sonny Looks?

Do you mean the Poly-Asian at 9530 South Main? See this Tiki Topic.

[mindo99]

Three Alfred's locations:

My stepfather was food buyer for the Alfred's delis on Rice and Stella Link in the sixties. There were many nice people who worked there, and the store portion of the delis carried off the wall favorites like chocolate covered ants and Tiger's milk (don't ask).

The deli and bakery were always great, and the powdered sugar dusted brownies were solid chunks of chocolately goodness.

Inside Khan's high up on the walls are blown-up black and white graphic photos of the old deli, and when I mentioned to Alfred's son that my stepdad worked there, he said, "You mean Henry? He's right over there" and pointed to him in the photo.

Anyone remember the Town and Country Alfreds? It was modelled after a Swiss Chalet, complete with a painted-life sized diorama of Alfred wearing lederhosen on a Swiss hill.

Anyone have any photos of the stores?

[Subdude]

My stepfather was food buyer for the Alfred's delis on Rice and Stella Link in the sixties. There were many nice people who worked there, and the store portion of the delis carried off the wall favorites like chocolate covered ants and Tiger's milk (don't ask).

The deli and bakery were always great, and the powdered sugar dusted brownies were solid chunks of chocolately goodness.

Inside Khan's high up on the walls are blown-up black and white graphic photos of the old deli, and when I mentioned to Alfred's son that my stepdad worked there, he said, "You mean Henry? He's right over there" and pointed to him in the photo.

Anyone remember the Town and Country Alfreds? It was modelled after a Swiss Chalet, complete with a painted-life sized diorama of Alfred wearing lederhosen on a Swiss hill.

Anyone have any photos of the stores?

Why yes, as a matter of fact.

[andyzipp]

Ducho's Steakhouse just off N. Shepherd.

Alfie's Fish & Chips on Ella

The old Monterrey House Restaurants.

Butera's.

Dirty's on Shepherd.

Edited July 9, 2008 by andyzipp

[fortbendtomontrose]

Does anyone remember a downtown oyster bar in the vicinity of Old Market Square?

I'm not talking about Massa's. This was a full seafood restaurant with an emphasis

on it's fresh oysters and live jazz.

I remember eating there and listening to Arnett Cobb. I think it was the early 80s.

[Disastro]

Ducho's Steakhouse just off N. Shepherd.

Alfie's Fish & Chips on Ella

The old Monterrey House Restaurants.

Butera's.

Dirty's on Shepherd.

I used to like H. Salt Fish and Chips...anyone remember those? The fish and chips came wrapped in paper that looked like an old newspaper.

I remember Alfies, but don't recall eating there...

[readam]

Does anyone remember a downtown oyster bar in the vicinity of Old Market Square?

I'm not talking about Massa's. This was a full seafood restaurant with an emphasis

on it's fresh oysters and live jazz.

I remember eating there and listening to Arnett Cobb. I think it was the early 80s.

Could it have been the Ten Fathoms???

[fortbendtomontrose]

Could it have been the Ten Fathoms???

Nope. This place was much more casual. Bustling on weekend nights, open to the street, and

no reservations required.

[Subdude]

Could it have been the Ten Fathoms???

I believe that was across from the Sheraton on the other side of downtown.

[tomv]

How to succeed when you open up a new restaurant : Don't put the word "Orleans" in the title!

www.B4Ueat.com (great site, by the way) lists 12 restaurants in the Houston area that have "Orleans" in their title. Of them, 8 have closed recently.

GONE:

Best New Orleans Seafood

Cafe Orleans Express

Cajun New Orleans Seafood Kitchen

N'awlins Seafood Kitchen

New Orleans Pizza Joint

NOLA's New Orleans Seafood Restaurant

Original New Orleans Po-Boy

Versash - A New Orleans Style Bar & Grill

LOOK OUT! (STILL WITH US):

A Taste of New Orleans

Little Taste of New Orleans

New Orleans Cajun Kitchen

Orleans Seafood Kitchen

Not sure what this means. Back to work!

[marketingwiz]

Does anyone remember Hebert's Steakhouse near downtown? It was a restaurant in an old, 2-story frame house with the best steaks and shrimp cocktail with their signature (and killer!) remoulade sauce. Their neon sign had a bear on it and it read "A Bear's" so people would know how to pronounce their name. I went on many a date there, including with my husband. As I recall, the restaurant burned down in the 80's (?) and was never rebuilt.

[Subdude]

Does anyone remember Hebert's Steakhouse near downtown? It was a restaurant in an old, 2-story frame house with the best steaks and shrimp cocktail with their signature (and killer!) remoulade sauce. Their neon sign had a bear on it and it read "A Bear's" so people would know how to pronounce their name. I went on many a date there, including with my husband. As I recall, the restaurant burned down in the 80's (?) and was never rebuilt.

Somewhere around here there are pictures and a menu of that place.

[robhan]

Doe's Anyone remeber the name of a Middle Eastern deli that was located on West Alabama nect to teh Stop and Go that was torn down to make way for the Annuncation Orthodox School gym. I think it may have been Micheal's. The food was good there. I could walk from my UST dorm to it in two minuets.

[57Tbird]

Does anyone remember Hebert's Steakhouse near downtown? It was a restaurant in an old, 2-story frame house with the best steaks and shrimp cocktail with their signature (and killer!) remoulade sauce. Their neon sign had a bear on it and it read "A Bear's" so people would know how to pronounce their name. I went on many a date there, including with my husband. As I recall, the restaurant burned down in the 80's (?) and was never rebuilt.

Just for you, marketingwiz....

Excerpts from an '80's menu...

There is more on Hebert's near the beginning of this thread where I posted a 1941 menu.

[SkyEye]

The Ranger Drive-In on Telephone Rd. near Hobby and Key Largo in Kemah come to mind...

[marketingwiz]

Anyone remember Zappos sandwich shop in Bellaire?

My husband grew up in Bellaire at the corner of Maple and Rice and he LOVED Zappo's. When we first started dating in 1980, that's the first place we went out to eat together. It was his favorite place. AND, he used to bus tables at Herfy's Steakhouse in Bellaire.

[marketingwiz]

Just for you, marketingwiz....

Excerpts from an '80's menu...

There is more on Hebert's near the beginning of this thread where I posted a 1941 menu.

THANK YOU '57! Unfortunately nothing is showing up on your post so I'll search for your 1941 menu of Hebert's. Nice to know someone else remembers it.

[marketingwiz]

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.

Yes, Chuy and Rico, I hope you've gotten your tacos al carbon together since you stiffed the ad agency I was working for (1982) for all your billboards, matchbook covers and menus when you tried to open your first restaurant together in Katy. Great location for authentic Mexican cuisine! No wonder it failed. But at least you kept your gold nugget chains and avocado green Mercedes convertible.

[marketingwiz]

Does anyone remember a restaurant in The Galleria called "Shucker's", at least I think that's what it was called. The all you could eat boiled shrimpfor $5.99 was awesome, but you had to peel'em yourself. It was a nice little "sportsbar" type of place.

As far as I know, it's still there. I believe I've had oysters there in the past year.

Restaurants I miss:

Los Troncos (built in/around a huge tree)

Rice Hotel Coffee Shop and the downstairs cafeteria

Pier 21 near Braeswood and Fannin

The Red Lion on S. Main, north of Braeswood

Kaphan's

The Polyasian on S. Main, south of Braeswood

Alfred's on Stella Link

Trader Vic's on Gessner, near Westheimer

Wow Albert, I was just thinking about Los Troncos! But I thought it was called The Treehouse and it was located on Westheimer? My dad took me there for my birthday while I was still at A & M. We literally had to crawl up into a wooden booth that was elevated above the floor as were the other booths. Do you think this is the same restaurant?

[Disastro]

Restaurants I miss (that apparently still exist in other states):

http://www.hsalt.com/

http://www.deltaco.com/page4.html