Historic Houston Restaurants

[Earlydays]

...also outstanding roast beef sandwiches at Alfred's

[kbates2]

Kahn's Deli had the best reuben i've ever eaten.  Most of the sandwiches at Kahn's were the best I've ever had.

[brucesw]

Kahn's reuben was the same as Alfred's as far as I could tell.  And I'd agree - it's still the best I've ever had.

Kahn's website (I think the son's name was Michael, had a line about 'everybody's good at doing something; I'm good at making sandwiches' -  and he was.

Edited September 30, 2022 by brucesw

[Mr-DJ]

Does anyone here recall a little restaurant in an old 2-story house on lower Westheimer called Ebeneezer's, circa early 70's? I believe it was at the corner of Westheimer (Elgin) and Bagby. And if so, is there anything anywhere on the internet about it. So far, I cannot locate a single word or pic.

Edited October 18, 2022 by Mr-DJ

[mkultra25]

On 10/15/2022 at 12:35 PM, Mr-DJ said:

Does anyone here recall a little restaurant in an old 2-story house on lower Westheimer called Ebeneezer's, circa early 70's? I believe it was at the corner of Westheimer (Elgin) and Bagby. And if so, is there anything anywhere on the internet about it. So far, I cannot locate a single word or pic.

Might want to post this question in the Montrose Houston Hippie Tribe Facebook group. It's likely that someone there will not only remember it but will also have patronized it. 

[Mr-DJ]

TO: mkultra25 - Thanks for the suggestion. I have now posted there, and we'll see what happens.

[cdenker]

On 9/29/2022 at 11:07 PM, Clifford said:

I have 4 childhood favorites from the 60s. Very obscure. I wonder if anyone remembers them? I even have a hard time being sure of their names and locations. 

There was a coffee shop/ diner in Westbury, on Belfort, next to the library and putt putt golf, called Kings? I just remember that part of the name. Fried grilled cheese battered, with cracker crust. Never had anything like it again.

Another was the best Italian I've ever had called Leonardo's. There were flip-card movie machines and other antiques. Best real Italian food. It was south of Westbury, out Hillcroft, somewhere. 

Then there was Brittain's Broiler Burger in Westbury Square. Very tasty flame grilled burgers and nice lemon ice cream.

Of course, Alfred's Delicatessen on Stella Link. Amazing burgers and borscht.

I remember these places and wonder if no one else remembers. 

Kings was the place that had telephones on the table where you could order.  It was located where the Gabbanelli Accordian Store is now, 4991 W Bellfort.   Leonardo's was probably before my time, but there is a lot of info on this place (see pic), but it is listed as being on S. Post Oak, not Hillcroft, so not sure if it is the same place or not.  

Brittains Broiler Burger wasn't technically in Westbury Square, but right next to it in a strip mall.  One of the associated locations (there were a few around town), called "Bellaire Broiler Burger" just closed weeks ago.  They were known for having a merry-go-round inside.

There is a facebook group called "Southwest Houston - Do You Remember When....."

[brucesw]

Great info, cdenker.  Never heard of Leonardo's or the Brittain's @ Westbury OR the one listed in the ad at Fondren & BIssonnet.  There was a John's Broiler Burger, discussed elsewhere on HAIF, on Telephone @ Lawndale.  Thinking it might have been a Brittain's, I went over there once.  Wasn't worth the drive.  Bellaire BB closed during the pandemic.  The attempt to resurrect it by new owners was abandoned recently due to issues with the structure I think.  Still missed by so many, maybe they'll find a new place and try again.

Edited November 1, 2022 by brucesw

[toga]

There were a couple of burger joints, I think, Across the street or maybe called Next Door? 

[Gurgis]

On 9/29/2022 at 10:07 PM, Clifford said:

There was a coffee shop/ diner in Westbury, on Belfort, next to the library and putt putt golf, called Kings? I just remember that part of the name. Fried grilled cheese battered, with cracker crust. Never had anything like it again.

Then there was Brittain's Broiler Burger in Westbury Square. Very tasty flame grilled burgers and nice lemon ice cream.

I remember Kings (and the telephones used to place orders), and want to say I remember eating onion rings there. Facing the front, to the left was AJ Foyt dealership. To the right of it Goony Golf, and then further the library.

I remember Brittain's Broiler Burger, and having great grilled burgers there, though don't remember the exact location. Someone else indicated that it was at the nearby strip mall (probably at Bellfort and Chimney Rock) where TG&Y was, and a haircut place I used to go.

Edited December 23, 2022 by Gurgis

[Gurgis]

On 12/18/2022 at 9:06 AM, toga said:

There were a couple of burger joints, I think, Across the street or maybe called Next Door? 

That's been discussed on this forum before. Across the Street (the location I remember) was essentially on Hillcroft, just south of Westheimer.

[Dave W]

Brittain's was in a separate center on the Westbury Square property. There was a Weingarten's in that center, along with Mading Drugs, TG&Y, a barber shop and a couple of others.

[Gurgis]

Here's a good article on the subject, in case that hasn't been mentioned yet:

https://thebuzzmagazines.com/articles/2014/11/restaurant-memories

Includes a great picture of Rumpleheimer's and the clock tower at Westbury Square

Edited December 23, 2022 by Gurgis

[Txgirl]

Hi.  There is a Chuys at 9350 Westheimer between Westmoreland and Janetta.  Besides Chuys it has been Water Street Seafood, The Sands, Ralph and Kacoos, Royal Buffet and more but does anyone remember the name of the original restaurant that was there in the mid 80's? (side note:  the origial building was torn down and the building that is there now was built for ralph and kacoos).  

[Absinthe_1900]

On 9/29/2022 at 11:07 PM, Clifford said:

I have 4 childhood favorites from the 60s. Very obscure. I wonder if anyone remembers them? I even have a hard time being sure of their names and locations. 

 

Another was the best Italian I've ever had called Leonardo's. There were flip-card movie machines and other antiques. Best real Italian food. It was south of Westbury, out Hillcroft, somewhere. 

 

I remember Leonardo's very well, I used get my late long suffering Mom, to take me there as a kid.
I used to save my change to feed the Nickelodeon machines that were all over the restaurant.
Loved the Italian food there, and had a lot of fun playing all the antique machines.
I'd always buy a pack of Sen-Sen that they had at the cash register, and the coin operated Edison cylinder players went on to inspire me to collect a few antique wind up phonographs