The Heights Restaurant And Bar Scene - More Coming

[shady 75]

My wife and I love the Heights area and have enjoyed our first year living here. One thing that we wonder about though is the lack of restaurant diversity in the area. We enjoy the new Thai Spice quite a bit...but find ourselves having to go to Montrose or Rice Village if we ever want anything other than a burger, sandwich, chinese food or pizza.

It seems like recently the Heights just started getting some new restaurants outside of the same old lines. We love Onion Creek...but Dry Creek, 6th St. Bar & Grill, etc. all serve up the same burger and fry options.

For example we love Indian food as many of our friends do in the area but it seems as if no Indian restaurants are venturing into the area. Just more burger joints.

Question...is the lack of restaurant diversity in the area from wanting to keep the small town feel or is it from restaurant owners not realizing there is a demand for this in the area? I think progress is being made. We like the recent additions of Glass Wall, Thai Spice, etc.

Your thoughts.

[RedScare]

Question...is the lack of restaurant diversity in the area from wanting to keep the small town feel or is it from restaurant owners not realizing there is a demand for this in the area? I think progress is being made. We like the recent additions of Glass Wall, Thai Spice, etc.

Your thoughts.

Several things. Don't forget, for years, The Heights was a DUMP...no matter what everyone says. The only restaurants in a ghetto are burger joints. As the Heights improves, the restaurants follow. All of the places you mention have opened in the last few years.

Heights reputation for being Dry does not help. Owners are figuring out where the boundaries are, and building accordingly, though. But, for years, everyone thought it was the entire area that was dry...and the Houston Heights Assoc. does nothing to change the perception.

[MidtownCoog]

he only restaurants in a ghetto are burger joints.

True, but King Biscuit was good for years. I think I started eating there in the 93.

Anybody been there lately?

[shady 75]

True, but King Biscuit was good for years. I think I started eating there in the 93.

Anybody been there lately?

Yep...that is one of my favorite places to grab a burger and beer. Great place.

[nmainguy]

Pretty much what Red said. Shade is a private restaurant/club on 19th but membership is free-very good food and wine list.

Here's a map of the dry Heights:

Edited May 9, 2006 by nmainguy

[heights_yankee]

My wife and I love the Heights area and have enjoyed our first year living here. One thing that we wonder about though is the lack of restaurant diversity in the area. We enjoy the new Thai Spice quite a bit...but find ourselves having to go to Montrose or Rice Village if we ever want anything other than a burger, sandwich, chinese food or pizza.

It seems like recently the Heights just started getting some new restaurants outside of the same old lines. We love Onion Creek...but Dry Creek, 6th St. Bar & Grill, etc. all serve up the same burger and fry options.

For example we love Indian food as many of our friends do in the area but it seems as if no Indian restaurants are venturing into the area. Just more burger joints.

Question...is the lack of restaurant diversity in the area from wanting to keep the small town feel or is it from restaurant owners not realizing there is a demand for this in the area? I think progress is being made. We like the recent additions of Glass Wall, Thai Spice, etc.

Your thoughts.

Patience, patience.

Developers are obviously seeing the potential. Glasswall and Shade demontrate that not only will Heights residents welcome these types of establishments; people will come from other parts of the city for a good restaurant.

As much as we would like to, we also can't forget that we'll soon have another new restaurant on the former Ashland's in The Heights lot.

[lilyheights]

I don't eat burgers at Dry Creek, I order other items.

I sympathize with your overall assessment, but I see signs of change.

I think things are expanding with the additions of Shade and Glass Wall.

We recently found a place called Jazzy Cafe that serves NO style poboys...the owners are here thanks to Katrina.

For Chinese we eat at Bamboo House across the bayou on Waugh.

Indian food still hasn't made its mark, but we're close enough to our old favs that it isn't an issue. We actually travel to Sharpstown for Indian.

We also travel for Korean to the Longpoint area. We love Korean food and it wasn't until this year that we found a place outside of the Longpoint area -- that place is in Sharpstown, too.

We also found a really good Thai place on 610 and 18th. Not technically the Heights, but close enough.

I think that Berry Hill was a good addition.

I agree with your assessment. I also wonder if I would eat at any new place that didn't satisfy my cravings for my old favs that are in pretty close proximity...in other words, anything in the Heights will compete at some level with the places you already know and love. That may make a difference to someone breaking into the ultra-competitive restaurant business in our now high rent area.

[RedScare]

True, but King Biscuit was good for years. I think I started eating there in the 93.

Anybody been there lately?

Yeah. They ruined it by going "upscale". Salmon colored walls and all. They went all Northpark Mall on us.

[shady 75]

Patience, patience.

Developers are obviously seeing the potential. Glasswall and Shade demontrate that not only will Heights residents welcome these types of establishments; people will come from other parts of the city for a good restaurant.

As much as we would like to, we also can't forget that we'll soon have another new restaurant on the former Ashland's in The Heights lot.

Patience has never been my best virtue...lol...I just know that the area can handle additional options and I for one if given my option prefer to spend my money inside the Heights rather than outside of the Heights, whether it be food, groceries, gas...whatever...thanks for the responses guys...

By the way...do you think that this area will always be dry or is it set to expire at a certain time...what seems to be the general feeling of families in the area...do they prefer to keep it dry? What have areas like West U. done? I know from groing up in Bellaire that the fact it was not dry never hurt the family atmosphere there.

[lilyheights]

The whole city was dry when my dad moved here. So, for history, that was the only way.

West U., Bellaire, etc. didn't actively do anything.

The Heights, when it became part of Houston, made sure that the area in the boundries referenced above remained dry and they wanted it that way forever and ever amen.

I think the dry aspect has influenced the fact that there aren't a lot of cantinas or houses turned bar in what was a depressed area of town. That's probably a good thing for the neighborhood overall.

What Shade does seems like a good solution, only it seems hard to come by. The boundries aren't that big. There are plenty of spaces available where alcohol can be served. I think it is just as someone stated above: people think that all the Heights is dry. It isn't. I will add that people think that the Heights is a lot of places it isn't. That doesn't help business owners figure out that they can sell alcohol in the area.

I think as word gets out, we'll see more changes.

[native_Houstonian]

Let's not forget about Tampico on Airline, Teutactlan (sp) on Airline, that good Vietnamese place on 19th next to Chase bank. All are very good, not chains, AND you can bring your own wine to the Vietnamese place!

[heights_yankee]

Let's not forget about Tampico on Airline, Teutactlan (sp) on Airline, that good Vietnamese place on 19th next to Chase bank. All are very good, not chains, AND you can bring your own wine to the Vietnamese place!

Vietnam Restaurant. Appropriate, no?

[native_Houstonian]

Vietnam Restaurant. Appropriate, no?

Did you want me to say Vietnamese restaurant instead of Vietnamese place? It's a restaurant that serves Vietnamese food, therefore it's a Vietnamese restaurant. I don't go to a China restaurant, I go to a Chinese restaurant.

Edited May 9, 2006 by native_Houstonian

[RedScare]

I think she was commenting on the name of the restaurant.

[native_Houstonian]

I think she was commenting on the name of the restaurant.

OHHHHH. Wipe the stupid off of my face.

In the words of Gilda Radner, "Nevermind".

[cwrm4]

We recently found a place called Jazzy Cafe that serves NO style poboys...the owners are here thanks to Katrina.

Is "Jazzy Cafe" in the Heights? Never heard of it. And I have killed before for a good po-boy.

[heights_yankee]

Haaa! Native, that was cute! China restaurant. That was some much needed comic relief for my very crappy day

Has anyone been to Mardi Gras on Durham? It's the white building with all the beads... Someone I work with went there and liked it, but I don't know how much I trust his opinion.

Edited May 9, 2006 by heights_yankee

[RedScare]

Haaa! Native, that was cute! China restaurant. That was some much needed comic relief for my very crappy day

Has anyone been to Mardi Gras on Durham? It's the white building with all the beads... Someone I work with went there and liked it, but I don't know how much I trust his opinion.

Trust it. Mardi Gras used to be called Floyd's. Floyd Landry's family owned the original Landry's, before it was bought and chainified. Mardi Gras has possibly the best Bisque I've ever had. Pretty much all of their menu is great. I know a lot of their staff, too. Good people.

[gnu]

Trust it. Mardi Gras used to be called Floyd's. Floyd Landry's family owned the original Landry's, before it was bought and chainified. Mardi Gras has possibly the best Bisque I've ever had. Pretty much all of their menu is great. I know a lot of their staff, too. Good people.

Floyd now has a restaurant in Webster. in the old boat shaped buiding in front of Garden Ridge Pottery and the Burlington Coat Factory (old Hydroponic Fiesta). 528 at 45. Still great food. get there before it somehow gets chainified as well.

[west20th]

Is "Jazzy Cafe" in the Heights? Never heard of it. And I have killed before for a good po-boy.

There was a review in The Voice on it. It mentioned it was on the "industrial" side of 19th Street so I'm assuming it is on 19th, West of Durham. The review was kind of good but it mentioned the eclectic menu. You can get a fried rice side with your po-boy

Edited May 9, 2006 by west20th

[Moose]

Is "Jazzy Cafe" in the Heights? Never heard of it. And I have killed before for a good po-boy.

Technically, Jazzy Cafe is in Shady Acres. It is on 19th between Bealle and Bevis. It is in the little red building that once was home to the Chicago Beef House or something. The food at Jazzy is fresh and tasty, plus the owners are very nice. Here's hoping that they suceed at that location.

[callisthenes]

Don't forget Thai Spice and Collina's on 19th. Both serve good food.

Thanks all for the heads up on Jazzy Cafe, I will definitely swing by for a NOLA fix.

A minor warning about the Mardi Gras Cafe, however. They put spices on their berled crawfish after their done rather than just berling them with the crab boil. I also encountered this at a crawfish boil at Onion Creek. Maybe that's a "Texas thang", but it is definitely wrong if you want New Orleans style boiled crawfish.

[lilyheights]

Let's not forget about Tampico on Airline, Teutactlan (sp) on Airline, that good Vietnamese place on 19th next to Chase bank. All are very good, not chains, AND you can bring your own wine to the Vietnamese place!

Teotihuacan. Mmmm.

[houstonray]

Teotihuacan. Mmmm.

We third that. Teotihuacan is hands down better than Spanish Flower is now. When we moved here 8 years ago, we loved Spanish Flowers, but over the years and after their expansion, it seems the food has become bland. Teotihuacan is definitely great!!!

Edited May 16, 2006 by houstonray

[heights_yankee]

Don't forget Thai Spice and Collina's on 19th. Both serve good food.

Thanks all for the heads up on Jazzy Cafe, I will definitely swing by for a NOLA fix.

I'm not a huge fan of Colina's but we went to Thai Spice for the 1st time last night and it was great. The waiter left something to be desired- when my husband ordered brown rice, he brought Jasmine rice and then said he did that b/c he thinks the jasmine rice is better and Thai people don't eat brown rice. Otherwise, the food was better than expected...

[lilyheights]

Check out the Taste of the Heights this w/e...it features most of the Heights restaurants:

All Saints Church offering local fare and fair

Celebration of area eateries cornerstone of eventful weekend

By MARTIN HAJOVSKY

THOSE who think there are no great restaurants in the Heights will have their assumptions trumped this weekend at All Saints Catholic Church.

The church, 215 East 10th at Harvard, will host its inaugural Great Taste of the Heights event from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Saturday.

The chef's invitational, a fundraiser for All Saints, will feature tastings and signature dishes and sample menus from 19 Heights-area restaurants, along with cocktails and live entertainment.

Also on tap will be an art sale featuring the work of mostly Heights-area artists.

Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 on the day of the event.

"This is the best deal in town," All Saints special events coordinator Michelle Britton said. "We've had a huge response to this and have asked the restaurants to expand how much food to bring. For $15 you get all of these samples, plus cocktails, access to an arts show, access to the live entertainment.

"We're definitely going to set this up to happen every year. It's a great celebration of the Heights."

Featured restaurants include Berryhill's, Carter and Cooley, Chatters, Collina's, Cricket's Creamery and Cafe, DaCapo's, 11th Street Cafe, King Biscuit, Heights Camphouse BBQ, Hickory Hollow, Java Java Cafe, McCain's Market, Onion Creek/Dry Creek, Shade, Spanish Flowers, Thai Spice, The Vietnam Restaurant, the Glass Wall and Yale Street Grill.

The event is the tip of an eventful weekend at the church. A trash and treasure sale will kick off the festivities from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday.

"Bargains, bargains and more bargains," Britton said. "It'll be fun."

All Saints also will hold its annual Family Day Bazaar from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday.

The event will have barbecue dinners, live entertainment, arts and crafts, and what Britton calls "the usual bazaar suspects."

"This is our big, boffo bazaar," she said. "There's live entertainment, cocktails, frozen margaritas, beer garden, something for everyone.

"We've also added a trackless train that will take people for rides around different blocks of the Heights."

Just as with last year, the church is planning another edition of its Video Memories oral history project.

Volunteers are lined up to film the memories of anyone with a story to tell about the church and school and growing up in the Heights.

Church officials hope to create an archive of these memories to document the history of the church and the surrounding neighborhood.

Running throughout all of the events will be the aforementioned art sale. Among the artists featured will be All Saints' own Brother Robert Lentz, a Franciscan Friar, a world-renowned religious iconographer who is putting together an icon wall at the church.

"He's such a wonderful artist and a humble guy. You'd never know he has such a large international reputation. We are going to be selling some of his designs and religious objects," Britton said, noting that openings remain for artists who want to sell their work.

Tickets for the Great Tastes of the Heights event can be purchased at participating restaurants, online at www.allsaints.ws, or by calling the All Saints Special Events line at 713-864-2653, Ext. 217.

[Heather's Husband]

Anyone have any dirt on when Dragon Bowl might open? I can't believe how long that build-out is taking.

[heights_yankee]

Anyone have any dirt on when Dragon Bowl might open? I can't believe how long that build-out is taking.

You look familiar

ANyway, I was excited when DB first put the sign out, but there is something about how long this build out is taking that makes me very leery about eating there. They can't afford to get their place open; how do I know they're not going to try and recoup some losses by serving Grade D meat? Just a little fishy...

[takeshi]

Pei Wei's not in the Heights but it's a short drive down Yale/Waugh and really good.

[Crash]

I saw an advertisement in the press that said Dragon Bowl is opening next week.... It's taken so damn long they really should have renamed it Dragging Ass

[TJones]

What TYPE of restaurants and how BIG would you like them? DO you want these restaurants placed in rehabbed homes, or NEW construction that will fit with the area ? Suggestions ?

[MidtownCoog]

TJ,

The Heights simply wants to have their cake, and eat it, too.

That's why they are hungry for cake.

[heights_yankee]

What TYPE of restaurants and how BIG would you like them? DO you want these restaurants placed in rehabbed homes, or NEW construction that will fit with the area ? Suggestions ?

I'd love to see a variety. I think a large Lupe Tortilla (or similar) would be good for young families. If they could rehab some old homes on busy streets like 6th and 11th, that would be cool. Those would make great sandwich shops or coffee houses with breakfast. There are some areas on the west side that could definitely use some development where they could build new.

I have mentioned this before but I think the Heights needs 2 things:

1) A bakery/breakfast place. I like DaCapo's but their hours suck and they're breakfast selections are very limited.

2) A place for ice cream/ dessert- a cute gelato place or even an Amy's . I went to a place in Austin last weekend that had gelato and other deserts. THey had a nice patio area and it was packed at 9:30 pm. I think a place like that would do well in the 'hood.

[west20th]

2) A place for ice cream/ dessert- a cute gelato place or even an Amy's .

Crickets has wonderful Gelato. But their hours leave something to be desired.

[Markus]

.... It's taken so damn long they really should have renamed it Dragging Ass

Ha!!!!!!

[heights_yankee]

Crickets has wonderful Gelato. But their hours leave something to be desired.

Maybe we could start a letter writing campaign. I want gelato after my nice, long dinner. I do not want gelato for dinner (well, sometimes but I don't think my husband would allow it )

[heightslurker]

I agree the area needs a dessert/ice cream place...

amy's and the chocolate bar are such a hike...and those places do such a great business because they stay open to a resonable hour (ie. after dinner...)

[HeightsGuy]

I'd love to see a variety. I think a large Lupe Tortilla (or similar) would be good for young families. If they could rehab some old homes on busy streets like 6th and 11th, that would be cool. Those would make great sandwich shops or coffee houses with breakfast. There are some areas on the west side that could definitely use some development where they could build new.

I have mentioned this before but I think the Heights needs 2 things:

1) A bakery/breakfast place. I like DaCapo's but their hours suck and they're breakfast selections are very limited.

2) A place for ice cream/ dessert- a cute gelato place or even an Amy's . I went to a place in Austin last weekend that had gelato and other deserts. THey had a nice patio area and it was packed at 9:30 pm. I think a place like that would do well in the 'hood.

Heights_Yankee, I don't understand the bakery/breakfast comment. The Heights is well represented in both catagories. For breakfast, there are dozens of tex-mex joints that serve awesome american and mexican breakfast (Teotihuacan yum), there's Texas Cafeteria, Onion Creek, Eleventh Street Cafe, Andys, Java Java Cafe, Yale Street Coffee House, I could go on if I could remember anymore off the top of my head. Some of those places also have baked goods, but the best bakery that I know of in the Heights is the place across the street from Caninos on Airline. You won't fine a better Tres Leches anywhere.

[lilyheights]

Correct me if I'm wrong HY, but I think she's thinking French-style perhaps? Not cakes, pies, and cookies, but croissants and breads.

[heights_yankee]

Correct me if I'm wrong HY, but I think she's thinking French-style perhaps? Not cakes, pies, and cookies, but croissants and breads.

Sure, those things. Bagels, muffins, danish. Again, sort of like Dacapo's but open all weekend and before 10 am.

[Guest Malvoe]

The Daily Grind on Washington is another excellent breakfast place, and don't forget Dry Creek. There is also the Pig Stop on Washington.

Can't say I'd agree with a lupe tortilla - as far as I can tell, it's just another mediocre to bad chain restaurant. Plus, I seem to remember seeing a mexican restaurant or two around the heights already;-)

Now, if someone would only put in a Sushi restaurant, it would kill. In fact, that's probably something I'd think about investing in.

[lockmat]

Doing a little thread recycling here...

I have a meeting in the Heights this afternoon...anyone have suggestions on a restaurant. I was thinking Jack in the Box on 20th & N Shep. for the .99 menu , but then thought I might see if I could get some nice cheap/yummy suggestions for a place I've never been before.

Thanks in advance

[crunchtastic]

Doing a little thread recycling here...

I have a meeting in the Heights this afternoon...anyone have suggestions on a restaurant. I was thinking Jack in the Box on 20th & N Shep. for the .99 menu , but then thought I might see if I could get some nice cheap/yummy suggestions for a place I've never been before.

Thanks in advance

Vietnam Restaurant on 19th near Shepherd. Good vermicelli bowls, inexpensive.

Edited January 15, 2009 by crunchtastic

[20thStDad]

Vietnam Restaurant on 19th near Shepherd. Good vermicelli bowls, inexpensive.

Did they open back up yet? Been expanding/renovating the past several weeks. We need to try it.

[zandago]

Doing a little thread recycling here...

I have a meeting in the Heights this afternoon...anyone have suggestions on a restaurant. I was thinking Jack in the Box on 20th & N Shep. for the .99 menu , but then thought I might see if I could get some nice cheap/yummy suggestions for a place I've never been before.

Thanks in advance

Try Asia Market on the north side of Calvacade between Studewood and Airline. Small Thai market with a little kitchen in the back and a small but tasty menu. Not an expert but seems like pretty authentic homestyle cooking given that I think its the owners grandparents cooking with the produce and other goods they actually sell at the store.

[Porchman]

Did they open back up yet? Been expanding/renovating the past several weeks. We need to try it.

As of Monday, they're still closed. The renovations look great, and they look like they're done. Not sure what the hold up is.

[crunchtastic]

Did they open back up yet? Been expanding/renovating the past several weeks. We need to try it.

Hmm. I haven't been since before Thanksgiving. Didn't even know they were closed.

Just thought of something else. A lot of people don't agree, but I've always liked Spanish Flowers for cheap texmex plates. They've got some of the best salsa in town.

[heights_yankee]

Spanish FLowers has a great patio, if nothing else.

Also, I havent' been but friends are RAVING about the Chicago Pizza joint (is it on main or airline?), friends from CHICAGO nonetheless! there is also some Chicago meat place? i don't know what that is all about but they say it's good. can anyone enlighten me?

also, bedford has a sign "now serving lunch." probably more of a business lunch than a casual lunch, but might be worth checking out...

i wish the original author would come back and comment. i wonder if he has come to find how much variety there really is in our little corner of the world?

[crunchtastic]

Also, I havent' been but friends are RAVING about the Chicago Pizza joint (is it on main or airline?), friends from CHICAGO nonetheless! there is also some Chicago meat place? i don't know what that is all about but they say it's good. can anyone enlighten me?

A buddy of mine here at the office goes to the Chicago Beef place for lunch take out and raves about it. I'm not a fan of 'chicago beef'. It tastes to me like overcooked roast beef soaked in Italian dressing. They have burgers and cheesesteaks and gyros, too. On Cavalcade and Airline, I think.

Edited January 15, 2009 by crunchtastic

[Heights2Bastrop]

The Heights, when it became part of Houston, made sure that the area in the boundries referenced above remained dry and they wanted it that way forever and ever amen.

As far as I know, the Heights voted to remain dry when it was annexed by Houston, but has always had the option to become wet by a vote from those in the area. I don