The Heights Restaurant And Bar Scene - More Coming

[Porchman]

My Table magazine's current issue features a "Foodie Guide to the Heights". They cover 30 establishments ranging from Andy's and Pink's to Bedford and Textile, and outlets like Penzey's and El Bolillo. Nice, short takes on each. They arranged the article geographically - 19th, Studewood, White Oak, Airline, and other.

If you're not a subscriber, they do have limited retail circulation. I think I've seen it at Sur La Table.

[tmariar]

My Table magazine's current issue features a "Foodie Guide to the Heights". They cover 30 establishments ranging from Andy's and Pink's to Bedford and Textile, and outlets like Penzey's and El Bolillo. Nice, short takes on each. They arranged the article geographically - 19th, Studewood, White Oak, Airline, and other.

If you're not a subscriber, they do have limited retail circulation. I think I've seen it at Sur La Table.

P - Please don't trouble yourself if it's too much bother, but I'd love to see just a list of the spots they covered. I've got my own list of Heights-area restaurants and am always looking for ways to check its completeness.

[cwrm4]

I like it too. Most importantly, it's BYOB - I don't think they even charged us a corkage fee the times we've been in there.

Honestly, I found the food there quite good but the ambiance (at night) quite depressing. It is not warm, nor minimalist industrial chic - it is just dim.

Edited February 4, 2009 by cwrm4

[Porchman]

P - Please don't trouble yourself if it's too much bother, but I'd love to see just a list of the spots they covered. I've got my own list of Heights-area restaurants and am always looking for ways to check its completeness.

Usual suspects, T. A lot on Airline. (Oh, and there were only 28 listed).

Studewood

-Bedford

-Glass Wall

-Antidote

-Dacapo's

-Andy's

-11^th Street Caf

[tmariar]

Thanks! I've been wondering about Flores' - whether it changed into Lone Star Culinary Spice Market. Maybe they're not connected, though, and there are just two spice shops very close to each other.

[20thStDad]

Sweet Temptation was good stuff. Very small inside, but still it was busy and loud enough that it didn't matter that we had a baby also making noise. Anyway, food was great, we'll add it to our rotation.

[teertsnotelgnis]

Great. Thanks for the follow up post.

[danhole]

Not exactly in the Heights, but has anyone tried Wild Wild Wings on 18th Street near W. T. C. Jester? I see it in the strip center but couldn't find any reviews.

Also, has anyone tried the new Chachos on 45N at the Tidwell exit? We go to Aunt Bea's a lot for breakfast on the weekends and saw it there. I love the one over on the SW side but it's a lot of traffic to get there.

Which strip center is the Wild Wild Wings in? I can't picture it. It must be new. Close to HEB or on the other side?

My daughter went to the Chachos at Tidwell and said it was as good as the one on Westheimer. If you go to the website they ahve the menu. It doesn't look as extensive as the original, but that may change. So glad there is one closer!

[goastros]

Wild Wild wings is on the other side--sort of on the opposite side of 18th from Foodarama but before you reach Queen Burger if you're heading toward 610.

Thanks for the review on Chachos--I'll have to talk hubby into doing the drive-thru.

[Jessica N]

Hello everyone. I am a foodie that moved to the Heights area (Timbergrove) back in July. I previously lived in Clear Lake for 12 years.

I enjoyed reading this thread. I have been exploring the restaurants and am always trying new ones. I had not heard of Sweet Temptations but will try it out.

It sounds like the restaurant diversity in the Heights has improved greatly over the years but I have found a some cuisines still lacking. I love mediterranean and have yet to find any good ones closer than Rice Village - I love Istanbul. I also haven't found a good sushi place yet. I also miss the cheap Pho places, but now that Vietnam has reopened that kind of fills that void.

My favorites/regulars in the heights: Vietnam, Dry Creek/Cedar Creek, Golden Cafe (for take out Chinese), Asia Market or Vieng Thai (on long point), Pinks Pizza and Chatters when our in laws come in town.

You mentioned Wild Wild Wing, that place is just around the corner from my house I haven't been there. I recommend Kojaks Cafe in 18th street west of Ella. Great food, but closes at 8 PM weeknights and is not open weekends.

[goastros]

I've passed by Chatters--what kind of food do they have?

We're right around the corner from Kojak's as well but I wasn't impressed with them.

We recently visited One's a Meal over in Montrose--they are fabulous. We have the Greek salad with gyro meat on top and it is the best gyro meat ever!

Have you tried Cavatore's? It's Italian. There's also a pretty decent Italian place over off 290 in the same parking lot with Black Eyed Pea--Fratelli's.

We've been meaning to try El Rey over off Ella but haven't made it over yet.

I can't help you with the sushi--we don't eat that. Let me know if you explore anywhere new.

[Jessica N]

Chatters has American food with some mediterranean. Sandwiches/salads, entrees. My in laws are older and from the burbs, so this was a 'safe' in the loop place to take them - they aren't exactly the onion creek crowd. It also was a hit with the 90 y.o. grandmas. here is the website http://www.chatterscafe.com/

we tried cavatore's the first week we were here and were not too impressed. everything was good, but the price was a bit to high for us for what we got. the place/food seemed a little dated, like something still stuck in the 90s. we prefer collinas for italian in the heights.

i've only been to the el rey on washington. great food, good people watching. mix of laborers and yuppies.

kojaks has some mediterranean, actually the last two times i ate there i got the greek plate - one of my favorite dishes - hummus, tabbouleh, baba ganoush, pita bread.

another place we like is supreme sandwiches on west TC jester just outside 610 in the same strip mall as the strip club. my hubby works from home and goes here during the week for a quick lunch - all the sandwiches are premade each day. go in, pick up your sandwich, chips, drink and it is less than $5.

[houstonmacbro]

I like Isla Coqui right there at Durham and I10.

[mkultra25]

I've passed by Chatters--what kind of food do they have?

If you've ever been to Hungry International in the Rice Village, Chatters' menu will look familiar. I believe that it is or was somehow affiliated with the owner of Hungry's.

[heightsfan]

Good Afternoon,

Seeking any feedback, comments, or experiences dining at

The Big Mamou, The Bedford, or Textile restaurant?

Thank you

[tanith27]

Big Mamou: not open yet

Bedford: been twice and really liked it. The portions aren't large at all, but the quality of the food is A+. I've heard many complaints about the service there, but the both times I've been its been very attentive. The noise levels aren't nearly what Glass Wall is and the price level is fairly comparable.

Textile: haven't done that one yet.

[woodheightsguy]

Big Mamou opening this Friday.

[heights_yankee]

Good Afternoon,

Seeking any feedback, comments, or experiences dining at

The Big Mamou, The Bedford, or Textile restaurant?

Thank you

Bedford: been twice. bad service both times but superior food that will make me give them another try. last time a friend went, she said her waiter was new and it looked like that had turned some staff over so that is promising. hate the atmosphere. it looks like a hotel restaurant. but in the end- decent service and excellent food trump bad layout.

Textile: have tried twice to get reservations. they think they are pretty special- you have to leave a message for the catering manager and she may or may not ever get back to you. i'll try again, but will wait til crowd slows and they think that they might have to be attentive.

all i can say about BM is it better be good. we've been waiting long enough!!

[JCR]

another place we like is supreme sandwiches on west TC jester just outside 610 in the same strip mall as the strip club. my hubby works from home and goes here during the week for a quick lunch - all the sandwiches are premade each day. go in, pick up your sandwich, chips, drink and it is less than $5.

$5 sandwich + 3 X $20 lap dances = priceless lunch...

Bedford: been twice. bad service both times but superior food that will make me give them another try. last time a friend went, she said her waiter was new and it looked like that had turned some staff over so that is promising.

Cuz half the staff walked out back in Feb.

[daveg]

Big Mamou opening this Friday.

Anyone check the Big Mamou out yet? It had a good crowd last weekend. I'm going to try to go in the next few days. My tastebuds are from New Orleans even though I wasn't born there.

[tanith27]

Yeah, I was there for opening lunch on Friday. The food is really good. I had a fried shrimp po'boy w/ spicy fries, my friend had fried green tomatoes and jambalaya. The po'boy was really good, fresh bread, about 5-6 decent sized shrimps. Fries were adequate, like other spicy fries. The jambalaya was really tasty, but for $8 we only got a small scoop. Expensive for just rice. I HOPE that was a mistake as they had literally just opened and everyone was trying to figure out their place in the greater scheme, so I hope we ended up with a smaller portion that what should normally be served.

The menu is limited now, no crawfish on weekends (yet). No Abita beer (whats up with that?). No bread pudding. I suspect those will come in due time, they just have to get used to things. I'm curious what others thought, but its a great addition to the hood imo.

[Omar2bar]

Yeah, I was there for opening lunch on Friday. The food is really good. I had a fried shrimp po'boy w/ spicy fries, my friend had fried green tomatoes and jambalaya. The po'boy was really good, fresh bread, about 5-6 decent sized shrimps. Fries were adequate, like other spicy fries. The jambalaya was really tasty, but for $8 we only got a small scoop. Expensive for just rice. I HOPE that was a mistake as they had literally just opened and everyone was trying to figure out their place in the greater scheme, so I hope we ended up with a smaller portion that what should normally be served.

The menu is limited now, no crawfish on weekends (yet). No Abita beer (whats up with that?). No bread pudding. I suspect those will come in due time, they just have to get used to things. I'm curious what others thought, but its a great addition to the hood imo.

They have a place on their Web site to make comments. Maybe we could convince them to add Abita to their beer selection. I'm sure they would appreciate suggestions from the neighborhood.

http://thebigmamou.com/contactus.html

I haven't been yet but plan on trying it out this weekend.

[margokorin]

We ate at the Broken Spoke off washington this past weekend. I highly recomend it. Staff and service were great. it is BYOB right now but they are working on getting a beer and wine permit.

[H50]

I also was there Friday and ordered a Shrimp Poboy and Fries and was not very impressed. The poboy literally had only 5 shrimp on it and I am not sure they weren't pre-breaded or something strange. I really had high expectations for this place hopefully it was just an opening night thing and the quality will improve.

[20thStDad]

Say it ain't so - 5 shrimp on a poboy? I don't care if they're big, that's pathetic. Are they pimping this place as upscale cajun or something? Poboys should always be overflowing with whatever meat is on it, and should always be offered as whole or half. And half better damn fill you up, whole would be for 2 people, or one male between the ages of 16 and 25.

[crunchtastic]

Say it ain't so - 5 shrimp on a poboy? I don't care if they're big, that's pathetic. Are they pimping this place as upscale cajun or something? Poboys should always be overflowing with whatever meat is on it, and should always be offered as whole or half. And half better damn fill you up, whole would be for 2 people, or one male between the ages of 16 and 25.

My thoughts exactly! 5 shrimp makes it what--a Eighth Loaf?

[musicman]

this is how i felt going to that bb's place on montrose.

[RedScare]

My neighbor went to Textile last week. $130 per person for something like an 8 course meal. Does not include lap dances. No thanks.

[Zippy]

Going to Textile next month.. Will report back but I'd expect it to be expensive.. Must drink less..

Heck.. Went to Mark's last night and it was 130 (+tip) a person..

[toadfroggy]

So, is Textile still only offering the prix-fixe tasting menu? I thought they were planning to open with that, but then go with regular menu options once they got past the opening weeks. I want to go, but talking my eating buddies into plunking down $130 each hasn't been easy. It would make it easier if there was at least a possibility of getting out of there for less.

[heights_yankee]

I also was there Friday and ordered a Shrimp Poboy and Fries and was not very impressed. The poboy literally had only 5 shrimp on it and I am not sure they weren't pre-breaded or something strange. I really had high expectations for this place hopefully it was just an opening night thing and the quality will improve.

this is a concern on mine. when they were "open" for White Linen Night last year, we got these empanada type things (not sure what they really are) but i was talking to the guy- who i believe was the owner- working the window and when he put in my order, the girl took out a huge frozen bag of the things (like a foodservice bag, not a ziplock or storage bag) and threw them in the fryer. i know places use prepared foods and that can be ok depending on the price and atmosphere. so, i have to wonder how much of their food they make and how much they buy?

[RedScare]

Going to Textile next month.. Will report back but I'd expect it to be expensive.. Must drink less..

Heck.. Went to Mark's last night and it was 130 (+tip) a person..

My neighbor doesn't drink alcohol, so the price was apparently just for the meal.

[LTAWACS]

I don't know if this has been mentioned before but perhaps one of the biggest reasons for the lack of restaurant diversity in the heights may be due to the lack of diversity in the residents?

My thoughts exactly! 5 shrimp makes it what--a Eighth Loaf?

5 shrimp makes it a "keep on driving".

[woodheightsguy]

I don't know if this has been mentioned before but perhaps one of the biggest reasons for the lack of restaurant diversity in the heights may be due to the lack of diversity in the residents?

5 shrimp makes it a "keep on driving".

I ate at Big Mamou's yesterday. My aunt ordered the shrimp po-boy and I had 9-10 shrimp on it. They were very tasty. I had the combo meal of 1/2 a Cajun Po Boy and cup of gumbo (a pretty good deal for $8.50, I think). The gumbo was great, the sandwich was decent. A friend of mine had the muffaletta and loved it.

They are still working out the kinks, the lady taking orders had no idea how to work their computer system, but other than that, the food came out quickly and was all in all pretty good.

[heights_yankee]

I don't know if this has been mentioned before but perhaps one of the biggest reasons for the lack of restaurant diversity in the heights may be due to the lack of diversity in the residents?

so, west u is diverse?

[tanith27]

this is a concern on mine. when they were "open" for White Linen Night last year, we got these empanada type things (not sure what they really are) but i was talking to the guy- who i believe was the owner- working the window and when he put in my order, the girl took out a huge frozen bag of the things (like a foodservice bag, not a ziplock or storage bag) and threw them in the fryer. i know places use prepared foods and that can be ok depending on the price and atmosphere. so, i have to wonder how much of their food they make and how much they buy?

Its possible, but the kitchen is wide open for viewing and they had all the raw ingredients out and were actively cutting them up and making food when I went. I suspect since they didn't have a facility during last LITH to make these on sight, the chef could have pre-made them. Nothing I had suggested it was anything but fresh, and the fried shrimp was most certainly made on the spot. The only thing I saw that gave any indication of a prepared food was the sausage used in the jambalaya. That was store bought. (and wasn't andouille either). There's some great Texas sausages out there, I definitely think they could buy locally for that.

[daveg]

I went to the Big Mamou last week and ordered the Mamou Salad! Yeah, I know I'm supposed to get something Cajun, but hell, they didn't have pork chops available I became indecisive-- then the girl at the register said goat cheese and I couldn't stop myself from ordering it.

I have to say that salad was fantastic! It was a mixed greens/goatcheese/cranberry/rasberry vinegrette ordeal. Yeah, nothing too original, but it was fresh and tasted fantastic. I think I'm going to go tonight again and try something else... maybe

[danhole]

I don't know if this has been mentioned before but perhaps one of the biggest reasons for the lack of restaurant diversity in the heights may be due to the lack of diversity in the residents?

I don't know what part of the Heights you are familiar with, but there is plenty of diversity in the people and the food.

[Omar2bar]

I went to the Big Mamou this weekend. I had the catfish poboy, my friend had the shrimp poboy, and we shared a bowl of gumbo. Overall, we were both pleased with the food - especially for the price. We both had a lot more than 5 pieces of fish/shrimp.

It's a casual place where you order at the counter, grab a beer out of the cooler and then sit and wait for your food to come out (which didn't take long at all). I'm anxious to try them again once they have their full menu available. I also noticed a sign that said they would serve brunch starting the middle of April.

Another friend of mine mentioned that he had breakfast at the newly expanded El Bolillo bakery on Airline. I didn't get a chance to ask what all they served. Does anyone else have more info? Do they mainly have breakfast breads and pastries or do they have additional items on the weekend such as eggs, etc.?

[heights_yankee]

Its possible, but the kitchen is wide open for viewing and they had all the raw ingredients out and were actively cutting them up and making food when I went. I suspect since they didn't have a facility during last LITH to make these on sight, the chef could have pre-made them. Nothing I had suggested it was anything but fresh, and the fried shrimp was most certainly made on the spot. The only thing I saw that gave any indication of a prepared food was the sausage used in the jambalaya. That was store bought. (and wasn't andouille either). There's some great Texas sausages out there, I definitely think they could buy locally for that.

great news. i would try it at least once either way, but the posts here made me concerned when i remember that... either way, the thingies we had that night were good. just not homemade...

i look forward to getting over there soon. if the food is good, the only real disappointment will be that they didn;t add a bigger patio.

[SilverJK]

I went to Big Mamou the other day as well, it was okay.

I had the half grilled shrimp po-boy and cup of gumbo. Poboy was decent, gumbo had good flavor but was more like a jambalaya as it wasn't really a soup (more thick than gumbo should be).

We also had the fried green tomatoes... not bad.

Wife had the oyster poboy and it was good.

Service was excellent. Everyone was extremely friendly. That being said, there isn't room in this town for mediocre food, they need to step it up a bit.

Also... tried Vietnam yesterday and it was pretty good.

We had some Tres Leches from El Bolillo at work the other day... it was excellent. I will be going there this weekend to try other items.

[Heights CPA]

I went to Big Mamou the other day as well, it was okay.

I had the half grilled shrimp po-boy and cup of gumbo. Poboy was decent, gumbo had good flavor but was more like a jambalaya as it wasn't really a soup (more thick than gumbo should be).

We also had the fried green tomatoes... not bad.

Wife had the oyster poboy and it was good.

Service was excellent. Everyone was extremely friendly. That being said, there isn't room in this town for mediocre food, they need to step it up a bit.

Also... tried Vietnam yesterday and it was pretty good.

We had some Tres Leches from El Bolillo at work the other day... it was excellent. I will be going there this weekend to try other items.

I will try Big mamouu tomorrow. I tried Vietnam and saying it was average is a compliment.

[heights_yankee]

I will try Big mamouu tomorrow. I tried Vietnam and saying it was average is a compliment.

last time i went to vietnam it was average as well. i think the food paid the price for the renovation...

[Heights CPA]

last time i went to vietnam it was average as well. i think the food paid the price for the renovation...

Went to Big Mamou today instead. They have some work to do. Meat pies were good but miniature. I have never seen then that small and was surprised. The dipping sauce was excellent. Had oyster po-boy. Got shell in more than half the bites I took. Bread did not hold together and sandwich fell apart.

[Omar2bar]

Yeah, I was there for opening lunch on Friday. The food is really good. I had a fried shrimp po'boy w/ spicy fries, my friend had fried green tomatoes and jambalaya. The po'boy was really good, fresh bread, about 5-6 decent sized shrimps. Fries were adequate, like other spicy fries. The jambalaya was really tasty, but for $8 we only got a small scoop. Expensive for just rice. I HOPE that was a mistake as they had literally just opened and everyone was trying to figure out their place in the greater scheme, so I hope we ended up with a smaller portion that what should normally be served.

The menu is limited now, no crawfish on weekends (yet). No Abita beer (whats up with that?). No bread pudding. I suspect those will come in due time, they just have to get used to things. I'm curious what others thought, but its a great addition to the hood imo.

I just received an email from the owners of Big Mamou and thought you'd be interested in what it said. Sounds like they are listening to their customers which is always a good sign.

Friends and Neighbors,

Rufus and I would like to thank you all for your encouragement and support. The overall response from the neighborhood has been terrific! We're still working from our "Soft Opening" menu, but we are adding items each week, such as bread pudding with Jack Daniel's Whisky Sauce and Pasta Wednesday (last week was a shrimp and crawfish linguini scampi-style). This week we are adding Dirty Rice to the menu.

We also wanted to let y'all know that we now have Abita beer!

Our first brunch will be Sunday, April 12 (Easter Sunday). We've planned a special menu for the Easter holiday,

complete with Mimosas and of course, pancakes for the kids!

We've had a number of folks ask us about our fantastic Po-boys and muffalettas! We strive to use the freshest

and most authentic ingredients available. Our bread comes directly from Gambino's Bakery in Kenner, LA. It is baked, flash-frozen and

shipped daily to Houston. Likewise, our shrimp are from the Gulf of Mexico, wild-caught, not farm-raised in Viet-Nam or China. Our oysters are from Matagorda Bay, TX, and our Natchitoches Meat Pies are really from Natchitoches, LA. And to insure that we have the freshest produce available,we use local markets and it is delivered daily (or as often as we need it!).

The weather is warming up a bit, just right for sitting out on the front deck or back patio with a cold Abita or nice glass of Pinot Grigio!

Edited April 7, 2009 by Omar2bar

[SilverJK]

Omar2bar,

That is very good news. I think with some repitition/familiarity and experimentation the flavor of their food is going to get better (and it wasn't bad by any means).

They should also carry Abita Rootbeer for the kids. (or adults who love a good root beer). I might have to go for a muffaletta and a turbo dog this weekend though. I'd like to see the addition of crawfish tails and boudian poboys and perhaps some andouille sidedish. (maybe once they get into full swing this will happen) I'd also like to see beignets more frequently (its currently only from like 9-11am on first saturdays) with some true New Orleans style coffee (with chicory). Late night beignets and coffee are the best after a night out on the town.

[20thStDad]

Hit Big Mamou tonight, I would rate it as good. I had the shrimp poboy, it was certainly big enough. They still have the soft opening menu. I'm not sure about the layout of the place. The building is nice, not very big. They have an order-at-the-counter thing going, and I think if they got rid of that and used the 2 cashiers as waiters they could fit 3-4 more tables inside. The front porch isn't huge, but they have a back porch with 4-5 picnic benches. One thing I never really thought about but noticed with 11th St Cafe as well is that the lots on Studewood are incredibly shallow. It's really hard to pull off a business AND parking. It's gotta be a small time place, and at least half a block long.

[EMME]

What about all the restaurants on Washington Ave? From Dharma Cafe on Houston Ave. all the way to Candelari's on Washington Ave. at Westcott. There are many many in between of all sorts. Benjy's, Raia's, El Tiempo, El Rey (Cuban), Soma, and on and on. It's not any farther than the Westheimer restaurants are from Briargrove residents.

Vietnam on W. 20th is fabulous and has recently doubled in size. Collina's, Thai Spice, Shade on W. 20th as well.

There are great seafood restaurants on Airline between N. Main and 610, along with a Chicago Italian Sausage restaurant and a fine dining Italian restaurant as well.

Textile on W. 22nd near Shepherd is an adventure in fine dining. Bedford, Glass Wall.

Cajun? The Big Mamou just opened on Studewood.

I can't go on, I am starving and there is nowhere to eat around here. Guess I have to go to Montrose.

[heights_yankee]

What about all the restaurants on Washington Ave? From Dharma Cafe on Houston Ave. all the way to Candelari's on Washington Ave. at Westcott. There are many many in between of all sorts. Benjy's, Raia's, El Tiempo, El Rey (Cuban), Soma, and on and on. It's not any farther than the Westheimer restaurants are from Briargrove residents.

Vietnam on W. 20th is fabulous and has recently doubled in size. Collina's, Thai Spice, Shade on W. 20th as well.

There are great seafood restaurants on Airline between N. Main and 610, along with a Chicago Italian Sausage restaurant and a fine dining Italian restaurant as well.

Textile on W. 22nd near Shepherd is an adventure in fine dining. Bedford, Glass Wall.

Cajun? The Big Mamou just opened on Studewood.

I can't go on, I am starving and there is nowhere to eat around here. Guess I have to go to Montrose.

well, i don't think everyone considers the washington corridor the heights. some do, but i don't. for me a lot of times a "heights" restaurant is one i can walk to so it needs to be north of 10, west of 45, south of 610 and there is nothing in tombergrove so even though i can walk there, it doesn't count.

but if you go back and read the thread we did discuss the places you mention . i know it's a lot to sift through. for my own sake, i am going to try Vietnam again this week but if it's as mediocre as it was last time i went, i may just wash my hands of it for a while.

Edited April 19, 2009 by heights_yankee

[tmariar]

What about all the restaurants on Washington Ave?

Hey EMME! Have enjoyed your posts on Swamplot, assuming you're the same EMME.

Yeah, this thread was started back in May 2006, and a lot has changed since then. Now the thread has become the default repository for a lot of Heights-restaurant-related posts, and so it's gotten overly long. I like to see individual restaurants have individual threads (and some do) - but the one I started on El Gallo de Jalisco (a nice little neighborhood taqueria on White Oak with limited hours) got moved by the moderators (who are generally very good at tidying things up) from the Heights section to the general restaurants section, so maybe there's an advantage to having this one very long thread for discussing Heights restaurants, even if the title has become misleading.

I think the Heights can claim pretty much all of these restaurants as at least "Heights-area" restaurants. A friend asked this weekend what the closest Indian and Middle Eatern restaurants are, though, and that stumped me a bit. Not a lot of Heights-area options there, unless I'm forgetting somewhere...