sabasushi Posted June 13, 2006 Share Posted June 13, 2006 It's been fun reading these threads about the history of Houston, especially restaurants and malls, even though I've never been to Houston til 2005. Now, I have a question...are there any restaurants or stores that have been around for at least 30 years and still standing? For example, one that comes to my mind is the old Pig Stand restaurant on Washington Street -- not sure how old it is, but it looks like that particular restaurant has been there since 60's or 50's. Also, what about the restaurant The Stables between Texas Medical Center and the Astromode area? (I can't remember the street -- it's either Main or Old Spanish Trail, probably.) The menu at that place is *very* Seventies, and they serve a free veggie appetizer with a cheese dip -- something I hadn't seen since the 70's. Any other examples? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJones Posted June 13, 2006 Share Posted June 13, 2006 Niko Niko's on Montrose. Tell Dimitri I said wassup playa !Mason Jar on I-10Pappy's close by on I-10, used to be a Ruby Red's though, anyone back this up ?Mama's Cafe on WesthiemerSpaghetti Warehouse, downtown, and it's HAUNTED !Frenchy's on Scott st.Rainbow LodgeBrady's Landing on the ship channel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdude Posted June 13, 2006 Share Posted June 13, 2006 Christies on WestheimerBrennansHouse of PiesFelix Mexican on WestheimerTel-Wink GrillMichaelangelosSpanish Village on Almeda Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Original Timmy Chan's Posted June 13, 2006 Share Posted June 13, 2006 Guy's Meat Market on OST and Yellowstone...I think they've been there since the 40's or 50's? The original was on Scott Street(?) in the 30's?The original Ninfa's on Navigation has been around for what, 30-40 years?Mandola's Deli on Leeland at Cullen has been there forever. Some of their UH memorabilia is at least 30 years old!Taj Mahal on the Gulf Freeway has to be at least 30 years old now.Original New Orleans Po-Boy on Main Street is what, 25-30 years old?C&D Burger Shoppe on Fuqua is around 25 years old now.Anyone ever been to Neptune Subs down on SH 146? I think they're pretty old... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedScare Posted June 14, 2006 Share Posted June 14, 2006 According to Ken Hoffman:Here's a Texas factoid: The first drive-through in America was built at the Pig Stand restaurant in Dallas in 1921.There is a Pig Stand in Houston, at 2412 Washington Ave. It's the longest-running restaurant in the city. By the door there is a sign:"Arguing with a waitress is like wrestling a pig in the mud. After a while, you realize the pig enjoys it."Shame, he doesn't say how long that is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jm1fd Posted June 14, 2006 Share Posted June 14, 2006 Kaplan's Ben Hur just closed. They were an OOOOOOOLD department store. I only went in there once, right before X-mas 2004. I'll never forget it...it was SNOWING outside.Felix Mexican Rest. is a great little time warp.Mandola's Deli is really neat too....their policy is "Come behind the counter and get refills yourself, otherwise we'll have to charge you for it"Doyle's of Oak Forest (34th between Ella and TC Jester) is somewhere around 50 years old. Interesting little spot, but the food is average.I love the Stables too! Definetly a time warp.Sheesh...I guess I like old restaurants. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sabasushi Posted June 14, 2006 Author Share Posted June 14, 2006 Niko Niko's on Montrose. Tell Dimitri I said wassup playa !Mason Jar on I-10Pappy's close by on I-10, used to be a Ruby Red's though, anyone back this up ?Mama's Cafe on WesthiemerSpaghetti Warehouse, downtown, and it's HAUNTED !Frenchy's on Scott st.Rainbow LodgeBrady's Landing on the ship channel.Frenchy's! My hubby and I just ate there a few weeks ago -- it was recommended in a book, so we went there. That place on Scott sure looks like it hadn't changed since, what, 60's or 70's. But it's still very popular -- the place was packed when we were there. The food was worth the wait, though -- definitely some of the best fried chicken I've eaten in a while.By the way, I didn't realize that Mason Jar was a chain. There is one near Colorado Springs, CO but since I never saw it anywhere else, I had assumed it was just a mom-and-pop place.Christies on WestheimerBrennansHouse of PiesFelix Mexican on WestheimerTel-Wink GrillMichaelangelosSpanish Village on AlmedaSpeaking of Brennan's...has anyone eaten there in Houston recently? Is it any good? I'm asking because the reviews on B4-U-EAT were mixed, but they seemed to be related to changing chefs.And is Felix Mexican worth a visit? I've heard that it is knd of "Gringo Mex" (read: bland Mexican, heavy on big evil orange cheese and shredded iceberg) but it's supposed to have a lot of history. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
native_Houstonian Posted June 14, 2006 Share Posted June 14, 2006 Niko Niko's on Montrose. Tell Dimitri I said wassup playa !Mason Jar on I-10Pappy's close by on I-10, used to be a Ruby Red's though, anyone back this up ?Mama's Cafe on WesthiemerSpaghetti Warehouse, downtown, and it's HAUNTED !Frenchy's on Scott st.Rainbow LodgeBrady's Landing on the ship channel.Yes, I can back up that the Pappy's on I-10 was a Ruby Red's. Although, we always visited the Ruby Red's on Westheimer where Sullivan's Steak House is now (different building now - Ruby Red's was torn down). Neatest thing about the restaurant though, was that they put complimentary peanuts on the table and encouraged everyone to throw the shells on the floor. The entire floor was covered with peanut shells. That was really cool to a little kid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sixthwardguy Posted June 14, 2006 Share Posted June 14, 2006 Let's not forget the good ole Barbecue Inn on N. Yale and Crosstimbers. It's been there since the '40s, I think. Theres another restaurant just west of it on Crosstimbers, 'Mexicatessen' which looks like it has been there since the 50's. Las Almedas restaurant on I-10 near Voss is a nice throwback to 1970's oil-happy Houston. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbigtex56 Posted June 14, 2006 Share Posted June 14, 2006 Southland Hardware on Westheimer has been around for decades. Worth making a special trip - good selection, and the employees are friendly and knowledgable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heights2Bastrop Posted June 14, 2006 Share Posted June 14, 2006 Last Concert Caf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earlydays Posted June 14, 2006 Share Posted June 14, 2006 Felix, near Montrose/Westheimer has been around since at least the late 50's.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Native Montrosian Posted June 14, 2006 Share Posted June 14, 2006 Tex-Chick on Fairview, which has been doing Puerto Rican food since the 80's, but originally sold chicken sandwiches and the like. I grew up on Castle Court and have one of those vague split-second memory flashes of being in there with my dad around 1965 and him talking to a tall older gentleman with grayish-blonde hair who I believe was the owner. Wish he was still around for me to ask him about going there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jm1fd Posted June 14, 2006 Share Posted June 14, 2006 And is Felix Mexican worth a visit? I've heard that it is knd of "Gringo Mex" (read: bland Mexican, heavy on big evil orange cheese and shredded iceberg) but it's supposed to have a lot of history.I think it is worth a visit not for the food, which is OK, but to see the building and all the history on the walls.Las Almedas restaurant on I-10 near Voss is a nice throwback to 1970's oil-happy Houston.The food is damn tasty, and they have some great views out over a ravine in the back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJones Posted June 14, 2006 Share Posted June 14, 2006 The Los Tios Restaurant on Tanglewild and Westheimer.Houston Jeweler's old building on Westheimer still stands. Overhauled by Borders books.I was wondering if anyone knows about The Blue Marlin Restaurant, that was in Humble on the San Jac river. Is it still open ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nmainguy Posted June 14, 2006 Share Posted June 14, 2006 Foley'sPalais RoyalSomeburgerHarrolds Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashikaga Posted June 15, 2006 Share Posted June 15, 2006 Let's not forget the good ole Barbecue Inn on N. Yale and Crosstimbers. It's been there since the '40s, I think. Theres another restaurant just west of it on Crosstimbers, 'Mexicatessen' which looks like it has been there since the 50's. Las Almedas restaurant on I-10 near Voss is a nice throwback to 1970's oil-happy Houston.Every big city has some "greasy spoon" diners that have been in the same spot for at least 50 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heights2Bastrop Posted June 16, 2006 Share Posted June 16, 2006 I can't believe I forgot about AAA Restaurant on Airline at Farmer's Market. It was also called Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdude Posted June 16, 2006 Share Posted June 16, 2006 Avalon Drugs has been serving food for eons, but they did move down the street from their original location. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gonzo1976 Posted July 26, 2006 Share Posted July 26, 2006 Hasn't the Old San Francisco Steakhouse been around for quite some time? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevfiv Posted July 26, 2006 Share Posted July 26, 2006 Hasn't the Old San Francisco Steakhouse been around for quite some time?it was - http://www.houstonarchitecture.info/haif/i...?showtopic=2179 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gonzo1976 Posted July 26, 2006 Share Posted July 26, 2006 it was Aw, bummer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marmer Posted July 26, 2006 Share Posted July 26, 2006 Bellaire Broiler Burger?59 Diner (used to be Phil's, serves much the same kind of food)Hobbit Hole? (new location, same menu, more or less)Star Pizza?Goode Company BBQ on Kirby?Dante Italian on the Gulf Freeway?Gaidos in GalvestonThe Hot Bagel Shop in BellaireRegarding old places:River Oaks Theatre (not to be too obvious about it)Variety Fair in Rice VillageNeiman-Marcus in the GalleriaMarty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarthaG Posted July 26, 2006 Share Posted July 26, 2006 Hasn't the Old San Francisco Steakhouse been around for quite some time?Yes it has... I went there several times about 30 years ago.Every big city has some "greasy spoon" diners that have been in the same spot for at least 50 years.Trust me, Barbecue Inn is NOT a greasy spoon. It's a nice restaurant. I eat there at least once a month. However I think the waitresses are the same as when I started going there 40+ years ago.Let's not forget the good ole Barbecue Inn on N. Yale and Crosstimbers. It's been there since the '40s, I think. Theres another restaurant just west of it on Crosstimbers, 'Mexicatessen' which looks like it has been there since the 50's. Las Almedas restaurant on I-10 near Voss is a nice throwback to 1970's oil-happy Houston.While you were doing the cruise down Crosstimbers, you forgot Flying Saucer Pies... I know it's been there and going strong at least 40 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reefmonkey Posted August 14, 2006 Share Posted August 14, 2006 Las Alamedas on I-10 between Voss and Wirt.Lankford Grocery in MidtownVargo's off Westheimer & FondrenBiba's One's A MealPino's on Westheimer and HillcroftSeveral Hotel restaurants, including Warwick, La Colomb D'orDamian's?Drexler'sThese are just the first few that come to mind. There are thousands of restaurants from the mid-70s, many hundreds even older, and probably even more stores that have been around since the 50s and earlier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MidtownCoog Posted August 14, 2006 Share Posted August 14, 2006 Dinner Bell Cafeteria, 6525 Lawndale Street, near Wayside Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musicman Posted August 14, 2006 Share Posted August 14, 2006 Loma Linda....which is now on Telephone between 45south and lawndale. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heights2Bastrop Posted August 14, 2006 Share Posted August 14, 2006 Although most of these posts refer to restaurants, the OP mentioned Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lofiunico Posted August 21, 2006 Share Posted August 21, 2006 Brenner's Steakhouse on I-10 @ Brittmore. The website says since 1936, but it was bought out by Saltgrass recently.http://www.brennerssteakhouse.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foxmulder Posted August 24, 2006 Share Posted August 24, 2006 Loma Linda....which is now on Telephone between 45south and lawndale.Loma linda is on Wayside and 45. I used to know the owner...Haven't been there in awhile. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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