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The Galleria Mall At 5085 Westheimer Rd.


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What if you're the sort of person who doesn't think it's cool to hate, but still harshes on Disney?

Where is theniche when you need him?

I must say it was nothing memorable when I went there the one and only time. The overpriced food was extremely mediocre and the waitstaff struggled with my simple order. I will never go back. It's just as bad as HOB in HP. ugh.

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<_< Have you ever considered moving to Atlanta? Those of you who find fault with anything and everything Houston should do all of us a favor and go somewhere else. Edited by moni
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I wouldn't go so far as to call it "amazing," but it's certainly fun. If you're the sort of person who can't stand crowds then you just have to go at an off-time, usually 11am or 2-4pm are the best times in my experience.

If you're the sort of person who harshes on Disney because you think it's cool to hate, then the Rainforest Cafe isn't for you (I'm not saying you're that kind of person, but there are plenty of those kinds of people on HAIF and even in this thread).

You just have to relax and enjoy the experience. Use the same willful suspension of disbelief you use in the movie theaters and enjoy the moving decor and the artificial rain storms.

More importantly, there aren't many places that will serve you food with dry ice bubbling up or sparklers sticking out of it. So it's different at least for that.

Well, now I can't wait for it to open. Never been much interested in it before. ;-)

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Well, now I can't wait for it to open. Never been much interested in it before. ;-)

It is a fun experience if the food it good... like I said last time i was there the food was horrible... hopefully that was an isolated incident... I would try it again.

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Had to Google it since I've never heard of "Rainforest Cafe" before this thread. I suspected super cheesy theme experience, but now I'm thinking this is the most bizarre restaurant concept I've ever heard of. The very idea that a child-free adult would set foot in a place like this is creepy to me. Except I guess Father Ted.

It sounded suspiciously like the handiwork of Tilman Fertitta, and lo, I was not disappointed.

Edited by crunchtastic
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Had to Google it since I've never heard of "Rainforest Cafe" before this thread. I suspected super cheesy theme experience, but now I'm thinking this is the most bizarre restaurant concept I've ever heard of. The very idea that a child-free adult would set foot in a place like this is creepy to me. Except I guess Father Ted.

I always feel bad for people with attitudes like this. -_- Glad I am not like that. :D

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overrated/average/not worth a wait. is it still one of tilman's chains? if so, i dislike it even more.

it may be good for the galleria though. in that case hoorah.

It is currently a Landry's property, but wasn't always. It was founded elsewhere. I think Landry's bought the chain in the last ten years.

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It was started in Minneapolis around 1994 by a guy named Steven Schussler - his main investor was Lyle Berman, a casino magnate and the first restaurant was developed for one of his casinos, and then one opened in the Mall of America...

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It was started in Minneapolis around 1994 by a guy named Steven Schussler - his main investor was Lyle Berman, a casino magnate and the first restaurant was developed for one of his casinos, and then one opened in the Mall of America...

I've been to the one at the Mall of America, and the one in Chicago, and the one in Galveston. Galveston was the best, and the only one with a ride.

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It was started in Minneapolis around 1994 by a guy named Steven Schussler - his main investor was Lyle Berman, a casino magnate and the first restaurant was developed for one of his casinos, and then one opened in the Mall of America...

I think you slightly misread the story. As I understand it, Berman hired Schussler to develop a restaurant (not Rain Forest Cafe) for his casino(s). While working with Grand Casinos, Schussler gained some other backers and got a favorable lease with the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota. That was enough to bring Berman aboard as an investor. They opened the first Rain Forest Cafe in the Mall of America. (October 1994)

The second one opened in Woodfield Mall one year later. (Interesting that the first two (and I think the third) were in malls.)

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^Seems right - I was reading the history from Funding Universe (didn't specify what the restaurant for the casino was):

Schussler pitched the concept to stream of potential investors, including Lyle Berman, a successful casino developer and former leather retailer. Although he repeatedly declined to invest, Berman eventually hired Schussler to develop a restaurant for Grand Casinos, Inc. Backers gained during his work with Grand Casinos plus a favorable lease with the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota, finally brought Berman aboard.

The Rainforest Cafe was incorporated in February 1994; Berman led the private stock placement that allowed Schussler to bring his dream into reality. The doors opened for business in October 1994. Within a week the wait for a table was as much as three hours.

http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-his...ny-History.html

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Had to Google it since I've never heard of "Rainforest Cafe" before this thread. I suspected super cheesy theme experience, but now I'm thinking this is the most bizarre restaurant concept I've ever heard of. The very idea that a child-free adult would set foot in a place like this is creepy to me. Except I guess Father Ted.

It sounded suspiciously like the handiwork of Tilman Fertitta, and lo, I was not disappointed.

1) I find it difficult to believe that you've never heard of the "Rainforest Cafe" as it has been very popular for at least a decade.

2) You are of course entitled to your opinion, but don't hate on the restaurant like it's crap just because it's not your style.

I don't understand why some people have to go off on certain products as if they're holier than thou. I'm sure there are people everywhere who would think your favorite product or restaurant is crap, but they don't feel the need to tell you all the time. Odd.

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1) I find it difficult to believe that you've never heard of the "Rainforest Cafe" as it has been very popular for at least a decade.

I don't. The only reason I've heard of it before is because an ex-girlfriend dragged me to one a long time ago. It isn't "very popular" with anyone I currently know.

2) You are of course entitled to your opinion, but don't hate on the restaurant like it's crap just because it's not your style.

I don't understand why some people have to go off on certain products as if they're holier than thou. I'm sure there are people everywhere who would think your favorite product or restaurant is crap, but they don't feel the need to tell you all the time. Odd.

Welcome to the wonderful world of internet fora, where everyone has an opinion and no one is afraid to share. I see you've mastered sharing your own opinions, now sit back and enjoy the opinions of others!

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1) I find it difficult to believe that you've never heard of the "Rainforest Cafe" as it has been very popular for at least a decade.

2) You are of course entitled to your opinion, but don't hate on the restaurant like it's crap just because it's not your style.

I don't understand why some people have to go off on certain products as if they're holier than thou. I'm sure there are people everywhere who would think your favorite product or restaurant is crap, but they don't feel the need to tell you all the time. Odd.

I would have also never known about the Rainforest Cafe unless I took that freak trip to the mall or happened to take that quick cut through the MGM Grand...

And everyone is entitled to his/her opinions, which includes feeling like the restaurant is a piece of crap.

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And everyone is entitled to his/her opinions, which includes feeling like the restaurant is a piece of crap.

That's what I said in #2. Thanks for the support.

Welcome to the wonderful world of internet fora, where everyone has an opinion and no one is afraid to share. I see you've mastered sharing your own opinions, now sit back and enjoy the opinions of others!

You're right, everyone is ruder online. I try not to be by respecting others opinions and not mocking them.

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there are quite a few things that people claim are wonderful but are lame.

And vice versa.

You're right, everyone is ruder online. I try not to be by respecting others opinions and not mocking them.

Thank you for your effort. If only more people would make the effort the internet would be a better place.

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If you don't try it, how do you know it's bad? I don't understand why there seems to be so much closed-mindedness over something so harmless as a theme restaurant.

Perhaps some of us have a different opinion about theme restaurants than you do. I don't have to touch every hot stove to know it will burn me. Some folks like that burning sensation, others don't. I don't consider either group "closed minded".

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