albertnurick

Near the train tracks; anyone remember this place? (I'm not 100% sure about the name; it could have just been "Mel's". My parents referred to the place as "Mel & Bunny's"; I think Bunny was Mel's partner or perhaps his cook.

Mel's Bar B-Q At 4113 Willowbend Blvd.

Edit:

The one over on Beechnut? I used to go all the time back during high school. I missed my cheese melts when they closed.

Right across Beechnut from Meyerland Center, at the end of the strip center, across the parking lot from the carwash.

Great place. "Zappo's _andwich Land", IIRC, the S was missing for a long time. I think my parents got tired of my wanting to go there; Schlotzky's is a pale imitation, of the Zappo sandwich.

We received excellent service from Sharon Krantz at Martha Turner properties. 713-854-2129. If she asks, you can tell her that Albert Nurick recommended her.

Where the heck do you get off thinking that TW is setup as anti-social? Our neighborhood on Wynnoak was overly social to a fault. Whenever my wife and I were working in the front yard inevitably five or six neighbors would come over to converse. Others would bring their dogs to play with our dog. Their kids would be playing football, baseball or soccer in the street. Before you knew it there were 10-15 people milling around our driveway and we could never get anything done.

Maybe the exception is the megabuck gated areas, but that is only a small fraction of the neighborhoods in TW. Actually I can only think of three gated neighborhoods here. Why does everyone assume/accuse that every neighborhood is megabuck?

I think TW has done a great job of developing the COMMUNAL bike paths, the COMMUNAL parks, and the COMMUNAL areas of Town Center. Plus every village has their own little COMMUNAL shopping center where you run into your local neighbors. How is this not promoting community?

I think most of these criticisms come from urbanites who object to the Woodlands on principle. When we're out in the neighborhood in the evening, we invariably run into neighbors, and end up talking for an hour or two.

We love George's Pastaria just down Dairy Ashford; it'll be interesting to see how the two compare.

In Houston, a question you need to ask yourself is scooter or motorcycle. There are advantages to both. Take the MSF course, you'll learn a lot (even how to shift, it's really not hard) and can make a more informed decision.

My story: I had been considering a big Aprillia scooter, but after taking the MSF, I decided on a motorcycle. I ended up with a Honda Pacific Coast, an older bike that is very scooter-like in terms of storage. It was infinitely superior to a scooter when you get on the highway, and if you enjoy riding, you'll want to.

Our home backs up to Gosling; our back door faces the street with an approximately 50' greenbelt and approximately 75' of open space.

In general, traffic noise isn't a problem. The greenbelt seems to absorb normal traffic noise. The exceptions:

Occasional loud diesel trucks.

Motorcycles with loud pipes. An epidemic on nice weekend mornings.

I've been a motorcycle rider for 20+ years, and I really wish there would be a crackdown on these asshats who feel that they don't get enough attention on their precious toys, so they have to do the equivalent of putting a playing card in the spokes to get more attention.

As much as we'd like to think the architecture matters, it seems painfully obvious that the location, demographics of the neighborhood, and nearby competitors have a far greater impact on the success or failure of a mall.

Heck, if interesting architecture mattered, Westbury Square would still be a thriving shopping center.

I grew up in the business. My father would turn over in his grave if I paid retail for jewelery.

I've been very impressed with Pamela Wright at Wright Pawn and Jewelry on Westheimer. She and her husband Jack have been running the place for years. Drop by and browse; this is not like any pawn shop you've ever been in.

Sammy's in midtown is one of our favorite spots to go dancing (we were there last weekend). We've heard the buzz on the Spazzmatics, but we always go on Friday or Saturday to see Faye Robinson and the Mid City Players. Excellent band, cool crowd, great atmosphere, and even easy parking. We'll check out Sammie's new place, but we have no plans to stop going to Sammy's.

If you're in Midtown, you're about 10 minutes from Thelma's, one of the best BBQ joints in Houston. Give 'em a try, and I doubt you'll be going back to McLuling's any time soon.

IMO the Chronicle is a perfect example of why newspapers in America are failing.

Any bozo with a web site can republish AP stories these days. If the Chron doesn't do original reporting, it's worthless. We're in the fourth largest city in the country, and the heart of the world petrochemical industry. Why can't we have a first-class newsroom?

The "neighborhood" sections are pretty good, and allow someone to get truly local news. That's a plus.

The reader blogs make me cringe. They range from fair to dreadful. If you find a journalist with a Houston bent in the blogosphere, hire him and put him on staff. Without a good editor, what's the advantage over a generic web site?

(I base my comments on the chron.com web site. Does anyone actually read the dead tree edition?)

P.S. I am really tired of the weekly litter that appears in my driveway, tossed from their van. I don't ask for it, and I don't want it.

City Market in Luling is one of the best BBQ joints on the planet. I think their pork ribs are the best anywhere. If you drive to San Antonio, it's worth the 5-minute drive up Hwy 183.

Luling City Market here is slightly-better-than-average city BBQ. In other words, nothing special at all. I'd rate it slightly above Pappas but well below Goode.

I remember that article... it came a couple of years after we discussed the topic on houston.eats.

i called up there and they said it is the craig family (tom craig) that own lulings on richmond...

Last time I was in Luling, at the real City Market, I asked 'em if they were involved with Luling City Market in Houston.

The short answer: No. The long answer: Not printable in a family forum.

Ever since then I've refused to patronize these establishments. Why trade on someone else's reputation?

Albert, did you receive a flyer for my website?

I didn't -- what's the URL?

Rick Astley Avenue. Try explaining that to the grandkids.

Christies, the old one on Bellaire Blvd.

We went to this place all the time when I was a kid. Great fried shrimp. Oddly, I heard recently that this wasn't associated with the "real" Christie's.

Great game last night (we had wonderful seats, right by third base, four rows back).

We were loving the offense -- it's been forever since I've watched an Astros team that could hit the ball. And the baserunning was excellent as well; they took risks that payed off, which is another thing I don't remember seeing in the past.

Looks like 2008 may be a fun year. I like what I'm seeing so far.

Good suggestions. We went to Joe's a couple of times, but had a feeling they wouldn't make it. It was OK, but we weren't compelled to return.

The Grotto isn't bad, but I can't avoid comparing it to how the Grotto used to be when Tony Vallone owned it, or how good his son's Amici is... in Sugar Land's Town Square. I agree that our Grotto is a bit too expensive for what you get.

That's not an issue in our Indian Springs neighborhood. Our Life Forms house appreciated 9.5% on the tax appraisal we just received.

One thing that we've yet to find is a really good Italian place out here.

Amerigo's has gone WAY downhill, and is coasting on its reputation.

Sweet Bella on Sawdust had promise, but (IMO) the food and service just aren't up to par. Pallotta's is mediocre.

The chains are, well, chains: Olive Garden, Macaroni Grill, Carrabba's, etc.

The best we've found is Grazi, on 2920 about a half mile west of Kuykendahl. It's not real close, but it's where we end up going lately when we're in the mood for Italian.

Suggestions?

I went to Pier 21 with my parents regularly; it was "their" seafood place. Jackie was our waitress.

The Polynesian doesn't ring a bell, although we did frequent Albert Gee's PolyAsian on S. Main.

Pier 21 was on Fannin, just down from the bayou (I think), and The Polynesian was on the northeast corner of Sage and Westheimer... and Wyatt's Cafeteria in Highland Village... and the drive-in (like a Sonic) that was just across the tracks from Highland Village, the north side of Westheimer (west side of tracks) that had orange striped awnings? (I'll be surprised if anyone remembers this one).

Best Hamburger in town- Farrago's

Best Milkshake- 59 Diner

Best Pizza in Town (Chicago style, New York style, any other style)- No truly outstanding pizza in Houston

Best Chinese Food in town- Daniel Wong's Kitchen

Best Sushi- Uptown Sushi

Best Barbecue- Thelma's

Best Seafood- Fried Shrimp at Cap'n Benny's

Best French- Bistro Provence

Best 5 Star- Tony's

Best Steak- Akaushi at Tony's. But it ain't cheap.

We live in Trace Creek, and love the neighborhood. Safe, quiet streets, lots of kids in the age group you mentioned. I really love Lifeforms; a pity they went out of business.

Treehouse is what Lifeforms called the homes with the primary living areas upstairs. Our house has the living room, dining room, kitchen, breakfast room, office, master suite, and sunroom upstairs. Downstairs is the den and the other three bedrooms.

I see these post go back to July 2006 but I'm hoping to get some more information as we are actively looking to buy.

We plan to move from Houston to the Woodlands NOW. The things I want/need of the Woodlands are: a house on a greenbelt (or very wooded), neighborhood with lots of kids (ages 6-12), not too far back into the woodlands, quiet from street noise, and great schools for all levels. Lifeforms seems to be the right fit for the living in the trees idea. I don't see the point of moving to The Woodlands and living in a typical builder house.

We have been looking in IS,CC,PC. I like some houses in Grogans but worry there are not young kids around. I like Trace Creek a lot and I'm also drawn to the area around Bear Branch Park. Let me know your thoughts of areas to look at. People always refer to the "treehouse". Is this the most popular plan of lifeforms? Is there a way to search for lifeforms on the market now? I see the one on windstar... Parrothead seems to know how to do this.

There have been many good posts but special thanks to Parrothead, Bachanon, and Arch Daniel for the insightful comments. I look forward to your thoughts and ideas.

Thanks, archidave