danhole

Thats it! I couldn't remember the name for the life of me, just that it was something kinda funky.

It's behind the Wachovia, which was (until I checked today) for sale. The Starbucks is still listed as for sale though.

Plonk is installing a 3,600 pound stone oven to make pizza and other things. The guy who is the owner has great credetials as a wine sommelier, so that is good. Also suppossed to have an array of beers on tap.

Are you serious that Wachovia and Starbucks are already up for sale? That is incredulous - they haven't even been there very long. Of course with the bank, that was pretty stupid, seeing as we have do darn many around there.

I have been to that Randall's on 34th and its actually pretty nice, not as convenient as the Krogers, but still pretty decent. A central market or whole foods would be great though. I usually go to the Krogers for about 95% of my grocery shopping but sometimes their beer/wine/cheese/produce selection is a little lacking. Ooohhhh....a Spec's with a deli would hit the spot!

I alternate between Krogers and Randalls depending on the specials. Foodarama at Ella & TC Jester may look grungy but you can get some really good deals there on meat, dairy products and produce. The HEB right by there is decent too. These smaller stores don't have the selection of the big guys, but offer some unique and good stuff the big guys don't have.

I agree that a Spec's with a deli would be great!

Supposedly a wine bar is going in near the Starbucks. I forgot the name of it but the owner lives in the neighborhood.

I went by there today and the sign out front, facing 43rd, was gone, so I pulled in to look. It is in the corner behind that bank (I know . . . which bank, there are so many. ) The name is Plonk, and it says a Wine and Beer Bistro. Hopefull they have some kind of food there. Would be nice!

Pierson is a fabulous little place. The folks that run it are always incredibly nice and they turn out some of the meanest BBQ around. Their brisket is my favorite in town, and their ribs are damn good too. It's just off Tidwell - go give them a try and report back.

I posted a bit about Pierson's in post #8, just in case you miss it.

Why is the Shipley's Donuts on Ella always crowded in the afternoons? We drive by there on our way to Krogers and the line is always out in the street. Are they giving away free donuts or something?

That's a great question and I wish I could find out! That is a ridiculous line for a donut place at dinner time. Maybe some people have donuts and kolaches for dinner. I went in there one afternoon, around 3pm, to look at the menu. I thought maybe they were selling some dinner type food, but it was the usual Shipleys stuff. I tried to ask why so many came in at 5pm but there was a language barrier and I got no answers. If you figure it out, share with us.

We actually preferred Tecate to Tony's. Tecate is just a few blocks north of Tony's. Tony's wasn't bad, but I did find it to be about fairly average fare.

We are the opposite. One of the things I really like about Tony's (besides the killer margaritas) is the large menu. Lots of choices. They have pretty good quail too. My DH only eats fajitas at Mexican places, and he doesn't like Tecate. He likes Tony's but they aren't his favorite. He REALLY like Fajita Willies out 290 by Gessner, or Lupe Tortillas.

Sorry to hear about Ryan's closing. I looked it up and saw four of the eight locations closed, and the name has changed for the ones still open. Supreme Sandwiches catered a lunch at the office once, and I started going there after that. I just thought they were really good, and very reasonably priced, quite unlike their neighbor, Antone's.

That Antone's was without a doubt the worst location in Houston, although I know not all are owned by the same people. Same family, perhaps, but different owners.

I went to Larry's BBQ a couple of times, and I loved it, but GF didn't, so we didn't go. Not everything was good, but the selection was very big, and some items were very tasty.

Some of the chains I liked in the area include Olive Garden, Black-Eyed Pea, Jason's Deli, Chili's and Steak and Ale, which may also be colsed. I gave up on the Pappa's chain. They priced themselves out of my interest range, and I had a few bad experiences with them.

I used to go to Railroad Crossing BBQ years ago, and it was good, but I don't know about now. It is on Hempstead north of Gessner. On Gessner west of Hempstead was Sam's Hamburgers. It was always packed at lunchtime.

You need to give Cajun Town a try. You walk up to the counter to order, then they bring the food to your table. When it gets crowded, you may be standing in line for a while. The Leader used to carry a coupon for the restaurant, and I believe they still do.

They have great fried seafood, French fries and onion rings. The hamburgers are top notch. But their specialty is the grilled fish with a choice of toppings and sauces. GF went there a few weeks ago and said it was still tops.

One of the best burgers in town was Tommy's on Post Oak north of Old Katy. Eats used to be in Deauville Plaza behind Black-Eyed Pea, but could never draw a crowd there. They seemed to be doing OK at the Hempstead/Tidwell location. The guys who own Eats and Tommy's are brothers, and really nice folks.

Last time I went to Antones it was pretty good. They even toast your po-boy's if you want. We didn't care for Larry's BBQ, but we went 3 times to give it a chance. It's been a long time, but really not on our list. Steak 'n Ale is long gone!

I remember when Eats was behind the Black Eyed Pea. We ate there a couple times. Now it is an Italian restaurant - Fratelli's, which has very good food. I like it a lot, but my DH doesn't. He like the spaghetti at Spaghtti Warehouse, which is more American, and Frateeli's is more real Italian, so . . .

We have gone to Railroad Crossing before, but not for the BBQ. We had the steak dinner which was good for the price. Not top notch, but not shabby at all.

Is Tommy's on N. Post Oak? Is it a stand alone building or in an office building? Why do you say "was" the best burger. Is it not now? I am a burger freak, but even though I live around the corner from Mytiburger I am not a big fan. They are okay but more often than not they come out too dry, and I like juicy. I'll have to try the burger at Cajun Town.

I'm with you on the Pappas chain - don't go there. We have more than one bad experience (at the Steakhouse was the worst), and since they ruined Luby's, never again! They would have to give the food to me.

If you haven't tried Pierson's BBQ you have to check it out. Limited hours, Tues - Sat from 11am to 7pm. There was a BBQ smackdown last year with a bunch of Houston Chowhounds and they won first place for brisket and 2nd (lost by a couple points) for ribs. They also have pork, turkey, sausage, boudin, and more. If you google them you will find a website. Very friendly people, but not many tables so we get it to go. If you want smoked chicken it is best to call ahead. Only on weekends, but very good. And the beans are the greatest. Someone told me it is East Texas style BBQ. Don't know, because I am not an expert, but it is great. I never even get sauce on it - put it on the side. The meat is good on it's own, but the sauce is good too. Love this place. T C Jester just past Tidwell.

Red Onion on 290

Ryan's Steakhouse on 34th off 290

Frank's Grill on Mangum

Supreme Sandwiches on Jester at Dacoma

Just down the road:

Shanghai Inn on 290 at Fairbanks N Houston (Great Pressed Chicken)

Eats Mesquite Grill on Hempstead at Tidwell

Cajun Town Caf

Since I mentioned restaurants on another thread, I was wondering what your favorites are in the neighborhood or close by.

Some of mine are:

Doyle's

Pierson & Co. BBQ on T C Jester

Little Bitty Burger Barn

Tony's on Ella

Barbecue Inn

Supposedly a wine bar is going in near the Starbucks. I forgot the name of it but the owner lives in the neighborhood.

I know there is a bright yellow & orange sign, I think those are the colors, and there is a name on it but I don't remember what it is. A wine bar - how interesting. Hopefully we can get a bit more variety around here!

Oh, and for breakfast/taco trucks, there are a few taco trucks around. One on 34th by Mangum, and I think there is one on Ella close to 610. But you can get good breakfast tacos at Fiesta Tacos on 34th.

We need more restaurants and less banks! I wonder if they are going to put an eating establishment down at the other corner (43rd & Ella.) I see a sign that suggests that but no progress.

This is a sampling of many different restaurants and food vendors. Has anyone ever been before? Here is a link:

http://www.hmns.org/generic/big_bite_nite.asp?r=1

Sounds like a good deal and great food, entertainment, etc.

I had heard when they tore down that strip center that a credit union bought it for development, but what else is going to go in there? Or is it just going to be for the credit union? I have heard rumors both ways.

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.

You gotta be crazy to pay that price for crawfish. Your looking at $110 + for a 35 lb sack and you gotta pick it up.

Watch your backside when bending over to pick up your crawfish. !!!!

Didn't realize they were that much. They will deliver if you are in a certain area, but that is pricy. Last year we had some at Woodrow's that came from this place that were the size of small lobsters.

Check these guys out. Last year they supplied some of the largest crawfish to local retaurants in the area:

http://www.critterrunners.com/

Lupe Tortilla has great puffy tacos.

I just found out they have puffy tacos. I have always just had the fajitas. Good huh? I am going to have to get them next time, and take home some fajitas.

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!

Isn't Roznovskys still there? TC Jester & 34th

I second the vote for the cheeseburger at Miller Cafe on Shepard.

Roznovsky's is still there but I wouldn't recommend it. Thin, frozen patty, not juicy, and nothing special at all. May as well go to McDonalds. I live down the street, and try it every so often but finally gave up.

From Brucesw:

"Also noticed Ernie's across from Bell Park - is that a restaurant or club? Used to be both but I can't remember the name."

Ernie's on Banks serves food now. They have burgers, sandwiches, salads, wings, etc., and on Thursday night they have a good steak special. There is an ad in the Press weekly about that. Pretty cheap for what you get. Oh, and it's a sports bar and serves food.