EMME Posted May 17, 2009 Share Posted May 17, 2009 The old muffler shop at the corner of Washington and Heights is undergoing renovations. Looks like either a restaurant or a bar going in. Anybody have scoop? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmariar Posted May 18, 2009 Share Posted May 18, 2009 I don't see a TABC application. The most recent building permit issued was in November, for exterior storm damage repairs. There's a lease listing here, but who knows how old it is.All that said, it looks like the muffler business that used to be there - Southwestern Muffler - no longer is. What I think is their website doesn't mention a Heights location, but I noticed their two existing locations are referred to as locations #2 and #3 in at least one place. Elsewhere on the internet I see the Heights address referred to as "Shop #1". Plus, their history - the muffler business started in 1959, having grown out of a poultry and eggs business on Elgin - seemed to fit. I also saw a reference to Schindler Enterprises here, but it doesn't look like it's in the restaurant/bar business. Looked more like it had maybe purchased the muffler business.So, no scoop here... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northwood Posted May 18, 2009 Share Posted May 18, 2009 The TABC notice says something about a BBQ joint.Glad it will be more than just another bar but it seems pretty close Hickory Hollow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EMME Posted May 18, 2009 Author Share Posted May 18, 2009 The TABC notice says something about a BBQ joint.Glad it will be more than just another bar but it seems pretty close Hickory Hollow.I wonder if Hickory Hollow is relocating? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gooch Posted May 22, 2009 Share Posted May 22, 2009 Some action going on this afternoon...munch, munch, munch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcook2002 Posted May 26, 2009 Share Posted May 26, 2009 Awesome. Thanks for the info. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
20thStDad Posted May 26, 2009 Share Posted May 26, 2009 I wonder what "soon" means. I want to try it very soon, which to me means next week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markus Posted May 26, 2009 Share Posted May 26, 2009 I talked to the owners last night, and yes, it is going to be a BBQ restaurant/bar called Phil's Texas Barbecue.Interesting since it will be almost directly across the street from Hickory Hollow (BBQ). Sounds like it may be quite a bit different so hopefully they can both co-exist in close proximity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corbusier Posted May 26, 2009 Share Posted May 26, 2009 Sorry 20thSt, but what they told me was they have a target open date set for the first of April (yes, 2010). So, they are still pretty early in the process. They said there was a ton of junk (old cars, parts, etc) in the old building and it has been a chore for the architect to even get in there to see what there is to work with. In the meantime, Pizzotola's is pretty close by for what I think is pretty good BBQ.And, it does sound substantially different from Hickory Hollow, with live music, full bar, etc. A blend of Washington Ave newness, but with a laid back BBQ/bar setting, which should be a welcome change from all of the "clubby" types places that have been going up.glad to see a restaurant going in there. I drove by it everyday for 6 months. It looked like a rundown used car lot. They did some plywood repair work after the hurricane to make it look better. didn't work.Hickory Hollow, Pizzitola's and Beavers will have competition now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KinkaidAlum Posted February 9, 2012 Share Posted February 9, 2012 Ugh, doesn't sound like a place I will want to go. Signature cocktails? Lamb Pops? Shiner Pizza? I can smell the $13 drink prices and Austin/Dallas pretension already... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedScare Posted February 9, 2012 Share Posted February 9, 2012 Anyone laying odds on whether an "Austin City Limits" signs makes it up on the wall? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fwki Posted February 9, 2012 Share Posted February 9, 2012 This is where you go when you graduate from Onion Creek and pass the bar exam. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chi-Char-Hou-Dal Posted February 9, 2012 Share Posted February 9, 2012 This place opened in Dallas on Knox/Henderson just north of Uptown right before we left. Cool place with big patio, Phil's spot has great layout. Funny how I tell people from Dallas that Washington = Knox/Henderson if you were going to compare neighborhoods.Does anyone else who knows Dallas and Houston think.Midtown = UptownKnox/Henderson = WashingtonObvi, Uptown Dallas is more developed, cleaner and a little ritzier (i.e. Ritz Carlton / Galleria like High Rises) BTW we like Midtown much more than Uptown Dallas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedScare Posted February 9, 2012 Share Posted February 9, 2012 Having lived in Dallas, and visited there in December, I agree that the general similarities are there. And, you are correct that both Uptown and Knox-Henderson have been around longer, and are therefore more developed. There is just a different vibe to the crowds that frequent Dallas bars and restaurants versus Houston bars and restaurants, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heights_yankee Posted February 10, 2012 Share Posted February 10, 2012 Having lived in Dallas, and visited there in December, I agree that the general similarities are there. And, you are correct that both Uptown and Knox-Henderson have been around longer, and are therefore more developed. There is just a different vibe to the crowds that frequent Dallas bars and restaurants versus Houston bars and restaurants, though.As a 6 year resident of Dallas who visits at least annually and a 11 year resident of Houston, I completely agree. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcook2002 Posted February 10, 2012 Share Posted February 10, 2012 Having lived in Dallas, and visited there in December, I agree that the general similarities are there. And, you are correct that both Uptown and Knox-Henderson have been around longer, and are therefore more developed. There is just a different vibe to the crowds that frequent Dallas bars and restaurants versus Houston bars and restaurants, though.I think because they have been around longer (Dallas) vs. washingtons "newness" it still gets a crowd from the outskirts of town. Once the newness dies down it will be more like Knox-Henderson, at least i hope. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heights_yankee Posted February 10, 2012 Share Posted February 10, 2012 However, KNox-Henderson (which is where I lived the year before I moved to Houston) and especially McKinney Ave/uptown in Dallas haven't been around *that much longer** Knox-Henderson is very different from what it was even 10 years ago. Most of the development/re-development has happened in the last 8 years, which puts it only 3-5 years behind Washington. I hope the crowd's in Houston bars never become more like the crowds in Dallas bars. Their bars, even in the laid back or more developed parts of town, are generally filled with more jerks than I think live in the whole city of Houston.Disclaimer: This is not to say all Dallas people are bad. I lived there for 6 years and made some of my closest friends there. We had an amazing time together and go back every year from all across the country, just to hold on to a little of those glory days. But the city has a douchebag reputation for a reason... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcook2002 Posted February 10, 2012 Share Posted February 10, 2012 Most of the development/re-development has happened in the last 8 years, which puts it only 3-5 years behind Washington.In bar years, this is a long time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heights_yankee Posted February 12, 2012 Share Posted February 12, 2012 In bar years, this is a long time!Ha ha ha! In some cases, it is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.