KatieDidIt Posted May 10, 2005 Share Posted May 10, 2005 Please list any wonderful, NON-CHAIN, restaurants in the Woodlands Area. I so miss that about the city.We have found Ranchero on FM2978. Great "hole in the wall Mexican" food.And La Tovola in Tomball, 5 star Italian. But that seems to be all we can find. Any suggestions. Family and adult style recommendations welcome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwilson Posted May 10, 2005 Share Posted May 10, 2005 Flemmings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bachanon Posted May 10, 2005 Share Posted May 10, 2005 Amerigo's (italian) on Grogan's Mill. Perry's (steaks) in Sterling Ridge. Red Phoenix (chinese) in College Park. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KatieDidIt Posted May 10, 2005 Author Share Posted May 10, 2005 Amerigo's (italian) on Grogan's Mill. Perry's (steaks) in Sterling Ridge. Red Phoenix (chinese) in College Park.<{POST_SNAPBACK}>The Amerigos in town is good, but I haven't been to this one. Perry's was fair, but its a chain.Red Phoenix- might have to give that a try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpcampbell Posted May 10, 2005 Share Posted May 10, 2005 The Amerigos in town is good, but I haven't been to this one. Perry's was fair, but its a chain.Red Phoenix- might have to give that a try.<{POST_SNAPBACK}>Perry's has a great Pork Chop.Most of the good ones are on the feeder of I-45 and near Oak Ridge or Rayford/Sawdust.There is a good mexican place the other side of 45 on Rayford. It's in the shopping center with the Fish Market. I've only had one dish there. The Thursday special, which is Caldo de Pollo (Chicken Soup). It's awesome. I can't speak for any other dish. I think it's called Mario's.Also, there is ShadeTree BBQ. Turn left at the next light going East on Rayford. It looks like the Boonies, but a little shack is on the right. Good BBQ sandwiches.Also, good BBQ is Pit Master on Sawdust. Pulled Pork is to die for.Black Walnut is good on Research.Most of the Chinese that I have had is mediocre, but TaiPei (I-45 feeder) is good.Sitar Indian is good on the feeder of I-45.Thai Ocha on sawdust is good. I've had a number of good dishes there.Also, 1488 has some great hole in the wall/ground bbq pits.jpc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pineda Posted May 10, 2005 Share Posted May 10, 2005 I'm sorry you outright exclude chain restaurants, because with the big money coming from corporate, they are usually able to maintain a consistency with product and atmosphere that mom and pop joints sometimes struggle with. That being said, I'd heartily recommend Chili's for reasons listed above, plus they are always adding new and interesting items to their menus on a regular basis.I also really like Tin Star, a fledgling Tex-Mex joint in Pinecroft Center with unique items I haven't seen on other menus.Macaroni Grill has some outstanding Italian food, too.Best Indian in TW, the Sitar on the feeder road.The best seafood can be found at I-45 and Rayford at (I forget the name...) Woodlands Seafood Market, right off Rayford, to the east side. My favorite restaurant of all in TW, though, would be Mi Luna. I've been many times now, never disappointed, has an endless combination of choices of tapas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpcampbell Posted May 10, 2005 Share Posted May 10, 2005 I'm sorry you outright exclude chain restaurants, because with the big money coming from corporate, they are usually able to maintain a consistency with product and atmosphere that mom and pop joints sometimes struggle with. That being said, I'd heartily recommend Chili's for reasons listed above, plus they are always adding new and interesting items to their menus on a regular basis.I also really like Tin Star, a fledgling Tex-Mex joint in Pinecroft Center with unique items I haven't seen on other menus.Macaroni Grill has some outstanding Italian food, too.Best Indian in TW, the Sitar on the feeder road.The best seafood can be found at I-45 and Rayford at (I forget the name...) Woodlands Seafood Market, right off Rayford, to the east side. My favorite restaurant of all in TW, though, would be Mi Luna. I've been many times now, never disappointed, has an endless combination of choices of tapas.<{POST_SNAPBACK}>Can you get cooked seafood at the Seafood Market? It's great for fresh cuts of fish and crab to take home. Plus the staff is wonderful and will help you make your purchase based on whatever you are trying to accomplish with your meal.I agree with the chain thing too. They grew to chains because they were either really cheap (McDonalds) or consistently good Let me add Los Cucos in Panther Creek as a quality chain. Chuy's is still my favorite place of all time. Roasted Chicken Sopapillas or Burritos with green chile sauce was a staple for me in College.And I can't let a work week go by without getting lasagna from Spaghetti Warehouse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KatieDidIt Posted May 10, 2005 Author Share Posted May 10, 2005 Chains are fine for day to day "make do" dining, I was just looking for places that are DIFFERENT. Los Cucos is good, but then we found Rancheros! YUM! I just think individually owned place have more character and flavor, and I just wanted to now where they are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pineda Posted May 10, 2005 Share Posted May 10, 2005 There's a very busy little sushi/sashimi place in the HEB shopping center at Woodlands Parkway and Kuykendahl, just down the strip from Mi Luna. It's always busy and looks like fun. I see it as I hurry over to Mi Luna... Maybe when I get tired of Mi Luna, I'll go check it out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KatieDidIt Posted May 11, 2005 Author Share Posted May 11, 2005 There's a very busy little sushi/sashimi place in the HEB shopping center at Woodlands Parkway and Kuykendahl, just down the strip from Mi Luna. It's always busy and looks like fun. I see it as I hurry over to Mi Luna...Maybe when I get tired of Mi Luna, I'll go check it out! <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Is that the Topas bar that goes for 13 bucks a pop? It folded in West U. I wonder how its going to make it in the sticks? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pineda Posted June 25, 2005 Share Posted June 25, 2005 Is that the Topas bar that goes for 13 bucks a pop? It folded in West U. I wonder how its going to make it in the sticks?I don't think it folded. Another place nearby called La Pita, did fold however. Youssef Nafaa created Mi Luna, Mia Bella, Saffron and Cava Bistro.He's done very well for himself, considering how young he is (about 30?).We love the Mi Luna in the woodlands area of sterling ridge, and have good things about the others, just haven't tried them out yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bachanon Posted November 13, 2005 Share Posted November 13, 2005 the woodlands' first vietnamese restaurant is opening soon on sawdust road. the name is pho be. i'm hoping that they have the delicious vietnamese egg rolls and bo luc lac i'm familiar with from midtown. it is right next door to kremi cafe (i don't know anything about this new restaurant). if, at least, the pho (soup) is good it will be an improvement to my dining experiences around here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
editor Posted November 13, 2005 Share Posted November 13, 2005 Isn't Perry's owned by Outback Steakhouse? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pineda Posted November 13, 2005 Share Posted November 13, 2005 outback and its' associate restaurants Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
editor Posted November 13, 2005 Share Posted November 13, 2005 outback and its' associate restaurants Thanks for that. I must have been thinking of Roy's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Montrose1100 Posted November 13, 2005 Share Posted November 13, 2005 (edited) nevermind. Edited November 14, 2005 by Montrose1100 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
editor Posted November 14, 2005 Share Posted November 14, 2005 The Woodlands:Tommy Bahamas (Market Street)La Madeline (Market Street)Pei Wei (Mall)The Cheesecake Factory (Mall)I love 'emI thought he was specifically avoiding chains. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Montrose1100 Posted November 14, 2005 Share Posted November 14, 2005 I thought he was specifically avoiding chains.I'm an idiot... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nmainguy Posted November 14, 2005 Share Posted November 14, 2005 Please list any wonderful, NON-CHAIN, restaurants in the Woodlands Area. I so miss that about the city.We have found Ranchero on FM2978. Great "hole in the wall Mexican" food. And La Tovola in Tomball, 5 star Italian. But that seems to be all we can find. Any suggestions. Family and adult style recommendations welcome. Huh? You chose to live in the Woodlands area. What did you expect? Niko Niko's? It's a white-bread land of blandness. Accept or get out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bachanon Posted November 14, 2005 Share Posted November 14, 2005 yes, it totally sucks to eat at rockfish, p.f.changs, cheesecake factory, chuys, perry's, mi luna, the woodlands' resort, berryhill, cafe express, grotto, la madelin (sp?), tommy bahama's (love that goat cheese), amerigos, kirby's steakhouse, thai ocha, kobe steakhouse, sitar, (recently) nit noi and beck's prime all the time. my complaint is that there hasn't been any vietnamese food. it's not that i don't have a plethora of options. god, you inner loopers can be so snobby. ok, i'll admit i'd like a barnaby's and a zimm's up here...but it doesn't suck to live here. we used to drive to the galleria on a special occasion to take someone to the cheesecake factory. now, it's a regular occurance. it's somewhat strange to be in close proximity to so much good food. i do love mark's on westheimer. i've never eaten food that brought me so close to.......physical pleasure(?). in fact, i could equate the dining experience at mark's with a really good sin. but, making plans to "drive" to houston to eat at a place as special as mark's makes it even more of an experience. if it was next door, it would become less of an event. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedScare Posted November 14, 2005 Share Posted November 14, 2005 god, you inner loopers can be so snobby. ok, i'll admit i'd like a barnaby's and a zimm's up here...but it doesn't suck to live here.Excuse me? That post was a response to a Woodlands resident's claim that there are no good independents out there. You should read the original post before attacking the reponse.It is good that you enjoy it out there. If what the Woodlands has to offer appealed to me, I would have stayed there. It doesn't, so I didn't. My decision to move has nothing to do with your decision to stay...but, it still is a chain restaurant mecca, even if you do like the chains. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KatieDidIt Posted November 14, 2005 Author Share Posted November 14, 2005 (edited) yes, it totally sucks to eat at rockfish, p.f.changs, cheesecake factory, chuys, perry's, mi luna, the woodlands' resort, berryhill, cafe express, grotto, la madelin (sp?), tommy bahama's (love that goat cheese), amerigos, kirby's steakhouse, thai ocha, kobe steakhouse, sitar, (recently) nit noi and beck's prime all the time. my complaint is that there hasn't been any vietnamese food. it's not that i don't have a plethora of options.god, you inner loopers can be so snobby. ok, i'll admit i'd like a barnaby's and a zimm's up here...but it doesn't suck to live here. we used to drive to the galleria on a special occasion to take someone to the cheesecake factory. now, it's a regular occurance. it's somewhat strange to be in close proximity to so much good food. i do love mark's on westheimer. i've never eaten food that brought me so close to.......physical pleasure(?). in fact, i could equate the dining experience at mark's with a really good sin. but, making plans to "drive" to houston to eat at a place as special as mark's makes it even more of an experience. if it was next door, it would become less of an event. I wouldn't complain if a Mark's type restuarant opened up here!! That way I could have 2 or 3 glasses of wine and not fall asleep on the way home. For some reason hubby gets all depressed when that happens I never got tired of having the best close by. Also, you could always get in to one of the great ones on any given night. La Tovla in Tomball is very heavy and wonderful 5 star Italian with the hefty price tag, but the atmosphere BITES. And that is part of the dining experience for me. As to the Woodlands being totally white and or white-bred...This is most diverse street I have ever lived on. People from different nationalities, color and backgrounds. Tanglewood was totally white, old Houston and all went to High School and UT together. I think there were two Houses off the Boulevard that were a South American Family, but that was IT! So, there are pockets of Houston that are certainly whiter than The Woodlands will ever be. Edited November 14, 2005 by KatieDidIt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nmainguy Posted November 14, 2005 Share Posted November 14, 2005 yes, it totally sucks to eat at rockfish, p.f.changs, cheesecake factory, chuys, perry's, mi luna, the woodlands' resort, berryhill, cafe express, grotto, la madelin (sp?), tommy bahama's (love that goat cheese), amerigos, kirby's steakhouse, thai ocha, kobe steakhouse, sitar, (recently) nit noi and beck's prime all the time. my complaint is that there hasn't been any vietnamese food. it's not that i don't have a plethora of options.god, you inner loopers can be so snobby. ok, i'll admit i'd like a barnaby's and a zimm's up here...but it doesn't suck to live here. we used to drive to the galleria on a special occasion to take someone to the cheesecake factory. now, it's a regular occurance. it's somewhat strange to be in close proximity to so much good food. i do love mark's on westheimer. i've never eaten food that brought me so close to.......physical pleasure(?). in fact, i could equate the dining experience at mark's with a really good sin. but, making plans to "drive" to houston to eat at a place as special as mark's makes it even more of an experience. if it was next door, it would become less of an event. ...and yet the topic is regarding non-chain restaurants... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KatieDidIt Posted November 14, 2005 Author Share Posted November 14, 2005 ...and yet the topic is regarding non-chain restaurants... oh yeah.... and who called me a guy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nmainguy Posted November 14, 2005 Share Posted November 14, 2005 oh yeah.... and who called me a guy? Uhhhh...not me? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ConstructionManagerMAS Posted November 14, 2005 Share Posted November 14, 2005 Katie,I have noticed that you Woodlands people have started going to Rancheros on 2978. There's even a line now sometimes (darnit).I new Japanese place called Kobuto (sp?) also opened on 1488 west of 2978 a couple of weeks ago. It replaced another Japanese place that was there recently. We'll see if this one lasts. The food was pretty good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bachanon Posted November 14, 2005 Share Posted November 14, 2005 the demographics out here are remarkable. i wish someone would open a tea and tapioca bar on the riverway or at market street. anyone want to invest? i'll run it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KatieDidIt Posted November 15, 2005 Author Share Posted November 15, 2005 Katie,I have noticed that you Woodlands people have started going to Rancheros on 2978. There's even a line now sometimes (darnit). I new Japanese place called Kobuto (sp?) also opened on 1488 west of 2978 a couple of weeks ago. It replaced another Japanese place that was there recently. We'll see if this one lasts. The food was pretty good. yup and we still go after I found a big chunk of glass in my mouth while eating Queso Del Mar. Shows you how desperate I am. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrothead Posted November 15, 2005 Share Posted November 15, 2005 I love Taipei (is that a chain?) and Hickory Hollow BBQ in Magnolia......yum!! Plus Goodson's cafe is not that far if you take the back roads. Best chicken fried steak I've ever had!!!!! I think nmainguy is LTAWACS in disguise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bachanon Posted February 8, 2006 Share Posted February 8, 2006 A Russian restaurant opens in The Woodlands. Has anyone tried this yet?Authentic Russian Restaurant is Delicious and Informative By: SUSAN SUMMERS, ContributingEach night it's the same question: "What to do about dinner?"There's always Mexican food, Chinese take-out and of course, the old stand-by, pizza delivery. But next time, how about thinking Russian? link Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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