s3mh Posted November 12, 2013 Share Posted November 12, 2013 Cricket's 2.0 closed. A sign on the door hints at some sort of reboot/renovation, but I have not heard anything further. The original Crickets was quirky and in no way a James Beard contender. But, it had a very unique vegetarian menu with some good dishes that you could not get anywhere else. It was also just a fun place inside, especially with kids. The successor seemed to just suck all the life out of it, leaving the interior devoid of anything on the walls and putting out a very uninspired new menu. While there are more than enough people in the Heights to support more restaurants on 19th, the location in and of itself does not guarantee success. Hopefully, the reboot will be much better or someone else will come along and do something good with that space. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverJK Posted November 12, 2013 Share Posted November 12, 2013 Isn't Scott Tycer involved with that one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkultra25 Posted November 13, 2013 Share Posted November 13, 2013 Isn't Scott Tycer involved with that one? Yes, he bought it from the previous owner. I was pretty surprised to see it closed with the vaguely-worded sign on the door, and hope that it does return soon. I do agree that some of the physical changes that were made prior to the closure were disappointing. I realize that when a business changes hands, new ownership often has a different vision that involves significant changes, but IMO the changes that were implemented (particularly doing away with the seats in the front window) were not for the better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kylejack Posted November 13, 2013 Share Posted November 13, 2013 What else has Tycer got his fingers in? Kraftsmen, and what else? I will be glad when the Tycer scourge is gone from Houston. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s3mh Posted November 13, 2013 Share Posted November 13, 2013 I do not know all the details, but someone else was involved in this on both an ownership and management level. There was some sort of affiliation/partnership with Kraftsmen and Tycer. But I do not think he bought it outright or was running it. Still, with the two Braun developments and the overall strength in the Heights, there is a lot of potential on 19th street. Just serve some good food with good service and the line will be out the door. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverJK Posted November 13, 2013 Share Posted November 13, 2013 I'd like to see more of a Cafe in the cricket location, and the Kraftsmen more of a bakery/coffee shop. Curious to see what actually happens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s3mh Posted November 15, 2013 Share Posted November 15, 2013 Good Dog is open now in the old Big Mamou location. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverJK Posted November 15, 2013 Share Posted November 15, 2013 I saw that yesterday... no "open" sign but people definitely eating in there. I'm guessing they are in more of a "soft" opening stage right now? I'll get check it out soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JCR Posted November 16, 2013 Share Posted November 16, 2013 Went to good dog a little while ago. I had a good meal. The chili from the chillin' dog is now served on its own in a cup or bowl. The menu can be found on their twitter feed. https://twitter.com/GoodDogHouston There is more than just hot dogs. This is a very good addition to the 'hood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s3mh Posted November 18, 2013 Share Posted November 18, 2013 The record for truck to brick and mortar conversions is pretty strong in Houston. Eatsie Boys is great and Fusion Taco is also pretty phenomenal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kylejack Posted November 18, 2013 Share Posted November 18, 2013 The record for truck to brick and mortar conversions is pretty strong in Houston. Eatsie Boys is great and Fusion Taco is also pretty phenomenal. Green Seed Vegan, The Modular became Goro & Gun, and Bernie's Burger Bus is on the way to brick & mortar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s3mh Posted December 12, 2013 Share Posted December 12, 2013 Fat Cat opens this weekend. Boulevard Coffee, Mam's House of Ice Snowballs and Coltivare look to be very close to finishing their respective buildouts. Htown StEats food truck is looking for space in the Heights for a doughnut shop. That could be very interesting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angostura Posted December 13, 2013 Share Posted December 13, 2013 Looking forward to getting some ice cream this weekend. With density and disposable income come restaurants and retail, and a lot of residential units are being added near 19th St. Hopefully over time, we'll see continuous walkable retail from Yale to Durham (Downhouse to Foreign Correspondents). This would require development/redevelopment of the following (for starters): - Sand Dollar at 19th and Yale- Former water storage and pumping station at Nicholson- Chase drive-up bank at Nicholson (this is a staggeringly poor use of valuable land)- Car Wash at Lawrence Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s3mh Posted December 18, 2013 Share Posted December 18, 2013 www.stellabakes.com/news-stella-bakes/ New coffee shop/desert bar coming on Studewood just south of 11th. TABC notice up in the window. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverJK Posted December 19, 2013 Share Posted December 19, 2013 Awesome! Looking forward to this one. I went to Key West a few years back and there was a desert bar called "better than sex" which was a very adult "sexy atmosphere" desert bar. Although it sounds kitchy and cliche', there was a wait out the door every night I was there and it was a pretty cool place. (my wife and I went after a night out and managed to get a table somehow). Since then I've thought that would be something that would go over really well in The Heights where people love eating and drinking but not the "party atmosphere as much". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swtsig Posted December 19, 2013 Share Posted December 19, 2013 has anyone tried heights general store yet? would love to hear other reviews. we went last thursday and really enjoyed the food but were shocked to see it practically empty 8pm on thursday night, particualrly with torchy's packed next door. now granted, although the food was good the decor was a little bland and the prices seemed fairly expensive. it was just odd that with all the press it had received recently that it would be so dead on a prime night out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s3mh Posted December 23, 2013 Share Posted December 23, 2013 I am hearing that Coltivare should be open in January. Build out is just about finished. Garden is gorgeous. Interior has an open kitchen and low-key rustic feel. Can't wait for this one to open. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s3mh Posted December 26, 2013 Share Posted December 26, 2013 Mam's House of Ice Snowballs has opened their brick and mortar location on Cavalcade just east of Studewood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverJK Posted January 3, 2014 Share Posted January 3, 2014 That is awefully close to the snowcone place on Main that cost 1/4 as much... I went to FatCat and it was awesome. Great addition. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angostura Posted January 3, 2014 Share Posted January 3, 2014 Fat Cat is very cleverly partnering with food trucks. Hopefully they'll be able to keep it up once the rest of the tenants in that center open. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s3mh Posted January 3, 2014 Share Posted January 3, 2014 I went to Fat Cat the other weekend. A line of 8-10 people materialized as soon as I drove up with one lone hipster kid working the counter. I almost drove off when two other helpers quickly emerged from in back and got everyone's orders taken in no time. Took us longer to decide what to get than for the line to go down. The ice cream is great and there are a ton of different things to get (novelties, shakes, sundaes, soft serve etc.). They have rotating seasonal flavors and permanent standard flavors. I am going to gain 10 lbs this summer. Great addition to the neighborhood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverJK Posted January 6, 2014 Share Posted January 6, 2014 yep, i'm going to make myself ride my bicycle or longboard there... to justify the calories. I had the bourbon vanilla bean shake and it was bonkers amazing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s3mh Posted January 15, 2014 Share Posted January 15, 2014 http://blog.chron.com/foodchronicles/2014/01/first-look-at-coltivare-new-heights-restaurant-from-revival-market-owners/?cmpid=hpbn#19667101=9 Opening next week. Food looks amazing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s3mh Posted February 5, 2014 Share Posted February 5, 2014 Boulevard Coffee is awaiting final city inspections and looks to open this month. Town in City Brewing finally has approved plans and will break ground after a year of back and forth with the City. The El on Studewood and White Oak is finally building out with a big cinderblock addition to the old gas station. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverJK Posted February 5, 2014 Share Posted February 5, 2014 Whatever happened to that Tiki Bar that was supposed to open up on Main? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s3mh Posted February 5, 2014 Share Posted February 5, 2014 Whatever happened to that Tiki Bar that was supposed to open up on Main? Lei Low is coming soon too. I think they are almost built out, but haven't followed too closely and do not know what their time frame is for opening. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bedmondson Posted February 6, 2014 Share Posted February 6, 2014 Church's on Heights Blvd. is leaving in October. http://www.commgate.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=property.detailFL&ln=233479 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s3mh Posted February 6, 2014 Share Posted February 6, 2014 Church's on Heights Blvd. is leaving in October. http://www.commgate.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=property.detailFL&ln=233479 With 700+ units of high end apartments going in a block away, this location could make some serious money as a restaurant in the right hands. I think it would get grandfathered on parking if they keep the building. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s3mh Posted February 6, 2014 Share Posted February 6, 2014 https://www.facebook.com/Heightscandybar?ref=stream Frosted Betty is gone, but the Heights Candy Bar is open. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angostura Posted February 6, 2014 Share Posted February 6, 2014 With 700+ units of high end apartments going in a block away, this location could make some serious money as a restaurant in the right hands. I think it would get grandfathered on parking if they keep the building. It's 1200 s.f., and currently has 13 parking spaces, so they already meet the parking minimums. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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