Buzz resident Chuck Zagst wrote in about one of his longtime favorites, Heberts Ritz, specializing in steaks, seafood and a popular shrimp remoulade. For the uninitiated, grills are shiny, often jewel-encrusted adornments worn over the teeth. To leave a comment, please log in or create an account with The Buzz Magazines, Disqus, Facebook, Twitter or Google+. The James Coney Island downtown location was a popular lunch spot. Cabaret was around from about 1980 to about 1984 I think then finally was forced to be shut down (wonder why). These days he can be found in Branson Missouri most of the time. She was previously a features reporter for the Houston Chronicle, writing food, drink, travel and entertainment stories. Throughout the years, there are tales of Vallonewho called himself "a pleasant dictator," "a hustler" and "a perfectionist" in a 1977 Houston Post profileturning away stars such as Frank Sinatra, Muhammad Ali, Tom Jones and Liza Minelli's musicians for not having ties, then a required garment at Tony's. I sat in there in 1980 and watched the "Miracle on Ice" game between the Soviet Union and the U.S. At one time, it sold 10,000 of its famous fish sandwiches a week. Put the parking lots in back! I recently came across a 1980s-era book on menus of Houston restaurants, Houston Epicure A Menu Guide to the Better Restaurants in Houston by Fran Fauntleroy. When do you think the photo of Market Square was from? I never knew there was a Stables on Weslayan. 2920 Hillcroft St, Houston, TX 77057. With a luxurious pink interior and ornate chandeliers, Maxims catered to a new River Oaks crowd, while hoping to maintain loyal customers from the downtown location. Where to Get Crawfish in Houston This Season. Nothing in the NFL is guaranteed (hence the "any given Sunday" mantra). Luckily we still managed to get a table for two even though they had a full house. Market Square-my only exposure to Market Square was being able to get pitchers of beer while still 16 at The Inn on the Square(or was it called Village Inn? The succulent rib eye was crunchy on the outside and tender inside. My dates and I frequented that place a lot because he booked in some pretty big name entertainers. See our, By submitting your email, you agree to our, 16 Classic Restaurants Every Houstonian Should Visit at Least Once, Sign up for the Visit Website. As a child, my culinary palate was limited. Updated Sep 29, 1996, 11:00pm CDT. Maxim's catered to Houston's new oil tycoons, like John De Menil, with fawning service and lavish prices. Succulent, seasoned chicken joins Southern sides like collard greens, dirty rice, and gumbo. By the early 1970s, Farrell's had grown to 58 locations nationwide. Our e-newsletter, Morning Buzz, includes buzzworthy stories about neighbors every day, Monday-Friday. I'll have to go look up some of these extant buildings to go look up since I don't recognize many from the pics. Pair them with a heaping plate of nachos and a Ninfarita for Tex-Mex gold. Long gone is Alfreds, since closing in the late 1990s, but never forgotten. It was a very fun place to work, I worked at both San Antonio locations 78-79 and the Houston in 1980. I used to run the door at Club Bojangles and under it La Bastille. Thought you might like it. Helmed by James Beard Award-winning chef Hugo Ortega and housed in a charming 1930s-era home, Backstreet Caf has served as a destination restaurant for Houston diners for almost four decades. (Photo: Houston: Then and Now William Dylan Powell), One of Princes Drive-In Restaurant locations was in the 5200 block of Bellaire Blvd. I remember the servers bringing the condiment stand to our table, scooping out sour cream, chives, butter and cheese on our baked potatoes. I knew about this place, but never went there. Mainly Spanish speaking but they had an English menu too and with a bit of hand waving you can get a long way. OGs," a live painting exhibition featuring Houston graffiti art veterans: SKEEZ181, ARTICLE, GONZO247, and COLORS. Now, I talked to my boy Johnny Dang, Wall told the duo. Daddy and Mother took us there for every celebration, birthdays and all occasions. Trader Vics was located in the Shamrock Hotel. Every weekday morning, enjoy your coffee and the buzz in your inbox. He doesn't have his own theater. "You mean, like we won't ever be grand again?" used to go to alot of the clubs. (The legal drinking age at that time was 18.) Rex, who now plays in joints in Houston, apparently saw a more unstable side of her nature than did most other people. Believe it or not, I found a website that says he was singing at a little honky tonk on I-45 up north of Conroe as recently as April of 2003. Tony's settled into its swagger and reputation as a place to see and be seen, particularly among the rich and famous. My folks and aunts and uncles would love to see. She liked Kramer so much she took them all on the road with her as her backup group, but that was mainly to stay "close" to Kramer. Buzz reader Lindsay Freireich wrote in about one of her favorite fine dining spots, Vargos on Fondren Road near Westheimer: I remember Vargos lush garden and settings with elegant silver platters. Memories of Vargos are often different than those we have of other favorites from Houstons dining past, where we tend to recall our favorite menu items. Maybe that's what we are seeing! Mama Ninfa, and it was here that tacos al carbon fajita meat in warm flour tortillas with pico de gallo, guacamole and queso were put on the map. Be sure to subscribe to our free Weekend Guide email to receive a round-up of great things to do this weekend in Houston in your inbox every Thursday. We don't have a limit. (Photo: www.bellairebook.com), Valians Restaurant, where Houston pizza was born, was in the Medical Center. In his younger years, founder Leo Reynosa, Sr. rode with Pancho Villa. Oops. Longtime Houston Chronicle food editor Ann Criswell says, Ye Olde College Inn was the first restaurant in the United States to serve baked potatoes with all the toppings. asked philanthropist Mary Owen Greenwood, as highlighted in the Chronicle. 3704 Main St, Houston, TX 77002. Filio, I have wondered the same thing about a couple of "local" acts, like Roy Head, and Johnny Lee. I would order either a filet mignon or fried shrimp. But where is Rex Kramer now? Genora's White Kitchen #2, 616 Main St. No Houston restaurant memory would be complete without mentioning the history of local delicatessens. Please enter a valid email and try again. Dig those cats and kitties hanging out in front of Michelangelos. -Kapan's on South Main at Kirby (where the Eckerd's is now), our usual Sunday after church lunch place - good steaks and seafood, and those excellent crab ball appetizers that the guy in the white suit used to bring around to all the tables -Angelo's, another long gone seafood restuarant According to his 1995 obituary, that location closed in the late 1970s, and his last restaurant was at 9123 Stella Link. The dark wood interior and small dining rooms were cozy. That was a much bigger place and became a more focal point as the PA was going downhill by the 1970's. Lankford Grocery & Market in Montrose | 1938 - Originally doling out fruit and then deli sandwiches until the 1970s, Lankford's big, messy burgers are a true Houston staple and longtime Houstonians undoubtedly will have a touch of nostalgia for the greasy stacked patties, gooey cheeses, and toppings that ooze out of the bunlike the mac and Yep, I'm pretty sure it's the same building. Hope someone else posts some more. Lines were always long, as this popular eatery was jammed noon and night for meals that were all priced under $10. Wed love to share your dining memories. Nothing brings people together like food and conversation, so as I stroll down this culinary memory lane, I invite you to join me in the nostalgia by remembering some Houston restaurants of yesterday. Across the street from Captain John's was Weingartens/Safeway/Appletree and now Kroger. The fish was also cooked in butter.. So I'm really excited.. She studied English Literature at Newcastle University in the U.K. and was the lifestyle editor of the student newspaper. Whether youre shopping Way Day 2023 or Walmart, theres an al fresco set for you. I'd love to see some photos if you can post them! Greeted by an attentive valet parker as we drove under the rustic porte-cochere, we could smell the charred dishes as soon as we got out of the car. After learning every aspect of the business, Alfred Kahn later opened his first location of Alfreds Delicatessen in 1948 at 2408 Rice Boulevard in Rice Village. The one from Michelangelos really cracked me up! Nelsons favorite dining memory is from Elliotts Steakhouse in the Medical Center. These memories still resonate, sparking conversations and trips down memory lane, from family celebrations at Kaphans on South Main to barbecue and fried chicken at The Barbecue Inn on Crosstimbers and Yale Street. Baltergrew up in Paris, France, where she got an early taste for good food and wine. Marriott sold the rights to the chain to an. Some close within a year, while others close after several years of being the hottest and trendiest restaurant in town. Or you may post as a guest. In October, she wrote about Tony's again, where she reportedly had "an evening of unsurpassed enjoyment. The Strawberry Patch was one of the most popular restaurants serving traditional American food to hit Houston during the 1970s. (770) 607-4992. Black men, who formed the basic waiter corps of the 19th century, largely disappeared from restaurant dining rooms and kitchens, replaced by immigrants, white college students, and white women. Picture is from early 1970s. We arrived here by chance on a Saturday evening and without a reservation. i rember it and was going to look for pictures. To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. I know that a lot of prominent Latin groups like Tito Puente and Perez Prado would play there. 18 Houston Restaurants Serving Up the Finest Fried Chicken. "Oh, I can't bear to think that. I fondly recall being asked out for a prom date at Vargos in the early 1980s, feeling like a real adult ordering fancy food and a libation. This long-standing Montrose staple offers 20 burger varieties from an old fashioned hamburger to the Frito pie burg, made extra savory with house-made chili and crunchy Fritos. Readers who contacted us after the stories appeared shared favorite dining spots they have enjoyed (and in some cases, continue to enjoy) through the years. Standouts on the menu include the. Castelados: My favorite restaurant - See 326 traveler reviews, 191 candid photos, and great deals for Madrid, Spain, at Tripadvisor. There is beer and wine too, plus glass cases full of Texas-sized desserts like pound cake and chocolate icebox pie. Wow, Subdude, thanks for all the scans!! (His other location, Looks Sirloin House, was located on Westheimer where The Palm Restaurant stands today.). Camille's son, Ronnie Bermann, sold the business to the Pappas organization, but plans to reopen never materialized after the restaurant closed its doors.
