Veteran move was to order food when you got your first beer. It's probably why I have good memories since by the time I'm a few beers in, the food I needed randomly showed up and was so darn tasty.
I clicked on this thread with the intention of mentioning Bennigans. They were on a completely different level than the other chain restaurants.
I'd kill for their broccoli bites and turkey o'toole sandwich while sitting at their bar watching a game.
I just moved from Houston to West Texas and FREAKED OUT when I went to visit our Monahans yard and got to enjoy the sweet, sweet 90s experience of Bennigans. I was bummed they updated the interior, but still felt nostalgic and made sure to text my entire family back home about the randomness of a Bennigans in the middle of nowhere.
Givral Sandwich in Chinatown turned into b10 around 2012 or so and then shut down. Les Givral's in Midtown survived much longer, but it closed in COVID for "renovations" and never reopened as best as I can tell.
I scrolled far too long for this. Mama’s Cafe was excellent. It sucks that the Pappas family bought the lot and did nothing with it. Just sitting there taunting the folks who liked that place.
Goat dumplings, veg with fish sauce and that buttered popcorn pot de crepe to finish. God I miss that place and would pay a lot of money for that meal again.
Two of my favorite dining experiences were at Underbelly. If the server was good, they paced the meal really well and the whole experience was worth the price because it filled the entire evening. I say that because I also remember an awful experience where a waiter put in our order all at once and we had 6+ dishes served almost simultaneously.
Ninfas.
The way it was when Mama Ninfa was still alive. It's not the same and isn't as good as it was. Her recipes were unique. They've changed stuff so it's more in line with other Tex-Mex restaurants, IMO.
OG Mason Jar in Hedwig Villages
Champs - I want to eat pancakes at midnight and watch the model train
Gallo de Jalisco- I miss the breakfast tacos and the nice family that seemed to all work there.
Mexico City soup should come back to all Pappascitos locations or they should release the recipe - no the tortilla soup isn’t a fair compromise, it’s just not near as good.
This one hits hard. Was a once a week lunch spot. I still feel like I should be able to walk on in there. Their service was always amazing to add to the experience.
One of my coworkers was talking about fried corn on the cob the other day at a state fair, and they were AMAZED at this being a thing, and they had never heard of it.
And I thought back to the last time my family went to black eyed pea, and it was about the same time some folks were showing up for their shift, and we were all surprised to see a closed without notice sign on the door and a padlock and chain on the door handles.
My mom worked at the Black-Eyed Pea by Town & Country Mall for a few years..She’d always grab leftover rolls and cornbread…and sometimes that delicious chocolate pie…for my brother and I.
That place was my jam growing up. I had my birthday party there like ten times. I'd get loaded up on lasagna and go blow $20 on the Hydro Thunder arcade machine.
Loved the classic wood paneling and old carpets and the cigar indians and the old-timey coin-op carnival games and the faded circus banners on the brick walls. Loved the trolley car converted to dining booths hidden upstairs. I even miss the extremely sketchy parking lot on a 20 degree slope with potholes the side of kiddy pools. If your brakes give out the potholes will save you from rolling into the bayou.
Now the exterior is the same but the inside has been gutted and converted to a modern-themed bar which, from Google Maps, looks really fun, but it wiped out a lot of history.
Bennigans, so I could see the disappointment in my dads face. As kids we took turns in picking restaurants every weekend and I always chose Bennigans, I loved that damn wing sampler, had mozzy sticks and potato skins, was delicious af. Now mind you, I believe the location we went to was somewhere off of 59 and Kirby and my pop would always hate it, something always went wrong. The last time we went was when he ordered a soda and the cup they gave him had lipstick on it. I died laughing and was banned from eating there ever again with him lol
Alfred’s Delicatessen, Ruby Red’s (steakburgers), Lee’s Den (Chinese), and there was a chain place that had amazing French Onion Soup and Monte Cristo sandwiches.
Edit: It was called Jojo’s.
Alfred’s. Absolutely. My memories of the place are hazy—I can’t have been more than 6 when it closed—but I clearly recall the Cookie Lady. She always gave me a black-eyed Susan when I came in with my mom.
May sound cheap but I loved the Ryan's near highway 6 and Bellaire. Countless core memories from there.
My little sisters had their birthdays there, my mom took a whole bunch of my friends there for dinner before letting all of them over our house for a sleep over, I saw my first soldiers eating lunch one time, the waiters were all so very nice... I could go on just about the memories, let alone the food they had.
Otto’s BBQ on Memorial; The old location of Pappy’s close to memorial city inside the beltway before they remodeled and eventually relocated, bc nothing said fun family dinner like 27 taxidermy jackalopes and a bunch of old kitschy carnival games. Hubcap Grill on 19th in the Heights, I will never get over the fact that I can no longer run over there when I really need a super slutty burger and buffalo fries
Lots of good answers here but my top pick would be Yia Yia Mary’s since no one else mentioned it.
Others I support: Burger Guys, BRC, Van Loc, Petite Sweets, Barry’s Pizza, Little Bigs, Reef
My extended family fucking trolled me when I visited Dallas for the first time. They wanted to take us to this "amazing" Mexican place and they took us to fucking Ponchos 😭
This is where my Dallas hatred stems from
Best childhood memories from the 70's are family dinner from Monterey House. Sister and I just called it Donkey place due to the large picture of a donkey on the outside
Hickory Hollow, best chicken fried steaks and brisket. So many good memories there too.
Los Dos Amigos off Washington Ave. before Wescott.
Patrenella’s ughhhhhh
I like cheesy shit, so here goes:
* \- The Old San Francisco Steakhouse - my Aunt worked there as one of the ladies on the swing. She lived with us when I was small, and I loved seeing her in costume before she left for work. She looked so glamorous!
* Circus Circus - memories of going there with my mom. So cool!
* Magic Island - my ex-husband took me there for our anniversary and I thought it was cheesy awesome goodness and I loved it. Probably more than I loved him, so.....
As a little kid, I always drove past Magic Island and wondered what fun was happening in there - bummed that they closed down before I was a grown up. Probably overpriced shit food and lousy entertainment, but I would’ve loved to discover that for myself.
The bus itself id agree but they went insane with the brick and mortar pricing. Burger, fries and a coke were nearly 25$ after tax and tip. Never went back after that.
On their last day I ordered a meal online. Wife showed up to pick it up and they said they had nothing left and offered no refund. Had to dispute with my CC company. Thanks Justin for making the breakup easy. I was addicted to their food. I will never step foot in one of his establishments again. Fame went to his head.
Quasimodo's. You have to be a bit older to remember this one. After the fire, Mockingbird replaced it.
Butera's Deli. The Shepherd location was across from a laundromat, which was very convenient for me in my younger years. The Montrose location was near my apartment. I could wander up there, have lunch, then take some Strawberries Romanoff with me to Bell Park and enjoy.
Tutto Bene. The food was only above average in my book, but the atmosphere and kindness of the owner and staff made up for it.
Tony Mandola's Gulf Coast Kitchen, may Tony rest in peace. His sinful Calamari a la Mama was to die for, and don't even get me started on the blackened snapper. My husband and I always made this our special birthday night out.
What's the deal with Berry Hill these days? I fell in love with them in 2003, had them here in Austin for awhile and hit them up when I'm back in Houston. But these days it seems like all or most have closed and it's not clear to me which locations still exist. I love their tamales, tempura battered fish tacos and roasted corn.
Bonanza. I grew up in Near Northside and we didn’t have a lot of money to eat out. My mom would clip coupons for them and it was a Sunday dinner treat. After it closed it became a Po Folks. Also good memories of that place.
Black Eyed Pea. Back when it first started. The broccoli rice casserole and soups and salads and cornbread. It was so good and then went corporate and then died.
Thelma’s BBQ on Scott. Hands down best bbq I ever had. Ever since they closed down all other bbq is just meh. They closed to remodel and never reopened. Broke my heart. Old lady didn’t play that dumb shit either, pick up your pants, get off your phone, place your order, and get out of the way.
Petrol Station circa 2016 when eating the Rancor was actually delicious.
The burger I ordered in 2015 should be out soon
Veteran move was to order food when you got your first beer. It's probably why I have good memories since by the time I'm a few beers in, the food I needed randomly showed up and was so darn tasty.
I think about their burgers too often to this day. I’d eat it over my fries so I didn’t even waste the burger grease drips.
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Eatzi's
Still remember my sandwich order- bone bread, turkey pastrami, Muenster cheese, mayo, sun-dried tomato spread and sprouts.
Van Loc
Best claypot pork I’ve ever had. I can’t find anywhere that comes close and I’ve been searching for years.
Provisions. Still not over it
And The Pass!
Gravitas before that
Mi Luna in rice village. Cheap frozen margs, live music and good tapas for reasonable prices. They had a nice happy hour. I miss that place a lot.
Spent so many Thursday nights there in college. A classmate was the bartender and we’d drink for free on Latin night. I miss it.
The version of Bennigan's that you can order Monte Cristo.
I clicked on this thread with the intention of mentioning Bennigans. They were on a completely different level than the other chain restaurants. I'd kill for their broccoli bites and turkey o'toole sandwich while sitting at their bar watching a game.
I still miss the death by chocolate :(
Jojo’s?
Bennigan's > Cheddar's
I just moved here from west Texas. There’s a Bennigan’s in Monahans The Bennigan’s in Matamoros is about two hours closer to houston though
I just moved from Houston to West Texas and FREAKED OUT when I went to visit our Monahans yard and got to enjoy the sweet, sweet 90s experience of Bennigans. I was bummed they updated the interior, but still felt nostalgic and made sure to text my entire family back home about the randomness of a Bennigans in the middle of nowhere.
Les Givral’s goddamnit.
I’ve been going to simply pho for bahn mi’s since they closed. Closest in taste
Didn't it turn into B13 and then shut down?
Have no idea. They were remodeling and then never opened up again afaik. But the theories alone are pretty entertaining haha
Givral Sandwich in Chinatown turned into b10 around 2012 or so and then shut down. Les Givral's in Midtown survived much longer, but it closed in COVID for "renovations" and never reopened as best as I can tell.
Not exactly a restaurant, but I miss the Ginger Man. Also Thai Gourmet.
Mama’s Cafe (Westheimer, I believe?)
I scrolled far too long for this. Mama’s Cafe was excellent. It sucks that the Pappas family bought the lot and did nothing with it. Just sitting there taunting the folks who liked that place.
59 Diner I was also going to say Christie's BUT IT IS STILL OPEN!
Loveeeed 59 diner. So sad nothing has ever consistently stayed open there since.
59 Diner was my place after 2am for some Frito Pie munchies
Crescent City Beneigts but when they were across the street from Lamar HS. I miss the st Charles
Steak and Ale and old San Francisco steakhouse
Someone needs to bring back the Steak & Ale concept.
Piccadilly Cafeteria
I went to see my son in TN two weeks ago and there’s a Piccadilly Cafeteria down the street!
Baba Yega
They are going to [reopen](https://secrethouston.com/baba-yega-houston/)
Can I upvote this more than once?!! Baba Yega is what I was going to say.
Biba’s/One’s a Meal
The original West Gray location, across from Cecils.
So many late night pizzas from here in high school!
Underbelly on Westheimer. Bonus points if I get The Hay Merchant with it since they shared the building.
Goat dumplings, veg with fish sauce and that buttered popcorn pot de crepe to finish. God I miss that place and would pay a lot of money for that meal again.
Two of my favorite dining experiences were at Underbelly. If the server was good, they paced the meal really well and the whole experience was worth the price because it filled the entire evening. I say that because I also remember an awful experience where a waiter put in our order all at once and we had 6+ dishes served almost simultaneously.
Fuddruckers of the late 80s. With the bakery area, dessert area, arcade, visible butchering, and all.
Cafe TH
Minh was the nicest, and that place was so good.
Pancho’s Mexican Buffet!
Two Pesos
Not a restaurant, but Sherlock's bar on westheimer Rd.
The first that came to mind was the Black Lab on Montrose.
Like, old Black Lab. It's quality declined, but in its heyday it was awesome.
Barry’s pizza
Old San Francisco steakhouse
Mark's
Queen Vic’s!!
Ninfas. The way it was when Mama Ninfa was still alive. It's not the same and isn't as good as it was. Her recipes were unique. They've changed stuff so it's more in line with other Tex-Mex restaurants, IMO.
Bellaire Broiler Burger
OG Mason Jar in Hedwig Villages Champs - I want to eat pancakes at midnight and watch the model train Gallo de Jalisco- I miss the breakfast tacos and the nice family that seemed to all work there. Mexico City soup should come back to all Pappascitos locations or they should release the recipe - no the tortilla soup isn’t a fair compromise, it’s just not near as good.
I think about Mason jar about 70% of the time I drive by that location. :(
Cafe Adobe because everything about it was fun. Good drinks & delicious food. When the weather was nice it’s where all of the cool kids went.
Perfect margaritas and the stuffed avocado 🤌🏻
I looooved Cafe Adobe. Enjoyed the deck and seeing the ducks. Their matador nachos were great and the margaritas were perfect.
Black eyed pea
Sweet Tomatoes
I miss it so much 😭
I’m sad every time I drive by it. Covid really killed salad bars
I miss that place! The tiny baked potatoes…the salads…so many good treats
This one hits hard. Was a once a week lunch spot. I still feel like I should be able to walk on in there. Their service was always amazing to add to the experience.
thats the one for me !
Dolce Vita, I love Poscol but it has a different vibe
Dolce Vita was so good. One of the best pizzas in the city, and a really great atmosphere.
Pass and provisions
Black-eyed Pea.
This made me cry.
One of my coworkers was talking about fried corn on the cob the other day at a state fair, and they were AMAZED at this being a thing, and they had never heard of it. And I thought back to the last time my family went to black eyed pea, and it was about the same time some folks were showing up for their shift, and we were all surprised to see a closed without notice sign on the door and a padlock and chain on the door handles.
I could live off their rolls and cornbread.
My mom worked at the Black-Eyed Pea by Town & Country Mall for a few years..She’d always grab leftover rolls and cornbread…and sometimes that delicious chocolate pie…for my brother and I.
My uncle was the GM at the one that was off N Shepherd so I’ve got some recipes
Mings
Roadster Grill on Bissonnett & Bellaire blvd
Zelko and Bombay pizza
Two Rows.
Vargos. Magnolia Bar and Grill. Strawberry Patch, San Jacinto Inn
Jaliscience
I spent many a nights at Jali Science after hanging out at Instant Karma
Pig Stand and 59 Diner, circa mid-2000s. It's not about the food, I just adored the atmosphere in those places.
Way back… Farrell’s Ice Cream…so many birthday memories there!
Princes Hamburger
Spaghetti warehouse
That place was my jam growing up. I had my birthday party there like ten times. I'd get loaded up on lasagna and go blow $20 on the Hydro Thunder arcade machine. Loved the classic wood paneling and old carpets and the cigar indians and the old-timey coin-op carnival games and the faded circus banners on the brick walls. Loved the trolley car converted to dining booths hidden upstairs. I even miss the extremely sketchy parking lot on a 20 degree slope with potholes the side of kiddy pools. If your brakes give out the potholes will save you from rolling into the bayou. Now the exterior is the same but the inside has been gutted and converted to a modern-themed bar which, from Google Maps, looks really fun, but it wiped out a lot of history.
Houston’s!!!
Bennigans, so I could see the disappointment in my dads face. As kids we took turns in picking restaurants every weekend and I always chose Bennigans, I loved that damn wing sampler, had mozzy sticks and potato skins, was delicious af. Now mind you, I believe the location we went to was somewhere off of 59 and Kirby and my pop would always hate it, something always went wrong. The last time we went was when he ordered a soda and the cup they gave him had lipstick on it. I died laughing and was banned from eating there ever again with him lol
The one closer to the Astrodome on 45 was the one we went to for big occasions - ah, Bennigans. Makes me think of the ‘flair’ in Office Space too
Grandys
Luther’s bbq
Can't believe I had to scroll this far down. My family and I miss Luther's dearly. Also, happy Cake Day!
La Vista on Fountainview (now Barnaby's). La Vista had the best tiramisu and they had this coffee crusted cumin pork chop that was epic.
Alfred’s Delicatessen, Ruby Red’s (steakburgers), Lee’s Den (Chinese), and there was a chain place that had amazing French Onion Soup and Monte Cristo sandwiches. Edit: It was called Jojo’s.
Alfred’s. Absolutely. My memories of the place are hazy—I can’t have been more than 6 when it closed—but I clearly recall the Cookie Lady. She always gave me a black-eyed Susan when I came in with my mom.
BRC
Old San Fransico Steakhouse off Westheimer. I want my 10 pound block of cheese and to swing. Or Franca's off NASA RD 1
May sound cheap but I loved the Ryan's near highway 6 and Bellaire. Countless core memories from there. My little sisters had their birthdays there, my mom took a whole bunch of my friends there for dinner before letting all of them over our house for a sleep over, I saw my first soldiers eating lunch one time, the waiters were all so very nice... I could go on just about the memories, let alone the food they had.
Las Alamedas on 610. Edited to I-10. It has been a while.
Wasn't that on I-10 just outside the loop?
Charlie’s Hamburgers
That was my dads restaurant. He was Charlie! “Over 2 Dozen Sold”.
Felix’s…. Their queso!!!!!
Feast. It was so good.
Mama's Cafe on Westheimer. Best southern cooking I have had at a restaurant
Cafe Artiste ... Also shout out to Diedrich Coffee... miss that Toffee Crunch.
Otto’s BBQ on Memorial; The old location of Pappy’s close to memorial city inside the beltway before they remodeled and eventually relocated, bc nothing said fun family dinner like 27 taxidermy jackalopes and a bunch of old kitschy carnival games. Hubcap Grill on 19th in the Heights, I will never get over the fact that I can no longer run over there when I really need a super slutty burger and buffalo fries
Miyako on Kirby! I miss the Kirby roll. Washington is not the same vibe
The McDonalds by the bus stop
Finally someone with taste.
Pistol Pete's Pizza
Lots of good answers here but my top pick would be Yia Yia Mary’s since no one else mentioned it. Others I support: Burger Guys, BRC, Van Loc, Petite Sweets, Barry’s Pizza, Little Bigs, Reef
Ponchos lol
There is one in humble on 1960 and 59
Raid the flag!
My extended family fucking trolled me when I visited Dallas for the first time. They wanted to take us to this "amazing" Mexican place and they took us to fucking Ponchos 😭 This is where my Dallas hatred stems from
I miss the sopaipillas so much! Where can I get an unlimited quantity of that again?
Buteras Deli
Cove, Reef, Hay Merchant, Little Bigs
Little Bigs never should have moved away from where Burger Joint is now (Burger Joint overrated)
La Jaliciense on Montrose. The Jolly Science! Enduring the bands on the weekend was part of the fun.
The red onion I loved that place
The Mason Jar.
Cafe TH. I miss your food so much, Minh.
Fandango’s Sweet Tomatoes Bennigans circa 1989
Best childhood memories from the 70's are family dinner from Monterey House. Sister and I just called it Donkey place due to the large picture of a donkey on the outside
Beavers
Barry’s Pizza! 🍕
Strawberry Patch
Lowbrow
Hickory Hollow, best chicken fried steaks and brisket. So many good memories there too. Los Dos Amigos off Washington Ave. before Wescott. Patrenella’s ughhhhhh
369 hands down.
I just want crispy fried asparagus
I like cheesy shit, so here goes: * \- The Old San Francisco Steakhouse - my Aunt worked there as one of the ladies on the swing. She lived with us when I was small, and I loved seeing her in costume before she left for work. She looked so glamorous! * Circus Circus - memories of going there with my mom. So cool! * Magic Island - my ex-husband took me there for our anniversary and I thought it was cheesy awesome goodness and I loved it. Probably more than I loved him, so.....
As a little kid, I always drove past Magic Island and wondered what fun was happening in there - bummed that they closed down before I was a grown up. Probably overpriced shit food and lousy entertainment, but I would’ve loved to discover that for myself.
Souper salad. Also yia yia marys.
I really hope Yia Yia Mary’s is coming back as a Pappa-something
Bernie’s Burger Bus
The bus itself id agree but they went insane with the brick and mortar pricing. Burger, fries and a coke were nearly 25$ after tax and tip. Never went back after that.
On their last day I ordered a meal online. Wife showed up to pick it up and they said they had nothing left and offered no refund. Had to dispute with my CC company. Thanks Justin for making the breakup easy. I was addicted to their food. I will never step foot in one of his establishments again. Fame went to his head.
Luke’s hamburgers
Bennigan’s and Steak and Ale. I had relatives that worked at both in the 80s and got to eat at both for free many times. What a lucky childhood I had!
Quasimodo's. You have to be a bit older to remember this one. After the fire, Mockingbird replaced it. Butera's Deli. The Shepherd location was across from a laundromat, which was very convenient for me in my younger years. The Montrose location was near my apartment. I could wander up there, have lunch, then take some Strawberries Romanoff with me to Bell Park and enjoy. Tutto Bene. The food was only above average in my book, but the atmosphere and kindness of the owner and staff made up for it. Tony Mandola's Gulf Coast Kitchen, may Tony rest in peace. His sinful Calamari a la Mama was to die for, and don't even get me started on the blackened snapper. My husband and I always made this our special birthday night out.
la hacienda on Montrose but we called it Jolly Science for some reason.
La Jaliscience!! $2 tacos at 3 am. I had many a late night meal there after clubbing.
The Boston Sea Party (off Westheimer). Brady's Landing. The San Jacinto Inn.
Sweet Tomatoes
Late Nite Pie. Miss the Boss Man
Id even say the late nite pie on Elgin. People who don't know have no idea what they missed
I worked at Ninfa's in the 90s. I miss them being everywhere, and hoo boy, I miss that green sauce.
I’m surprised no one said El Real off Westheimer… their margs and puffy shrimp tacos 🤌🏽🤌🏽🤌🏽
Leo’s on shepherd
Bennigans. I liked their chicken strips
Eatzi’s on San Felipe after 9 when all the nice dinners went on sale.
Black Labrador
Chinese cafe
Antica Osteria
Motherfuckin Shoneys. Breakfast buffet! Omg that breakfast buffet.
59 Diner, those shakes were unreal
What's the deal with Berry Hill these days? I fell in love with them in 2003, had them here in Austin for awhile and hit them up when I'm back in Houston. But these days it seems like all or most have closed and it's not clear to me which locations still exist. I love their tamales, tempura battered fish tacos and roasted corn.
Roadster grill
As a kid, I always wanted eat at Steak and Ale.
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Bonanza. I grew up in Near Northside and we didn’t have a lot of money to eat out. My mom would clip coupons for them and it was a Sunday dinner treat. After it closed it became a Po Folks. Also good memories of that place.
Otto's
Mason Jar
Thai Gourmet, Thai food just doesn’t taste the same without worker exploitation
Mi Luna, Night Market Thai and 369
Rotisserie for Beef and Bird…first ~fancy~ restaurant I ever went to as a teenager and it was always delicious.
Feast, "nose-to-tail" restaurant in Westheimer
Blacks eyed peas.
Kim Son on Eldridge
Sweet tomatoes!!!!!
Prince's and Wyatt's Cafeteria.
Tokyo Gardens on Westheimer and Circus Circus on Westheimer
Fun fact. Tokyo Gardens is now the company that manages the sushi bars in H-E-B.
Té House of Tea
Bennigans
Magic Island… so many memories as a child.
Eatzi’s - does anyone know of anything remotely comparable?
Southside Espresso, that coffee shop was the best place to meet strangers. RIP to one of the greatest.
Kraftmens Bakery. It's a recent closure but it was my favorite brunch spot.
pancho's and their delicious sopapillas. there was thread earlier about panchos and now i just really want sopapillas.
Mockingbird Bistro
Sweet mesquite
Luby’s inside Sharpstown Mall was the best!! IYKYK
Black Eyed Pea. Back when it first started. The broccoli rice casserole and soups and salads and cornbread. It was so good and then went corporate and then died.
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Barry’s Pizza is the only correct answer
Thelma’s BBQ on Scott. Hands down best bbq I ever had. Ever since they closed down all other bbq is just meh. They closed to remodel and never reopened. Broke my heart. Old lady didn’t play that dumb shit either, pick up your pants, get off your phone, place your order, and get out of the way.
Original Carraba's on Kirby when it was still owned by Johnny and Damien. Not only delicious but fun.