Houston Named #1 Texas Restaurant City (Dallas, Bellaire: rent, houses, neighborhood)

[mpope409]

Originally Posted by houstoner

We would need an influx of Italians to accomplish that, and I don't see that happening anytime soon.

Unfortunately, that doesn't mean it won't happen. And I wouldn't say that we would need an influx:

The Italian Cultural and Community Center

[houstoner]

Feh. Culture can't be created from the top down. It should develop organically from the bottom up and needs a sizeable number of people, either arriving all at once or over a number of years, from various classes to sustain it, IMO.

[houstoner]

Originally Posted by Wysiwyg

does houston celebrate saint patricks day, err like in other cities?

It's also not hard to believe that the best of the best hole-in-the-wall places are in the burbs (somewhere). obviously thats where the hungry kids and adults would be

There are St. Patrick's Day parades and celebrations. We don't have ethnic Italian and Irish enclaves; down here they're just white people, so it's not on the same level as other cities with historic ethnic neighborhoods.

Not defensive. Just reminding you that Houston ain't Boston and it ain't Chicago. I find your questions and observations in this and other threads perplexing because they suggest you haven't tried very hard to learn this city, or were misled as to what life here is like. Have you read any of the local papers or magazines? Read the Houston Press online for things to do. I think it would help you learn to enjoy your life here.

[Wysiwyg]

Originally Posted by houstoner

There are St. Patrick's Day parades and celebrations. We don't have ethnic Italian and Irish enclaves; down here they're just white people, so it's not on the same level as other cities with historic ethnic neighborhoods.

Not defensive. Just reminding you that Houston ain't Boston and it ain't Chicago. I find your questions and observations in this and other threads perplexing because they suggest you haven't tried very hard to learn this city, or were misled as to what life here is like. Have you read any of the local papers or magazines? Read the Houston Press online for things to do. I think it would help you learn to enjoy your life here.

ah i like the that tone and i appreciate it. I think its my fault that at some post I made people think i'm not enjoying Houston, although I did say a lot of times that we like it here. I'm sure these posts would be me replying to threads comparing houston and NYC. That doesnt mean Houston does not compare to NYC, but Houston is hard to compare to NYC because the signs and sources of *good* info and feedback is just all different plus other aspects of the city and its people. take for instance the korean-town and chinatown configurations. in 'other chinatowns', i'm sure you can relate that you can stand in one spot and see which restaurants are popular (people lining up). you can walk a few steps and look inside and pretty much see what you can get. preview the menu if you want. walk a few blocks for more choices. same goes for little italy and other areas. also, because of the open door (or no window covers) setup of establishments in cooler (temperaturewise) cities dining out is less of a hassle, its practically like and part of window shopping.
I understand reading the paper but I need to see whos writing them most of the time. if its similar to the guy who wrote the forbes article then theyre just wasting my time. I'm sure you'll agree the best source is word-of-mouth (is that the right term?) but i see the enthusiasm is low at my workplace. obviously a lot has given up because of the heat and the glum, emptiness of downtown houston.

There is a korean place in NYC metro (actually Fort Lee NJ, not K-town manhattan) that has only 3 things on the menu. spicy Tofu soup, korean bbq ribs and drinks. its darn good, korean, japanese etc families line up even tho there are lots of (empty)restaurants in the area. We lined up for this place for up to 30mins. has anyone found something like it? I think this is my calling in Houston LOL.

[mpope409]

Originally Posted by houstoner

Feh. Culture can't be created from the top down. It should develop organically from the bottom up and needs a sizeable number of people, either arriving all at once or over a number of years, from various classes to sustain it, IMO.

Well I just feel that website proves that the Italian community is trying to make their presence and culture well known and appreciated in the city of Houston. You've got to understand how culturally important it is for this city that it happens.

[Mom2Feebs]

Houston IS indeed one of the best restaurant cities in the entire United States. I cannot get over the diverse menu at my feet on a daily basis. So many cuisines, so little time... I could eat at a different restaurant every single day for the next 10 years and never see the same menu twice.

The above is merely my opinion. And you know what they say about those.

[houstoner]

Originally Posted by Wysiwyg

ah i like the that tone and i appreciate it. I think its my fault that at some post I made people think i'm not enjoying Houston, although I did say a lot of times that we like it here. I'm sure these posts would be me replying to threads comparing houston and NYC. That doesnt mean Houston does not compare to NYC, but Houston is hard to compare to NYC because the signs and sources of *good* info and feedback is just all different plus other aspects of the city and its people. take for instance the korean-town and chinatown configurations. in 'other chinatowns', i'm sure you can relate that you can stand in one spot and see which restaurants are popular (people lining up). you can walk a few steps and look inside and pretty much see what you can get. preview the menu if you want. walk a few blocks for more choices. same goes for little italy and other areas. also, because of the open door (or no window covers) setup of establishments in cooler (temperaturewise) cities dining out is less of a hassle, its practically like and part of window shopping.
I understand reading the paper but I need to see whos writing them most of the time. if its similar to the guy who wrote the forbes article then theyre just wasting my time. I'm sure you'll agree the best source is word-of-mouth (is that the right term?) but i see the enthusiasm is low at my workplace. obviously a lot has given up because of the heat and the glum, emptiness of downtown houston.

There is a korean place in NYC metro (actually Fort Lee NJ, not K-town manhattan) that has only 3 things on the menu. spicy Tofu soup, korean bbq ribs and drinks. its darn good, korean, japanese etc families line up even tho there are lots of (empty)restaurants in the area. We lined up for this place for up to 30mins. has anyone found something like it? I think this is my calling in Houston LOL.

I understand what you mean, but that's not a phenomenon you'll commonly find in Houston simply because this isn't a pedestrian-oriented city. If there's a line some place you can always drive somewhere else. Try Houston - Restaurant Guide (http://restaurants.houstonpress.com/ - broken link) or Houston Restaurants - B4-U-EAT as another poster suggested. You can search by neighborhood, price, cuisine. There may be some locally-based chains like Berryhill's in there, but I don't think there are many, if any, other chains included.

[TootsieWootsie]

Mom2Feebs: We would all love for you to let us in on the names of all these wonderful mom and pops that you could eat at every single day for 365 days for 10 whole years and never have the same meal twice. We surely would love that... Other than some wonderful fine dining places, we saw only a plethora of franchises and the very, very, very occasional mom and pop restaurant.
Funny, I lived in Bellaire--in the CENTER of Houston, the city Houston built around--and could not accomplish what you say you have: eating out at a different mom and pop restaurant for 365 days for ten years.
Moderator cut: rude and unnecessary

So, can you tell us where we can find these hidden restaurants? Could you share some of the names with the rest of us? We would love to try the ones you have been eating at, since you seem to have found what nobody else in the city of Houston has been able to find.

[Premont]

On the west side I can go to Romano's for pizza. Sylvia's Enchilada Kitchen or Mexico's Deli Tortas & Tacos for Mexican food. Phoenicia Deli for middle east food. Burger Tex for good burgers. Etc. You really need to spend some time on Houston Restaurants - B4-U-EAT

[Lakewooder]

Sorry I believe the top-ranked restaurant was The French Room at the Adolphus Hotel in Dallas