Houston Galleria area without a car

LTH,

I'll be in Houston for a seminar, staying at The Intercontinental, without a car. Anything memorable or must do's in the Galleria area?

Thanks,

Evil Ronnie wrote:I'll be in Houston for a seminar, staying at The Intercontinental, without a car. Anything memorable or must do's in the Galleria area?

Evil,

Thelma's, with multiple references in this thread, is my must-go place in Houston. Amongst the top few BBQ places I've been Thelma's is a treat on a number of levels, BBQ, of course, but fried catfish is as good as I've had and Thelma herself is a real charmer.

There are other suggestions in the thread, Otila's, El Hidalguenese, the Original Nifa's, but Thelma's would be my do-not-miss pick.

Enjoy,
Gary

Thelma's BBQ
1020 Live Oak St
Houston, TX 77003
Live Oak at Larmar
713-228-2262

G Wiv wrote:

Evil Ronnie wrote:I'll be in Houston for a seminar, staying at The Intercontinental, without a car. Anything memorable or must do's in the Galleria area?

Evil,

Thelma's, with multiple references in this thread, is my must-go place in Houston. Amongst the top few BBQ places I've been Thelma's is a treat on a number of levels, BBQ, of course, but fried catfish is as good as I've had and Thelma herself is a real charmer.

There are other suggestions in the thread, Otila's, El Hidalguenese, the Original Nifa's, but Thelma's would be my do-not-miss pick.

Thelma's BBQ
1020 Live Oak St
Houston, TX 77003
Live Oak at Larmar
713-228-2262

None of the aforementioned are in the Galleria-area(I'm thinking in or directly by the giant mall), or particularly-accessible on foot. There are a plethora of upscale-ish chains, tho'. You name it, I'm sure there's an outpost. Now, I'm not really recommending this place because your mileage will certainly vary, but going on 5-6 years ago there was a franchise of my favorite Houston NY-Style pizza-by-the-slice place in one new wing of The Galleria. I was pleasantly-surprised to see that it survived the 80's in pretty unaltered form. If you feel like checking it out, just look for a lone counter in iconic red, green, and white. I'm drawing a blank on the name, but if you stumble across it, you certainly wouldn't mistake it for anything else.

fyi: I found this on the internets...it jibes with my Galleria experiences

http://bythebayoublog.blogspot.com/2007 ... leria.html



edit/schmedit, for posterity, found it:

Roman Delight Pizza and Pasta(whether or not anyone besides myself would find it "delightful" I dunno)

there used to be one(near the wall of mechaniques) in the early-80's incarnation of Sharpstown Mall(now the nation's premier "urban fashion" mall)


http://www.simon.com/mall/tenant_detail ... &TID=49412

Christopher Gordon wrote:

G Wiv wrote:

Evil Ronnie wrote:I'll be in Houston for a seminar, staying at The Intercontinental, without a car. Anything memorable or must do's in the Galleria area?

Evil,

Thelma's, with multiple references in this thread, is my must-go place in Houston. Amongst the top few BBQ places I've been Thelma's is a treat on a number of levels, BBQ, of course, but fried catfish is as good as I've had and Thelma herself is a real charmer.

There are other suggestions in the thread, Otila's, El Hidalguenese, the Original Nifa's, but Thelma's would be my do-not-miss pick.

Thelma's BBQ
1020 Live Oak St
Houston, TX 77003
Live Oak at Larmar
713-228-2262

None of the aforementioned are in the Galleria-area(I'm thinking in or directly by the giant mall), or particularly-accessible on foot.

I'll also add that, in case you're tempted to cab out to these places, I've found Houston cabs to be notoriously unreliable (and even downright shady, in some instances). It would probably be best to rent a car.

Otila's is not too far of a cab ride though the neighborhood is a bit desolate at night. You'd probably have to arrange for pickup from the restaurant. Otila's serves a superb New Mexican style cuisine in a former What-A-Burger location. I love their cream of poblano soup.

LTH,

I decided to go to Luby's Cafeteria for my liver and onions-macaroni and cheese fix, which was pretty much the way I remembered it always being. I understand the Pappas Bros. are involved now with the chain.

Evil Ronnie wrote:LTH,

I decided to go to Luby's Cafeteria for my liver and onions-macaroni and cheese fix, which was pretty much the way I remembered it always being. I understand the Pappas Bros. are involved now with the chain.

Well one would assume Pappas involvement implies a devolution in quality, however, I have fond memories of Luby's; it's that antiquated Texas cafeteria culture...one mirrored in Indianapolis's MCL chain. Of course, my heart belongs to Luby's.

Christopher Gordon wrote:

Evil Ronnie wrote:LTH,


Well one would assume Pappas involvement implies a devolution in quality, however, I have fond memories of Luby's; it's that antiquated Texas cafeteria culture...one mirrored in Indianapolis's MCL chain. Of course, my heart belongs to Luby's.

Christopher,

Luby's was always my go to cafeteria in Texas. My other favorites there were the fried chicken, the sauteed chicken livers with onions, and the green peas with cheese salad. Wyatt's never did anything for me.

I'm afraid that Luby's is dying a slow death.

aschie30 wrote:I'll also add that, in case you're tempted to cab out to these places, I've found Houston cabs to be notoriously unreliable (and even downright shady, in some instances). It would probably be best to rent a car.

I was in a bar in South Houston last night. I called for a taxi. Two companies said flat out they couldn't do it; the third company, I forget the name, said they'd be there in 10-15 minutes and they'd call on my cell when they were outside. Half hour later, I started walking. It was only a mile or so back to my hotel. The taxi company never called.

Still, I had several beers and much delightful conversation at an ice house, which I believe is loosely defined as "a bar with a garage door on it." Friendly folks 'round those parts.

Icehouses and down-at-their-heels cafeterias; I guess desultory Tejas cabbies *do* have their uses.