Houston: what to do/see/buy/eat?

[rnoldh]

I concur with everything above.

Also, if you run, go out to Memorial Park and run a loop. I live right near there.

How old are you?

If you are into history, I'll take you to Glenwood Cemetery and really give you a sense of Houston"s history.

I've got to run to a Funeral. Enjoy Houston, it's a great place. I'll try to post more later that might be helpful.

 

[Guero]

If you like art, we have some great museums. The Menil Collection and the Rothko Chapel are small but world class. The Museum of Fine Arts Houston has a nice collection in a beautiful Mies van der Rohe building. The Museum of Natural Science is, I think, the most heavily trafficked museum in Texas. If you want to eat, we got that, too. Westheimer near downtown has fantastic restaurants like Da Marco, Mark's, Dolce Vita, Indika, So Vino, Hugo's. Can't really go wrong there. As others have said, not really a tourist-oriented town, but there's some great stuff once you get a little local knowledge.

 

[airportlobby]

The Menil is a lovely, free museum, in a nice neighborhood. There are some great divey bars in Houston (google it, I saw a good list recently), good Mexican, Asian, and soul food, as well as fine dining. Houston is also notorious in Texas for its poor BBQ (the good stuff, for the most part, is in the Hill Country around Austin). Rudy's may be the best bet for BBQ, even though it isn't in the top echelon of Texas BBQ. While I like Goode's seafood and Mexican restaurants, their BBQ isn't good, imo.

 

[Thomas]

Originally Posted by Bhowie

Rudy's is a chain but it is excellent for price/quality and availability.

How I miss Rudy's, HEB, and Speck's.

You just named the three places where I spend the most money. All three are within a few miles of the house, and more just by the office.

Memorial Park - I was going to mention it whether you jog or walk: usually there's some good sight-seeing around there, particularly the after-work crowd.

Tex-Mex - you'd think you could find great Tex-Mex on any corner, but that's not quite the case. Some are better than others, but as long as the parking lot's full, it should be fine. For Latin fusion, I'd suggest Cafe Red Onion - been going there since they opened their first sit-down place on 290.

 

[JustinW]

I've become a big fan of this place, in the past few months: http://www.theoriginalmarinisempanadahouse.com/

And if you want to eat a Presidential Pizza:
http://www.fuzzyspizzahouston.com/

 

[acidboy]

Originally Posted by Thomas

Tex-Mex - you'd think you could find great Tex-Mex on any corner, but that's not quite the case. Some are better than others, but as long as the parking lot's full, it should be fine. For Latin fusion, I'd suggest Cafe Red Onion - been going there since they opened their first sit-down place on 290.

the original ninfa's is pretty good too

 

[Thomas]

Originally Posted by acidicboy

the original ninfa's is pretty good too

The one on Navigation street is in the middle of the industrial district, but other than that it's quite good. Most of the other Ninfas are about as good.

 

[A.K.A.]

My favorite place for dinner when I go to Houston: http://www.hugosrestaurant.net/

Hugo's is upscale regional Mexican cuisine. We use it to entertain physician clients. It always impresses.

My business associate who covers Houston also likes Pesce for upscale seafood. Very fresh and gourmet Check it out here: http://www.pescehouston.com/

Other than eating, that is all I know about Houston. The area around Rice University looks pretty groovy.

 

[warmpi]

The replies are much appreciated! My vacation has been hampered a bit by the office, but it's been pretty good nevertheless. I'll make time for a visit to a museum this weekend.

I actually hit up Rice University on my first night. It's a nice campus. Bar scene was pretty slow on the Tuesday night, though.

I'm living near Memorial Park as well. The scenery is good, and I ain't talking about mother nature here.

In terms of eats, I did manage a visit to Goode's seafood. I was pretty keen on trying their barbecue after reading all the recommendations, but I had just had Brazilian barbecue at Fogo de Chao. I have to say I quite enjoyed Fogo de Chao. It was better than other churrasco I've had.

I should have prefaced my post. I'm from Vancouver. I'm not here for Asian food haha.

And I gotta say.. the ridiculously low cost of living is enviable. My buddy bought a house for less than I bought my apartment. Both great locations, recent construction, etc, while he paid less than I for 3 times the square footage.

 

[BP348]

Originally Posted by Texasmade

great Mexican, Vietnamese, and Chinese food

Good Greek food as well. There was an episode on Diners, Drive ins & Dives, that was at a Greek place in Houston.

I had a friend who took me to this really cool bar but I can't remember the name of it. It had like 150 beers on tap and like 300 others in bottles.

 

[Texasmade]

Originally Posted by BP348

Good Greek food as well. There was an episode on Diners, Drive ins & Dives, that was at a Greek place in Houston.

I had a friend who took me to this really cool bar but I can't remember the name of it. It had like 150 beers on tap and like 300 others in bottles.

The Greek place is Niko Niko's and I think the bar you're talking about is Flying Saucer in downtown.

 

[Thomas]

Flying Saucer is awesome, haven't been there in years, though.

For Med food, also recommend Phoenicia Deli, and Fati's - both on Westheimer outside the beltway.

 

[JoshJ280]

http://www.hottowncoolcity.org/view/site/locationsall/ I found this site pretty useful for art related locations and bars.

 

[styleismypassion]

I had referred a restaurant guide - Boorah. when I was visiting Hoston for the first time. It was ofgreat help to find good hotel to stay and taste varieties of food around the city...