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almostrice Champion Author Houston Posts:7,843 Points:1,645,615 Joined:Sep 2003	Message Posted: Sep 8, 2007 12:41:41 PM Ignore almostrice Report Abuse Since the SW thread has converted to a food thread, I thought what about the rest of Houston. Where do you go for lunch near downtown? I am looking for a for Korean(I have not had a Bi Bim Bop in a while), Japanese, Chinese Buffet, Vietnamese(I am very particular so no Kim Son recommendations please), or any of the food types below. For Thai, I go to Thai Spice on Kelvin and its a Buffet at lunch(I avoid their buffet only locations). We used to go to Kanomwan on Telephone, but prices went too high and portions got smaller. Nit Noi off of Gray was good too, but it can get too packed and there are no lunch specials at this location. For Chinese buffet, the only choice was Kim Phoung. They just stopped the buffet. This leave no choices for me inside the loop. I still go there for Dim Sum. I had to head to China River in South Houston the last time. I also eat at Oriental Gourmet in Clear Lake, but too far for lunch. Also for authentic Chinese, I go to 888 in the Gulfgate area. We will always order off the Chinese only menu. We have 4 Chinese coworkers and they will help us order. This place gets PACKED at lunch. For Burgers, I head to the Burger House at Gulf Fwy and Spencer Hwy. For Mexican food, I go cheap($5 for fajitas) at Ostioneria Puerto Vallarta Mexican Seafood on Griggs Rd. For slightly better choices, I go to Don Carlos on 76th ST. For American food, I head to Tel-Wink on Telephone just north of Stubb's Cycles. This place made me swear never to go to chains like Dennys, IHOP, etc. For Indian, we head to Mayuri on Westheimer. Its a bit expensive now, but the food is good. At their current prices, there are other Indian places that do have similar choices. I have gone to Niko Nikos, Dimassi's, Star Pizza and a few other places in Mid-town and Montrose. As you can see I am willing to go pretty far to a good lunch. I have been known to go to Kirin near Willowbrook mall and formerly Miyako on Bay Area Blvd in Clear Lake. [Edited by: almostrice at 9/8/2007 1:45:22 PM EST]

almostrice

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Houston

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Message Posted: Sep 8, 2007 12:41:41 PM

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Since the SW thread has converted to a food thread, I thought what about the rest of Houston. Where do you go for lunch near downtown? I am looking for a for Korean(I have not had a Bi Bim Bop in a while), Japanese, Chinese Buffet, Vietnamese(I am very particular so no Kim Son recommendations please), or any of the food types below.

For Thai, I go to Thai Spice on Kelvin and its a Buffet at lunch(I avoid their buffet only locations). We used to go to Kanomwan on Telephone, but prices went too high and portions got smaller. Nit Noi off of Gray was good too, but it can get too packed and there are no lunch specials at this location.

For Chinese buffet, the only choice was Kim Phoung. They just stopped the buffet. This leave no choices for me inside the loop. I still go there for Dim Sum. I had to head to China River in South Houston the last time. I also eat at Oriental Gourmet in Clear Lake, but too far for lunch.
Also for authentic Chinese, I go to 888 in the Gulfgate area. We will always order off the Chinese only menu. We have 4 Chinese coworkers and they will help us order. This place gets PACKED at lunch.

For Burgers, I head to the Burger House at Gulf Fwy and Spencer Hwy.

For Mexican food, I go cheap($5 for fajitas) at Ostioneria Puerto Vallarta Mexican Seafood on Griggs Rd. For slightly better choices, I go to Don Carlos on 76th ST.

For American food, I head to Tel-Wink on Telephone just north of Stubb's Cycles. This place made me swear never to go to chains like Dennys, IHOP, etc.

For Indian, we head to Mayuri on Westheimer. Its a bit expensive now, but the food is good. At their current prices, there are other Indian places that do have similar choices.

I have gone to Niko Nikos, Dimassi's, Star Pizza and a few other places in Mid-town and Montrose.

As you can see I am willing to go pretty far to a good lunch. I have been known to go to Kirin near Willowbrook mall and formerly Miyako on Bay Area Blvd in Clear Lake.

[Edited by: almostrice at 9/8/2007 1:45:22 PM EST]

REPLIES (newest first)Ignore Short Messages

profjake Champion Author Houston Posts:2,914 Points:564,550 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Oct 15, 2007 9:05:09 AM Ignore profjake Report Abuse Okay we tried Ruggles. VERY GOOD for Dinner. Somewhat expensive tho.
profjake Champion Author Houston Posts:2,914 Points:564,550 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Oct 12, 2007 2:13:50 PM Ignore profjake Report Abuse Has anyone tried Ruggles 5115 for Lunch or dinner?
profjake Champion Author Houston Posts:2,914 Points:564,550 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Oct 11, 2007 7:17:32 PM Ignore profjake Report Abuse Babba Yega's has a GREAT Sunday Brunch!!! OMGF!
EyeSpyFriendswd All-Star Author Houston Posts:829 Points:110,170 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Oct 11, 2007 5:37:48 PM Ignore EyeSpyFriendswd Report Abuse I second Sambuca Jazz Cafe Prof Jake. Also. the Strip House is a great steak if you're in the mood to drop a few greenbacks. You'd think they call it the Strip House because it's a steak house. EHHHHHHHHHHHH! Wrong! It's called the Strip House cause they have tons of pictures on the walls of strippers from the 30's, 40's, and 50's. Oh yeah, they do happen to be a steak house as well. 1200 McKinney (McKinney Shops).
EyeSpyFriendswd All-Star Author Houston Posts:829 Points:110,170 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Oct 11, 2007 5:30:52 PM Ignore EyeSpyFriendswd Report Abuse For a really good burger...Christian's Tailgate Grill and Bar. Really good juicy burger, awesome o-rings too, Sports bar atmosphere. Bagby @ Pierce.
almostrice Champion Author Houston Posts:7,843 Points:1,645,615 Joined:Sep 2003	Message Posted: Oct 10, 2007 6:22:42 PM Ignore almostrice Report Abuse I have eaten at Cabo. It's ok, but I would not drive downtown to eat there.
FredVx464 Champion Author Houston Posts:1,736 Points:685,480 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Oct 10, 2007 4:41:50 PM Ignore FredVx464 Report Abuse That's probably Cabo's in the theater district area of downtown. More a casual dining atmosphere. The food is "okay!"
profjake Champion Author Houston Posts:2,914 Points:564,550 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Oct 5, 2007 2:28:46 PM Ignore profjake Report Abuse Ive tried: Simposio Sambucca Jazz Cafe Also, whats that Fish Taco place downtown?
almostrice Champion Author Houston Posts:7,843 Points:1,645,615 Joined:Sep 2003	Message Posted: Oct 4, 2007 11:38:36 PM Ignore almostrice Report Abuse I just tried Droubi's on Tuesday. It's pretty good. I just saw the Vietnamese Pho restaurant with Mexican Burritos named Bouray's. I might try it since it is so weird to me.
FredVx464 Champion Author Houston Posts:1,736 Points:685,480 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Oct 1, 2007 4:51:39 PM Ignore FredVx464 Report Abuse Other places you may look into, profjake, are Simposio, River Cafe, Sambucca Jazz Cafe, (which at times has live music during lunch), and Brennan's Houston. City Guide - Houston (Seafood Restaurants)
FredVx464 Champion Author Houston Posts:1,736 Points:685,480 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Oct 1, 2007 4:48:24 PM Ignore FredVx464 Report Abuse There is also Pappas Seafood over on Sheppard by Demeris BBQ, (good BBQ, by the way).
FredVx464 Champion Author Houston Posts:1,736 Points:685,480 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Oct 1, 2007 4:43:50 PM Ignore FredVx464 Report Abuse Massa's, in the heart of downtown is fine dining, but I haven't heard of any good food there. Most folks told me while we were in d-town that it was a bit overrated.
profjake Champion Author Houston Posts:2,914 Points:564,550 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Sep 28, 2007 12:54:15 PM Ignore profjake Report Abuse What are the best seafood places near downtown. Something nice, not Fish n Chips.
profjake Champion Author Houston Posts:2,914 Points:564,550 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2007 9:38:49 AM Ignore profjake Report Abuse Mwahahahah, with a name like "Spaghetti Western Cafe", I dont expect it will be anything CLOSE to Italian.. But I just talked to a friend of mine who lives close and he says its pretty good and the decor is kewl. Its sort of a run down place, but then everything in the Heights is run down a little.
mwjones Champion Author Dallas Posts:10,863 Points:2,504,295 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Sep 26, 2007 7:06:17 PM Ignore mwjones Report Abuse ProfJake - Driven past the Spaghetti Western many times on Shepherd, but never tried it. Guess it's one of those places I should try - especially since I'm living only a few blocks from there. (I'm close friends with a person who cooks authentic Italian in Kansas City, so resturaunt Italian just doesn't taste the same to me anymore).
profjake Champion Author Houston Posts:2,914 Points:564,550 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Sep 26, 2007 3:14:26 PM Ignore profjake Report Abuse Anyone ever heard of or tried the Spaghetti Western Cafe?
FredVx464 Champion Author Houston Posts:1,736 Points:685,480 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Sep 26, 2007 1:42:50 PM Ignore FredVx464 Report Abuse Anyone into good "Soul Food" cooking, should check out "Soul on the Bayeaux". Directions and a Review.
profjake Champion Author Houston Posts:2,914 Points:564,550 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Sep 25, 2007 10:29:57 AM Ignore profjake Report Abuse Update, Dharma cafe is closed for a couple weeks while they move into their new bigger digs. Look for them to open around the first week of October.
almostrice Champion Author Houston Posts:7,843 Points:1,645,615 Joined:Sep 2003	Message Posted: Sep 24, 2007 11:04:28 PM Ignore almostrice Report Abuse My favorite Vietnamese place just opened back up. Its Thien An on Travis between Elgin and McGowen. They were closed since December.
mwjones Champion Author Dallas Posts:10,863 Points:2,504,295 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Sep 10, 2007 12:41:58 AM Ignore mwjones Report Abuse Demeris BBQ on Shepherd near Westheimer is a personal favorite. Romano's Italian on Grey east of Waugh has some incredible Pizzas. Hickory Hollow on Heights at Center (North of Washington) has a Chicken Fried Steak that is incredible. They serve BBQ as well, but, honestly, I haven't tried it - the Chicken Fried Steak is what got me there. Otto's on Memorial Drive at Asbury (East of Memorial Park) has some good hamburgers (they have a location at the Allen Center food court, but the Memorial Drive location is the original) Also for a good burger is Goode Company on Kirby at Westpark (this is across the street from the Goode Company BBQ). Washington Blvd West of T.C. Jester brings a favorite for Mexican, with El Tiempo Cantina. The original location on Richmond East of Buffalo Speedway still exists as well. For Mediteranian, you don't even have to venture out of Downtown. My choice (walking distance from my office) is Droubi Brothers on Dallas between Brazos and Smith. There is some on-street parking meters on Brazos, but you might have to park and walk there - but it's worth it. For Cajun/Southern, another place Downtown worth going to is Treebeards, located in the Cloister at Texas and San Jacinto. Happy dining!
profjake Champion Author Houston Posts:2,914 Points:564,550 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Sep 9, 2007 7:56:44 PM Ignore profjake Report Abuse Dharma cafe in the warehouse district is very good.
HouHrl Champion Author Houston Posts:29,980 Points:3,145,025 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: Sep 8, 2007 7:07:55 PM Ignore HouHrl Report Abuse I'll take ANY of the Pappas Restaurants ANYTIME! (This is not an endorsement, just my opinion.) Unfortunately, I haven't eaten in downtown Houston (30 miles away) for quite some time, so I'm no help. [Edited by: HouHrl at 9/8/2007 8:10:43 PM EST]