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Chicken Fried Oysters as served at Branch Water Tavern.: Dave Rossman photo
Heights and the Washington corridor are two of Houston's most energized entertainment/dining districts. Here are restaurants we recommend:
Branch Water Tavern: We like that the bar is separated naturally from the sexy dining room. When you’re in the lounge, you can celebrate that skillfully conceived cocktail. Then later in the dining room, you can concentrate on what’s coming out of the open kitchen: chicken fried oysters, foie gras-stuffed quail and roasted beef short rib.
510 Shepherd, 713-863-7777
Gatlin's BBQ: You can’t leave Texas without tasting some barbecue. This family-owned shack has become a go-to spot in Houston for smoke lovers. Lines can be long, but rest assured it’s worth the wait.
1221 W. 19th, 281-804-4555
Beaver's brunch Spam-Wow: Texas toast, Carolina pulled pork, bacon, smoked Spam, two fried eggs, lettuce, tomato and red onion.: Johnny Hanson : 29-95
Beaver's Ice House: This idiosyncratic take on icehouse serves some seriously kick-ass meats -- smoked brisket, pork ribs and buffalo meatloaf -- and plenty of non-carnivore options such as a vegan black bean chili and a creamy tomato-topped mac and cheese. Behind the bar are some of the city’s top mixologists concocting cocktails with a chef’s eye for flavor. Awesome patio.
2310 Decatur St., 713-864-2328
Cadillac Bar: We’re going to be honest, Houstonians don’t go to the venerable Cadillac for the enchiladas. They go to party. Keep your food expectations low and the margaritas coming and we can guarantee a good time.
1802 Shepherd Dr., 713-862-2020
Laurenzo's Prime Rib: The handsome dining room in this clubby but comfortable restaurant is decorated with framed sports memorabilia (and the good stuff not just gimme junk). The menu is dominated by manly fare: prime rib (check out the carving station just past the hostess stand), marinated rib eyes, burgers with bacon and chiles and racks of pork ribs.
4412 Washington, 713-880-5111
Eggs with nopalitos and barbacoa tacos at Laredo Taqueria.: Alison Cook : 29-95
Laredo Taqueria: It’s creaky. Shambling. Maniacally funky. And at noon there’s a line out the door. That’s because this none-too-welcoming joint turns out some of the best blue-collar tacos in town. Specify corn or flour tortillas, then choose seasoned squash, no-fuss griddled fajita tips, nopalitos or whatever looks good on the steam table. Breakfast rocks, too. Cash only.
915 Snover St., 713-861-7279
Molina's : In the vast salsa sea of Tex-Mex joints in Houston, venerable Molina’s gets bonus points for atmosphere. The palapa-covered patio is especially appealing. Try the grilled fajitas or the chili, a hearty dish that has been been comforting Houstonians since 1941.
4720 Washington Ave., 713-862-0013
TQLA: The Southwestern-inspired food at this striking restaurant is instantly familiar but nothing like what you’ll find at most “Mexican” restaurant in town. Things we love: the pineapple table salsa, the crawfish corncakes and the margarita flights. That’s right. Margarita flights. How else to explain its 150-plus selection of tequila?
4601 Washington, 281-501-3237
This story originally was pubbed March 5, 2011; it was updated April 26, 2012.
Are you nuts? Mardi Gras? Phils? Laurenzos? Cant think of 3 places I would rather not eat. What about Les Givrales, perhaps the best addition to Washington. El Tiempo -- clearly a favorite amongst the populace given the crowds. Benjys; enough said. Whoever wrote this really did no research.
I'm with Buster on this one. Max's Wine Dive anyone?? I mean, really.
If you are coming to Houston for the final four, these places really aren't that great and neither are any of the suggestions below. Plus Washington is a mess with construction and parking is a nightmare (because it doesn't exist, not because of crowds).
Want good food and culture without getting a parking ticket? Check out these areas instead:
-Midtown
-Rice Village
-City Center
-Galleria
Enjoy Houston!
Who would recommend Rice Village for the parking? You must walk there.
A very white list......pass the mayonaise please.
agreed!!!
hahahahaha, Laurenzos is terrible!
At least they didn't include Soma
-hahahahaha, Laurenzos is terrible!-
you must be afraid of running into your boss. get back to work, slacker.
El Tiempo beats Molina's everyday and twice on Sundays.
El Tiempo is ON Washington Ave. You can't get much closer.
El Tiempo is a little more Montrose than Wash. ave, but I couldn't agree more.
There is an El Tiempo on Washington and it is the best one of the chain. Love Mardi Gras Grill too.
i agree
Very True! Phil's sucks, Laurenzos over priced. if you go to El Tiempo you will be very happy! Beaver's is all that either!
Benjys for sure should on this list.
El Tiempo and The Spagetti Western: a high doller Tex-Mex place and a cool Italian spot on Washington.....Should replace Mardi Gras and Phils on this poorly researched list!!!
Benjys food is for women! No real man eats there! Its light salads and girly food! Even the owner looks like a women, skinny with a goofy face! Your a idiot if you think Texas men wants to eat at benjys!!!!!!!!
Robert,
If you are above the age of ten, please know that there is no such thing as "girly" food. I do understand that we all like a hearty meal: a great burger with beer, a hearty steak, potatoes etc. Benjy and his wife have a great resturant which you've obviously been to but instead of offering objective commentary you digress to phrases a ten year old would make about how nasty girls are.. Really????
Oh get off your high horse JJones.
I am also not willing to pay 13- 18 bucks for a salad.
well stated, jjones!
hey Buster - didn't you read the comments on the last post (if you didn't how can you call yourself foodie/freak). Syd and co are writing these articles for the final four crowd. They gonna spread the love/$$$ around lots of businesses but the come en masse to our city. Probably better they hit up these spots then find out about Les Girvales ;)
Phil's? Really? I heard the BBQ there stinks to high heaven. Much rather go to HICKORY HOLLOW just two blocks down.
El Tiempo is okay, if you like over priced Mexican food. Give me El Rey or any of the other Mexican joints nearby.
Phils has good burgers.
And a friend of mine swears by the marinara ribs.
Why include Cadillac Bar as a top 10 *restaurant* when you're pretty much saying "go for the drinks, don't go there for the food?"
Just call the list what it really is -- "Top 10 Washington Corridor Places to Party That Also Have Full Menus of Questionable Quality."
I agree about Lorenzo's, their prime rib is some of the best out there. Sorry El Tiempo is not on the list, it should be. And for a cheap smoky BBQ flavor steak, Hickory Hollow isn't bad. I like Phil's burgers better than their BBQ.
I have been to Lorenzos once, and my wifes family a few times, none of us have had a meal that was anything but horrible. between the service and the food quality.... i will never step foot in the place ever again.
I have to agree with some.....Phils is pretty terrible...Hickory Hollow just a block away will blow their BBQ away anyday...I do like Laurenzos but what I would take out is Branch water Tavern,TQLA, Beavers and replace them with Rai's, Benjy's, Christians(technically in washington)....you could make a case for Candelari's, El Rey, Soma,Spaghetti Western,Les Grivals, Counter,Max's Wine Dive...obviously it looks like the writer does not live in the area...typical...I lived here for 6 years and have seen washington grow tremendously
Patrenella's is better than any of these. 813 Jackson Hill.
We happen to love Raia's Italian, which is one block east of Shephard. It seems like good Mexican food has become a lost art. I can't remember the last time I was just blown away by a plate of rice and beans.
Beaver's???? That place has horrible food! Had the misfortune of going there twice....ugh never again.
Laredo takes credit cards. Laurenzo's is just ok.
Molina's is awful. With all of the fantastic Tex-Mex restaurants in Houston it's apalling to see it on this list.
Surprised Max's didn't make the list. Especially over Molina's and Cadillac bar. We ate there for brunch on Sunday and it was delicious!!!
I agree... Hickory Hollow is better than Phil's, there is no mention of the Broken Spoke either. If they are counting Mardi Gras as the Washington corridor I would also include Spaghetti Western on the list.
I'm surprised El Tiempo was left off the list as well. I love the salsas they bring out with their chips. So good. I can understand Mardi Gras Grill being on the list. I tried to go there for lunch on Sunday and couldn't even find a space. Finally gave up. Also surprised Star Pizza isn't on the list. Best pizza I've ever had!
Where is the BRC?
OK, kiddies, the home page says "BEST" but that's not what this guide is. No where do I say "best." This guide was written to help the huge numbers of visitors that are about to descend on Houston for Final Four. They were selected for local ownership, diversity in fare and price and ease of access.
Ate at Laurenzo's last week and couldn't eat even half of the hockey puck they called the fish special. So over cooked. And pre-cooked too, because miraculously, it was also cold.
Max's Wine Dive has the best fried egg/bacon/tomato sandwich in the freakin world. In fact, I give it the award for best sandwich of any kind. Sorry they won't place an ad with the Chron. Or something like that.
In a city with so many excellent Mexican and Tex-Mex restaurants, it never ceases to amaze me that Molina's always makes some list of the 'best'. C'mon Houstonians - it might be OK for Omaha or somewhere, but Molina's is so far down the list here, it should merit nary a mention.
Wow...all of you should stay away from Washington AND food blogs as you know NOTHING about it!
correct!
The Dom Burger at Laurenzo's is worthy. Had one last year based on Alison Cook's recommendation. Haven't had anything else there, but (though pricey) I'll stand by the Dom. The burger I had at Beaver's didn't really do it for me, but I've been meaning to go back (in large part because they keep working with the Petrol Station, which has fantastic burgers). Cadillac Bar has always been underwhelming when I've gone. I'd rather make the drive to Habanero's if I wanted Mexican food in a sit-down around there (though that's a ways from Washington). El Rey was a good call (as was BRC Gastropub, though I don't know if that'd count as Washington area. And if it does, Block 7 Wine Company should get a mention). Chrstian's Tailgate being an obvious choice/omission as well.
Los Dos Amigos is next to el tiempo...its a true mexican food joint...homemade food..for the past 20 years...go there you can be pampered better..
Phil's? seriously? that place is awful. you can debate some of the others, and I think excluding El Tiempo is a crime, but I have not heard one person that likes Phil's. not one.
Laurenzo's is good if you order correctly. And slight correction: Laredo Taqueria DOES accept credit cards. Also, don't sleep on El Tiempo MARKET right across the little side street from the restaurant. Arguably much better food (tacos, at least) and MUCH more affordable for lunch and the like.
Okay, now let's start over kids, cause this is the new improved list. STILL missing is the fantastic Max's Wine Dive, but yea for Branch Water Tavern, a true favorite for all the reasons mentioned. Great bar and separate dining room, fantastic food. Laurenzo's has improved significantly over the past year and I recommend their specialty, the prime rib in any form. At lunch it is in salads, wraps and sandwiches. Great green chili white queso, fantastic list of sides which come in small boat sized bowls, so don't expect to finish anything you order. Good list.
Alison's lists always leave off the good places.