Houston late-night or "dive" restaurants (and bars)?

Question

My old college roommates and I are coming in for the Texas Bowl. Although we like spending time with other alumni at the game, we'd like to try a little bit of the local culture. We'd prefer to avoid tourist traps and warehouse-style restaurants.

Any restaurants you'd recommend? Cajun, South American, Barbecue, or Tex-Mex would be preferred because we can get a lot of the other foods in the places we live. Of course, any good food would be fine.

As for bars, anything with pints, darts, and a place to talk would be good. We see each other about once every five years, and at least two of the three of us aren't looking to meet anyone. Good beer and a decent jukebox would be nice too.

Thanks.

Answer 1

Cajun: the Ragin Cajun is the best. The location on Richmond Ave is the original and the only one I have ever been to. If you want to avoid other tourist stay from the one on Main St.

http://www.b4-u-eat.com/houston/restaurants/reviews/rsv0022.asp

South American: Nelroe Churrascaria is an all you can eat Brazilian steakhouse. It is on Montrose Blvd. and tends to be more up scale. Price is around $30.00 to 40.00 per person.

http://www.nelorechurrascaria.com/

Barbecue: The one and only place for barbecue in Houston Goode Co., Barbecue on Kirby Dr. All the meats are slow cooked to perfection on mesquite and the sauce is good and spicy.

http://goodecompany.com/goodeRestaurantBBQKirby.aspx

It may be hard to find a good Tex-Mex that is not going to crowded. The better ones tend to be packed with locals.

As far as a hole in wall kind of place I like La Mexicana on Fairview St.

http://www.lamexicanarestaurant.com/index.htm

The best Tex-Mex in town is at Ninfa's on Navigation Blvd. This the original location of a chain of restaurants but this one is the only one still run by the same family to started the chain. It is located just outside of downtown behind Minute Maid Park. Several downtown hotels send tourist there and locals tend to keep it crowded but there is not better place for Tex-Mex.

http://mamaninfas.com/

I don't know about bars.

Answer 2

As far as bars go: go to the Rice Village. There's The Ginger Man -- which has darts, picnic benches in the "backyard", and 2348357895975 different beers.

If you get tired of that, you can just walk next door to Little Woodrows -- which also has the aforementioned amenities.

If you get peckish after all this fun you can wander across the street to Two Rows. It's a darn good restaurant (Americana) that has it's own microbrewery with excellent beers.

For your friends who are looking to "meet" people, it's also a good area. But it is great for darts and catching up with pals too.

Answer 3

Depends on late-night definition. Mama's Cafe is 24 hr. Pappas restaurants of any style serve till abut 10 (mex, seafood, greek) Chacho's (mex) is 24 hrs. Mama's and Chachos are on Westheimer around the 5000-6000 block. Good bar food: Sams Boat on Richmond and KC's on Fountainview (nearby) AWESOME BURGERS. Rudyard's in the Montrose also good, as well as Onion Creek. Good beer at both, and darts at Ruds. Kennealy's Pub on Shepherd has good beer and thin crust pizza.

Late-Night Pie will deliver pizza to your hotel if within range. Check Citysearch for the area of town you'll be in.

Answer 4

Chachos ( no waiters, tex-mex food, great food and Margaritas for lttle $)

Cafe Adobe and Accapulco Bar ( good tex-mex food,nice atmosphere, good margaritas) $$

El Patio Restaurant - MMMM..Yummy and Blue margaritas, $$

Cafe Mezza and Grill, (BYOB - bring your own bottle) - the best grill and sandwiches! $

Gabby's Ribs & Bar-B-Q ( name says it all ) , live music on weekends and great bar. $$

Crazy Cajun Seafood and Sports ( awesome sports bar&restaurant, happy hours, plasma tv, best crawfish)$$

for maps and locations
http://houston.citysearch.com/