Rice Game

[NT Drummer]

Is it the "danger train" just because of the car issue or is dangerous on the train too?

Yes, because of cars, although I think one or two oblivious pedestrians (probably using Ipods) have been hit by trains as well since the train was put into service. To be honest, there are a lot fewer accidents these days.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Houston_Light_Rail

[DeepGreen]

Landry's

Overpriced, overhyped.

If you really want to be adventuresome and like authentic Italian food, head down to the Houston Space Center area (exit NASA I Rd) and eat at Frenchy's. Weired name for an Italian restaurant, but trust me , it's fantastic. The place is nothing posh, but it's lined with pictures of Astronauts and other famous celebrities who have eaten there.

Edited August 26, 2008 by DeepGreen

[Eagle1855]

Is it the "danger train" just because of the car issue or is dangerous on the train too?

Everyone else has already addressed your initial question, but I'll just add that I've ridden it several times, never had any issues. I wish it went everywhere in the city. It's easy and cheap. Like me, I guess.

[kingwoodgreen]

I just wanted to also chime in and agree on the Landry's comment. You can find much better in the Houston area. I am not sure any locals eat there. Find a Pappas or maybe somebody more familier with that area can suggest something better. Even though I live in Kingwood we do not venture in the big city much. My son and I ate at a great little pizza joint close to campus last year. It was called Foxes. We ate their before the b-ball game.

I am really looking forward to this game. Rice is a very nice campus of course the staduim is a relic of the past as is Fouts. I hope to meet alot of Houston area alums there. I am not sure what their taligating situation is. Rice does not strike me as a tailgate type gameday. They do struggle with attendance. They are still running full page ads in the sports page promoting the smuu game. I bet we could have a dencent turnout with the locale. It was sure fun to see our attendance at the smuu game last year. Alot of green grouped together looked great as I had seats on the wrong side but was proud of the view and heard many comments about our spirit. Most of the alums were spread out but the students were impressive. I hope we all can be in the same sections for Rice.

[Eagle1855]

I just wanted to also chime in and agree on the Landry's comment. You can find much better in the Houston area. I am not sure any locals eat there. Find a Pappas or maybe somebody more familier with that area can suggest something better. Even though I live in Kingwood we do not venture in the big city much. My son and I ate at a great little pizza joint close to campus last year. It was called Foxes. We ate their before the b-ball game.

Good points. I'll pass on most Landry's operations. Being in Houston, you can find plenty of other places with FRESH gulf shrimp. Pappa's Seafood is pretty good stuff and there are plenty around town.

Also you really can't go wrong in the Rice Village near campus. A lot of cool, Denton-esque restaurants and bars that are locally-owned. Some of my favorites:

Restaurants:

Mi Luna - Spanish tapas restaurant

Collina's Italian - good pizzas and italian food

Patu's Thai Cuisine - small restaurant with great authentic Thai food

Fuzzy's Pizza - pretty well known, supposedly has good food, though I havent yet had it

And then there's your generic Two Row's and Buffalo Wild Wings

Bars/Pubs:

The Ginger Man - Good selection of beers, cheese/meat plates

Brian O'Neills pub - good patio, cold beers

Little Woodrows - also has a good patio and beer specials

Another good way to find restaurants and bars wherever you stay is by going to Yelp.com. I use it a lot to try out new places. You can search by neighborhood, then specify type of food, etc.

Edited August 26, 2008 by Eagle1855

[Travis]

Good points. I'll pass on most Landry's operations. Being in Houston, you can find plenty of other places with FRESH gulf shrimp. Pappa's Seafood is pretty good stuff and there are plenty around town.

Also you really can't go wrong in the Rice Village near campus. A lot of cool, Denton-esque restaurants and bars that are locally-owned. Some of my favorites:

Restaurants:

Mi Luna - Spanish tapas restaurant

Collina's Italian - good pizzas and italian food

Patu's Thai Cuisine - small restaurant with great authentic Thai food

Fuzzy's Pizza - pretty well known, supposedly has good food, though I havent yet had it

And then there's your generic Two Row's and Buffalo Wild Wings

Bars/Pubs:

The Ginger Man - Good selection of beers, cheese/meat plates

Brian O'Neills pub - good patio, cold beers

Little Woodrows - also has a good patio and beer specials

Another good way to find restaurants and bars wherever you stay is by going to Yelp.com. I use it a lot to try out new places. You can search by neighborhood, then specify type of food, etc.

You have some good ideas near Galveston? Because Landry's Operations seem to own practically the majority of the island besides the Moody group. I have always liked Saltgrass and the aquarium has a cool atmosphere to eat at... I agree that alot of it might be overpriced... especially Landry's Seafood House. But, I applaud them on making both Galveston and Kema more touristy.

But back to my question... what great restaurants would you suggest around the galveston area?

[Eagle1855]

You have some good ideas near Galveston? Because Landry's Operations seem to own practically the majority of the island besides the Moody group. I have always liked Saltgrass and the aquarium has a cool atmosphere to eat at... I agree that alot of it might be overpriced... especially Landry's Seafood House. But, I applaud them on making both Galveston and Kema more touristy.

But back to my question... what great restaurants would you suggest around the galveston area?

Yeah, there are several good restaurants on the island, many in and around the Strand district.

Around the strand district, I enjoy:

Yaga's Cafe: great food, family friendly, in the heart of the Strand district. Usually a little wild at night after the close up the kitchen and clear out the families. Seafood Flautas are awesome.

Saltwater Grill: also in the Strand district, a little more upscale (by upscale I mean, jeans and polo shirt... Galveston upscale is different than the rest of society's definition), little pricier but I've always had really good food there. I usually go with whatever special they've got on the menu.

Oyster's Bar and Grill: I believe it's on Post Office St, in the Strand District. Has good shrimp and all kinds of different takes on the oyster. Small, dive-y hole-in-the-wall joint.

Elsewhere on the island,

Shrimp 'N Stuff: yes, that's what it's actually called and they have really good Shrimp Po-Boys. Its on the North part of the Island off Ave O after you come in over the causeway.

On the Seawall,

Casey's: sister restaurant to the more upscale Gaidos (which is right next door, and is decent). You can't miss it. There's a huge crab on the top of the building. Typical seafood and american fare. Not too expensive, family-friendly, in good location across from beach. I like the fish fajitas and some of the cocktails. I enjoyed both on the patio.

The Spot: has killer burgers (the guacamole one is my fave), also has typical seafood fare, great patios and it's right next to a tiki bar.

If you're staying further down the island (headed west past the seawall), there's a little shack on the right called Cafe Michael Burger that has really good burgers.

Hope maybe that helps... ha. Im a bit of a fan of food, so I'll be happy to give suggestions in any part of town.

As for the Kemah/Clear Lake area, someone else might have to help you there. I don't spend as much time there and really couldn't speak with much authority.

Edited August 26, 2008 by Eagle1855

[UNTLifer]

Good points. I'll pass on most Landry's operations. Being in Houston, you can find plenty of other places with FRESH gulf shrimp. Pappa's Seafood is pretty good stuff and there are plenty around town.

Also you really can't go wrong in the Rice Village near campus. A lot of cool, Denton-esque restaurants and bars that are locally-owned. Some of my favorites:

Restaurants:

Mi Luna - Spanish tapas restaurant

Collina's Italian - good pizzas and italian food

Patu's Thai Cuisine - small restaurant with great authentic Thai food

Fuzzy's Pizza - pretty well known, supposedly has good food, though I havent yet had it

And then there's your generic Two Row's and Buffalo Wild Wings

Bars/Pubs:

The Ginger Man - Good selection of beers, cheese/meat plates

Brian O'Neills pub - good patio, cold beers

Little Woodrows - also has a good patio and beer specials

Another good way to find restaurants and bars wherever you stay is by going to Yelp.com. I use it a lot to try out new places. You can search by neighborhood, then specify type of food, etc.

I've eaten at Fuzzy's at Aintoine and I10 and it is pretty good, so is Star pizza.

Another good place in the Rice village area is El Meson on University

El Meson Houston

It's Cuban food, mid-priced and very good.

[Eagle1855]

I've eaten at Fuzzy's at Aintoine and I10 and it is pretty good, so is Star pizza.

Another good place in the Rice village area is El Meson on University

El Meson Houston

It's Cuban food, mid-priced and very good.

Oh yeah! Can't believe I forgot El Meson. Great restaurant, enjoyed by many of the locals. Good call!

Edited August 26, 2008 by Eagle1855

[UNTLifer]

Yeah, there are several good restaurants on the island, many in and around the Strand district.

Around the strand district, I enjoy:

Yaga's Cafe: great food, family friendly, in the heart of the Strand district. Usually a little wild at night after the close up the kitchen and clear out the families. Seafood Flautas are awesome.

Saltwater Grill: also in the Strand district, a little more upscale (by upscale I mean, jeans and polo shirt... Galveston upscale is different than the rest of society's definition), little pricier but I've always had really good food there. I usually go with whatever special they've got on the menu.

Oyster's Bar and Grill: I believe it's on Post Office St, in the Strand District. Has good shrimp and all kinds of different takes on the oyster. Small, dive-y hole-in-the-wall joint.

Elsewhere on the island,

Shrimp 'N Stuff: yes, that's what it's actually called and they have really good Shrimp Po-Boys. Its on the North part of the Island off Ave O after you come in over the causeway.

On the Seawall,

Casey's: sister restaurant to the more upscale Gaidos (which is right next door, and is decent). You can't miss it. There's a huge crab on the top of the building. Typical seafood and american fare. Not too expensive, family-friendly, in good location across from beach. I like the fish fajitas and some of the cocktails. I enjoyed both on the patio.

The Spot: has killer burgers (the guacamole one is my fave), also has typical seafood fare, great patios and it's right next to a tiki bar.

If you're staying further down the island (headed west past the seawall), there's a little shack on the right called Cafe Michael Burger that has really good burgers.

Hope maybe that helps... ha. Im a bit of a fan of food, so I'll be happy to give suggestions in any part of town.

As for the Kemah/Clear Lake area, someone else might have to help you there. I don't spend as much time there and really couldn't speak with much authority.

The man knows his food.

[island eagle]

The man knows his food.

In addition: If you want to go where the locals go: DiBella's on Avenue P near 31st Street. Great Italian food, but you'll need reservations on the weekend. Also, New Madrid on Postoffice if you like Tapas, Rudy & Paco's on Postoffice at 21st, if you like Central/South American food, but you need reservations and it is pricey. Also, on 24th is M&M, upscale and pricey, but also a locals favorite (AVOID MOST PLACES THAT CATER MOSTLY TO TOURISTS). The Mediterranean Chef on Strand is good and a local favorite. The Press Box on 24th is a great Burger/sports bar that is a local's hand-out. If you like Cajun/informal-Benno's is a long-time local favorite on Seawall near 12th Street.

[JesseMartin]

If it's the same Fuzzy's Pizza, we have one here. Authentic Chicago-style. Their deep dish, stromboli, and sandwiches are awesome. If you like thin crust, theirs is good. Wings are decent-better than most, but not tops.

[DeepGreen]

Collina's Italian - good pizzas and italian food

If you're talking about the one on Richmond, inside the loop, I can vouch for Collina's. Small, local restaurant, excellent Italian food. Try the stuffed artichoke. Bella!

In Galveston, there is a great Mexican Restaurant around the Medical Center, but I can't think of the name. Island Eagle, can you help? Also, Island's recommendation of DiBellas for Italian is great.

[MeanMag]

Of course, if you really want to "go big" you can stay at Hotel Zaza in the museum district. It's about a mile walk to the stadium. Very very nice historic hotel they re-did a couple years ago, slapped the ZaZa name on it.

If I don't stay with my brother in The Heights, I will be staying at ZaZa. It's good to have connections.

[MeanMag]

If anyone is looking for a good cup of coffee in Houston- Catalina Coffee House off of Washington will probably serve you one of the best cups of coffee you've ever had, if not, the best. I make it a point to stop there every trip I can. Good breakfast food can be had at Java Java somewhere just off of Heights Blvd. (forget exactly where)

[Eagle1855]

In addition: If you want to go where the locals go: DiBella's on Avenue P near 31st Street. Great Italian food, but you'll need reservations on the weekend. Also, New Madrid on Postoffice if you like Tapas, Rudy & Paco's on Postoffice at 21st, if you like Central/South American food, but you need reservations and it is pricey. Also, on 24th is M&M, upscale and pricey, but also a locals favorite (AVOID MOST PLACES THAT CATER MOSTLY TO TOURISTS). The Mediterranean Chef on Strand is good and a local favorite. The Press Box on 24th is a great Burger/sports bar that is a local's hand-out. If you like Cajun/informal-Benno's is a long-time local favorite on Seawall near 12th Street.

Actually, THIS man knows his food! I was hoping some of the 'locals' would speak up. I'll have to try a couple of those places.

DeepGreen - it is the same one and I agree with your sentiments. Used to live right across the street from the one on Richmond and we'd wander over once a week with a bottle of wine and just hang out for a couple hours.

MeanMag - I live in the Heights area, it's probably my favorite part of Houston. I've stayed at ZaZa and it really is a great hotel and the pool offers a pretty much unbeatable view of some of Houston's finest... if ya dig. The restaurant, Monarch, is pretty good too, though I think it's a tad over-priced. However, for a once-in-a-while splurge, why the hell not.

[JesseMartin]

My wife says the best seafood is down at the dock in Kemah. I wouldn't know.

[Green Crazy]

Yeah, there are several good restaurants on the island, many in and around the Strand district.

Around the strand district, I enjoy:

Yaga's Cafe: great food, family friendly, in the heart of the Strand district. Usually a little wild at night after the close up the kitchen and clear out the families. Seafood Flautas are awesome.

Saltwater Grill: also in the Strand district, a little more upscale (by upscale I mean, jeans and polo shirt... Galveston upscale is different than the rest of society's definition), little pricier but I've always had really good food there. I usually go with whatever special they've got on the menu.

Oyster's Bar and Grill: I believe it's on Post Office St, in the Strand District. Has good shrimp and all kinds of different takes on the oyster. Small, dive-y hole-in-the-wall joint.

Elsewhere on the island,

Shrimp 'N Stuff: yes, that's what it's actually called and they have really good Shrimp Po-Boys. Its on the North part of the Island off Ave O after you come in over the causeway.

On the Seawall,

Casey's: sister restaurant to the more upscale Gaidos (which is right next door, and is decent). You can't miss it. There's a huge crab on the top of the building. Typical seafood and american fare. Not too expensive, family-friendly, in good location across from beach. I like the fish fajitas and some of the cocktails. I enjoyed both on the patio.

The Spot: has killer burgers (the guacamole one is my fave), also has typical seafood fare, great patios and it's right next to a tiki bar.

If you're staying further down the island (headed west past the seawall), there's a little shack on the right called Cafe Michael Burger that has really good burgers.

Hope maybe that helps... ha. Im a bit of a fan of food, so I'll be happy to give suggestions in any part of town.

As for the Kemah/Clear Lake area, someone else might have to help you there. I don't spend as much time there and really couldn't speak with much authority.

Casey's and Shrimp n' Stuff are great! Shrimp n' Stuff hosts the oldest bar on the island (from the 1800's i believe)...it's not being put to use but pretty cool to see.

My favorites... (I'm guessing on streets though)

Fish Tales - 25th and the Seawall (if you go, you have to sit on the upstairs patio looking over the gulf)

Fishermans Wharf - North side of the island...Pier 22? (the patio is nice, but don't sit outside if it's mosquito season)

Willie G's - Across the street from Fishermans Wharf (the wharf is better)

The last two are pricey, but good.

[mrsgreengoblin]

We will be staying at a Marriott or Omni hotel. I know people that work for both companies. Whoever gets us the better rate is where we will be. lol

[Quoner]

Word on the street from the Rice-folk is that SMU requested a whopping 300 tickets for the Friday game at Rice.

Word on the street is also that we requested 3,000 initially and are going to need more.

[Censored by Laurie]

I'm not too familiar with the area...but as self-appointed culinary and libation expert of the board (mods if I could get my nicknamed changed to this that'd be great)...I can vouche for Mi Luna's food...and while my heart belongs to the G-Man on 4th in Austin...the Houston equivilant is solid, if not spectacular as well.

[UNTflyer]

Word on the street from the Rice-folk is that SMU requested a whopping 300 tickets for the Friday game at Rice.

Word on the street is also that we requested 3,000 initially and are going to need more.

Good to see that SMU campaign paying dividends.

[Travis]

Word on the street from the Rice-folk is that SMU requested a whopping 300 tickets for the Friday game at Rice.

Word on the street is also that we requested 3,000 initially and are going to need more.

When can we buy the tickets?

[Green Lantern]

Good to see that SMU campaign paying dividends.

"June Cometh" Indeed.