Restaurant Legends
Houston Intown residents have been know to eat out more per capita than any other city according to Zagat’s survey. Part of the reason is what makes Houston such a great city with its’ many divergent tastes and origins. Our list of 30 plus year old Houston restaurants still going strong today illustrates our melting pot of a city. The Italian and Greek influence lead the way when it comes to our restaurant heritage. The name Mandola is the most common family thread in our list of longevity. There are four women originating eateries on the list. Three of them can still be found at their eateries today. 1977 was a vintage year with four on our list opening that year. One commonality among the list is that it appears the most obvious recipe for success is the continuity of management and personnel.
Molina’s Cantina
Established 1941 Purchased Old Monterrey
Originators: Raul and Mary Molina
Main Fare: Tex Mex
Locations: 4720 Washington Ave.
7901 Westheimer
3801 Bellaire
Notable: Raul Molina,JR. was inducted into the Texas Restaurant
Association Hall of Fame
Cleburne Cafeteria
Established:1952
Originators: Nick and Pat Mickelis and now George Mickelis
Location: 3606 Bissonnet
Main Fare: Home style freshly prepared
Notable: Pat has worked there for 70 years
Demeris Bar-B-Q
Year established 1964
Owners Billy Vlahakos and Yonny Demeris
Locations: 2911 S. Shepherd
1702 West Loop North
6722 Marinette
Main Fare: Traditional barbeque
Notable: Extensive dessert offering of fresh baked pies including ice cream pies
Tony’s
Established 1965
Originator: Tony Vallone
Main fare: Italian, steaks, seafood “Innovative Fine Dining”
Location 3755 Richmond
Other restaurant: Ciao Bello 5161 San Felipe
Notable: Vallone created La Griglia and Grotto’s which was sold in 2003 to Landry’s Restaurants
Brennan’s
Established 1967
Originator: Owen Brennan in New Orleans 1946
Ella Brennan and Alex Brennan-Martin in Houston
Location: 330 Smith Street
Main Fare: Louisiana Creole
Notable: Houston restaurant was opened as a sister restaurant to Commander’ Palace in New Orleans
Damian’s
Established 1983
Location: 3011 Smith Street
Originator Frankie Mandola
Main Fare: Italian
Notable: Waiter Ben Garcia has been there since the year it opened and Chef Napoleon 29 of the 30
Ouisie’s Table
Established 1973
Originator: Elouise Jones
Main Fare: Southern American
Locations: 3939 San Felipe
Ouisie’s The Bird and The Bear 2810 Westheimer
Notable: Predecessor was the Traveling Brown Bag Lunch Company. Still use large blackboard for daily menus
Ragin Cajun
Established 1974
Originators: Ray Hay, Frankie B. Mandola and Luke Mandola, Sr.
Main Fare: Louisiana Seafood
Locations: 4302 Richmond (original location)
9600 Woodlake Square
930 Main St.(Downtown Tunnel)
16100 Kensington
Notable: First Houston restaurant to offer fresh Louisiana boiled crawfish
Pappas
Established 1976
Originators: Pete and Jim Pappas
Main Fare: Mexican and Seafood
Locations: Over 100 including Pappas Steak House and barbeque.
Over half of their locations are in Houston
Notable: In 1967 Pete and Jim Pappas opened Dot Coffee Shop in downtown Houston
Pizzitola’s
Established 1935
Originators: John and Leila Davis
Main Fare Pit Style Barbeque
Location: 1703 Shepherd Drive
Notable: Texas Monthly has called it the best barbecue in Texas
Rainbow Lodge
Established 1977
Originator: Donnette Hansen
Main Fare: American Wild Game and Seafood
Location: 2011 Ella Blvd.
Notable: Located in a century old log cabin and still has the Tied Fly Bar from previous location off Memorial Drive
Niko Niko’s
Established: 1977
Originators Chris Fetokakis now son Dimitri
Locations 252 Montrose
302 Milam (Market Square)
Main Fare: Greek
Notable Winner of 12 Blue Ribbon awards by Marvin Zindler for cleanliness
Nino’s and Vincent’s
Established: 1977 Nino’s first then Vincent’s
Originator: Vincent Mandola
Main Fare: Classic Italian
Locations Nino’s – 2817 Dallas
Vincent’s – 2701 Dallas
Notable: First opened with Nino’s with renter’s above the restaurant
Goode Company
Established 1977
Originator: JIm Goode and Joe Dixie
Main Fare: Texas Barbecue
Location 4902 Kirby
Other locations: Goode Company Seafood 2621 Westpark
Goode Company Taqueria 4902 Kirby
Notable: Known as much for their pecan pies as their barbecue
Tony Mandola’s
Established 1982
Originator: Tony Mandola
Main Fare: Seafood
Location: 1212 Waugh Drive
Notable: Formerly The Blue Oyster Bar on the Gulf Freeway
The Original Ninfa’s On Navigation
Established 1973 as a taco stand
Location:2704 Navigation
Main Fare Tex Mex
Notable Original owner Mama Ninfa Laurenzo’s offspring spawned El Tiempo and is widely known for popularizing fajitas
James Coney Island
Established 1923
Founders James and Tom Papadakis
Main Fare: Coney Island hot dogs,shakes and fries
Locations: Twenty one stores throughout Houston
Notable: Family owned and run until 1990