While there are many historic sites to visit when visiting Houston, when it comes to food, there is good and bad. Some of the best and most historic and Affordable Mexican Food Houston can be found at Last Concert Cafe. While it can often be a challenge to find, this establishment is full of history while serving some of the best Tex Mex and American food in the area.
The most questionable history relates to the cafe and the house that once sat next door. For, a legend long told was that the house or cafe was at one time a bordello. The house, small in appearance though large in size actually hosted eight bedrooms though no kitchen when originally built over 100 years ago.
Mama Lopez, a local business woman purchased the building and turned it into a restaurant in 1949. Lopez, 69 years of age at the time declared it would be her last business. As such, the place became known as Last Concert Cafe. After which, Lopez operated the restaurant well into the 1ate 1980s.
In the late 1950's, the business survived the largest marijuana bust in Houston history. Whereas, the establishment was also one of Houston's first gay bars in the 1960s. It has also been said that Lopez had sway with local officials during the construction of the I10 East Interstate which was rerouted to avoid interfering with the business.
With the somewhat interesting yet tainted history of the business, there are also some rather fun traditions which have carried over from owner to owner. These include, knocking on the red door twice for entry and having no sign on the building with regards to name or service. In most cases, it is believed that both these traditions date back to the time the business was believed to have been an operating bordello.
While originally there was no door knob on the outside door, local authorities insisted the cafe needed to add one for safety reasons. Still, regular patrons and those in the know still knock twice to gain entry. While most find the cafe easily enough by street number, it should be noted that another tradition is that the cafe has no signage anywhere on the building.
Now, under new management, the lot next door left after the house was torn down now provides ample parking where before street parking was the only available option. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the cafe was turned into a live music venue, which hosted a number of house bands. In fact, some of these bands can still be found playing at the cafe on a regular basis or at special events.
Along with live music, there are other traditions which have been introduced by various owners and managers over time. These include, the annual Watermelon Festival in July, a Halloween celebration complete with costume contest on Halloween and what is no doubt one of the biggest and best New Year's Eve parties in Houston.
The most questionable history relates to the cafe and the house that once sat next door. For, a legend long told was that the house or cafe was at one time a bordello. The house, small in appearance though large in size actually hosted eight bedrooms though no kitchen when originally built over 100 years ago.
Mama Lopez, a local business woman purchased the building and turned it into a restaurant in 1949. Lopez, 69 years of age at the time declared it would be her last business. As such, the place became known as Last Concert Cafe. After which, Lopez operated the restaurant well into the 1ate 1980s.
In the late 1950's, the business survived the largest marijuana bust in Houston history. Whereas, the establishment was also one of Houston's first gay bars in the 1960s. It has also been said that Lopez had sway with local officials during the construction of the I10 East Interstate which was rerouted to avoid interfering with the business.
With the somewhat interesting yet tainted history of the business, there are also some rather fun traditions which have carried over from owner to owner. These include, knocking on the red door twice for entry and having no sign on the building with regards to name or service. In most cases, it is believed that both these traditions date back to the time the business was believed to have been an operating bordello.
While originally there was no door knob on the outside door, local authorities insisted the cafe needed to add one for safety reasons. Still, regular patrons and those in the know still knock twice to gain entry. While most find the cafe easily enough by street number, it should be noted that another tradition is that the cafe has no signage anywhere on the building.
Now, under new management, the lot next door left after the house was torn down now provides ample parking where before street parking was the only available option. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the cafe was turned into a live music venue, which hosted a number of house bands. In fact, some of these bands can still be found playing at the cafe on a regular basis or at special events.
Along with live music, there are other traditions which have been introduced by various owners and managers over time. These include, the annual Watermelon Festival in July, a Halloween celebration complete with costume contest on Halloween and what is no doubt one of the biggest and best New Year's Eve parties in Houston.
About the Author:
Get an overview of the things to keep in mind when picking a restaurant and more information about an affordable Mexican food Houston restaurant at http://www.panchosmexicanbuffethouston.com now.
No comments:
Post a Comment