Ryan the Temp said:

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Since some of the various threads about specific places often turn into discussions of other places, I figured we could use a general thread to talk about what's new and interesting in the food and drink scene here.

I'll start with some big news affecting Benjamin Berg, of B+B Butchers, Trattoria Sofia, Annabelle Brasserie, and a collection of other restaurants. Berg apparently defaulted on a $3 million loan and the bank is suing him.

https://www.chron.com/food/article/texas-restaurant-lawsuit-berg-loan-20400810.php

Quote:

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First Horizon Bank filed a lawsuit on June 17 in Harris County District Court against Berg Hospitality Group's Benjamin Berg, his various business entities, and co-guarantor Neal Goldman for allegedly failing to repay a $3 million revolving loan by its maturity date. As of the date the bank filed the lawsuit, the parties reportedly owed the bank $3.196 million due to accrued interest.

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I would guess at the very least he ends up filing for bankruptcy protection, but the big question is if this means he just restructures his existing debts or if we'll start seeing closures at his restaurants to sell off the assets.

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Just when I was thinking about dinner ... Gabby's will do just fine.

Looks like unsurprisingly Studewood Cantine closed at the end of June.

Ryan the Temp said:

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Just when I was thinking about dinner ... Gabby's will do just fine.

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Don't forget Spanky's

Cromagnum said:

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If you aren't averse to Clear Lake, Rosewater is a cool hangout with really good craft cocktails.

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Haven't been. Heard it was a swingers joint. But, I hear that about a bunch of places down here, and it can't be all true.

Milwaukees Best Light said:

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Cromagnum said:

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If you aren't averse to Clear Lake, Rosewater is a cool hangout with really good craft cocktails.

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Haven't been. Heard it was a swingers joint. But, I hear that about a bunch of places down here, and it can't be all true.

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Haven't heard that rumor. Been there numerous times and never got that indication.

Now Volcano Room I do believe is a swinger spot.

Milwaukees Best Light said:

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Cromagnum said:

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If you aren't averse to Clear Lake, Rosewater is a cool hangout with really good craft cocktails.

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Haven't been. Heard it was a swingers joint. But, I hear that about a bunch of places down here, and it can't be all true.

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Been there probably 50 times when I still lived down there. No indication that it was anything like that.

Truluck's is undertaking a $1.2 million renovation.
https://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2025/07/03/trulucks-undergo-renovations.html

Rose and Davenport maybe lesbians, but not swingers.

Volcano room 100%.
Jackie's 100%.

Cromagnum said:

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Milwaukees Best Light said:

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Cromagnum said:

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If you aren't averse to Clear Lake, Rosewater is a cool hangout with really good craft cocktails.

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Haven't been. Heard it was a swingers joint. But, I hear that about a bunch of places down here, and it can't be all true.

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Been there probably 50 times when I still lived down there. No indication that it was anything like that.

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For some reason, this made me think of this Chappelle Diddy bit on SNL.

Asking here because it seems like most of you have a lot of knowledge about this kind of stuff.

Can anyone think of a bar/spot in Houston that has a private/semi-private area for about 12 guys to have a fantasy football draft?

Treasures. Top golf.

texasaggie2015 said:

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Asking here because it seems like most of you have a lot of knowledge about this kind of stuff.

Can anyone think of a bar/spot in Houston that has a private/semi-private area for about 12 guys to have a fantasy football draft?

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Semi Private Spot for your Fantasy Draft

bigjag19 said:

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Treasures. Top golf.

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I think Twin Peaks does that too.

texasaggie2015 said:

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Asking here because it seems like most of you have a lot of knowledge about this kind of stuff.

Can anyone think of a bar/spot in Houston that has a private/semi-private area for about 12 guys to have a fantasy football draft?

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I've done this at flying saucer, there's an upstairs that's quiet.

$5 Houston draft beers on Sunday and all beers on Monday.

I just noticed yesterday Pizzitola's BBQ changed their name to Texas Pit. I suppose it's probably since Joe Pizzitola died, but I hope they haven't messed with the menu. They have always been some of the most underrated BBQ in Houston. I'll have to go in this weekend to see what else has changed.

Didn't they change it by adding something to Pizzitola's?

I thought I remember reading something where they altered/added something but Pizzitola's was still prominent.

tx4guns said:

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That's very much false. I'm very close friends with the owner and go there often. Never seen one instance of that scene.

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every suburb spot gets called a swinger hangout.


In terms of dining scene, while it isn't exactly new I suggest people hit up Milton's, they are really doing some good stuff.

Ate at Blue Tuba in the Heights and it was meh for me.

Chewy said:

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Didn't they change it by adding something to Pizzitola's?

I thought I remember reading something where they altered/added something but Pizzitola's was still prominent.

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The sign just said "Texas Pit, est. 1935." I suppose it's possible I just missed seeing Pizzitola's on it somewhere.

Ryan the Temp said:

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I just noticed yesterday Pizzitola's BBQ changed their name to Texas Pit. I suppose it's probably since Joe Pizzitola died, but I hope they haven't messed with the menu. They have always been some of the most underrated BBQ in Houston. I'll have to go in this weekend to see what else has changed.

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The one and only time I ate there, I was highly disappointed.

Here's the article from last May. https://www.houstoniamag.com/eat-and-drink/2025/05/pizzitolas-bbq

Chewy said:

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Here's the article from last May. https://www.houstoniamag.com/eat-and-drink/2025/05/pizzitolas-bbq

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I drove by yesterday to check. I was somewhat mistaken in that the side of the building says "Texas Pit," but the sign to the north does, in fact, say "Pizzitola's Heritage BBQ."

In other news, I am fearful that Bakery Donut may have closed. They have been closed all week. I know they usually take a vacation during the Summer sometime, but normally there is a sign on the building that says so. I will be very angry if the 11th Street BS finally did them in.

Ryan the Temp said:

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Chewy said:

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Here's the article from last May. https://www.houstoniamag.com/eat-and-drink/2025/05/pizzitolas-bbq

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I drove by yesterday to check. I was somewhat mistaken in that the side of the building says "Texas Pit," but the sign to the north does, in fact, say "Pizzitola's Heritage BBQ."

In other news, I am fearful that Bakery Donut may have closed. They have been closed all week. I know they usually take a vacation during the Summer sometime, but normally there is a sign on the building that says so. I will be very angry if the 11th Street BS finally did them in.

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That place, Andy's, and this little Mexican breakfast joint ("Tamale House" or something like that?) at Studewood/11th, where Gypsy Poet currently is, were breakfast staples when I lived in the Heights back around 2005-2007 and there wasn't a whole lot there yet.

I still contend that one of the best "hangover breakfasts" in the Tine is the "juevos con chorizo a la mexicana con queso" with a Dr. Pepper from Andy's. Then make tacos with the homemade tortillas...it's incredible.

My roomate took me there back in 05 and ordered that and the owner's son just chuckled and said "holy sh** strong order!"...like he had cracked the code.



3am drunk binges at Andy's back in the day were always fun too. I kind of miss when the Heights was more basic and less fancy.