When looking for good Tex Mex cuisine, one place not to miss is that of Last Concert Cafe. For, the location provides historic and affordable Mexican Food Houston. Now offering a full bar, along with Tex Mex and American options, it is one of the best though lesser known establishments 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.
While controversial, the business survived the largest marijuana bust in Houston history in the 1950s. Then, in the 1960s, it provided a home to the Houston gay community. After which, the business was threatened by the construction of Interstate 10E, though it seems Mama Lopez had connections with local city and state officials, so the freeway now runs along side the busy warehouse district rather than through where Last Concert, artist galleries and other businesses sit today.
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.
Another tradition is the lack of signage on the building. While there has been a sign posted down the street to assure new customers are on the right track, the owners still refuse to post a sign on the building in order to keep with these long standing traditions.
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.
While controversial, the business survived the largest marijuana bust in Houston history in the 1950s. Then, in the 1960s, it provided a home to the Houston gay community. After which, the business was threatened by the construction of Interstate 10E, though it seems Mama Lopez had connections with local city and state officials, so the freeway now runs along side the busy warehouse district rather than through where Last Concert, artist galleries and other businesses sit today.
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.
Another tradition is the lack of signage on the building. While there has been a sign posted down the street to assure new customers are on the right track, the owners still refuse to post a sign on the building in order to keep with these long standing traditions.
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.
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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.
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