When visiting any restaurant in the Houston warehouse district, it is often easy to get lost. While this is the case, the historic and Affordable Mexican Food Houston at Last Concert Cafe is well worth the search. For, while there have been many different stories as to the past businesses in the location, there are some which have been proved over time.
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.
Having survived what is believed to have been the largest marijuana busts in Houston in the 1950s, paying homage to the gay community in the 1960s, and having overcome construction of the I10E, it appears the cafe will remain in the current location for quite some time. While no longer specified as a gay bar, the restaurant and bar are open to all people. As for the marijuana bust in the 1950s, times were very different back then. At the same time, it is important that patrons understand possessing, distributing or smoking is still against local and national law.
Along with the legends surrounding the business, there are also some well known traditions. One such tradition, is that patrons are to knock twice on the red door to gain admittance. It is said that this tradition came about when the cafe or house served as a bordello. For, there was a judge whom lived nearby whom liked to frequent the business. As such, those seeking entrance had to knock so the judge would have time to wrap up any business and head out the back door.
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.
In recent years, the cafe has gone through some other changes. For example, in the 1990s, it became not only a Tex-Mex cafe but also a live music venue. Having been rated the best music venue more than once by the Houston Press, it is also a favorite among locals and musicians alike. In fact, in the 1990s, there were house bands whom played every Tuesday and Thursday, one for over 28 years. While those musicians are now involved in new interests, there is still live music either on the indoor, garden or outdoor stage most every night of the week.
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.
Having survived what is believed to have been the largest marijuana busts in Houston in the 1950s, paying homage to the gay community in the 1960s, and having overcome construction of the I10E, it appears the cafe will remain in the current location for quite some time. While no longer specified as a gay bar, the restaurant and bar are open to all people. As for the marijuana bust in the 1950s, times were very different back then. At the same time, it is important that patrons understand possessing, distributing or smoking is still against local and national law.
Along with the legends surrounding the business, there are also some well known traditions. One such tradition, is that patrons are to knock twice on the red door to gain admittance. It is said that this tradition came about when the cafe or house served as a bordello. For, there was a judge whom lived nearby whom liked to frequent the business. As such, those seeking entrance had to knock so the judge would have time to wrap up any business and head out the back door.
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.
In recent years, the cafe has gone through some other changes. For example, in the 1990s, it became not only a Tex-Mex cafe but also a live music venue. Having been rated the best music venue more than once by the Houston Press, it is also a favorite among locals and musicians alike. In fact, in the 1990s, there were house bands whom played every Tuesday and Thursday, one for over 28 years. While those musicians are now involved in new interests, there is still live music either on the indoor, garden or outdoor stage most every night of the week.
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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