We just received confirmation that the popular Galleria-area middle-eastern restaurant, Mint Cafe, will be closing its doors at the end of the month. Eagle-eyed readers spotted a lockout notice for unpaid rent, and apparently the owners have had a spell of bad luck and are calling it quits.
(From the press release)
Austin, Texas-July 17, 2009 - Texas Monthly, the expert on all things Texan, has published in the August issue their definitive story celebrating the iconic Texas food: the hamburger. A team of 31 eaters scoured the state, covering 12,343 miles, visiting 253 restaurants, and gaining a cumulative 45 pounds in their quest for the best 50 hamburgers in the state. In the introduction to the story, executive editor Patricia Sharpe and editor Jake Silverstein said: "In seeking burgers that stopped us in our tracks, we left some hallowed names in the dust. Undoubtedly, burger-loving readers will be outraged at a few of our picks and misses, but so be it."In a story accompanying the hamburger list, senior editor Gary Cartwright, through his extensive research, set out to prove that the world's first hamburger was served in Athens, Texas, despite the fact that three other towns take credit for inventing the hamburger: New Haven, Connecticut; the Village of Hamburg, New York; and Seymour, Wisconsin. "The documentary evidence supporting this claim is strong," Cartwright says.Founded in 1973, Texas Monthly has a circulation of 300,000 and is read by more than 2.5 million people each month-one out of every eight Texas adults. Texas Monthly is published by Emmis Publishing, L.P. Emmis owns and operates radio stations and other regional magazines.Texas Monthly's 50 BEST HAMBURGERS IN TEXAS:The Grape, Dallas, Classic CheeseburgerCounter Café, Austin, Counter BurgerAlamo Springs Café, Fredericksburg, Cheeseburger (With Green Chiles on a Jalapeno-Cheese Bun)Toro Burger Bar, El Paso, Toro BurgerThe Cove, San Antonio, Texas BurgerThe Porch, Dallas, The StodgPerini Ranch Steakhouse, Buffalo Gap, Hamburger Steak on a BunDutch's, Fort Worth, Bacon and Bleu Cheese BurgerBeck's Prime, Houston, Bacon CheeseburgerOrlando's, Lubbock, Cheeseburger in ParadiseWhite Buffalo Bar, Gage Hotel, Marathon, Buffalo BurgerCover 3, Austin, Chop-House Burger (With Cheese and Bacon)Burger Fresh, Conroe, 1/2 Pound HamburgerBurger Tex II, Austin, Bulgogi BurgerTwisted Root Burger Co., Dallas, HamburgerMax's Wine Dive, Austin, Houston, Kobe Beef BurgerLove Shack, Fort Worth, Dirty Love BurgerFatty's Burgers & More, San Antonio, Ref BurgerMoMak's Backyard Malts & Burgers, San Antonio, MoMak Classic BurgerKelly's Eastside, Plano, Southwestern BurgerBig'z Burger Joint, San Antonio, Big'z Famous No. 1Chicken Oil Co., Bryan, Snuffy BurgerCafé Michael Burger, Galveston, Tiki BurgerBurgers, Fries and Cherry Pies, Midland, The French Connection BurgerMockingbird Bistro, Houston, American Kobe Beef BurgerParkside, Austin, CheeseburgerBlack Sheep Lodge, Austin, Black Buffalo BurgerMiss Hattie's Café and Saloon, San Angelo, Miss Hattie BurgerMel's Country Café, Tomball, Double HamburgerRoaring Fork, Austin, Half Ass BurgerGene's Tasty Burger, Wichita Falls, Frisco BurgerCliff Café, Dallas, Brie and Granny Smith BurgerBracken Store Café, San Antonio, Bean and Frito BurgerSam's Deli Diner, Houston, HamburgerDry Creek Café, Houston, The Regular (With Asadero Cheese)Hamburger Store, Jefferson, Build-Your-Own BurgerMighty Fine, Austin, HamburgerRoadhouse, Bastrop, Jalapeno Cream Cheese BurgerLankford Grocery and Market, Houston, Old-Fashioned HamburgerClassics Burgers and "Moore," Kerrville, CheeseburgerKoffee Kup Family Restaurant, Hico, Jalapeno Cream Cheese BurgerHruska's Store and Bakery, Ellinger, CheeseburgerRosco's Burger Inn, El Paso, Rosco BurgerPort Aransas Brewing Company, Port Aransas, Stopher BurgerGoode Company Hamburgers and Taqueria, Houston, Mesquite BurgerSnuffer's Restaurant and Bar, Dallas, Green Chile SwissburgerFred's Texas Café, Fort Worth, Diablo BurgerSpeedy's Burger, Houston, Hamburguesa MexicanaGourmet Burger Grill, San Antonio, HamburgerJakes, Dallas, #1 Jakes Special
We've noticed the Kebab House on the I-45 feeder in the Woodlands, and it was time to give it a try.
It was a great decision. Nice, clean place, friendly and helpful staff, and very good food. The staff is from Turkey, and the cuisine focused on that region.
We started with the Sicily potatoes appetizer; what came out was a heaping portion of sliced roast potatoes, very buttery and cooked with mozzarella and a light cream sauce. We finished it in record time.
Also worth a mention is the unique flatbread. It's sliced into wedges, but the bread is thick around the edges and thin (like most flatbread) near the center; it's baked fresh and very good. It's served with a dipping sauce of olive oil, spices, and sesame seeds.
Being unable to agree on our entrees, we decided to sample the Mixed Feast. Out came a large platter with a variety of grilled meats: beef/lamb schwarma, ground chicken, ground beef, lamb, chicken, and beef. All were chargrilled and nicely seasoned. Some were moderately spicy, all were delicious and savory. There were some onions and grilled vegetables included as well, and a heap of fluffy sweet rice. The portion for two was huge; we had plenty for lunch the next day.
Kebab House is a great addition to dining in the Woodlands. If you enjoy grilled meats (and what Texan doesn't?) it is highly recommended.
Kebab House. 18450 I-45 South. Sheanandoah, TX 77384. 936-321-2646. myKebabHouse.com