Ah, Market Square. One of the few areas of Houston where history matters, and where you'll find places that have been the same for decades. On the eastern edge of the square, you'll find the Market Square Bar & Grill, a place that's known for good food as well as strong libations. We'd been here before, years ago, and really enjoyed it.
This trip... not so much.
We were there a bit after 5; prime happy hour time. And it was empty; only one group besides our party. Yet the service was glacially slow - the waitress seemed to be more interested in chatting with the cook than doing her job.
Once we got her attention, we placed our order. And waited longer. A burger and a salad should not take 20 minutes to prepare. Hopefully it'll be worth the wait.
Well, it wasn't.
Something was amiss with the beef; it had a peculiar flavor. I ate about a third of it and decided not to risk gastric disturbance. The side of new potatoes was very good, though. My companion's salad was disappointing as well. Served in a smallish bowl, it only held about a half-bowl of salad. Nothing memorable about it otherwise.
When we asked for our check, the waitress noticed that I'd not eaten much of the burger. She asked if I enjoyed my burger. "No. It was horrible, and the flavor was off." was my reply.
In 90% of cases, the offending item will be removed from the bill. Not at Market Street. Apparently customer satisfaction isn't a major concern; heck, the waitress had to get back to her conversation with the cook, and thankfully doing her job didn't get in the way.
What was good? The room is very nice; it's an old, narrow building, and has a cozy atmosphere. If the food and service improved, it would be a great spot.
Until then... pass.
One of our trusted sources just informed us that Thelma's has reopened. Houston BBQ aficionados can breathe a sigh of relief; some of our city's best BBQ is available once again.
We'd heard outstanding things about the burger at Hubcap Grill, so we dropped by for lunch during the week. We'd seen the tiny little spot, with the outdoor seating area in a converted alley between two buildings, next door to the Alden (nee Sam Houston) Hotel. We parked across the street and went inside.
The place was busy but not packed. We ordered quickly at the counter and got a small surprise: Cash only. It's the 21st century, folks - if you're running a restaurant, get a credit card machine. Fortunately we had a bit of cash on hand, so the potential crisis was averted.
After a short wait, our burgers were delivered. The burger is a third pound beef patty, hand formed and griddled fairly flat. It was topped with a large slice of American cheese, about five strips of bacon, and fresh veggies. The bun was thoroughly toasted.
Our experience differs from most of the other reviews. The beef was fresh and flavorful, but it was cooked well done and was far too dry. The all-important ooze factor was absent. The generous amount of bacon was crisp to a fault; it was hard and crumbly, and the flavor had been cooked out of it.
There is potential for a great burger here, but it's going to require a more deft touch on the grill. We'll probably give Hubcap Grill another shot at some point, but we won't be rushing back.
Thelma's Bar-B-Que, the landmark Houston BBQ spot was seriously damaged over the weekend by fire. They are closed until further notice, and there's no word about when and if Thelma will rebuild and reopen.
We at H-Town Chow Down wish Miss Thelma the best during this difficult time, and look forward to her reopening her legendary establishment.
Robb Walsh gives us the sordid details.