The Woodlands/Houston Texas

[JRSC00LUDE]

Hey guys, flying out here tomorrow for a week. Work trip for some software training we bought but I have the weekend to kick around.

Hotel is in The Woodlands, what should I do this weekend? I really want to find some kick ass brisket and BBQ in general down there.

Suggestions?

[J-hop]

Woodlands looks like it is pretty far north. I've never been in that area so I don't know any of the places around there but fogo de chao is a favourite. Kind of like boleros in Calgary,. A bit pricey though!

Classic texmex -> pappasitos

[Buster]

Woodlands is basically generic US mcmansion suburbia.

[Nufy]

Find a Taste of Texas restaurant...

Expensive but yummy...

Papa Deux is good for Seafood / Cajun stuff as well.

I know you said BBQ...just offering options.

[ExtraSlow]

Have a family member who spent a total of about eleven months there. Papa Deux was her favourite.

[JRSC00LUDE]

Originally posted by Buster
Woodlands is basically generic US mcmansion suburbia.

That's what it looks like, which sucks but that's where the training is.....

I have a car and the weekend, don't mind taking a bit of a drive.

Nufy, thanks! Any suggestions are welcome.

[lasimmon]

Is Bone Daddy's still around?

Always a good time.

[JohnnySand]

We used to hit "Pit Master BBQ Cafe" for decent lunchtime BBQ.

any of the "Pappas" Chain restaurants are awesome.

my faves:
Mexican - Pappasitos
BBQ - Papa's BBQ
Cajun - Pappadeaux

Guri Do Sul in the Woodlands is a decent alternative for Brazilian steakhouse.

Galveston or Kemah might be cool to check out if you want to see the ocean. Bit of a drive though.

[s dime]

Not BBQ, but check out PeliPeli.

[XylathaneGTR]

Man, I always hit a pappas or pappadeaux when in Houston...side note too: there's a pappadeaux in IAH (Terminal E I think) so you can gorge yourself and then sleep on the plane when you're flying back home.

A few months back, we ventured all the way to the Galleria area to hit a Smith and Wollensky (higher end steakhouse) and it was a really great meal (though you can find that kind of thing here too). Also have enjoyed B&B Butcher's and really enjoyed Uchi for sushi in the past.

I haven't ever opted to stay in Houston on my own time when down there for work...there is all the space centre shit down there, a large funeral/funerary services museum (if you're into that sorta thing), and a lot of live-music bars.

[bjstare]

No idea how much driving you want to do, but I enjoyed Galveston (as Johnny said).

Also, you could spend a day at the Houston space center, when I was there it was awesome.

Lastly, San Antonio is a cool place too, but obviously a bit of a drive as well.

[Illusive 4-2]

I spent 6 months down there with my prior company and stayed around the Galleria area, so a lot of recommendations below are more focused in that area. That and it's been a few years since I've gone down to visit any of these places, but I'd assume if they're still around, they're still good:

Can't go wrong with any of the Pappa's chain of restaurants (Pappasito's for Tex Mex, Pappadeaux for seafood/cajun, etc.). For a more casual Tex Mex my personal favourite was 100% Taquito just off of the Southwest Freeway. El Meson near Rice University is pretty good for Spanish/Cuban food. Niko Niko's for Greek. For a quick fix BBQ in the Galleria area, The Brisket House is pretty good. Brother's Taco House near downtown Houston is really good as well, especially their breakfast tacos. Killen's Steak House in Pearland is a favourite among the locals, I believe they have a BBQ place in Pearland as well too that has quite the following. Cool place to have a few pints in downtown Houston is the Flying Saucer, they have a huge selection of beer. If you want Asian food, check out Belaire Blvd. closer to the big loop, lots of outdoor strip malls for various asian cuisines, all are pretty tasty; There will be a bias towards Vietnamese influence/food. If you like Vietnamese desserts, you can try BAMBU which is just outside of the big loop on Belaire; basically like Chinese bubble tea with Vietnamese ingredients. In that same strip mall, you can also get some beignets at Chez Beignets.

If on the weekend you're willing to do some driving, you could head west towards San Antonio, just east of San Marcos there is a little town called Lockhart. There is a great BBQ place called Smitty's Market; can't go wrong with anything on the menu there.

Tourist things to do are either Galveston or the Houston space center. If you can, catch a Rockets game if they're in town. Shopping used to be good when our dollar was near par, if you wanted to do any of that you can go to the Premium Outlets off of 290 just past Cypress.

Almost forgot, Texans are playing their Wild Card game this weekend, might be able to get a couple of tickets to check that out.

[s_havinga]

I recommend Captain Tom's Seafood and Oysters really neat experience, the restaurant is built into a boat they shuck the oysters right in front of you at the Bar.

Also, if it is crawfish season go out to a bar and have them (bars will have them like wing nights up here)- it's all about the experience.

[BigShow]

^ yup, places full of people coming in for buckets and buckets of crawfish.

Stay away from Treasures.