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.
For those interested in living legacies, the cafe definitely fits this description. For, there has long been a legend that once upon a time either the building which houses the cafe, or the house next door served as a bordello. While the house which sat next door to the cafe has now been torn down, a number of patrons often wondered while a house would host eight bedrooms, one bath and no kitchen. As such, rumors spread that the house was most likely the bordello.
It was not until 1949 that Last Concert Cafe was opened as a restaurant. At that time, a 62 year old woman known as Mama Lopez purchased the business. The name came from a statement Lopez made stating that the restaurant would be her last endeavor. After which, Mama Lopez lived a long life and operated the business well into the 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.
With the varied history of the business, there are also some long standing traditions which are still in effect today. One of the longest is that patrons have to knock on the front door in order to gain admittance, often thought carried over from the time it was a bordello. In fact, there was no door knob on the outside door. Although, due to safety concerns that changed over time. At the same time, long standing regulars and those aware of the tradition still often knock to gain admittance.
While originally there was no door knob on the outside door, local authorities insisted the cafe needed to add one for safety reasons. Still, regular patrons and those in the know still knock twice to gain entry. While most find the cafe easily enough by street number, it should be noted that another tradition is that the cafe has no signage anywhere on the building.
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.
Like knocking on the door or the absence of signage, there are newer traditions which have been added. Some of these include, the annual Watermelon Festival which occurs in July, the annual Halloween show and costume contest on Halloween and what is considered one of the best New Years Eve parties in the area.
For those interested in living legacies, the cafe definitely fits this description. For, there has long been a legend that once upon a time either the building which houses the cafe, or the house next door served as a bordello. While the house which sat next door to the cafe has now been torn down, a number of patrons often wondered while a house would host eight bedrooms, one bath and no kitchen. As such, rumors spread that the house was most likely the bordello.
It was not until 1949 that Last Concert Cafe was opened as a restaurant. At that time, a 62 year old woman known as Mama Lopez purchased the business. The name came from a statement Lopez made stating that the restaurant would be her last endeavor. After which, Mama Lopez lived a long life and operated the business well into the 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.
With the varied history of the business, there are also some long standing traditions which are still in effect today. One of the longest is that patrons have to knock on the front door in order to gain admittance, often thought carried over from the time it was a bordello. In fact, there was no door knob on the outside door. Although, due to safety concerns that changed over time. At the same time, long standing regulars and those aware of the tradition still often knock to gain admittance.
While originally there was no door knob on the outside door, local authorities insisted the cafe needed to add one for safety reasons. Still, regular patrons and those in the know still knock twice to gain entry. While most find the cafe easily enough by street number, it should be noted that another tradition is that the cafe has no signage anywhere on the building.
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.
Like knocking on the door or the absence of signage, there are newer traditions which have been added. Some of these include, the annual Watermelon Festival which occurs in July, the annual Halloween show and costume contest on Halloween and what is considered one of the best New Years Eve parties in the area.
About the Author:
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.
