When looking for good Tex Mex cuisine, one place not to miss is that of Last Concert Cafe. For, the location provides historic and affordable Mexican Food Houston. Now offering a full bar, along with Tex Mex and American options, it is one of the best though lesser known establishments in the area.
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.
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.
The cafe has gone through several changes over the years. In one case, it is now a live music venue offering local and touring bands in the area. In the 1990s and 2000s, the Hightailers provided entertainment playing every Thursday for over 28 years. Whereas, Carolyn Wonderland whom now tours internationally would provide entertainment every Tuesday night through most of the 1990s and early 2000s.
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.
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.
The cafe has gone through several changes over the years. In one case, it is now a live music venue offering local and touring bands in the area. In the 1990s and 2000s, the Hightailers provided entertainment playing every Thursday for over 28 years. Whereas, Carolyn Wonderland whom now tours internationally would provide entertainment every Tuesday night through most of the 1990s and early 2000s.
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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