mardi 16 octobre 2018

Exploring Historic And Affordable Mexican Food Houston

By Ronald Martin


While there are many historic sites to visit when visiting Houston, when it comes to food, there is good and bad. Some of the best and most historic and Affordable Mexican Food Houston can be found at Last Concert Cafe. While it can often be a challenge to find, this establishment is full of history while serving some of the best Tex Mex and American food 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.

Mama Lopez opened the first restaurant in the location in 1949. The name of the business came about when Lopez suggested that it would be her last business endeavor. Still, at 62, the restaurant was a success with Mama Lopez operating it well into her 90s. After which, the cafe was purchased by others whom would preserve the past traditions while creating new ones along with turning into a live music venue.

While controversial, the business survived the largest marijuana bust in Houston history in the 1950s. Then, in the 1960s, it provided a home to the Houston gay community. After which, the business was threatened by the construction of Interstate 10E, though it seems Mama Lopez had connections with local city and state officials, so the freeway now runs along side the busy warehouse district rather than through where Last Concert, artist galleries and other businesses sit today.

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 there are still no signs identifying the cafe, the current owners have posted a sign to assure new comers know where to go. As for the knocking, while originally there was no door knob on the door, city officials have declared there has to be one for safety reasons. As such, while some people simply walk in, most regulars still continue the long standing practice of knocking twice on the red door.

Now, under new management, the lot next door left after the house was torn down now provides ample parking where before street parking was the only available option. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the cafe was turned into a live music venue, which hosted a number of house bands. In fact, some of these bands can still be found playing at the cafe on a regular basis or at special events.

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.




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