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.
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.
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 somewhat interesting yet tainted history of the business, there are also some rather fun traditions which have carried over from owner to owner. These include, knocking on the red door twice for entry and having no sign on the building with regards to name or service. In most cases, it is believed that both these traditions date back to the time the business was believed to have been an operating bordello.
Another tradition is the lack of signage on the building. While there has been a sign posted down the street to assure new customers are on the right track, the owners still refuse to post a sign on the building in order to keep with these long standing traditions.
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.
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.
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 somewhat interesting yet tainted history of the business, there are also some rather fun traditions which have carried over from owner to owner. These include, knocking on the red door twice for entry and having no sign on the building with regards to name or service. In most cases, it is believed that both these traditions date back to the time the business was believed to have been an operating bordello.
Another tradition is the lack of signage on the building. While there has been a sign posted down the street to assure new customers are on the right track, the owners still refuse to post a sign on the building in order to keep with these long standing traditions.
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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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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