Will The Woodlands ever get rid of all the chain restaurants? (Houston: houses, schools)

[islandgirl98]

I recently moved to The Woodlands and have found a serious lack of small, family owned restaurants. It seems as though all there is here are the chains...either Landry's or Pappas owned. I would think a supposedly upscale community would offer more unique, family owned restaurants. I'm craving some good Italian or fresh seafood. Sure, I hear there are lots of great restaurants in "the city", but who wants to drive an hour just for dinner? For a town with such a diverse population the restaurants doesn't seem to reflect it. Where are the good Italian restaurants? Seafood? BBQ?

[HtownLove]

Originally Posted by islandgirl98

I recently moved to The Woodlands and have found a serious lack of small, family owned restaurants. It seems as though all there is here are the chains...either Landry's or Pappas owned. I would think a supposedly upscale community would offer more unique, family owned restaurants. I'm craving some good Italian or fresh seafood. Sure, I hear there are lots of great restaurants in "the city", but who wants to drive an hour just for dinner? For a town with such a diverse population the restaurants doesn't seem to reflect it. Where are the good Italian restaurants? Seafood? BBQ?

since when is woodlands a town?

[islandgirl98]

town, township, community...what's the difference?

[HoustonBornNRaised]

Originally Posted by islandgirl98

town, township, community...what's the difference?

None.

For the life of me, I can't remember the name, but on the other side of I45 from the Woodlands, there is a pretty good Italian restaurant. It's in the same strip center as the Office Depot, I believe. If not right by that, then it's close.

I know that all sounds vague. If the name comes to me, I'll post it. I've eaten there a couple of times and it was pretty good.

[14Bricks]

Originally Posted by islandgirl98

I recently moved to The Woodlands and have found a serious lack of small, family owned restaurants. It seems as though all there is here are the chains...either Landry's or Pappas owned. I would think a supposedly upscale community would offer more unique, family owned restaurants. I'm craving some good Italian or fresh seafood. Sure, I hear there are lots of great restaurants in "the city", but who wants to drive an hour just for dinner? For a town with such a diverse population the restaurants doesn't seem to reflect it. Where are the good Italian restaurants? Seafood? BBQ?

You live way out in the suburbs, what do you expect? You want good non-chain restaurants, you have to drive into the city. And I'm pretty sure all suburbs across the country are full of chain restaurants. So it's not just Houston.

[islandgirl98]

HoustonBornNRaised,thank you for your suggestion. I will look into it.

[islandgirl98]

Originally Posted by 14Bricks

You live way out in the suburbs, what do you expect? You want good non-chain restaurants, you have to drive into the city. And I'm pretty sure all suburbs across the country are full of chain restaurants. So it's not just Houston.

Ummm....no, that's not the case in all suburbs. I've lived in several cities where the suburbs had some wonderful small, family-owned restaurants. The owners were actively involved in their communities, supported the schools, little league, etc. Sure there were the occasional chain, but we had more variety with the smaller restaurants. I have friends/neighbors who have lived in other areas of the country and they, too, tend to say this area is unique by NOT having the small mom and pop restaurants.

[HoustonBornNRaised]

Y'all make it sound like The Woodlands is some backwoods hillbilly town, of about 200 houses.

Just because it isn't in Houston, doesn't mean it can't be family-owned and good.

[HoustonBornNRaised]

Originally Posted by islandgirl98

Ummm....no, that's not the case in all suburbs. I've lived in several cities where the suburbs had some wonderful small, family-owned restaurants. The owners were actively involved in their communities, supported the schools, little league, etc. Sure there were the occasional chain, but we had more variety with the smaller restaurants. I have friends/neighbors who have lived in other areas of the country and they, too, tend to say this area is unique by NOT having the small mom and pop restaurants.

They're out there.

My brain is shot right now, but there was a write-up about a Tomball restaurant run by a man who won one of those cooking shows on Food Network. I believe his mother runs the place. It's off of Main Street (2920). Of course, I can't remember its name.

So even hicksville Tomball can get a good, family-owned restaurant.

ETA: I believe the place has since been reopened by his mother. I believe that's what the article was about. I could be mistaken though. This is the place:

http://eatmehouston.com/2011/08/07/bootsies-cafe.aspx

[RCH99]

Originally Posted by HoustonBornNRaised

For the life of me, I can't remember the name, but on the other side of I45 from the Woodlands, there is a pretty good Italian restaurant. It's in the same strip center as the Office Depot, I believe. If not right by that, then it's close.

Pallotta's