Houston's top picks for barbecue

Houston's top picks for barbecue

You simply cannot visit Texas and not try the barbecue. Lucky for you, Houston has really stepped up its game in recent years. After years of being overshadowed by Hill Country power smokers like Franklin, Mueller and Snow’s, Houston’s pitmasters are serving up notable briskets, ribs and sausage. Here are some barbecue joints we recommend.





The Brisket House: This Galleria-area barbecue joint is owned by pitmaster Wayne Kammerl, who pays tribute to his alma mater with the “Aggie Special.” It’s your pick of meats served on butcher paper along with a chunk of cheddar cheese, a whole pickle, half an onion and bread. And, yes, it’s delicious. 5775 Woodway, 281-888-0331,thebriskethouse.com.


CorkScrew BBQ: This joint (actually it’s a mobile kitchen with covered seating) serves some of the best brisket in the state. The smoked turkey and pulled pork are solid, too. Go early as pitmaster Will Buckman runs out of barbecue before 4 p.m. most days. 24930 Budde, Spring, 281-330-2178, corkscrewbbq.com.


Gatlin’s BBQ: This small, family-run Heights spot sometimes has a hard time keeping up with demand for its tender brisket. Be patient. It’s worth the wait. 1221 W. 19th, 281-804-4555, gatlinsbbq.com.


Goode Co. BBQ: Jim Goode’s sliced brisket sandwich on house-made jalapeño-cheese bread is a modern barbecue classic. Just about everything else in this Texabilia-crammed neo-joint upholds the state’s honor, too: Czech sausage, duck, turkey and decadent pecan pie. (Bought whole, this pie makes one of Houston’s best souvenirs.) 5109 Kirby, 713-522-2530; 8911I-10 E., 713 464-1901, goodecompany.com.


Fainmous BBQ: Knoxville-born Jamie Fain is eager to school Texans in Tennessee-style barbecue. His pulled pork with house-made slaw is killer. 10400 S. Post Oak, 713-728-9663, fainmousque.com.


Killen’s Barbecue: Known for his eponymous steakhouse, Le Cordon Bleu-trained Ronnie Killen began his barbecue business in earnest about 18 months ago. It didn’t take him long to find the perfect balance of smoke in his fatty brisket and monster ribs. Long lines aren’t unusual at this Pearland restaurant that is housed in a former school cafeteria. Don’t miss the creamed corn. 3613 E. Broadway, Pearland, 281-485-2272, killensbarbecue.com.


Lenox Barbecue & Catering: Pitmaster Erick Mrok took over this barbecue joint 16 years ago, but his pits have been turning out terrific brisket since 1946. It’s take-out (and delivery) only these days, and you have to enter through the kitchen, but that doesn’t deter fans. Try the jalapeño/cheese links and charro beans. 5420 Harrisburg, 713-926-2649,lenoxbbqcatering.com.






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Comicpalooza 2014 is in full swing

Comicpalooza 2014 is officially here. Consider it the mecca, a pilgrimage if you will, of comic book and fantasy enthusiasts from around the world. From May 23-26, stars and fans alike will take over the George R. Brown Convention Center in downtown Houston in all their costumed glory.

Topping the guest list is Stan Lee, who is practically the godfather of the modern comic book world. He created nearly every major Marvel comic book character in the past 40 years, including ‘Spider-Man’ and ‘Fantastic Four.’ Many TV stars, including the Incredible Hulk himself, will also be on hand. Check out the entire celebrity lineup here.

New on the agenda this year is the Science Faction series. The brightest minds in the space industry, including NASA astronaut Stan Love and NASA scientist Sue Lederer, will discuss everything from aliens to pioneering space colonies.

The George R. Brown Convention Center is located at 1001 Avenida de las Americas. The convention will be open Friday-Sunday 9 a.m.-2 a.m.; Monday’s hours are 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Single-day passes range $20-$35 for adults and $10-12 for children 6-12. Four-day passes range $55-$300 for adults and $12-18 for children 6-12.

For more information, visit comicpalooza.com.

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Spooky looking Houston mansion has found a buyer

Spooky looking Houston mansion has found a buyer


How hot is the Houston real estate market? An unfinished Houston mansion that looks like something out of a Tim Burton movie has reportedly been sold for nearly double the asking price.
When it went back on the market a couple of months back, the goth-friendly mansion was the toast of social media. It was a dream home of sorts for those with a spooky side, and if they had $150,000 to spend.
According to the Houston Area Realty site's sale report available online, it sold for between $250,00 and $285,000. Neither Realtor Alfonso Parodi nor new owner Nick Ugarov would disclose the exact sale price, but Ugarov said Tuesday that he was the 17th person to make an offer on the house.
The house is located at 2309 Wichita, just east of Texas 288 near Dowling St., and was scooped up by Deutsche Bank following the 2011 death of its owner, who never completed a 31-year renovation and expansion project.
"I probably paid too much because I wanted it so badly," he laughed.

Original Article

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Crescent hires GC to break ground on downtown tower this summer

Crescent hires GC to break ground on downtown tower this summer


Crescent Real Estate Holdings has finalized an agreement with Balfour Beatty Construction to build 6 Houston Center, a $250 million, 30-story office tower on the east side of downtown. The property is expected to break ground this summer.

The 600,000-square-foot building will have 10- to 12-foot ceiling heights, a concierge floor, rooftop gardens, a fitness and conference center, a nine-level parking garage, and a skybridge connection to 1 Houston Center/LyondellBasell Tower. Crescent announced the building in February. HKS Architects is designing the building to attain LEED Gold certification through the U.S. Green Building Council.

The tower, which is expected to open by the end of 2016,  site is bounded by Rusk, Caroline, Walker and San Jacinto streets. Chrissy Wilson of Jones Lang LaSalle is leasing the space, but no tenants have been announced.

Crescent has said it is prepared to break ground on the building regardless of whether it has found a tenant. If it does, it will be the second downtown tower to break ground on a speculative basis. Hines is building a more than 1-million-square-foot tower at the corner of Texas and Main.

Rents in 6 Houston Center are expected to range between $34 and $37 per square foot per year.

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Three-story glass house is paradise on the lake

 

Three-story glass house is paradise on the lake

Talk about the perfect summer getaway.  This awesome triple-decker lake house is located on a 24-acre retreat in Round Top, situated between Houston and Austin.

The beautiful house has living and eating areas on the first two floors while the master suite takes up the entire third floor with wall-to-wall views of the serene surroundings.

In addition to kicking back and relaxing in the beautiful home, you can spend your time swimming in the pool with waterfall, boating or fishing in the 4-acre stocked lake, practicing your aim from the skeet shooting house, relaxing around the outdoor firepit, or riding around the property in the accompanying utility vehicle.

The $5.3 million asking price is steep, but includes the awesome house, furniture, skeet shooting equipment, utility vehicle, and beautiful acreage.

If you're in the market for something a little closer to Houston, you can search for local homes in any price range here.

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