5 Good Places To Eat In The Texas Medical Center

Here is a look at some Midtown Houston restaurants where you can eat good while in the Texas Medical Center. We wanted to share these places with you, so the next time, hunger strikes while visiting or working in the TMC you will have a handy guide to use.

Recently while visiting a sick relative I took time out to do a little snooping to see whats to eat near the Hermann hospital complex. I was really surprised to find eating places everywhere I turned. They are on just about every floor and they have some really expansive variety of cuisines for diners to choose from.



The restaurants in and around Hermann Hospital are obviously designed with convenience in mind. The first dinning opportunities are along the walk way as soon as you exit the elevators leading from the parking garage, A couple of the eateries in that area are: Briochee doree and au bon pain, however both are closed on Sunday.

One of the places that is open on Sunday’s, where they serve up plenty of goodies is the Cafe Hermann. Its layout was very customer-friendly. It is as excellent use of space, with multiple serving areas spread around the entire room, instead of an old-school cafeteria style line, moving pass a steam table.

There was a nook containing a sandwich bar and across the way from there another area full of fresh veggies and a well stocked salad and dessert bars beckon you as you head toward the checkout line.

5 Good Places To Eat In The Texas Medical Center

Rising Roll
au bon pain cafe
Cafe Hermann
Brioche Doree
Starbucks

I drifted through several floors of the facility while on the hunt for something to eat. I eventually wandered into ye old standby, a vending area. It held the traditional soft drink machine and a line of snack machines filled with enough snacks to make a healthy heart stop pumping.

Quality Restaurants

If you’re like my mother, you will be able get a good sense of the dinning experience from the outside of most restaurants. Trash on the floor and tables that are allowed to sit full of dirty dishes, says plenty about the quality of the overall experience at food establishments. Poor cleanliness habits are symbiotic with bad restaurants the world over.

These are just some of the good places to eat in the Texas Medical Center we plan to bring you more about the fine restaurants in the TMC area so you can always find something that will soothe your hunger when you’re in and around Midtown Houston.

You can find plenty of restaurants in and around Hermann and the other hospitals to tide one over during any visit or doctors appointment in the Texas Medical Center. Be ware of the confusing directional signs in the buildings. I was reluctant to venture very far from the elevator for fear of being lost in a time warp.

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Where To Grab A Quick Meal Near Texas Medical Center

The next time you are in a hurry and in need of a restaurant where you can grab a bite to eat without a long wait, near the Texas Medical Center in Houston, you may want to check out these 4 places that are gaining a reputation for good food, served fast.





Cafe Express
Bodegas Taco Shop and Tequila Bar:
Charlie's Deli
Park Plaza Sandwich Shop

Fast service should never mean that you have to sacrifice quality, flavor or freshness. In the restaurant industry that means, that you don’t want to pay hard earned money for some warmed over frozen food that's been put into a micro wave to speed up the delivery time.
We have tried a few places around town that will remain nameless where they proudly serve you micro-waved food without hiding that fact.

We want to point out these 4 restaurants in Midtown Houston, because they not only serve good food, but work hard to create an exceptional dinning experience. I’m not talking about a hoity-toity style, but the kind of eatery where you can let your hair down, talk loud at the TV and relax comfortably after work or waiting which is a lot harder than working for most of us.

Bodegas Taco Shop and Tequila Bar
1200 Binz #160

Bodegas which is what small grocery stores that are sometimes combined with a wine shops in Hispanic communities are commonly called, lives up to its name.
They serve their version of taco soup and their menu highlights or a pizza and wine special.

If you have a group of hungry people in tow, you can get their wing platter that’s served with a pitcher of beer. Need to find more about their menu check online, at Bodegas Taco Shop.

Charlies Deli
1200 Binz Street

Not enough information available.

Cafe Express
MFA-Houston

If you are planning a trip and you are in or near the Houston Museum District the place to enjoy a quick bite to eat is at Cafe Express. It’s inside on the lower level of the Audrey Jones Beck Building at the MFA-Houston.

Cafe Express is noted for freshly prepared Southwestern cuisine with an artistic twist. You can get breakfast, a boxed meal or trays by visiting them or calling ahead.
They are open all week and 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. and on weekends.

On weekends is they team up with the Museum of fine arts to provide a discount on dinner and a movie. All you have to do is arrive at the box office early enough before the film screening to dine, and ask about the film and food coupon for Cafe Express when you get your ticket.

The film box office opens about an hour before the films begin. . Click here to see the current MFAH film schedule.

Park Plaza Sandwich Shop
1213 Hermann Drive

Being located on Hermann Drive places this eatery smack dab in the heart of the medical center in Houston. There isn’t a website available at this time but you can find dozens of reviews online about this Midtown Houston dinning establishment.

They are listed in the top 10 restaurants in the Museum district by Urban spoon reviewers and Google maps show them on the ground floor of the Park Plaza Hospital building.

The wonderful part about these restaurants near the Texas Medical Center is that they all have varied menus full of tasty treats. The service and the food should match your expectations for quality Southern dinning.

Best of all is that all of these restaurants offer something for every taste bud and they serve many of the local favorites like subs and soups, burger's and fries.

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The 12 Dishes Of Christmas

Take a look at these 12 eclectic dishes that are being served on Christmas day at restaurants in and around Midtown Houston. We made sure you won’t be stuck just eating turkey and dressing. Some of the restaurants that are open will be serving seafood, South Asian cuisines and heaping helpings of beef in various forms.

We have a tip on where vegans and vegetarians who want to take a break from their culinary chores can find a suitable Christmas dinner in Houston that will please their palate.

Here’s the list of the places where you can dine on Christmas Day 2010 in Houston.

House of Blues
17 Restaurant
Whole Foods Market
Lancaster Hotel
Omni Hotel Houston
Ruth's Chris Steak House
Vic and Anthony’s
Kiran's Indian restaurant in Highland Village
Cleburne Cafeteria
The Moghul’s Restaurant and M Lounge
Daily Grill
McCormick & Schmick’s.

Continue below to see some of the details about the dinner menus that are being prepared for those smart enough to enjoy Christmas day and let someone else do the cooking.

House of Blues

To get a good meal without straying to far from Midtown Houston we need go no further than the Downtown District’s foot-stomping palace, the House of Blues. Their menu will include turkey cooked in 3 classic Southern cooking styles fried, smoked and roasted.

17 Restaurant

Christmas Eve or Christmas Day when she can be treated to 17 Restaurant's delicious specialties such as milk roasted veal breast and a chocolate decadent tart! Their hours on Christmas Eve are from 3 - 9 pm and on Christmas Day 11:30 am - 9 pm, and with a reasonably pre- fixed menu for both days around $55 per person.

Whole Foods Market

A prime-rib dinner includes roasted Brussels sprouts, Parmesan asparagus and garlic mashed potatoes for $179.99 for 6-8 guests. A vegan dinner includes field roast, mashed potatoes, butternut squash, vegetables, and gravy for $14.99 per person. A la carte options include sushi, pies and gravy, among others. Call any location.

Lancaster Hotel

Rated one of the best places to stay in the world by Conde Naste Condé Nast Traveler Magazine the Lancaster is also a place to get your eat on Christmas Day. The dinning experience is intimate and charming with a not so traditional holiday menu that boast a scrumptious meal of Fennel & Garlic Crusted Pork Loin, Shrimp, Mussels & Calamar.

Omni Hotel Houston

You can treat yourself are a fab yuletide meal at NOÉ the Omni Houston signature restaurant and bar. You can take spend some of your down time during the holiday at their other popular gathering places, the Black Swan , its hip urban bar and Café on the Green a Texas-style American Bistro offering breakfast and lunch.

This year the fare includes a lavish array of food stations. Champagne Station: Meat Carving Station ect. where you can choose from sugar glazed Ham, Prime Rib or that classic red meat, Beef with Horseradish Sauce and Au Jus.

Ruth's Chris Steak House

Centrally located in the heart of Houston between on Richmond Avenue. This
Houston favorite is keeping the doors open for Christmas Day for their loyal followers who want good food done great. You can check the website for the menu or stop by from 4:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. December 25th.

Vic and Anthony’s

Too busy to cook? Head downtown for a holiday meal at Vic and Anthony’s. The menu, straight up BEEF, Filet Mignon, Prime Strip, and Prime Ribeye. The crowd for this distinctive dinning experience should be sparse so you won’t have a long wait.


Kiran's

This Indian restaurant in Highland Village is one of the places to find something other than Turkey and dressing. You taste buds will be delighted with these mouthwatering dishes.

Tandoori Chicken served with Daal & Onion Kulcha
Lamb & Chicken kebabs served with Daal & Onion Kulcha
Lamb Tenderloin Tandoori Quail Served with Mushroom Biryani & Naan


Cleburne Cafeteria

One of Houston's best known dining establishments that keep its doors open on Dec. 25. is Cleburne Cafeteria. It has provide a generation of Houston residents and visitors with fresh ingredients and home-style meals.
Some of the staples on their menu are Baked Ham, Turkey & Dressing, Honey Lime Chicken Breast with Rice & Mango Salsa,

The Moghul’s Restaurant and M Lounge

The Moghul’s Restaurant has opened up in time for the holiday. It’ll be open for Christmas day for those that prefer to celebrate the day with South Asian cuisine. If you are a lover of Pakistan and Indian food. You can have dinner al a carte, from a menu that includes Leg of Lamb, Lamb Chops, grilled meats and fish from a tandoori oven or charcoal grill.

Daily Grill


Christmas Day Reservations
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Come Join Us Again On Christmas Day As We Serve Turkey And Prime Rib Chef's Specials. We Are Open Regular Hours.

Casarez Restaurante

This CreoleMex restaurant is technically closed on Christmas -- except to those regulars who sign-up for Christmas dinner. Then they'll feed you their brand of Creole Tex Mex for free.
Before you sign-up for the meal, stop in 807 Edgebrook Drive to try the gushed-about fajitas, the enchiladas verde or the blackened pork chops.

McCormick & Schmick’s.

Seafood trio, shrimp Lump meat crab cake and grilled Salmon and herb crusted Prime Rib will be served from 11 to 9 pm.

This is just a sampling of some of the many restaurants that are serving dinner on Christmas in Houston. We did not try to make this a comprehensive list we didn't touch on the soul food restaurants in Houston that are open, because there aren’t that may people who are probably searching for places to eat.

We want to take a few minutes to wish you Happy Holiday’s and a prosperous New Year and thanks for reading the Midtown Restaurant and Entertainment guide.

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Midtown Houston Restaurants

Several Midtown Houston Restaurants were visited by the City of Houston's health department inspectors in April. They were out and about doing their regular inspections alongwith a few unannounced visits. Thank God, the city's inspectors weren't able to find any life threatening violations in the local eateries.
Just the usual stuff, hair nets, food handling and poor lighting violations. Here some of the places mentioned in the April food establishment report.
HUNG BURGERS AND MORE
LA DOLCE VITA CAFE
SKYLINE DELI
TASTI D LITE
MINUTE MAID PARK

New $.99 Cents Barbecue Sandwich

I'm sure the mini-chopped barbecue beef sandwiches are usually pretty good. I won't embarrass the eatery by naming them, but I will add they have a nifty looking little sandwich for under a buck.

I had an unbelievable experience when I stopped in the Midtown Houston's barbecue restaurant selling these delightful treats. What was unbelievable, was the way the management acted. It ended up tainting my tastebuds.

What really got me perturbed about the place was how the guy who was managing that day, openly lorded over the waitstaff.

The poor young lady who was trying to finish her shift and go home, was chastised by her boss rather loudly. His tone and remark "I didn't get money", sounded more like a pimp than a manager. He was all over the poor waitress like white on rice about the money for two orders, a couple of guys had made and were sitting in the corner checking out the NCAA playoffs.

She explained that she hadn't collected the money. Obviously, the Midtown Houston Restaurant doesn't have a pay when you order policy posted. If they do, he should have simply reminded her that no orders are prepared until he receives the money.

Let me get off the soap box, and mention they've always had some pretty good barbecue in the past, but the terrible decorum spoiled a good meal for me.

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Unique Museums In and Around Houston

The list of wild and crasy places to vist in Houston is immense and it includes some very unique museums in Houston. We started compiling this list that also includes some of the local community theaters.

LOCAL MUSEUMS		CONTACT INFORMATION
The Buffalo Soldiers Museum		www.buffalosoldiermuseum.com Monday - Friday: 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.Saturday: 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Admission: $2.00 per person.The BSNM is also available for hosting meetings, socials and other events

LOCAL MUSEUMS		CONTACT INFORMATION
The Weather Museum		www.wxreasearch.org The John C. Freeman Weather Museum, the first and only museum of its kind in the nation, opened its doors in April of 2006 in the Houston Museum District to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers.

LOCAL MUSEUMS		CONTACT INFORMATION
The Houston Fire Museum		www.houstonfiremuseum.org The Fire Museum is available for special events, guided tours or throw a birthday party. Either way, it will be loads of fun and a great way to see an integral part of Houston history.

LOCAL MUSEUMS		CONTACT INFORMATION
The Museum of Printing History		www.printingmuseum.org A stunning collection of objects and artifacts devoted to the history, science, and art of printing. A trip to the Museum concludes with the observation that "printed text may be taken for granted these days, but a visit to the Museum of Printing History somehow makes it seem magical once again." The Museum of Printing History 1324 W Clay Street, Houston, TX, 77019 Tel: 713 522 4652 · Fax: 713 522 5694

LOCAL MUSEUMS		CONTACT INFORMATION
The National Museum of Funeral History		www.nmfh.org The National Museum of Funeral History offers tours Monday through Friday from 10 am till 2:30pm. The hour-long tours cover most of the artifacts in the Museum as well as little known facts of our Funeral Heritage. The tours are conducted by trained professionals who will answer any question you may have about our Funeral Heritage. The National Museum of Funeral History 415 Barren Springs Drive Houston, TX 77090

LOCAL MUSEUMS		CONTACT INFORMATION
The Art Car Museum		www.artcarmuseum.com The Art Car museum or the "Garage Mahal" as it is fondly called celebrates the spirit of the post modern automobile. Individual artist have melded their pop culture influences with their passion for driving to create the masterpieces that have been collected by the museum. The focus of the exhibitions goes beyond simply art cars and includes other fine arts and artist that seldom get attention in mainstream cultural forums. Open Wednesday - Sunday 11:00a.m. - 6:00p.m. 140 Heights Blvd. Houston, TX 77007 to schedule a tour call:tel: (713) 861 - 5526

LOCAL MUSEUMS		CONTACT INFORMATION
1940 Air Terminal Museum		www.1940airterminalmuseum.org The 1940 Air Terminal Museum is open to the public: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday The Museum is closed on Mondays. General admission is $2.00 for adults and $1.00 for children. Free admission for members of the United States military, law enforcement, firefighters, and their families.

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