October 26th, 2010
Sometimes I question whether or not I have gone overboard on the whole artery-clogging burger scene in Houston. Then I remember how tasty hamburgers and their accompanying sides really are and all doubts go away. Either that or I mention my doubts to someone and they slap me back into reality. A friend of mine heard about Bernie’s Burger Bus through Twitter and passed along the details. No need to tell y’all, I was interested; very interested.
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— Stephan
September 28th, 2010
The end of a night at a bar is usually the most painful event of one’s day, not because you drank too much but because you have to settle the tab. It’s an interaction that is usually uncomfortable and sometimes unnecessarily time-consuming, especially if the bar is overly crowded. Don’t fear, my fellow Houstonians, I have a few tips to get you through your check paying ordeal.
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— Stephan
July 19th, 2010
In 7 Words: Open, Desert, Friendly, Local, Blue, Heights, Sand
Starting an afternoon of patio drinking might at first seem a simple feat. But as the decision rests on my shoulders of where to meet for the first leg of beers and verbal powwow, the pressure only intensifies as one o’clock approaches. I’ve always got an idea of what establishment will act as my last for the evening, as I usually close the night with the familiar. I make it a habit to explore the unknown territories before the alcohol and conversation have dulled my wits.
Speaking with friends on the phone, Beer Island comes up as a place none amongst us had experienced. It’s hot. We’re going to sweat no matter which patio is chosen. We may as well opt for an island, real or not. A view on the corner of Studewood and White Oak might not offer rolling waves, but it’ll sure as hell deliver rolling droves of pedestrians and cars for our sociological voyeurism.
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— Richard
August 3rd, 2009
The Regular Scoop digs in, roots extended, Houston’s lush landscape providing all the nourishment needed.
This week or the next: Sherlock Holmes and The Crucifer of Blood, George Strait, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, Pleasant Hill Winery Grape Crush (Last Weekend), Rick Marcel, The Health Museum, Texas Hold’em and Steamed Oysters, Huckleberry Finn, Osmanli Cumheriyeti and Universoul Circus
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— Richard
July 29th, 2009
In 7 Words: Guinness, Parking, Subtle, Pop-rock, Pub, Patio, Fáilte
Washington Avenue has been undergoing the transition to the new “it” spot in Houston for the party-people. Every block a new structure has sprung up announcing itself in glitzy flashing lights and a line around the corner. Some have chosen to overhaul the old, buying out the established but decaying scene in an attempt to break into the market. The Dubliner is one such bar, choosing to sneak onto Washington without the confetti and fireworks.
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— Paul
July 27th, 2009
The Fairly Regular Scoop Becomes a Regular, we’ve got our favorite table and the waiter knows our name.
This week or the next: Ian Moore, Houston Roller Derby, Tuna Does Vegas, Houston Texans Training Camp, Pleasant Hill Winery Grape Crush, Bob Schneider and White Linen
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— Richard
July 21st, 2009
In 8 Words: Hand-Crafted, Sazerac, Rye, Hemingway, Concoction, Traditionalist, Exposed, Temple
Rarely does a bar open in Houston that falls completely outside my paradigm. When we began preparing for The Loop Scoop experiment, we cast a wide net in regards to bar types. Even with 20 classifications, I feared that I had not cast a wide enough net. Upon arrival at Anvil, I immediately knew that my fears were true. In order to truly appreciate the place, I give you one piece of advice: forget everything you ever thought you knew about bars. Accepting that little nugget is integral to your understanding of the experience at Anvil – Bar & Refuge.
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— Paul
July 20th, 2009
It would seem that in this instantly-updating-randomly-informing-internet age, that figuring out what to do in Houston, would be simple. Sadly, it’s not, believe us, as we’ve perused, glanced, sniffed and combed the thousands of things to experience in our great city, we’re overwhelmed almost to the point of not choosing any at all. So in an effort to keep our overly excited brains sane and our hunger for Houston satiated, here’s a handful or Scoop of things we found interesting. We left many things out, but seeing as how we are a two man show at this point, bear with us. If you have something to add, make a case for it in a comment or become a contributor.
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— Richard
July 14th, 2009
In 9 Words: Neighbor, Eclectic, Midtown, Redneck, Sleek, Dark, Chalk, Cozy, Tequila
Navigating to the Community Bar is easy enough because it is the only open establishment on Smith between the hustle of Pub Fiction and bustle of Westheimer/Elgin (at 9 pm anyway; yes, Paul and I are early for bar standards). The music and bright-white marquee target our two dominant senses as we saunter closer toward the welcoming deck adjoined to the front of the small building. Upon walking in, we are greeted by engaging chalk illustrations informing us of the beer options, specials and multiple messages (drunk scratch, words of wisdom, a clever joke) that any member of this community might have written for the public’s view.
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— Richard
March 13th, 2009
In 21 Words: Lush, Reputation, Houston, Humid, Young, Old, Delicious, Fun, Large, Culture, Howdy, South, Southwest, Cajun, Ivy, Cowboys, Cowgirls, Belles, Zoning, Energy, Soul
Reader,
First of all, welcome. We’re glad you made it. We’ve been expecting you.
Secondly, let us give you a little bit of background on this humble venture. The Loop Scoop started as a road trip day dream. Trips the length of that between Pascagoula Mississippi and Houston Texas make it easy to drift off to grand thoughts and lofty goals. A conversation with a college friend who was planning on launching a grassroots Austin PR-like website was the inspiration for eight hours of brainstorming. The only result up until now was a hefty speeding ticket.
Our fair city is in need of such a “grassroots PR website.” You see, Houston, in our humble opinion, gets something of a bad rap. Too many people want the Bayou City to be Austin, Dallas or San Antonio. Houston is Houston. It deserves it’s own identity, good reputation and a fair shake. It’s as plain as that.
The goal is simple yet daunting: Reinvent the Houston experience. The Loop Scoop is not your typical review, report and rank website. It is a brand new tour of the city. Our commitment is to bring you a vision of Houston that you have been searching for, never knew existed or forgotten about. We hope to generate some positive interest in everything unique that Houston has to offer.
One Coffee Shop, Bar/Club, Restaurant, Boutique, Art Gallery and Music Venue at a time, we will tackle Houston’s treasures as a first-time witness. As we begin our adventure we will follow a modest motto: “We don’t have a reputation, but Houston should have a good one.”
We look forward to your comments, suggestions and opinions along the way. Email us: Richard@TheLoopScoop.com or Paul@TheLoopScoop.com
Join us on our journey,
— Paul
