Convenience Big Store: 🦪 Drama at the oyster pop-up

I miss the feeling of going to a bar after work. At our old 801 Texas Ave. office, we were just a hop and a skip away from the old dives in Downtown, like Warren's and Dean's.

This week, I decided to scratch that itch with a visit to Trash Panda Drinking Club in Near Northside and the newly opened Nickel City in EaDo. I was immediately enamored with the former, especially the "Trashy Meal" special—a frosty beer, a shot and delicious cheeseburger for $10.

I'm still not sure what to make of Nickel City. My visit was a bit glum after watching dejected Astros fans filter into the bar late Wednesday afternoon. I ordered a basket of loaded tots, which ended up being a basket of loaded crinkle-cut fries. It happens. But next time I'll want my tots, darn it.

—John-Henry Perera, Chron food editor

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For Starters

Left to right: Michael Ho, Connie Chan, manager Tina Romero and Joseph Villafranca.

This restaurant made Asian-Latin fusion happen

With fried rice and fried fish, it broke the mold.

Former Houston Texans player J.J. Watt smiles while at pregame prior to inducting him into the Texans Ring of Honor during a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at NRG Stadium on October 01, 2023 in Houston, Texas.

JJ Watt can't stop hyping up Houston eateries

Well, well, well. Look who couldn't find a Shipley in Arizona.

A slice of pepperoni (cupped, of course) at Mountain Mike's Pizza.

Suburbs to get another California pizza chain

They also have that cupped pepperoni that traps grease.

Maria Florencia Mansile of La Argentina Gelato & Coffee in Katy, Texas holds her winning entry at the Gelato Festival World Masters competition in Houston, Texas on April 11, 2024.

Katy gelato maker might just be best in the world

Maria Florencia Mansilla wowed judges at a recent major competition.

Why Winnie's has our favorite chicken wings

If you can clean them off in seconds, you've got a winner.

Star Drug Store's fully restored neon and porcelain sign is one of Galveston's most recognizable logos.

Historic Galveston store swaps drugs for shakes

The lunch counter itself is an incredible piece of history.

Chef Royal 'Tiger' Bellock shucked Gulf oysters from Louisiana ahead of the pop-up opening.

Embattled Oyster Hut founder fires back after recent allegations

The cook behind the grilled-oyster side hustle has severed ties with Houston food businessman Lynn Price. Now, they're talking publicly about the rift.

Last Bite

Here's some other news and notes you might have missed last week:

-- After 133 years and many film cameos, Texas' iconic Cele Store finally closed. You probably saw the Austin-area smokehouse more recently in the Texas Chainsaw Massacre or Transformers.

-- If you've been hanging around Rice Village awhile, you probably already saw Rice University had taken the ol' wreaking ball to The Ginger Man. The pioneering beer bar was around for 30-something-odd years, and was one of the first places to carry Saint Arnold's brews.

-- The Holey Moley Golf Club is opening this Friday in the Greenway Plaza area. These putt-putt places have grown in popularity, but I've always been a bit nervous about businesses mixing alcohol and lightweight metal clubs. Maybe it's time to pick up pickleball.