“Mamma Mia!” is an Italian expression that basically means “wow.” And while you are unlikely to hear Italian spoken along the Bellaire Boulevard corridor of Asian businesses, it has a ‘Mama Mia” — with one less “m” — that offers its own kind of wow. Sugar is usually in boba tea, bubble tea and milk [...]
The Bicentennial year of 1976 brought about increased interest in history from the national all the way down to the hyperlocal, and perhaps it was that spirit that motivated a group of Hastings High School students to make this film on the story of Alief’s past. Along the way, they captured a present that now [...]
The recent grand opening of Maika’i Hawaiian BBQ House in Chinatown brings the total to three Houston-area locations for this outpost of cuisine from the former Sandwich Islands, with others in Katy and the Jersey Village area. In a way, barbecue is a bit of a feint. Just as most Louisiana-themed restaurants beyond that state’s [...]
By Christina Autry Houston Mural Map is a project that has brought nationwide attention to local artists. Having launched this July, this online resource provides an opportunity for locals and visitors to discover our city while still maintain social distancing. The website currently features an interactive map of almost 1,000 mural locations, crediting the artists [...]
Since 2001, egg rolls made right here in the International District are being purchased all over the country. According to their website, Saigon Eggrolls are the nation's only USDA-inspected authentic hand-rolled Vietnamese egg rolls, made fresh daily using local ingredients in Houston. “There is no secret to why Saigon Eggrolls tastes so good…we believe that [...]
Talk about an urban legend in every sense of both words. Beginning in late 1982 and reaching a crescendo of panic and hysteria in the Spring of 1983, elementary and middle-school playgrounds, classrooms, cafeterias from Alief all the way to Aldine were gripped with dread. Even the tough kids were scared, one former HISD pupil [...]
One thing I’ve discovered in decades of eating out -- if a restaurant has a specialty, that is what you should order at the restaurant. Yes, there are exceptions to that rule -- some barbecue joints sling a mean burger, for example, but in general, you want to stick to what the restaurant itself believes [...]
by Dorothy Puch Lillig On social media from the other side of the planet, TeaTalk Vietnam recently boasted about a “new masterpiece” that had just landed at the tea room located in Biên Hòa. Well, we’re here to “spill the tea” on this “bear-y” cute creation. The jelly teddy bear drink topping in milk tea [...]
By Christina Autry The Alief YMCA in the International District has become home to a new masterfully painted mural by prominent artist and Alief native, Lee Washington. UP Art Studios has teamed up with five Houston artists to create 2020 Census-themed murals in strategically located neighborhoods. Washington has created many iconic murals in the Houston [...]
In normal times, August is the time we dare to start dreaming about some hint of relief from the heat in a few weeks and anticipating the arrival of football games that count in the standings. But these are not normal times, and this is Alief / Houston, Texas, so it’s still hot as blazes [...]
