Knew a few Pappas guys in high school, and a friend is one of the main managers now. From what I remember them telling me - EVERYTHING used in their business is internal. They have their own architects, designers, napkin makers, suppliers, etc. They are businessmen who just happen to be restauranteers.
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Yeah, it was just Circus. See Lambsy’s Pappas’ timeline above.
Circus Circus is/was a Vegas casino I think.
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Odd thing is I always remember it being called “Circus Circus”, even way back 40 years ago. And everyone else seems to call it Circus Circus, too. crazy…
Circus Circus sounds like one of those ‘underground clubs’ from the 60s-70s, maybe downtown around Market Square?
The first Pappa Seafood was on 59 just north of Sharpstown Center/Bellaire Blvd. I’d have to drive by to see if I recognize the building if its still there. A co-worker and his wife that I dined out frequently with back then spotted it, perhaps on the first day, a Tuesday, and went back that Friday to try it. There was already a long line waiting to get in.
I once read the Pappas formula was something like generous portions of good food in a fun atmosphere at modest prices. Duh, I wonder why that works??? Pappas has almost never had to use advertising, relying on word of mouth.
Pappasito’s was my favorite - they’d practically force you to ask for a to-go box and most of it was good the next day. Never cared for the Seafood places as much as Goode Co., though.
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Last post on the thread in 2018??? Is that group still active???
vonroach, Jeremy Goodwin, Harry Parker and Hane!!! The latter two were the people behind b4-u-eat.com and made a huge contribution to Houston’s dining out scene just by running that site, in addition to their comments on use.net. I miss that site as much as some of those old restaurants.
Re: my comments on Ari’s in that thread- the article I read back then claimed it was Houston’s first sidewalk restaurant, which is a pretty unbelievable claim, although I believed it at the time. In my historical researches over the years I’ve come across earlier ones, on W. Gray, for instance.
Anybody remember the Old Wisconsin Inn on W. Gray??? 
Probably before any of our times - 40s, maybe 30s. I wasn’t researching restaurants but made some notes — have to try to find them.
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The photo from HAIF I mentioned above. Looks like some of the plastic is still there (don’t know the date of the photo), perhaps as sliding doors?
Here’s the HAIF thread, if you dare to take a stroll down lower Westheimer in the early 80s!
Lots of restaurants mentioned I have no remembrance of, including an Il Padrino, and mentions of piano bars. I did not remember parking meters on Westheimer.
I wonder who this person DWah is on this thread?
In the ‘Memory Lane’ link above, the poster vonroach mentions a Salvatore’s on Lower Westheimer. Must’ve been an earlier name for Michelangelo’s.
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You’re right about that! Very basic even amateurish web design but just a great resource back in the crt days.
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For some reason I had a flash of the Athens Bar and Grill. Skimpy portions of pretty good food and tons of fun. I much preferred it to the Great Greek, where San Felipe split just west of the Loop.
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The more I ponder it, it was the same building that was briefly a Russian place, but by then we had moved away from Miramar and did not come back to that area often.
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