Houstonist: Po-boys no more on Main St.

jim

Thu, 14 Sep 2006 16:54:22 -0600

Gentrification blows. Especially if it's the kind that replaces viable stuff with parking lots.

Crystal Jackson

Thu, 14 Sep 2006 12:33:23 -0600

Though I agree to a point with David Beebe (and completely DISagree with Bill Shirley's healthy eating habits - come on Bill, that's some good stuff), the main disappointment for me is that we're losing one of Houston's top five burgers. We're losing yet another interesting(albeit dumpy) building, inside of which was a unique culinary experience. I'm guessing there's more to Pete's story than what has currently been shared. Regardless, I'm bummed. Gentrification blows.

David Beebe

Thu, 14 Sep 2006 10:34:17 -0600

I live less than three blocks from New Orleans Po-Boy and I can't believe Pete Hope is still griping about the rail. This is a bunch of BS on his part. He definitely has as much or more business than ever and I would say his business took the least hit of all the nearby restaurants from the crippling construction period for the rail. $5000 a month rent?! How many $3.29 po-boys and burgers do you have to sell to make that back? To be fair, the food is great and I'll miss it for sure. However, curmudgeon Pete doesn't take credit or debit cards, the phone is rarely answeres for call in orders and if you want anything besides fried shrimp/friend oyster or burger po-boys you're out of luck. Pete Hope's management style in the highly competitive world of fast food is out of date. It's not the light rail line, for God's sake! - David Beebe

Bill Shirley

Wed, 13 Sep 2006 21:15:36 -0600

The rail may have indirectly killed it. It raised the rent and gentrified the neighborhood. I worked blocks from there during the rail construction. I avoided it whenever possible. Old-Style and greasy isn't a magnet for me.

jim

Wed, 13 Sep 2006 19:19:41 -0600

Once the rail came, people couldn't get here ... customers would come up to the register and say 'I couldn't get here, I couldn't get here...' Am I the only one who can't follow this line of logic?

Dan

Wed, 13 Sep 2006 18:30:19 -0600

As I type this they're taking down the "AFTER 29 YRS. WE'RE STILL HERE" and "YES ! WE ARE OPEN" banners, and I can't help but feel super depressed. That shack is more or less the view from my windows, and it always seemed busy at lunch time, so the reasoning seems bogus. Oh well, time marches on. Godspeed, Pete's pancakes.