Urbanist: Washington Avenue

Moving further down the street, past the headquarters of Urban Living -- the company which is almost single-handedly responsible for the condo boom in the Washington corridor and nearly every other Inner Loop neighborhood -- and past the bright neon exterior of Top Dollar Pawn at the corner of Washington and Shepherd, we eventually reach El Rey Taqueria. Its shiny blue roof is recognizable from blocks away, drawing hungry patrons inside for some of the best Cuban and Mexican food in the city. El Rey was voted "Best Drive-Thru" in the city back in 2005, although Houstonist prefers to sit inside and keep the spills from our delicious Ropa Vieja confined squarely to our trays instead of our laps.

Across the street from El Rey in a newly-built shopping center is the much-discussed, love-it-or-hate-it Max's Wine Dive. Originally opened by the same people who run The Tasting Room, the vibe at Max's Wine Dive is intended to be laid back and jokingly boastful. Too often, however, it misses the mark with its excessively over-the-top food, caste-like reservation system and obnoxious clientèle. Since the departure of their head chef, Jonathan Jones, the restaurant has gone even further downhill. But that doesn't seem to stop the beautiful creatures from cramming into its bar every night and eating $15 bowls of macaroni and cheese. Austinist, take note: Max's is coming to a warehouse near you.

Continuing past the alternating rows of new townhomes, empty lots and inconsistently-occupied strip centers, we reach one of Houstonist's favorite bars. Pearl Bar has been home to many other bars throughout the years, but it's this one that we like the best. With a few comfy couches up front, a well-stocked jukebox, some rag-tag board games and an industrial, loft-like interior, this unassuming little bar is the ideal spot for a weekend drink with friends on a hot afternoon. When the weather cools off, check out their equally hip back patio. Unfortunately, the popularity of the bar has led to the recent addition of valet parking on the busy nights. Houstonist is praying that will blow over soon and give us our little bar -- sans valet, please -- back.

Directly across the street, you'll see one of Washington Avenue's first repurposings in recent years, The Daily Grind. Located inside of a charmingly refurbished old store, its lofty ceilings, exposed timbers, creaking hardwood floors and sun-filled spaces give the place an inescapably cheery feeling. If only the service left you feeling the same way... But we don't go to The Daily Grind for the service; we go for cheese grits, waffles, omelettes and delicious pecan coffee. We take a paper or our laptop (free wi-fi!) on Sunday mornings, relax in the sunshiny room with a cup of hot coffee and anticipate the inevitable wait that lies ahead for their delicious food.

Just down the street lies a breakfast place of an entirely different nature. Guadalajara Bakery is also located inside of an old store, but without the cheery ambiance. Instead, the paneled walls and ancient photos and newspaper clippings make it feel as if you've been transported to your tia's tiny restaurant on Navigation circa 1984. It's every bit as charming, though. Guadalajara recently made a few headlines when it was found out that they'd be permanently closing this month due to rising property tax costs. Whether a minor public outcry had anything to do with it or not, happier news prevailed and they announced that they'd been given a year-long extension on their lease.

Good thing, too, as every Houstonian should use that year to try the finest tacos (breakfast and otherwise) in town. Just remember that you order the number of tortillas you want first, so the kitchen can make them fresh; when they're ready, you choose your fillings. The slap-your-momma hot and pillowy chicharrones, the succulent barbacoa, the sweet and dusky pastor -- by rights, all of them should be treasured as the gifts from the taco gods that they are. Places like Guadalajara Bakery, Matamoros Meat Market (now closed) and Los Dos Amigos (hanging on for dear life) were once the heart and soul of Washington Avenue, catering to the heavily Hispanic, low-income community that lived in its modest houses. With that core demographic now almost entirely displaced by gentrification and the property taxes rising along with the income of its new residents, this part of Washington's history may be entirely washed away with the steady ebb tide of its former residents.

Only a few blocks further into town and we see the city's majestic skyline rising dramatically over Washington Avenue and Buffalo Bayou beyond it. We have almost reached the end of our destination. Heights Boulevard stares us down, daring us to cross its border into equally rich territory: the Sunbeam Bread Factory (and discount bread shop!), Beaver's BBQ, Rockefeller's, Star Pizza, Glenwood Cemetery... But those are destinations for another day and another Urbanist.

You can see all of the pictures from our drive down Washington Avenue below, including some that didn't make it into the article. Until next time!