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I’m still surprised that everyone loves where they live so much.
In theory, people live where they live for a reason and if they hated it, they’d move away.
Also, people are most familiar with where they live, so even if they don’t love everything about it, they know the things about it that they do love and will want to point those things out.
I’ve lived in two of the cities in this list, Atlanta and Las Vegas. I didn’t love Las Vegas, but having lived there, I’m very aware of its good aspects and will point them out if they get overlooked.
it's pretty contained to a singular part of the city, I only drive past it when I'm leaving the city to go east, and it's not like we have a pollution problem on the same level as LA/SF or Phoenix
I don't have much very much hate for Houston. They have good rappers, and it's such a big city, you can pretty much do whatever you want. But there are a few issues:
1) Time it takes to drive across the city when you're going to San Antonio or Austin. 2) Traffic at peak hours or when there are wrecks on the I-10 (known locally as IH10 and Katy Freeway) 3) The fucking refineries that you have to drive through to get there coming from the east 4) The occasional smell of refineries when the air is still. I fucking hate that shit.
Those are a bit nit-picky for sure, but like I said, I don't have much hate for it.
I'm a huge Houston fan, and I live here willingly right now. On Houston's plus side, I'd argue it's easily a top 5 food city in the country and has an argument for number 1, lots of good rap, it's most certainly got it's own identity and culture, it's not a trendy transplant culture like some other big cities, people are generally really nice and cool, lots of diversity, I'm personally a fan of the lack of zoning, it's got one of the best Asiatown areas in the country, and there's always plenty to do. Traffic also sucks if you're driving all the way through but if you are actually in Houston and sticking to a neighborhood you can usually avoid it, I actually think I hate driving in Austin more. Also the state may be doing some bad stuff politically but the city itself does not stand by that stuff, and we have some good local officials. Just get outruled by the rural areas in statewide voting.
The downside of Houston is the weather events (hurricanes and flooding), lack of public transportation (although the city is making big strides in this area), and on a personal level I don't love how flat it is for hiking. Maybe because I live in it and I'm used to it but I don't notice that refinery smell often at all
I'm curious for an explanation on Houston being a "top 5 food city" and having "an argument for number 1". I'm not really arguing. I think most of these cities probably have a good food scene, and I'd be interested to see how people weighed that. What makes a city a "good food city"? Beard nominees? Michelin stars? Some arbitrary internet rankings?
I don't have much very much hate for Houston. They have good rappers, and it's such a big city, you can pretty much do whatever you want. But there are a few issues:
1) Time it takes to drive across the city when you're going to San Antonio or Austin. 2) Traffic at peak hours or when there are wrecks on the I-10 (known locally as IH10 and Katy Freeway) 3) The fucking refineries that you have to drive through to get there coming from the east 4) The occasional smell of refineries when the air is still. I fucking hate that shit.
Those are a bit nit-picky for sure, but like I said, I don't have much hate for it.
I'm a huge Houston fan, and I live here willingly right now. On Houston's plus side, I'd argue it's easily a top 5 food city in the country and has an argument for number 1, lots of good rap, it's most certainly got it's own identity and culture, it's not a trendy transplant culture like some other big cities, people are generally really nice and cool, lots of diversity, I'm personally a fan of the lack of zoning, it's got one of the best Asiatown areas in the country, and there's always plenty to do. Traffic also sucks if you're driving all the way through but if you are actually in Houston and sticking to a neighborhood you can usually avoid it, I actually think I hate driving in Austin more. Also the state may be doing some bad stuff politically but the city itself does not stand by that stuff, and we have some good local officials. Just get outruled by the rural areas in statewide voting.
The downside of Houston is the weather events (hurricanes and flooding), lack of public transportation (although the city is making big strides in this area), and on a personal level I don't love how flat it is for hiking. Maybe because I live in it and I'm used to it but I don't notice that refinery smell often at all
I like the food I've had there, but I haven't spent enough time there to have any of the higher end shit. The close proximity to the Gulf allows for good seafood, and all the SWLA people that moved over there and brought cajun/creole flavors as well as all the immigrants who brought their culture leads to weird hybrid stuff like Korean-Mexican and Viet-Cajun and whatever. I would counter the "own identity" is somewhat more recent (early 1990's would be my best guess) with both Atlanta and Houston which were prior thought to be somewhat soulless - clearly not the case anymore. My personal definition, being from a cultural mecca city [tm], is that culture needs to percolate up and out. Clearly Houston crossed that threshold a few decades back as it grew from a medium sized city into a giant one.
I'm a huge Houston fan, and I live here willingly right now. On Houston's plus side, I'd argue it's easily a top 5 food city in the country and has an argument for number 1, lots of good rap, it's most certainly got it's own identity and culture, it's not a trendy transplant culture like some other big cities, people are generally really nice and cool, lots of diversity, I'm personally a fan of the lack of zoning, it's got one of the best Asiatown areas in the country, and there's always plenty to do. Traffic also sucks if you're driving all the way through but if you are actually in Houston and sticking to a neighborhood you can usually avoid it, I actually think I hate driving in Austin more. Also the state may be doing some bad stuff politically but the city itself does not stand by that stuff, and we have some good local officials. Just get outruled by the rural areas in statewide voting.
The downside of Houston is the weather events (hurricanes and flooding), lack of public transportation (although the city is making big strides in this area), and on a personal level I don't love how flat it is for hiking. Maybe because I live in it and I'm used to it but I don't notice that refinery smell often at all
I'm curious for an explanation on Houston being a "top 5 food city" and having "an argument for number 1". I'm not really arguing. I think most of these cities probably have a good food scene, and I'd be interested to see how people weighed that. What makes a city a "good food city"? Beard nominees? Michelin stars? Some arbitrary internet rankings?
That comment stuck out to me too. Michelin doesn’t review Houston (or most places), but I looked up what cities had the most James Beard award winners. Not the be all end all metric obviously but interesting
I'm a huge Houston fan, and I live here willingly right now. On Houston's plus side, I'd argue it's easily a top 5 food city in the country and has an argument for number 1, lots of good rap, it's most certainly got it's own identity and culture, it's not a trendy transplant culture like some other big cities, people are generally really nice and cool, lots of diversity, I'm personally a fan of the lack of zoning, it's got one of the best Asiatown areas in the country, and there's always plenty to do. Traffic also sucks if you're driving all the way through but if you are actually in Houston and sticking to a neighborhood you can usually avoid it, I actually think I hate driving in Austin more. Also the state may be doing some bad stuff politically but the city itself does not stand by that stuff, and we have some good local officials. Just get outruled by the rural areas in statewide voting.
The downside of Houston is the weather events (hurricanes and flooding), lack of public transportation (although the city is making big strides in this area), and on a personal level I don't love how flat it is for hiking. Maybe because I live in it and I'm used to it but I don't notice that refinery smell often at all
I'm curious for an explanation on Houston being a "top 5 food city" and having "an argument for number 1". I'm not really arguing. I think most of these cities probably have a good food scene, and I'd be interested to see how people weighed that. What makes a city a "good food city"? Beard nominees? Michelin stars? Some arbitrary internet rankings?
diversity in culture, other places w good BBQ can't touch us in Asian cuisine, Midwest can't touch us in seafood, most places can't touch us in Mexican food (being up against Phoenix might negate that this round), Bourdain loved it, we've got an awesome chef who's pretty famous and his charity was super huge for restaurant workers during the early pandemic (David Chang donated his Who Wants to be a Millionaire winnings to it)
This round and last round I voted for Houston. Of all the metros in Texas, it's probably the worst. It's really humid and in Hurricane alley. And since there are no other Texas cities listed it has to take all the heat for being in Texas, which hates women and trans people. Also their baseball team is a bunch of cheaters.
I don't have much very much hate for Houston. They have good rappers, and it's such a big city, you can pretty much do whatever you want. But there are a few issues:
1) Time it takes to drive across the city when you're going to San Antonio or Austin. 2) Traffic at peak hours or when there are wrecks on the I-10 (known locally as IH10 and Katy Freeway) 3) The fucking refineries that you have to drive through to get there coming from the east 4) The occasional smell of refineries when the air is still. I fucking hate that shit.
Those are a bit nit-picky for sure, but like I said, I don't have much hate for it.
I mean I know I’m awesome but they didn’t have to go and name a freeway after me
I don't have much very much hate for Houston. They have good rappers, and it's such a big city, you can pretty much do whatever you want. But there are a few issues:
1) Time it takes to drive across the city when you're going to San Antonio or Austin. 2) Traffic at peak hours or when there are wrecks on the I-10 (known locally as IH10 and Katy Freeway) 3) The fucking refineries that you have to drive through to get there coming from the east 4) The occasional smell of refineries when the air is still. I fucking hate that shit.
Those are a bit nit-picky for sure, but like I said, I don't have much hate for it.
I mean I know I’m awesome but they didn’t have to go and name a freeway after me
^^ good shit and expected - New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Seattle, Washington D.C. and New Orleans. Obviously on a per capita basis, that puts us in New Orleans near the top of James Beard Award winners since we only have about 385,000 people and a metro of slightly under 1.3MM. Probably some of the awards were for iconic places or unique contributions to cuisine (Hansen's Sno-Bliz, Willie Mae's Scotch House, etc.).
I'm curious for an explanation on Houston being a "top 5 food city" and having "an argument for number 1". I'm not really arguing. I think most of these cities probably have a good food scene, and I'd be interested to see how people weighed that. What makes a city a "good food city"? Beard nominees? Michelin stars? Some arbitrary internet rankings?
diversity in culture, other places w good BBQ can't touch us in Asian cuisine, Midwest can't touch us in seafood, most places can't touch us in Mexican food (being up against Phoenix might negate that this round), Bourdain loved it, we've got an awesome chef who's pretty famous and his charity was super huge for restaurant workers during the early pandemic (David Chang donated his Who Wants to be a Millionaire winnings to it)
consecutive 110+ days don't come til late june or july
As someone who hates the heat and loves the cold, I regularly think about how you shared once that on those days, you keep your AC at something crazy high like 80something because of the cost to get down to (what I would consider) an acceptable temperature.
Welcome back Bonz, but I do not find it strange that your presence being requested in the Orgy thread and then you showing up, like it was the quacking Bonzai Bat Signal.
shuck
Bleary-Eyed Bonnawook Recap King & Upcoming Shows MVP
I’ll end up there at some point I’m sure for a friends trip or something but I really have no interest in ever going to Vegas
It’s definitely not for everyone. I love visiting and would probably go more often if I didn’t spend my money on festivals, but I love the artifice, the lights at night, the insane hotel theming, the contrast between getting free drinks at the old, shitty casinos during the day and going to the fanciest restaurant you’ve ever been at in your life. Living there is mostly just traffic and strip malls and sprawl but as an over the top ridiculous tourist destination it can’t be beat.
To be honest I haven’t been to any city and said the food was really bad here. Our main reasons for going places are concerts, food and drinking. It’s pretty much good everywhere. Except Charlotte. Where it seems like we just go the show and leave.
I'm a huge Houston fan, and I live here willingly right now. On Houston's plus side, I'd argue it's easily a top 5 food city in the country and has an argument for number 1, lots of good rap, it's most certainly got it's own identity and culture, it's not a trendy transplant culture like some other big cities, people are generally really nice and cool, lots of diversity, I'm personally a fan of the lack of zoning, it's got one of the best Asiatown areas in the country, and there's always plenty to do. Traffic also sucks if you're driving all the way through but if you are actually in Houston and sticking to a neighborhood you can usually avoid it, I actually think I hate driving in Austin more. Also the state may be doing some bad stuff politically but the city itself does not stand by that stuff, and we have some good local officials. Just get outruled by the rural areas in statewide voting.
The downside of Houston is the weather events (hurricanes and flooding), lack of public transportation (although the city is making big strides in this area), and on a personal level I don't love how flat it is for hiking. Maybe because I live in it and I'm used to it but I don't notice that refinery smell often at all
I'm curious for an explanation on Houston being a "top 5 food city" and having "an argument for number 1". I'm not really arguing. I think most of these cities probably have a good food scene, and I'd be interested to see how people weighed that. What makes a city a "good food city"? Beard nominees? Michelin stars? Some arbitrary internet rankings?
So it's not really something that is quantifiable necessarily, that statement was more of an opinion than some objective fact, but I'm very well traveled in the US (worked a domestic travel job for ~5 years) and I'd put Houston up against any city in the country.
There's a ton of diversity in the food, there are incredible places of nearly every major cuisine you can think of. There's very good Tex-Mex obviously, both traditional and some places doing interesting takes on it. There's multiple great more traditional Mexican spots, including Mexico City style and Oaxacan spots. Lots of local taco trucks. Our Barbecue is not quite on the same level of Austin but it's close. We have a huge Vietnamese population and it has some of the best Vietnamese spots in the country. A couple fantastic sushi spots. There's two Indian/Pakistani restaurants that just consistently blow me away, and I'm sure more beyond that (I've been told Houston is the best destination in the country for Halal food). Great seafood coming from the gulf. Wonderful soul and cajun food options. Lots of options for fine dining. A good mix of very traditional family run spots that have been here forever while also having some of the kind of trendy spots that the transplant cities get and places in the middle. Some fusion stuff that came about naturally and doesn't really exist anywhere else like the Vietcajun restaurants here (Vietnamese and Cajun food mixed). And then just some incredibly inventive and fun nicer restaurants like Nancy's Hustle and Nobie's. Tasting menu restaurants lately have taken off too and there's some incredible ones here like Neo, March, and Degust. And there's a great pop-up scene happening too with lots of incredibly talented people doing those. In general there's so many talented chefs here in Houston
I just love the food scene, it'd easily be the number 1 thing I miss if I moved
Post by problem dog on Mar 23, 2022 10:24:23 GMT -5
Only spent a long weekend in Houston, but I was shocked by how good the food was. Maybe no winners, but I think we ate at 3 different James Beard nominated spots. Could have easily spent a whole month trying new places and generally had a great time with the nightlife stuff, too. You can obviously say that about a lot of the other major cities on this list, but I think Houston gets slept on. Austin is overrated and Houston is underrated, even if I probably still prefer the former.
I'm a huge Houston fan, and I live here willingly right now. On Houston's plus side, I'd argue it's easily a top 5 food city in the country and has an argument for number 1, lots of good rap, it's most certainly got it's own identity and culture, it's not a trendy transplant culture like some other big cities, people are generally really nice and cool, lots of diversity, I'm personally a fan of the lack of zoning, it's got one of the best Asiatown areas in the country, and there's always plenty to do. Traffic also sucks if you're driving all the way through but if you are actually in Houston and sticking to a neighborhood you can usually avoid it, I actually think I hate driving in Austin more. Also the state may be doing some bad stuff politically but the city itself does not stand by that stuff, and we have some good local officials. Just get outruled by the rural areas in statewide voting.
The downside of Houston is the weather events (hurricanes and flooding), lack of public transportation (although the city is making big strides in this area), and on a personal level I don't love how flat it is for hiking. Maybe because I live in it and I'm used to it but I don't notice that refinery smell often at all
I like the food I've had there, but I haven't spent enough time there to have any of the higher end shit. The close proximity to the Gulf allows for good seafood, and all the SWLA people that moved over there and brought cajun/creole flavors as well as all the immigrants who brought their culture leads to weird hybrid stuff like Korean-Mexican and Viet-Cajun and whatever. I would counter the "own identity" is somewhat more recent (early 1990's would be my best guess) with both Atlanta and Houston which were prior thought to be somewhat soulless - clearly not the case anymore. My personal definition, being from a cultural mecca city [tm], is that culture needs to percolate up and out. Clearly Houston crossed that threshold a few decades back as it grew from a medium sized city into a giant one.
I can't speak too much to the culture in the 90s. I grew up in East Texas not too far away and would come out to Houston for concerts and sporting events and things like that, but I didn't move here until 2016 and didn't really delve into the food scene and the city in general until I moved here.
If you want any recommendations next time you're here on the higher end stuff or food in general lmk
I’ll end up there at some point I’m sure for a friends trip or something but I really have no interest in ever going to Vegas
It’s definitely not for everyone. I love visiting and would probably go more often if I didn’t spend my money on festivals, but I love the artifice, the lights at night, the insane hotel theming, the contrast between getting free drinks at the old, shitty casinos during the day and going to the fanciest restaurant you’ve ever been at in your life. Living there is mostly just traffic and strip malls and sprawl but as an over the top ridiculous tourist destination it can’t be beat.
this captures it for me. it's the absurdity of it all. in the morning i go downstairs to get coffee and people are still standing around a craps table drunk off their ass and screaming, then head to Valley of Fire which looks like another planet, during the day i'm walking around all these outrageous casinos amongst people from every walk of life, at night i have an amazing korean meal at a restaurant themed to look like a high school prom, followed by a super weird and hilarious live show filled with a bunch of half naked people running around a spaceship and also there is a small dog in the show. the night ends with me in a room on my balcony looking at the bellagio fountains and the lights on the strip wondering what the hell just happened.
you don't have to love vegas but speaking from a tourist perspective it gives me all the shit i need for a satisfying and memorable vacation.
It’s definitely not for everyone. I love visiting and would probably go more often if I didn’t spend my money on festivals, but I love the artifice, the lights at night, the insane hotel theming, the contrast between getting free drinks at the old, shitty casinos during the day and going to the fanciest restaurant you’ve ever been at in your life. Living there is mostly just traffic and strip malls and sprawl but as an over the top ridiculous tourist destination it can’t be beat.
this captures it for me. it's the absurdity of it all. in the morning i go downstairs to get coffee and people are still standing around a craps table drunk off their ass and screaming, then head to Valley of Fire which looks like another planet, during the day i'm walking around all these outrageous casinos amongst people from every walk of life, at night i have an amazing korean meal at a restaurant themed to look like a high school prom, followed by a super weird and hilarious live show filled with a bunch of half naked people running around a spaceship and also there is a small dog in the show. the night ends with me in a room on my balcony looking at the bellagio fountains and the lights on the strip wondering what the hell just happened.
you don't have to love vegas but speaking from a tourist perspective it gives me all the shit i need for a satisfying and memorable vacation.
I think you guys are convincing me actually. I can appreciate a good tourist trap. I guess I just focus on the gambling too much which really isn’t my thing.
Post by 3post1jack1 on Mar 23, 2022 10:34:26 GMT -5
one of my favorite small vegas memories was a morning i was downstairs getting coffee. was waiting in line and a guy ran through the front doors of the casino in full running gear, clearly he'd just completed his morning run. he caught his breath then immediately lit up a cigarette and sat down at a slot machine and started playing.
Also I think people everywhere tend to think their city has the best food in the country. Like I’ve heard multiple people say Chicago is one of the best food cities in the country and it’s like yeah we have some good restaurants but I don’t think I’d go that far.
this captures it for me. it's the absurdity of it all. in the morning i go downstairs to get coffee and people are still standing around a craps table drunk off their ass and screaming, then head to Valley of Fire which looks like another planet, during the day i'm walking around all these outrageous casinos amongst people from every walk of life, at night i have an amazing korean meal at a restaurant themed to look like a high school prom, followed by a super weird and hilarious live show filled with a bunch of half naked people running around a spaceship and also there is a small dog in the show. the night ends with me in a room on my balcony looking at the bellagio fountains and the lights on the strip wondering what the hell just happened.
you don't have to love vegas but speaking from a tourist perspective it gives me all the shit i need for a satisfying and memorable vacation.
I think you guys are convincing me actually. I can appreciate a good tourist trap. I guess I just focus on the gambling too much which really isn’t my thing.
Yeah the gambling is definitely everywhere but there are certain places where you can go and do it low key (downtown the casinos have low minimums and it’s pretty easy to win a little bit of money) but the people watching and entertainment options are the real draws imo.
but I do not find it strange that your presence being requested in the Orgy thread and then you showing up, like it was the quacking Bonzai Bat Signal. 
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