Restaurant by Holiday Inn Express is Steak House [Portland,Texas]

Update- the new restaurant by Holiday Inn Express is Steak House but I am not sure of the name at this point.

New shopping center by North Shore in Portland,Texas

I heard a rumor that the larger structure in new shopping center by the North Shore entrance was a Target. No word on what might be going into the other buildings. Construction has slowed to a crawl I suspect this is due to the shrinking economy and tight credit markets / lending. As always if anyone is has access to a rumor mill feel free to share. Any and all conjecture is appreciated and encouraged. I don't even dig shopping that much [a guy thing I guess] but I'm always curious about how our town is growing.

New Mexican restaurant in Portland,Texas

There's a new Mexican restaurant opening soon where Bad Brads bad BBQ used to be. More to follow. Blog readers-please post any information you may have.

Mystery building next to Holiday Inn Portland Texas

Does anyone know what the new construction at the Holiday Inn [other side road from movie theater] is? I'll take pictures this weekend if I get a moment. It appears to be a restaurant.

Portland Texas Growth as of 12052008

It looks like another hotel is coming to our fair town- I wonder how the economy will affect tourism? Does anyone know what the two new buildings next Northshore are going to be?

Portland and area Restaurant Reviews

Greetings Blog readers! I apologize for being away so long...I started a very intense job Jan 2008 and have had very little time to create post and or OK a couple of posts to blog by reads.
I thought it might be fun to share experiences with bloggers as to their local restaurant experiences.
Here are mine of late… Please post your own!

Hudat:
I found this place to have consistent high quality meals. We order out most of the time. It's a little more expensive than the Ingleside. Only caveat is that the wait staff can be young and unprofessional. I think they are working on this as I saw a sign in thier window that stated
"wanted experienced wait staff" I give them 9.5 out of 10 stars!

Home Cooking Restaurant (used to be Annie's?):
Yikes! I had a baaaaaad experience here 3 weeks ago. I think I got a mild case of food poisoning (lasted 3 days). The new owners have been fixing this place up but when I was there, ceiling tile were hanging down, and everything looked dingy.
However my in-laws (winter Texans) ate the breakfast there a week ago and loved the place! Maybe things have improved…just be wary. I have to give them 2 out of 10 stars.



New Chinese Buffet over by Critter Love:
To me this place is good. A huge selection / variety of Asian American food with requisite south Texas treat of cheese enchiladas!
Unfortunately for me my wife has a finely tuned pallet when it comes to Asian / Chinese food and she did not like it (she prefers the Hudat). I give them 7.5 out of 10 stars.

Taqueria El Mexicano:

I am a breakfast taco / Taquito junkie! I need a fix a least once a week and man do these guys deliver. I have tried many places (from CC, Taft, to SA etc) and these guys are the best! The lunch is great also (stay open to 2 or 3PM) I like the Mexican plate- and they have those nifty sodas from Mexico- can you tell I'm Anglo? LOL-grin?

I’m still "kind of ticked off" at them when a couple a years ago they gave my credit card and receipt to the person in the other drive in window. Aw well...I forgive them. 10 out of 10 stars!

Please let me know if anyone has tried the new Mexican place formly the Mexicano over by the Dairy Queen.

Max's BBQ (Gregory):

Best BBQ in South Texas / Gulf Coast, maybe in Texas? as far as I'm concerned it is (there's a place in Sealy,Tx that is probably equally as great-been 6 years)! I even like it better than Joe Cottons (mental fitness test required?)! The Silverado in CC is good, there's a nice place in Lagrange (can't remember the name) but good ol' Max's- has no fat on the brisket, tasty BBQ sauce, great homey sides. Wow! The Texas Monthly needs to visit Gregory for their yearly BBQ round up. 10 out of 10 stars!

Please post your own views and reviews!

Portland is growing again!

Portland is growing again despite the economic downturn. New material to be posted soon!

Restaurant Survey Portland Texas as of 8-12-07

The following survey results are from 8-12-07 with 29 respondents. If you have other restaurants you would like added please post them.

Mexican Food Survey

Italian / Other Survey

See Food Survey

Fast Food Restaurant Survey 8-12-07

Casual Restaurant Survey 8-12-07

I'm not sure what "other" casual restaurant chain survey participants are looking for... :-)

Breakfast Restaurant Survey 8-12-07

BBQ Restaurant Survey 8-12-07

Asian Restaurant Survey 8-12-07