Sam Houston Boat Tour - Houston, Texas

On a recent, overcast day, the Dining Companion and I took a tour of the Houston Shipping Channel. The Port of Houston Authority offers a free 90 minute tour aboard the M/V Sam Houston. The tour embarks from the ports Sam Houston Pavilion.

The tour is free of charge and is boarded on a first come first served basis. The day we were there was rainy and overcast so the crowd was small.

We boarded and got under way.

We passed cargo ships from all over the world.

The orange craft at the back of the ship is an escape pod for the crew

Hundreds of tons of cargo pass in and out of the Houston shipping channel every year. Once the cargo arrives at the port is is off-loaded and distributed to destinations all over the country.

There are many cargo handling businesses and warehouses located all over the port.

I don't know about you, but I find the workings of places like this fascinating. It's interesting to get an up close look at how some of the goods we use everyday make their way to us. Several large retailers have warehouses located at the Port of Houston. From these locations they can distribute their inventory to stores located throughout America.

The inside of the ship is comfortable with plenty of seating. Nice on a rainy day like we had.

Large screens show the view from the front of the boat

There are interesting activities like this available to the public all over. Get out there and take advantage of the ones near you.

Happy travels!

Emporio Brazilian Cafe - Houston, Texas

After almost two months spent hanging out at home the Dining Companion and I were finally able to get out a little bit recently. One of the places we visited was a Brazilian restaurant, Emporio Brazilian Cafe.

The restaurant is located in a small shopping center. The interior is nice and there is a full bar.

 That brings me to our other Brazilian favorite, the Caipirinha. A great warm weather drink made with limes, sugar and cachaca. Just delicious and hands down one of my favorite drinks.

I've mentioned before that both of us really like a traditional Brazilian black bean stew called feijoada and we were happy to see it on Emporio's menu.

While we decided on dinner we were served a basket of traditional Brazilian cheese bread. Typical of what you see in many of the Brazilian steakhouses.

 We started off with the Coxinha de Frango. (these are little stuffed croquettes) and a sausage plate that included sauteed onions and olives.

The small dish next to the sausage holds farofa. Farofa is a toasted flour that is flavored and served alongside various dishes, including the feijoada.

One of my favorite parts of the meal was the hot sauce we were served. I never really did find out what is was, but I do intend to. It was spicy, full of heat and had a great flavor.

Another sauce on the table looked a lot like pico de gallo but was actually pickled. Not a sauce I've had before but one I enjoyed.

Finally we got to the main event. The waiter asked if he could show me how feijoada is eaten in Brazil. How could I say no.

So delicious - Feijoada

Around the plate: fried bananas, an orange slice and steamed greens

The lower photo shows the way feijoada is typically eaten. (As explained by our waiter) Any way you eat it, it's fabulous. If you can find it in your area do give it a try. I also learned to make it at home. It's surprisingly simple to do.

The Dining Companion had the stroganoff which while very tasty was not very photogenic. But in the looks or taste contest I'm glad taste won.

While we might not make Emporio Brazilian Cafe a frequent stop I'd definitely go back for the feijoada and that amazing hot sauce.

It was so nice to get out again. I'm glad that most of my recovery is now behind me.Thanks for hanging in there with me.


Happy dining and as always Happy Travels!

Killen's Barbecue - Pearland, Texas

There's a big stir happening in the local barbecue scene. Ronnie Killen is/was most  known for his fine dining steakhouse. (A place that is on our short list to visit) A while back Mr. Killen started offering barbecue at his steakhouse. He ran it as a pop-up and served on the weekends. Word spread, like it does when good food is in the mix, and before you know it Killen's Barbecue was underway. To appease the BBQ hoards Ronnie started serving BBQ at the site of the new restaurant on weekends. People came from all over, lines formed, barbecue was served.

Finally the actual restaurant was opened. People came from all over, the lines were long. 

A little bit ago the Dining Companion, the 4 Pound Wonder and I headed to Pearland to see what all the fuss was about. We got in line about 10:30am and were served at about noon give or take. On my way to the counter I had the chance to check the place out.

Dining room awaiting the hungry masses

There's also an outdoor dining area. Or the start of one at least. I hope it gets a nice cover before the south Texas summer rolls in.

As I headed toward the counter I passed the menu board (scroll down for menu).
(Sorry no pic, it was hand written on a piece of brown butcher paper and showed meats and sides for the day)

Ronnie Killen carving brisket

Brisket ready for the lunch crowds

Sides

I made my way to the counter and placed our order. We decided on the brisket, beef rib, pork ribs, and sausage. No sides. I'm sure the sides are fine but given our druthers we usually just stick with the main event, the barbecue.

That's a serious beef rib

Sausage, Brisket, Pork Rib, Beef Rib (L-R)

 

The food was good. The brisket was moist and tender, well smoked. The sausage was great, it was my favorite item. The beef rib, while good, brought home to me once again that I am just not a fan. If you like a "pot roast" like flavor the beef rib is for you. It is melt in your mouth tender and has that certain something that brings to mind a Sunday roast. The pork ribs had good flavor but were just a shade off of being perfectly cooked. A little too much chew and not quite coming off the bone.

Barbecue sauce is available but you really won't need it. All I remember about the sauces are that one is a bit sweet, one is a bit spicy and one tastes like coffee.

If you're in the Houston area and don't want to, or can't, make the 3 hour plus drive to Austin, by all means, give this place a try. You'll have good barbecue and the fun(!) and excitement of waiting on line with several other BBQ enthusiast. The food is good, maybe on its way to being great, but, for my money, if you want to experience the best barbecue the state has to offer, Austin is still the place to be. 

Happy dining!

San Jacinto Monument & Museum - La Porte, Texas

The Dining Companion mentioned that he would like to visit the San Jacinto Monument. (There is an observation deck there that offers a wonderful view of the area.) Sounded good to me. Not knowing anything about the monument or why it stood where it did, I did a little research.

The battleground that surrounds the monument was the sight of a very important battle for what was to become a large part of the US. This was where, on April 21st 1836, General Sam Houston's troops dealt a deadly blow for the Republic of Texas.

...the United States would gain not only Texas but also New Mexico, Nevada, Arizona, California, Utah and parts of Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado and Wyoming.
As a result of the Battle of San Jacinto, almost a third of what is now the United States of America changed ownership. It is one of the most decisive and consequential battles in the history of the United States and indeed the Western world.

San Jacinto Battleground

San Jacinto Battleground

 

After walking around the lobby of the museum and checking out some of the exhibits, we took the elevator to the observation deck. 

I love dioramas.

 

 

 

The ride to the observation floor just about 500 feet above goes very quickly.

We tried to pick as clear a day as possible to take the best advantage of the views. As you can see from the pictures below there was haze at the horizon. The view of the city of Houston was obscured but we were still able to see for miles in all directions. 

 

The ship in this picture is the Battleship Texas another nearby attraction

 

Reflecting Pool

 

The city of Houston is barely visible through the haze on the horizon

The San Jacinto Monument and Museum not only makes history exciting, with the help of video presentations and maps, it helps it to come alive. It's interesting to see the current landscape compared side by side with the terrain of the past. If you find yourself in the Houston area with some time to kill this is a side trip will worth your time.

Happy travels!

Note to Flat Penny collectors: There are two Press-A-Penny (Flat Penny) machines on the observation deck at the San Jacinto Monument.