We ♥ HOU

Whether "House of Guys" or House of Pies, it's still sweet to me

A Houston fav, House of Pies

Jen Cooper is a native Houstonian and Rice alumna. She is known around Houston for her graphic design skills and soccer prowess (she is the keeper of the soccer community newsletter "Keeper Notes").

Cooper has worked with MyTable magazine for 14 years, so it's no surprise that her favorite thing about Houston is edible. It might be a bit of a shock, however, that it's less than gourmet.

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I sat at the counter with my date after prom in 1986. I visited countless times during my years at Rice. I remember playing Ms. Pac-Man after a late meal and breaking my personal record. That Ms. Pac-Man/Centipede game is still there 20 years later … and so am I.

I've been a customer at the Kirby location of House of Pies since the early '80s -- sorry, Westheimer-outside-the-Loop location, you just don't do it for me. At my House of Pies, it seems that all the staff know my name. The old-school hospitality and comfy booths offer me a small sanctuary amid the ever-changing landscape of Upper Kirby. Even the prices haven't changed in a really long time.

My older sister introduced me to House of Pies while she was at Rice. Back then, in the days before politically correct speech, we called it "House of Guys" -- which shouldn't really need any explanation for true Houstonians.

The opening of the second dining area several years ago meant Pies finally had a real separation between smoking and non-smoking. Despite my anti-smoking stance, I always requested the smoking section -- that's the true House of Pies, not the stepchild that is the front dining area. Of course now there's no smoking section at all.

When my sister visits Houston these days, invariably we end up at House of Pies. She was shocked last year when I told her the famous cottage fries had been taken off the menu; thankfully they returned to their rightful place after longtime diners made their feelings known.

House of Pies has plenty of loyal customers, and for good reason. I don't think there's a single member of the staff, including my favorite manager, Tarek, who doesn't know my “usual.”

"Regency club with Swiss cheese, cottage fries and iced tea, right?"

Right.

Jen Cooper heart House of Pies.

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no more trips to Colorado

Bill to legalize marijuana in Texas filed by Dallas Democrat

Photo courtesy of Texas Original

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Texas Rep. Jessica González (D-Dallas) has filed a bill to legalize recreational marijuana in Texas. House Bill 1208 would legalize the cultivation, manufacturing, transportation, and sale of cannabis.

The bill would allow adults 21 and older to use, possess, and transport up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana for personal use. Adults could also keep up to 10 ounces of cannabis in their residence, as long as it is stored in a secure location.

Smoking or consuming cannabis while in a public place or in a car on a public road would not be allowed.

Gonzalez filed the bill in mid-November, one in a suite of bills that also included expanding insurance coverage for in vitro fertilization for LGBTQ couples; and requiring landlords to disclose all fees before a rental lease is signed.

Her bill was filed prior to an initiative launched by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on December 4 to ban THC products in Texas entirely.

In addition to legalizing recreational use, the bill also makes provisions for its production and sale including requiring that the packaging be child-resistent and clearly labeled, so that it's not confused for candy.

Businesses looking to grow, transport, test, or sell cannabis would need to be licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. A 10 percent tax would be imposed on the sale of all cannabis and cannabis products. Some of the profits would go towards funding public schools.

If passed, the bill would take effect on September 1, 2025.

Medical cannabis is currently legal in Texas under the Texas Compassionate Use Program, which allows low-THC cannabis to be prescribed for conditions such as epilepsy, MS, autism, cancer, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Some cities have also approved decriminalization for the possession of four ounces or less of marijuana, including Austin, Bastrop, Dallas, Denton, Elgin, Killeen, and Lockhart.

politics marijuana