vote 86ed ... for now

Houston City Council tables controversial Pappas Restaurants-Hobby Airport vote

Photo by Julia Casbarian

Houston City Council tabled the crucial vote that will determine that fate of Pappas Restaurants at Hobby Airport on Wednesday, March 1. By rule, that "tag" from City Council means the vote will take place next week.

City Council Member Abbie Kamin (District C) tagged the vote; three yes votes were not present at council on Wednesday, City of Houston sources tell CultureMap.

"I tagged the item, along with Council Member Gallegos, to allow more time for consideration to ensure this item isn't rushed," Kamin tells CultureMap via email. "There were multiple Council Members absent today, and it is important that they are able to vote on this item as well."

That means a wait for the longtime and beloved Houston family restaurant empire as a proposed concessions contract would end the Pappas' 20-year run at Hobby.

As CultureMap food editor Eric Sandler previously reported, the 10-year, $470 million dollar deal is with Areas, a subsidiary of the Spain-based Areas SAU, which operates concessions in more than 80 airports worldwide and nine in the United States.

Pappas' potential end doesn't mean an end to local restaurants at Hobby. The proposed deal would see restaurants such as Killen’s Barbecue, SpindleTap Brewery, Thoroughgood Coffee, and Galveston’s The Spot coming to the airport, — as well as national chains such as Raising Cane’s and Longhorn Steakhouse.

Eliciting public support, Pappas Restaurants launched a social media campaign — dubbed #SaveOurPappas — calling on supporters to urge Houston City Council to reject the controversial contract.

Christina Pappas or Pappas Restaurant told Sandler that the company has concerns about how city scored the bids to determine the winner. The company’s proposal includes many of its popular restaurants, including Pappasito’s, Pappas Burger, Pappadeaux, and Pappas Delta Blues Smokehouse. It also includes local bakery the Original Kolache Shoppe and Chick-fil-A.

“We’re asking for transparency. We’re asking to look at the score cards,” she said. “We’re asking to see what the numbers look like. We’re asking why one of the RFPs was abruptly canceled. We’re asking that council is provided with all the information they need to make the decision that’s best for the City of Houston.”

The city has declined requests to release the scoring sheets, the Chronicle reports.

Mayor Sylvester Turner and Pappas went back and forth on Tuesday, February 28 over the deal — and even food-related semantics — CultureMap news partner ABC13 reports.

"The structure of the rent that the city is asking is different. It is not apples to apples, sir. It is not apples to apples, so if you're trying to make it apples to apples, our current contract versus what's in the bid, they're not made the same way. It's an apple and an orange," Pappas said to Turner.

"No, it's not," Turner responded. "I know apples and apples, and I know apples and oranges, and I know oranges and oranges," Turner responded. "But since you are criticizing the numbers, and you are here, let's deal with them."

Now, it seems City Council will deal with the apples and oranges involved with this crucial vote next week.

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Eric Sandler contributed to this article.

to the batcave

Houston park takes flight with bat viewings, chats, and movie night

Photo by Ann Froschauer/USFWS/Flickr [https://www.flickr.com/photos/usfwshq/8006844645/]

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The Buffalo Bayou Partnership announced bat-themed summer programming for the 160-acre park near downtown. Houstonians with an interest in the flying mammals will have plenty of ways to appreciate them.

Every Friday evening at sunset through the end of August, Buffalo Bayou Partnership will host two events centered around Houston's most famous bat colony, the 300,000 Mexican free-tailed bats that nest under the Waugh Street Bridge. Visitors get to watch the massive swarm emerge as the sun goes down and the bats hunt insects in the area.

On land, the free Bat Chat event is hosted by the Houston Area Bat Team, including Dr. Cullen Geiselman Muse. She studies the local bat populations and advocates for them based on their helpfulness to Houston.

"Here in Houston, there are insect-eating bats that can consume nearly their body weight in crop pests each night," she said in a statement. "The effects of the bats’ nightly forays add up across space and time. They impact processes ranging from how rainforest regenerate after they are clearcut to how much insecticides farmers use on crops."

People who want a view from the water may take one of the Bat Cruises. These 90-minute trips up and down the bayou cost $30, but do offer one of the most incredible ways to see the emergence. Plus, visitors get to see the area around Buffalo Bayou light up at night. The cruise launches from 1019 Commerce Street, and reservations are required in advance.

Batman Returns

No, one of Houston's most famous urban legends hasn't reemerged. However, BBP is hosting the next best thing: a free screening of the 1992 superhero classic film Batman Returns. Directed by Tim Burton, this Christmas-themed adventure follows Batman (Michael Keaton) as he battles Catwoman (Michelle Pfeiffer) and the Penguin (Danny Devito) as the latter tries to become mayor of Gotham. Houston is deeply tied to Batman Returns as Six Flags AstroWorld once housed the official tie-in rollercoaster, which included a replica of the Batcave, Penguin's duckmobile, and other memorabilia.

The outdoor screening takes place on Saturday, July 25 at The Water Works in Buffalo Bayou Park (105B Sabine Street). Attendees are encouraged to dress up in costumes from the Batman mythos, and the Houston Area Bat Team will give a talk before the movie begins. It starts at 6 pm, and prior registration is required.

Finally, the The Buffalo Bayou Boutique at The Water Works has added bat plushies, stickers, and bandanas (batdanas) to their store. A full list is available on the boutique website.