Lafitte beat: Downtown dwellers report promising cleanup activity at the long vacant and neglected Jean Lafitte Hotel, 2101 Church St., on the island.
This summer, unconfirmed rumors were circulating that a development group snapped up the property for $2 million. Meanwhile, a group had met with city officials about transforming the 10-story property, built in 1927, into senior housing.
The property’s new owners could not be reached for comment.
The once-posh Jean Lafitte Hotel has fallen into severe disrepair. The most recent plans by developers to morph the property into luxury residential units failed. The property has made the Galveston Historical Foundation’s Heritage At Risk list. Stay tuned.
Savory sign: Did anyone else notice a sign in the window heralding the imminent arrival of a cafe at 2002 Postoffice St. in the island’s downtown? The spot has been home to several eateries, including a Paulie’s, a casual cafe concept serving up gourmet sandwiches, salads and pasta.
Later it housed Pasta Plus, also a concept by Frank and Charles Petronella.
The last eatery to occupy the spot was Canicas, which served such typical American fare as burgers and po-boys. Stay tuned.
Orange you hungry? This ought to be easy for University of Texas alumni and students. Island Whataburger, 528 University Blvd., is offering a free Whataburger from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. today to anyone willing to wear an orange T-shirt or shorts. Whataburger’s logo is orange.
The burger giveaway is part of the eatery’s efforts to show appreciation for the community, managers say. Also, look for entertainment from area schools.
Meanwhile, construction continues, but will Whataburger, 6327 Stewart Road, carry out its post-Ike plan to reopen this month? Officials could not be reached immediately for comment. Stay tuned.
Shout out: A reader wanted to give a shout out to Good Times Cafe, 2520 state Highway 146, in Texas City, for being the latest to accept a candy machine to raise funds for the Texas City Host Lions Club.
Spot of tea: With success in Alvin, Jay Ewend has opened tearoom and bistro The Milk Pail, 1013 E. Main St., in League City. The north county site makes two for The Milk Pail, which for three years has served up tea and meals at the Alvin Antique Mall.
The League City eatery is serving breakfast and lunch but plans to add dinner in December, Ewend said. He’s also applying for a beer and wine license.
For information, call 281-557-5555.
Gringo’s a no-go? Officials with La Porte-based Gringo’s Mexican Kitchen, which operates an always packed restaurant in Texas City, deny rumors they’re cooking up a site in League City’s Victory Lakes Town Center. But a site plan making the rounds shows otherwise.
The site plan belongs to NewQuest Properties, which developed the shopping center on the northeast corner of Interstate 45 and FM 646. According to the plan, a Gringo’s Mexican Kitchen is proposed near Best Buy.
But when asked last week about a League City site, Gringo’s spokeswoman Heather McKeon said: “Unfortunately, there is not any immediate truth to that. We are always scoping out new locations, but have no immediate plans for League City.”
Russell Ybarra launched the eight-restaurant chain, with a flair for fajitas, in Pearland in 1993. Stay tuned.
