Paul's Boat Restaurant in Houston

At Last
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I've driven by this curious boat-shaped restaurant on Highway 6, since we moved to Texas 18 years ago.

 

Don and I decided to take on the adventure the other day!

​Facing Highway 6
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​The boat shape of this crazy looking place, is hidden behind lots of wood and metal. I'm not sure when they added the outdoor deck, but it hides the image that I remember. 

Now it looks more like an old Florida seafood joint. The "fishy" words have the job of luring guests, instead of the boat shape. 

Two Bows
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​There were no cars in the lot when we arrived yesterday, but we heard music playing and the neon was lit. We parked and took some time studying the cluttered image. 

The bow of the original boat-building was behind the green speed boat. The green boat held a picnic table and opened up to the bar deck. 

From the Back
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​From the back, the boat shape was a little more visible.  The tall palm tree added a tropical touch to the upper bow deck.  

Don was having a good time recalling this place, since he ate here in the early 80's when visiting Houston on a business trip.

In the Boat
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​Amanda greeted us from behind the bar and welcomed us to sit anywhere.

We seemed to be the only early diners, although she assured us they were coming. 

Windows  
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​I was pretty intrigued by the boat decor and the curious windows.  The line-up of windows in the front, looked out on the patio and Highway 6. 

A back room had a porthole with a view of the parking lot and the levee. No ocean, but there might have been a little water out there somewhere.

Stairs
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​Amanda told us to feel free to take a peek at the upper level, even though it wasn't "set up".  

We walked by the strange monkey statue and headed up the stairs.  

Upstairs Decor
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​At the top of the stairs we found an intriguing display of boat motors. Inside the "party room" we found some scattered tables and a lovely mannequin.  

I would have had Don pose with her, but there was a sign reminding us not to touch. We didn't venture out on the bow deck. It looked a little weary and worn in broad daylight.
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History

Amanda told us the restaurant opened in 1979, but the place actually looked a lot older.  I could find little on the internet.  ​

Don studied an autographed photo of musician, Stevie Ray Vaughan on the wall. We wondered later if he could have had a beer or two in this place.

​Old Wood
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​The rounded walls and well worn floors did make us feel like we were on some kind of ship. 

When we asked Amanda if any of this really was part of an old boat, she just laughed. Evidently the owner always answers, "Of course." to that question. 

Time to Eat
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​We didn't get to experience Paul's at night, when I'm sure there's a lively crowd. But we did have a little seafood that was pretty tasty.

This is the kind of place you'd sort of expect the bartender to ignore you, but Amanda was actually very chatty, answering our random questions. Of course we were the only customers.

​Fried Shrimp
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​My shrimp, fries and hushpuppies were very decent. 

Don had his shrimp with fried oysters and slaw.  He was pleased with the oysters expecially.  

Heading Out
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​By the time we finished up, it was clearly lunchtime. We wandered through the outdoor Pirate Bar and tried to imagine the place on a crowded Friday night.  

 

I forget how you can sometimes judge a place by the customers. I wonder if we would have liked the place more or less, if we'd been surrounded by others?
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