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    Elite Week: Barry's Houston

    4.4 (72 reviews)

    Elite Week: Barry's Houston Photos

    Recommended Reviews - Elite Week: Barry's Houston

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    Jennifer A.

    This was NOT an event for the flat footed, introverted 40+ suburban female. Young, fit, 20 and 30 somethings, this one was for you! The parking was a pain. Some of the instructions given by the front desk staff were incorrect. For ex. I was told the instructor was gonna come out and give me some guidance before class and that never happened. It was loud and there were no ear plugs from what I saw. The music was poppy and ratchet, very Gen Z. The smoothies were very expensive. The workout sessions were packed and in an open area with no where for one to hide or take a quick break without it being noticeable. It was an extreme sensory overload situation. I was so frazzled and didn't relax back to normal until after a couple hours of being back home. Why did I give it 4 stars? The place was well lit and clean. There were plenty of showers, mirrors and toilets in the sparkly clean restroom. It's in a fun location. The staff was nice enough. The instructor was a super sweet pregnant bad azz. This just wasn't for me but it was definitely a great workout. It challenged me and got me out of my usual routine. I'm still a little sore from it. I consider myself fairly fit and healthy and wanted to be completely honest in this review. If youre looking to get in shape and haven't quite found your exercise groove and you tried this or any other workout and absolutely hated it please don't let it discourage you. I've been there. There are so many different forms of exercise out there. Find what works for you, something fun that you want to jump out of bed for or run to after a long day. Something that you could easily do everyday. Don't try to force it with something you loathe and dread. There's something out there for everyone and regular exercise is so vital to our health. Thanks Yelp and Barry's for the experience. It wasn't for me but it was nice to try something different and out of my routine.

    Sure looks like a confirmation on the webpage to me. But no, the system does not tell you the class is closed and you never get a QR code
    Daniel L.

    Yelp babey did nothing wrong on this one. I do not blame official yelp or anyone on the local yelp Houston team. I blame Barry's 100%, what an awful introduction to this brand. On Monday (within minutes of having received the sign up link from Lingyun) I registered my little account with Barry's and picked a weekend class. I have a demanding jerb and am not usually available during the week. So I was happy they had weekend offerings as you scrolled down far enough. The system let me pick my little weekend class and gave me the confirmed webpage (attached screenshot) without any errors. So I assumed we were Gucci and my confirmation e-mail with QR code would be forthcoming later in the week. Turns out we were not Gucci, we were not even Old Navy fam. On Friday I started to mildly panic I had no QR code yet since the weekend was a comin'. I asked here on this event page if other people were having issues and nobody was, so I then promptly e-mailed Barry's support. They got back to me later in the day that the system may have not told me the class was closed when I signed up (genius UI and UX!!!!!!) They offered remaining weekday dates I cannot make since I have un trabajo. So I don't get to experience my free Barry's class over the weekend and they collected a ton of my personal information from forcing me to make an account to sign up for the free class (I didn't ultimately receive) to sell to China or anyone else they want. Absolutely brilliant. Ten or so years ago we had a raft of free Yelp classes at various exercise places like RYDE near the three Starbucks intersection Lewis Black used to talk about and other brands like Revolution which was helpfully located just above Pondicheri. Registration for all those worked flawlessly and I decided which brands worked for me and which ones did not after I had visited their studios and smelled their candles (remember how good Revolution smelled!?!) Here, Barry's has made a very bad introduction to their brand before I even got in the front door to smell anything. I honestly expected better from Barack "Barry" Obama post-presidency when he started this chain to have something to do outside of the house. Thanks Obama!

    Chi A.

    Do I love when Yelp offers any fitness activity for Yelp elites? YES! Am I signing up for a membership with Barry's or even plan on returning? NO. I'll preface this by saying that I got a chemical peel during the week I was able to participate in the classes so I couldn't work out extensively. Before signing up, I knew Barry's was similar to Orange Theory Fitness (OTF) and I'm an OTF OG. Plus, I work out 6x/week and I power lift. I signed up for two classes; abs & ass on 2/6/25 @ 12:15pm and total body on 2/7/25 @ 4:20pm. Both classes were taught by Christina L. Once I signed up, I got an email confirmation for both classes and a follow up email with additional details pertaining to parking, time to arrive and etc. Since I knew where Barry's was, I knew it was paid parking so I didn't mind that. Now if I was member, that would be a barrier. I got there 15 mins prior and checked in at the desk. The reception I received was lukewarm but still informative. Again, if I was not already familiar with OTF, I would have been confused and overwhelmed. I scanned the lobby and appreciated the bar area, and how you could pre-order a shake that would be ready for you post the class. I took a few some pictures and headed into the red room. Christina was welcoming and full of energy. I was able to keep up because I'm used to HIIT workouts such as these but the music was extremely loud and it was difficult to see as the light in the room changed based on the exercise at that time. I preferred my Thursday class as it was in the middle of the day. The Friday late afternoon class was way too crowded so I left mid-way through the workout. Overall, I'm glad I was able to participate in this activity but Barry's culture and clientele doesn't suit me. It's truly meant for a specific type of personality. Loved the $14 shake though :)

    Cynthia C.

    Another really generous Yelp Elite Week with plenty of dates and times offered. My husband and I signed up for a late afternoon class on a Sunday. This was not my first time attending a Barry's class but I enjoyed it all the same. I found some of the free weight ranges to be a bit heavy, especially since we were asked to press/push the dumbbells over our heads and the recommended weight minimum was 15 pounds. I had decided to take it easy for this class since I had a pretty heavy week of exercise already and was appreciative that the instructor did not force anyone to push beyond their limits (physically or verbally pressuring). Our instructor, Christina, was both encouraging and motivating, so we had a really enjoyable experience. The only downsides are that some of the exercises are only performed for a short period so if you can't figure it out from the quick instructor demo, then you're on your own. Also, parking is limited here on weekend nights because of the surrounding restaurants, so you may find it easier to valet for $10.

    Naomi H.

    So whats up with this event feeling like "how to get stressed anxious and probably hurt yourself in a fancy place" I appreciate Yelp elite events as they are ways to show people what the brand is about so we can share the word. Well this didn't have any guidance any explanation or welcoming, it took me back to middle school with no guidance feeling left out confused and wondering if this is even for me. Everyone talked about the parking situation so not gonna touch that. But for real no one guided me or explained what the work out was about they just told me your spot is track10 and then floor10 *****WHAT DOES THAT MEAN !!??? Like what ? *** I got there music is blasting RED LIGHTS ON and cortisol to the sky for what I could see. I didn't even know how to turn on the running machine there was so much noise I couldn't understand the "cues" the coach was giving are where for me are there for the other people??? What's happening?? Not to say when we were on the "floor work out" part I could see different people with bad form (I'm no expert but I worked with weightlifting coaches before) and thinking they're probably hurting more than actually achieving. BEAUTIFUL PREMISES! The bathroom shower I tried everything very nice but it's not with it for a high cortisol unsafe not guided work out Thanks for the event Yelp but this was a no-no Won't come back

    Gina N.

    In the words of Fat Amy... "Don't sign me up for Cardio" Now, don't get me wrong. This experience was in no shape or form bad. It was a great HIIT workout. It pretty much went exactly as I expected, interval training on the treadmill alongside quick-paced exercises targeting the back, chest, and abs. It kicked. my. butt. I am writing this review the day after and my whole body is sore. I'm sore in place I didn't know I could be sore. That being said, I would consider myself moderately active. I go to the gym to do weight-training several times a week. I also take Pilates/Lagree classes on top of that. But the one thing I do not do is... high intensity cardio. The last time I SPRINTED must have been several years ago and I felt like and old car being started up for the first time. I'm glad that I was pushed to the limit... but would I do it again? Probably not. As a first timer, I found the logistics of the class a little confusing and I ended up having to rely on my neighbors for some help. Essentially there is one instructor leading 2 classes at the time time. I was pretty lost at first, but as class went on, I started to catch on. Be prepared to lock in and really listen. Maddy was an awesome instructor. She was super energetic, had great taste in music and made the class as fun as it could be. However, it was pretty hard to keep track of her at times. Thank you to Yelp and Barry's for organizing this event. It was really awesome to get a good workout in.

    Brittany W.

    I did not know what to expect other than working up a sweat! I'm glad I signed up for this experience because I definitely got in a sweaty workout. I arrived at Barry's about 30 min prior to class because I came straight from work. I parked in the lot and paid $2.56 for two hours of parking. Noemi was the first staff member I saw and she was very warm and welcoming. She gave me an orientation and what to expect. I also met a new yelp friend Mildred! Meeting new and old friends is one of my favorite aspects of yelp events! Christina led the workout and she had amazing energy! The workout was intense, especially for me after a long day at work but it was not a drill sergeant vibe so I was able to enjoy it for what it was. I'm looking forward to trying another class.

    Angeline D.

    Never heard of Barry's until Yelp offered this special elite week. So thank you to Houston Yelp team for putting this together. Did a little online research so I knew it'd be a tough workout, but I was up for the challenge. Everyone's talking about parking, and I agree. It is annoying to have to pay for parking, but there is free street parking available a short walk away. When you enter, you check in at the desk and they assign your station at both the treadmills and on the floor. There are lockers in the lobby and in the locker rooms. You don't need to bring your own lock, which was great. The locker room was clean, there were showers and Dyson (!) hairdryers available. Towels available too. You wait outside until the instructor calls you in. I was told to start at the treadmill. It's intense with the instructor yelling what speed and incline you should go, but there were others who were just doing what they could handle. After about 10 minutes, you switch to the floor for weight training. You pick weights that are most comfortable to you. After 10 minutes, you do another round of treadmill and a final round of weights. Overall thoughts - I felt like I was in a club. Dark room with red lights. Loud music. The instructor is definitely in your ear the whole time. In my class, she didn't correct anyone's form from what I saw. Definitely potential for someone hurting themselves if they don't know what they're doing. I guess that's why they make you sign a waiver. I only did 1 class because the available classes didn't bode well with my schedule. I wouldn't have gone back anyway. It's just not my vibe. I currently do F45 and I like being in my comfortable space. Thanks for taking me in, Barry's. It was a good experience. And thank again to our Yelp team!!

    Exterior
    Brian T.

    I've had my eye on Barry's for a while, having seen many friends rave about it, so it worked out perfectly to have a Yelp Elite Week at Barry's Houston! With work travel, I was only able to attend a small window of the available classes. Thankfully my WFH schedule allowed me to attend a Thursday and Friday class during the lunch hour. Parking in this River Oaks shopping center is tricky. While the first 30 minutes are free, Barry's classes are obviously longer than that, so you end up having to pay for a minimum 2 hours of parking. For the price tag of Barry's, it would be nice if they validated parking for class goers. For the Thursday class, I signed up for RUN X LIFT Abs & Ass with Christina. Upon walking in, I informed Christina that this was my first class and she was super welcoming and explained to me how it all worked. After the class, she took the time to talk to me and encouraged me to come back to one of her classes. A great, welcoming first-timer experience! This class was not crowded at all; less than half full and plenty of room to spread out. I was told this is about normal for mid-day classes during the week. For the Friday class, I signed up for RUN X LIFT Total Body with Chloe. I unexpectedly ran into Zain R. and Mark W. at this same class too! This class was a bit more crowded, even though it was in the middle of the day on a Friday. For this one, you are rotating on the same-number treadmill and floor area as another person, which seems to be the norm for Barry's. I suppose this is not an issue other weekday classes, where you have the same treadmill and floor area all to yourself for the entirety of the class. Both classes were super intense! I burned nearly 600 calories in each class and found myself profusely sweating during and after the classes. I did notice that the treadmills and floor areas are very close together. I was worried about the worst case scenario of tripping during treadmill sprints and falling onto someone else, and vice versa. I am honestly curious how often this happens given how close everyone is to each other. The front desk staff were super nice and welcoming as well. During my first class on Thursday, they gave me a quick rundown of how the class works. Afterwards, they informed me of the different class plans as a newbie. While note cheap, you do get what you pay for, and clearly these classes are priced at a premium or a reason. You do get an intense workout with lots of sweat scrunched into 50 minutes. You can tell who are the regulars here, they know what they are doing and look good doing it. There were a couple of folks who were more focused on recording themselves throughout the entire class rather than actually working out, which I found slightly annoying. Not sure if they were also first-timers with the promo, but I guess working out at Barry's could be seen as a flex if you had never been before. Thanks to Jando, the Yelp Houston team, and the Barry's Houston team for making this a great Elite Week experience. I am strongly considering buying some starter classes and continuing my attendance at Barry's. Decisions, decisions...

    Inside the Red Room
    David P.

    Okay! Review update now that I'm 2/2 for the free classes. For first timer advice, please refer to my first review. Background: I have never done Barry's before. A few Pilates classes here and there. I consider myself moderately active with a desk job. My scoring is solely for the booking process as a first timer to Barry's. I did not have as bad of an experience as Daniel L., but it was still troublesome. My guest (+1) and I booked at nearly the exact same time. I got confirmation e-mails for Friday at 4:20 PM (the EDM sounded interesting) and a Wednesday at 6:40 PM. My +1 did not get a confirmation for the Friday spot. The next day, I received an e-mail indicating that the Wednesday spot sold out. So, I don't know what the point of a booking was for, considering that I was assigned a spot. Maybe they double booked or maybe they sold my spot to a paying member; who knows? Either way, I was only given the options for classes between 7:30AM - 5:30 PM on weekdays (and one 5AM option, which some people may appreciate but I am absolutely a night owl). These are impossible to make for someone working a normal 8-5 job. I took the latest possible spot I could since I wanted to try it out. We had to e-mail back and forth to verify reservations. The classes themselves were fine. We weren't given too much instruction at the desk, other than the assigned spot map and the alternating cardio to floor system. My first class felt a bit hectic, but I think it was just getting used to the system. The second class, I had a better understanding and I did some variants of the cardio (high intensity cardio doesn't go well with asthma). Both instructors were good. The Friday "total body" was barely more so than the "chest, back & abs" on Wednesday - it felt like very similar muscle groups, along with some added squats. Both classes included burpees and push-up variants, for example. Cardio in between floor workouts tended to be jog-run-walk cycles with some variations in incline. The workouts were definitely on the side of higher intensity. Random note, but Friday's "EDM" music was more house-style. I probably won't be back, but I appreciate the opportunity to try out Barry's! Thanks, Yelp, and applause for the instructors there.

    Hemi K.

    It was a great experience going to Barry's!! The staff were super helpful and friendly. They gave out free goodies with the current challenge going on. I loved the Ouai products they have in the bathroom. I would recommend stretching on your own before the workout starts so you don't get too sore after. Sometimes I did feel lost but it was nice to follow along your neighbors.

    Lisa K ..

    I wanted to take a moment to update my review because businesses that offer complimentary classes do so to welcome new clients. After my class, the business owner personally reached out to see how I liked it. I let her know that I enjoyed it and mentioned that I had shared my thoughts on the elite page to help out. She responded with genuine concern, invited me back, and showed a real willingness to take feedback and make improvements. I truly appreciate her kind gesture and dedication to creating a better experience for everyone. I'm confident that future experiences will be even better!

    Morgan W.

    Another awesome event! Stopped by for a HIT class or not was i worn out. The ambience is inviting. they have protein shakes and lockers for your things. the class welcomes all levels and is open to all modifications. Parking in the lot does cost but it's not too expensive. You can also buy clothes with the Barry's logo on them! i'll be back with a friend because i won't be the only sore the next day!

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    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - Elite Week: Barry's Houston

    I made my Barry's account Monday and signed up for a weekend class through the Yelp link Lingyun e-mailed that day, still don't have the class confirmed in my Barry's account. How long does it take to get confirmed from Barry's? It is Friday.

    I got my confirmation the day of (Monday) prob an hour or two after I signed up. Check spam maybe? Wonder if it's because it was a first come first serve class? :(

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - Elite Week: Barry's Houston

    The workout alternates between the bench (the exercises vary depending on the time or day) and the treadmill.

    Mentioned in 21 reviews

    Read more highlights

    Yelp's Dinner Party at Kitchen Rumors - Lamb biryani

    Yelp's Dinner Party at Kitchen Rumors

    4.9(75 reviews)
    1.8 miSixth Ward

    It was the most beautiful evening and funniest Yelp event I have ever attended. Ofcourse- the…read moreawesome food by Jassi Binder and the excellent table service made it an even more memorable event. Kitchen Rumors is a new addition to the Indian fusion food in Houston. Its tucked away in a nice residential neighborhood so parking can get a little tricky but street parking is allowed. The event itself was held outdoors and for a very strange unknown reason it rained a bit after a long week of heat and added the much needed cool breeze. It was sit down dinner with 3 course meal. And I was so glad there was vegetarian option so I could for once enjoy a Yelp event meal the way it is supposed to be. My star of the evening was hands- down the Kale starter ! It was actually popular at our table among everyone. The guy came and explained that, ' you must eat it inside out as there is an aloo (potato) patty at the centre'... and the cheese kulcha was yummm Next came the naan and chole also very filling and yumm, and to end the evening was pinna cotta bread dessert. This I brought home as I was too full already. Drinks were served as part of the promotional event by Nofomo Vodka and Tequila shots by Don Cosme Thank you Jando, smiling all through the evening as usual and gorgeous Farah from Yelp, and yes... our new intern Gina.. And a big thanks to Kitchen Rumors and its staff.

    Dinner, Drinks, and Yelpers!…read more First thing's first - Not just thanks, but a huge round of applause to everyone who helped coordinate this event: Yelp organizers, Jando, Farrah, Kitchen Rumors/Amarina Team, and Nofomo Vodka. This is hands down my favorite events of the year. Despite being outdoors and catching a bit of rain, the event went on beautifully as the night consisted of good food, drink, and company. We were assigned seats based off of party size and availible table space. This turned out to be one of the best things to happen. I truly enjoyed meeting other Yelpers and had great conversations carry on all night. We started with complimentary drinks from Nofomo Vokda, (which is completely organic/GMO-free) and wine from the restaurant. Shortly after, the great minds behind Kitchen Rumors gave a detailed speech of their background, story, and concept(s). I felt the passion and excitement radiating from the team and I gotta say, it got me excited too. So much so, that I had to Amrina to my bucket list. Now, on to the best part, the food. The team put together an exclusive, preselected dinner menu for our Yelp event. I really ejoyed the fact that the meal was meant to be shared amongst the table. I felt like doing so created an intimate atmosphere while also facilating conversations as we all tried the same food for the first time. The apps were all incredible. They tasted amazing and were all so fun and super creative. I enjoyed every. single. one. I'd have to say that, surprisingly, my favorites were the Crispy Kale and Blue Cheese Chicken. I loved how the Kale was perfectly crispy, light (almost refreshing) and had potato in the center. Although I am not a fan of Blue Cheese, the chef wasn't kidding when he said you'd like it anyway. Its packed with flavor and punch of pungent blue cheese wasn't there. I enjoyed the apps so much that I almost forgot we had entrees coming lol. We were served Goat Biryani and Banzino, accompanied with sides of Beans and Garlic naan. Don't get me wrong, the main course was good, but the appetizers set the bar sooo high that they stole the show. Lastly, for dessert, we had their panna cotta. I'd never seen panna cotta served like this before - it was sheet- like. Very Cool. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the night. I got to try a new restaraunt, try new food, and meet new people. Food-wise, Kitchen Rumors set the bar so high with the appetizers. I will definitely be coming back to order a bunch of apps for dinner lol. To the organizers: you guys put on an amazing event. Loved it, thank you so much.

    Photos
    Yelp's Dinner Party at Kitchen Rumors - Supree sharing his passion for this place.

    Supree sharing his passion for this place.

    Yelp's Dinner Party at Kitchen Rumors - New album cover dropped.

    New album cover dropped.

    Yelp's Dinner Party at Kitchen Rumors - Sommelier

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    Sommelier

    Yelp Elite Night: American Psycho - The Musical - Signature themed cocktails

    Yelp Elite Night: American Psycho - The Musical

    4.9(83 reviews)
    2.3 miDowntown, Fourth Ward

    Another theater event in the books! I was thrilled for this opportunity because it had been a year…read moresince the Black Badge event for the Barricade Boys last summer (which was so much fun). As was the case last year, I passed up an opportunity to sign up for the ticket lottery and I'm glad I did because days later, I received the email about the event and immediately signed up. The Houston Elites showed up in full force! We took over the theater. I was so happy that my seats were located in the middle of the orchestra as I prefer to sit mid to back center orchestra or front mezzanine when I attend theater performances. I had never seen American Psycho (nor had I read the novel), so I didn't quite know what to expect. I'm not even a fan of horror, but I'm a huge fan of musical theater so I didn't let it deter me. I also wasn't familiar with the Houston Broadway Theater group so I loved having the opportunity to check out this local performing arts company. The "Video Visions" art installation brought me back to my childhood. The set up was really cool and had some fun photo ops. Unfortunately, it took up a lot of space in the lobby which made it difficult to move around (especially if you were trying to get to the bar or the restrooms). Shout out to the bartender who told me about the Cocktail Merger special. I was able to order one drink before the show and preorder the second drink for intermission. I absolutely love when theaters allow for intermission preorders. It's saves time not having to stand in line and I was able to take advantage of the drink special. Win win! This show was all the things. It's was campy, gory, violent, sexual, funny, weird, outrageous, and unhinged (in the best way). I absolutely LOVED the 80s music! New Order and Tears For Fears are two of my favorite 80s New Wave bands. I had to refrain from singing out loud lol. I also loved that Duncan Sheik composed the music and lyrics. I thought the acting was strong and the vocals were good. The musicians were great and the company as a whole had some nice harmonies. There were some funny moments during the show that I probably laughed a little too hard at lol. They found a way to touch on multiple themes in an interesting and provocative way. I was curious to see how the musical compared to the movie and ended up watching it the next night. There were some slight differences, but the musical closely aligned with the movie. I see why American Psycho is a cult classic. What a fun way to end the week! Thank you Jando, Jane, Yelp HTX, Hobby Center, and Houston Broadway Theater for this wild opportunity!

    What a nice way to end the work week! This was truly a treat. First and foremost, a huge thank you…read moreto Jando, Yelp Houston and The Hobby Center of Performing Arts! I've been going to the theater more lately this year. I've always enjoyed musicals, Broadway shows, and the ballet but haven't been as consistent. I'm enjoying all the shows that have come through the Hobby Center so far. When I saw that Yelp elites had the chance to see American Psycho, I was excited because I was thinking about getting tickets to see it. I brought a friend, and she said it may have been one of her first musicals and how much she enjoyed it! Popped her musical cherry! Lololol. Ok, that's a little weird. Lol. I had never read the book or seen the movie, American Psycho, so I was pleasantly surprised about the storyline. It was funny, raunchy, and the group a cappella, solos and live band above the stage were amazing! I'm usually in the orchestra seats, but the mezzanine also offers a great view that some people in the orchestra level can't see such as special effects and lighting. I will never say "no" to free tickets. I hope Yelp offers more events like these like the last one, The Barricade Boys West End Party that my close friend Tiffany J. invited me to as her +1.

    Photos
    Yelp Elite Night: American Psycho - The Musical - Theater (from Left Mezzanine)

    Theater (from Left Mezzanine)

    Yelp Elite Night: American Psycho - The Musical - Amazing view from Center Orch Row M

    Amazing view from Center Orch Row M

    Yelp Elite Night: American Psycho - The Musical - Tickets

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    Tickets

    Elite Week: Crust Pizza Co - The Heights - Big Don's Meat and Cheese Pizza

    Elite Week: Crust Pizza Co - The Heights

    4.6(104 reviews)
    3.5 miThe Heights

    Yay to Yelp elite weeks YEE…read more I was initially was on a waitlist but then cleared. Who doesn't enjoy a pizza especially if u just moved from the Tri state area. I ordered the margherita pizza. It was delicious. It was rich with tomatoes, cheese n basil and had a robust flavor. The restaurant itself was very spacious from inside. The manager was the one taking orders at the counter. My son lived with me who also ordered a pizza and some garlic nuts, for which I will leave a separate review for the restaurant. Thanks to crust pizza management, Yelp and Jando for organizing this awesome event.

    A pizza Elite Week?! Heck yeah! I'm glad I signed up and am now wishing I would have signed up for…read morethe Memorial location too because the pizza was tasty! I wasn't familiar with Crust Pizza Co. before this opportunity. I met up with Annalisa P. and Helene S. who was celebrating her birthday! While we were there, we ran into Mel S. and her fiancé! The restaurant wasn't very busy (probably because of the stormy weather). I walked up to the ordering counter and stood there for a minute before an employee came to take my order. The young lady who took my order was nice and helpful with suggestions. All of the staff members that I interacted with were very friendly! It was great to have the option to do the build your own pizza. I was tempted, but decided to order the Wyatt BBQ Chicken and it was delicious! I loved the BBQ sauce and cilantro. The personal size was plenty and I had some slices for lunch the following day. For my fountain drink I went with iced tea (1/2 sweet, 1/2 unsweet). The tea was good and was not bitter which was a relief. I also ordered a Spiked Arnold Palmer which had Deep Eddy Sweet Tea with lemonade. It was really good!! The restaurant is quite large. The booths are big enough for 6-8 people. They also had some high top tables in the bar area. There were plenty of large screen TVs in the bar and main dining area. It's definitely a place where you could eat and hang out if you wanted to watch a game. The large parking lot is an added bonus! I can't wait to come back to try some of the other pizza options. Thank you Jando, Yelp HTX, and Crust Pizza Co. - Heights for this awesome Elite Week!

    Photos
    Elite Week: Crust Pizza Co - The Heights - The Lot

    The Lot

    Elite Week: Crust Pizza Co - The Heights - Love the pizza. Love the parking!

    Love the pizza. Love the parking!

    Elite Week: Crust Pizza Co - The Heights - Carl's King

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    Carl's King

    Elite Week: Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream - Rice Village - Toasted S'mores  Salted Peanut Butter with Chocolate Flecks  Strawberry Pretzel

    Elite Week: Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream - Rice Village

    5.0(163 reviews)
    2.5 miWest University

    Double dipped at Jeni's last year for my birthday. Double dipped again this week…read more Met my friend Tiffany for Elite Week at Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams in Rice Village. When you meet at 8:30, it's easy to find a parking space right in front for two hours of free parking. Sweet! Hopped into line and then started with a few samples. Ivan was the perfect ice cream concierge who offered the most delicious metal spoons filled with bite sized tastes. Watermelon taffy. Strawberry pretzel pie. Popcorn brittle. Goose tracks. Double dough. Used my birthday coupon for a waffle cone filled with Brown Butter Almond Brittle. Brown butter almond candy crushed into buttercream ice cream. Even without chocolate, one of my favorites. Then, I double dipped by using my "It's Sweet to Be Elite" week triple scoop in a waffle bowl which I took home to share with my hubby. Three scoops of my favorites. Brambleberry Crisp. Oven toasted oat streusel and brambleberry jam swirled through creamy vanilla ice cream. Delish! Salted peanut butter with chocolate flakes. Like a frozen Reese's peanut butter cup. And another scoop of Brown Butter Almond Brittle. Yum! Service was great. Grabbed a high top table for two, which was cleaned upon our request. Lots of tables inside or outside patio seating is also available. Ivan packed my ice cream bowl to go so nicely. Good luck with school next year. Thanks to Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream for another sweet treat Elite Week. Nice to be able to enjoy a late night treat at Rice Village with my friend, Tiffany. Thanks as always to the best Houston CM Jando for planning another very It's Sweet to be Elite birthday month. Double dipping with Jeni's two years in a row!

    This sweet treat was worth the wait! I have a sweet tooth and always enjoy dessert themed Elite…read moreWeeks. I've had Jeni's many times and was excited to have the opportunity to check out this new location in Rice Village with my friend, Helene! Ivan was the employee who helped us. He was so nice and was happy to let us sample some of the flavors. The young lady at the register was nice and even wiped down one of the high top tables for us. The Signature comes with three half scoops, but don't let the half scoops fool you. The portions were generous! As much as I love a waffle cone, I opted to get my ice cream on a plate. I was pleasantly surprised when Ivan added waffle cone pieces to the plate. The plate had rounded edges like a bowl which I found to be helpful (I love the attention to detail). I had the Gooey Butter Cake (my favorite), the Double Dough (I love cookie dough ice cream), and the Goose Tracks! I liked all three, but I really enjoyed the Goose Tracks. The chunks of chocolate with the blackberry and raspberry flavor was heaven! Surprisingly, the flavors of each scoop didn't clash with each other. I didn't have cash to tip so I bought a bottle (box) of water. It came in handy since ice cream makes me thirsty. The store didn't seem quite as big as the Montrose location, but they have a large patio out back. Parking was fine on a weeknight. I love that Jeni's is open late! Perfect for the night owls! Thank you Jando, Yelp HTX, and Jeni's for this sweet perk!

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    Elite Week: Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream - Rice Village - The signature

    The signature

    Elite Week: Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream - Rice Village - Inside Line

    Inside Line

    Elite Week: Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream - Rice Village - Texas sheet cake, gooey butter cake and s'mores

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    Texas sheet cake, gooey butter cake and s'mores

    Elite Week: 1st Anniversary at The Kebab Shop - Super duper wrap

    Elite Week: 1st Anniversary at The Kebab Shop

    4.8(173 reviews)
    3.8 miWest University

    Lovely little restaurant. Alexandro at the counter was very…read morehelpful and friendly. He guided me through the vegan options. The one I chose was with falafels bowl with a twist, I had fries added to it when I found out that its fried in oil and not animal fat. The buzzer signal came quite soon indicating that my food was ready, and my bowl looked delicious and healthy ( as my fries were well hidden). It costed around $14 and I thought that was reasonable. They had some sauces which anyone can help themselves to in any quantity. I loved the cilantro jalapeños one. Spicy, tangy and just to my taste. Thank you TKS, and Jando from Yelp. I most certainly will be back.

    Four girls, three girls, and a guy…read more When my girls' night out was moved to this week, I decided to invite some of my best friends to the Yelp Elite week for a fun GNO. Win, win for The Kabob Shop as my three girlfriends joined me and bought bowls at The Kebab Shop for dinner. Four girls sharing stories and memories over a delicious Mediterranean meal. For my bowl, I got the works. Started with a grain bowl filled with half saffron rice and half truffle brown rice and just added almost everything. Thinly carved lamb and beef shawarma with the classic bowl toppings. Cucumbers, romaine lettuce, tomatoes, cabbage salad and pickled onion. A delicious start. Then with the Sahar's expert help, I just kept adding on what she recommended. Hummus, feta, fries, olives, grilled veggies, tzatziki. Finished the order with the OG yogurt sauce. So good and took half home to share. My friends also got bowls filled with grilled chicken, falafel and chicken shawarma. They all sampled my fries and went back for extra sauce at the sauce bar and asked for extra tzatziki. Yum!! Four girls and a guy. So, the husband of one of my friends was also hungry, so she ordered a bowl for him. He came by and picked it up on the way home from the gym, but didn't stay for long. Didn't want to crash our GNO. Three girls. So nice also to see three of my Yelp girls. Brittany H., Keandra and Jennifer also decided to make Yelp Elite Week at TKS a GNO. Always fun to chat with them as part of the "after party." You know we were all chatting past closing time in the parking lot. So much fun to enjoy a fun GNO with four girls, three girls and a guy. Forever friends that have watched as our kids grew up and friends that have watched as we grew up in Yelp. A special thank you and Happy Anniversary to The Kebab Shop. What a difference a year makes. Cheers to many, many more successful years in our community. Thank you also to our amazing Houston CM Jandito. You would always be welcome to crash our four girls, three girls and a guy Yelp Elite Week GNO party. It is sweet to be Elite! NB: They offer teacher and healthcare providers discounts with your ID badge.

    Photos
    Elite Week: 1st Anniversary at The Kebab Shop - Rice bowl with steak

    Rice bowl with steak

    Elite Week: 1st Anniversary at The Kebab Shop - Exterior with Exterior Seating

    Exterior with Exterior Seating

    Elite Week: 1st Anniversary at The Kebab Shop - Kid tested and approved

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    Kid tested and approved

    Banh Mi Cook-Off

    Banh Mi Cook-Off

    4.0(4 reviews)
    3.2 miDowntown, EaDo

    I've been to 2017, 2018, 2019, no events during Covid and now 2023. Great annual competition raises…read moremoney to support BPSOS' efforts. Congrats to Boat People SOS-Houston for the 7th Annual Banh Mi Cookoff Fundraiser. Great banh mi sandwich samples provided by Blood Bros BBQ, AtCha on Bellaire Blvd, Kau Ba in Montrose area, Saigon Hustle in the Garden Oaks community, The Pho Fix, Vina Deli in Spring, Kim Son Restaurant, Wokker HTX and Xin Chao Restaurant (a modern Vietnamese restaurant by Christine Ha & Tony J Nguyen). I remember it used to elbow to elbow during the 2nd hour of Banh Mi Cookoff event at Chapman & Kirby previously. This year is a lot more room to roam around. Much better and comfortable. Me and my foodie friend went around to sample every banh mi one time. Then, went back to try those we want to vote on. After some sweet teas, we were stuffed. Another great improvement was the ticketing process. Signed up on CauseVox and paying $40 with no upfront fees. I received the eTicket via email. I bought 2 tickets, my friend got her email, too. Traffic from Chinatown was usual busy around this area and I parked at an empty lot across the street for $20 plus tax. Overall, it was a great event. We vowed to come back next year.

    An amazing way to taste the best bánh mis !!! Every year there's something different and delicious…read more Lots of fun with a group of friends and foodies.

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    Banh Mi Cook-Off
    Banh Mi Cook-Off
    Banh Mi Cook-Off

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    UYE: Sunday Brunch at MaKiin - Maria, Suelynn and her friends

    UYE: Sunday Brunch at MaKiin

    4.8(4 reviews)
    1.2 miUpper Kirby

    Back by popular demand. I announced as this was my final UYE of 2025 back in May because of my work…read moreschedule and community commitments. But, I retracted my promise during this Sunday Brunch UYE. There was a bundle of joy at this UYE. Originally I thought just about 10 people were attending. Because of my social media posts, this event attracted about 20 people. It was a huge success. I was nice to see familiar faces, such as Zain, Yasser, Maria and Jando. I also met a few new friends. I was going to plan on my next UYE but I had some scheduling conflicts. I just announced my UYE for this Sunday a week ago. Yeah. Can't tell when I can get back to my normal scheduled UYE anymore.

    What a nice outing to attend on a Sunday amongst other events like a long morning hike beforehand…read moreand gardening afterwards. Meeting at 11:30 AM instead of 11:00 AM, was great because it gave me time to plan to be punctual (I'm usually late to the UYEs), but only because I'm in less frequented territory. What a different kind of UYE that's outside the norm of Chinatown Crawls, it leaves room to what is to be desired. Here we are at Makiin Thai, chatting with other fellow Yelpers and then some new faces conjugated around an AYCE (all you can eat) Thai buffet with a limited selections of veg options on the line. An elegant styled restaurant and I'm sure glad that today was "dress day" for myself since I felt at place with everyone else attire. There were three options that I could choose from: tamarind brussel sprouts, purple rice, and stir-fried mixed vegetables. Everything was delicious! I could have ordered from the menu, but I specifically came for the AYCE. Nonetheless, the moment wasn't sour for me. I'd like to visit again to sample the menu items since Thai is one my favorite cuisine. I'm looking forward to the next UYE!

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    UYE: Sunday Brunch at MaKiin - Who are these people

    Who are these people

    UYE: Sunday Brunch at MaKiin - Big crowd

    Big crowd

    UYE: Sunday Brunch at MaKiin - Jando and Vlad

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    Jando and Vlad

    Houston AAPI Film Festival

    Houston AAPI Film Festival

    5.0(2 reviews)
    8.7 miWestchase

    In case you missed virtual HAAPIFest in 2020 due to CoVid19 pandemic, movie screening is continuous…read morethroughout the year. The festival was June 4-14 with various topics daily shown on Eventive Virtual. Admission was free and it accepts donations during the screenings of over 40 Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) films and special LIVE and pre-recorded Q&As with filmmakers. I attended the preseason teaser screening in May. It was kind of fun until the movie stopped due to technical difficulties. Not sure if it was my internet connection or from the host's computer. I didn't stay to the end (maybe it was the end). The fun part was that participants can chat while watching the movie (I think that was the reason for crashing). I heard from the festival organizer, they can show more movies outside of festival. For example, ASIAN AMERICANS Documentary will be featured at the Virtual OCA National Convention this Sunday August 2nd. I'm waiting FERMENTED movie to be shown again. Because I want to host a virtual watch party with my foodie friends. What's 2021 gonna look like? I don't care it is gonna be virtual or in person, as long as Houston AAPI Film Festival continues forever.

    Fantastic festival to learn about Asian American Culture. Awesome experience to learn the…read moresimilarity between the Latin culture and the Asian culture, and the struggle that they both gone through. What a great experiences.

    Photos
    Houston AAPI Film Festival - Q&A with director of "Fermented"

    Q&A with director of "Fermented"

    Houston AAPI Film Festival - When I was speaking to an audience about my fermentation process.

    When I was speaking to an audience about my fermentation process.

    Houston AAPI Film Festival - Director Q&A

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    Director Q&A

    Elite Week: Barry's Houston - yelpevents - Updated August 2026

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