The Men’s Center, Inc.

     Remember the ol' saying 'you can't judge a book by it's cover?' Apply it to Original New Orleans Po-Boy on Main with the authentic retro exterior and the not-so-smooth parking lot. Then apply it again to the restaurant's owner, Pete Hope, that's kept it a Houston tradition for 20 years.

     Look inside the place and the person and you'll be amazed what you'll find.

     Years ago, Hope traded liquor for sobriety with the help of The Men's Center (this issue's Helping Hands) then began an eighteen-year career as a meat cutter for Weingarten's.

     In 1986, what was the popular Ritz Drive Inn changed names and ownership and Pete could finally put his beef and management expertise to work.

     "Customer's tell me we have the best hamburgers in town," says Hope, whose wisdom to his staff is not to ever serve anything they wouldn't want to have served to them.

     The result is a straight-from-the-grill almost half-pound burger loaded with all the extras. Oyster and shrimp po-boys are long time favorites with specialty buns from a local bakery.

     Menu prices are oh-so-affordable--$3.95 for a jumbo cheeseburger (that's really jumbo),$.99 for fries and $4.95 for a shrimp po-boy.

     At lunchtime, the serving line has a personality all its own. Service is fast and efficient with plentiful seating. Don't try to flash plastic, it's cash only.

     Pancakes, aka hot cakes, are morning favorites at $1 each. (Some say they're the best in town, too!) Big eaters start with three hot cakes and two pork chops for $4.95, self-indulging with a side of grits for $.79 or hash browns for $.99. And if you're a Coke drinker, you'll love the atmosphere, a collection that spans wall to ceiling throughout the restaurant.

     Hope's Coke collection, what some say is one of the largest in the state, started in '85 with three pieces. Year after year, someone brought in another bottle or piece of Coke memorabilia; even Hope's lost count.

     If you a black tie, white tablecloth customer, the orange swivel chair motif might not be for you. But then again some say...