Edd & Nina Hendee
OWNERS OF THE TASTE OF TEXAS
If you have not been to Taste of Texas restaurant before, then you cannot be a Memorialite, Houstonian, or even Texan as far as I’m concerned! The restaurant has stood at command at 1-10 in between Sam Houston Tollway and Gessner for almost thirty years. That is not what makes the Hendees “Noteworthy Neighbors”, however; it is the Hendees themselves. Before going any further, I have to say, full disclosure here, that my family and the Hendees go way back to the 1970’s and I love this couple!
The Hendees met and fell in love in 1975 at Steak and Ale. As a student at Southern Methodist University in the early 1970’s, Nina went to work at the Steak & Ale in Richardson as a door hostess while Edd was a dishwasher. At 23 and 26 years old the Hendees decided to move to Houston where Edd’s parents would provide a small loan to start the Taste of Texas. They searched the city for the right location and found an older building on the back side of Town and Country Village. The property was full of beautiful trees, great neighborhoods, and conveniently located on Memorial Drive, a winding scenic road on Houston’s west side.
They opened on November 19, 1977 and the early Taste of Texas was a neighborhood gathering spot for the Memorial area. In the late 1970’s, the bar was called the “Lone Star Saloon”, and they always had entertainment to make it a fun gathering place for their customers.
After 13 years in Town & Country Village, the landlord refused to extend their lease. Taste of Texas had to move, but where? “Not far from our location on Memorial Drive was just over three acres of prime real estate on Interstate 10. Renowned Houston restaurateur and my friend, Chris Pappas, called to let us know it was for sale and that he was putting two restaurants next door and would love to be neighbors” said Edd.
They opened in 1991. With their hundreds of Texas History artifacts and treasures around the restaurant, Nina started her speaking career with area school children and sharing her love of Texas and its rich history. Approximately 13,000 Houston area students look forward to the Taste of Texas field trip each school year where they hear great tales of our Texas forefathers, tour the restaurant, and enjoy a lunch, compliments of the owners. Nina is now sharing her love of Texas history with 2nd generation students whose parents came as 4th graders.
The Hendees donate to over 700 charities per year and count themselves blessed that they have worked together as husband and wife for all of these years and any of us that know the Hendees consider themselves blessed as well.
