Southbelt-Ellington - Houston, TX

Once a marshy area inhabited by Karankawa Indians, the 1860s brought farming and commerce into the area now known as Southbelt-Ellington as the Industrial Revolution spread to southeast Houston. A cattle business settled the area in 1879, and in 1903, rice farming began to take over the marshes. The land changed ownership several times before Ayrshire Development Corporation acquired it in 1962 and turned it into a community development. Homes, parks and sports fields have since replaced the cow pastures and marshes. A small, rural community once considered far from town evolved into a thriving neighborhood surrounded by retail shops, restaurants and major city highways and thoroughfares.

From Tex-Mex to Thai and delis to fine dining, restaurants in Southbelt-Ellington provide an eclectic mix of options. Locals seek out neighborhood-favorite dining spots, be they camouflaged in strip malls or conveniently located next to office parks.

Tucked away in a shopping center behind Almeda Mall sits Thai Jasmine, a local favorite for lunch or a casual dinner. Get the tom yuum soup and the Thai tea, which is served in a giant beer mug. With a choose-your-own-spice level of 1 to 5 for most entrees, patrons usually recommend sticking with level 3 unless you like a lot of heat.

Stop in for lunch at Dixie’s Deli, a mom-and-pop shop serving up hot sandwiches and friendly service. Located next to Ellington Field, the lunchtime crowd often consists of local NASA mechanics grabbing a quick bite to eat. The roast beef sandwich, served with dipping-friendly bread and tasty au jus, often gets recommended.

When it comes to nightlife, locals and the occasional biker crowd frequent Scooter’s Icehouse for cold beer and greasy hamburgers. Though the regulars may seem intimidating in the darkened bar, the dive is a welcoming place with friendly staff. With Thursday’s dubbed tejano night and occasional live music, Scooter’s provides a relaxed atmosphere to enjoy a few drinks.

Attracting up-and-coming comedians and national headliners, Joke Joint Comedy Showcase keeps the locals laughing. Consistently providing good stand-up comedy, the small bar elicits an intimate but relaxed show experience. Stop by on Wednesday nights for free admission to open-mic night.

Drive down to the southern portion of Southbelt-Ellington for an evening at a charming neighborhood wine bar, Friends Uncorked. One of the area’s best spots for date night, this house-turned-bar provides a cozy area to settle in with a glass of red and good conversation. A local musician gently serenades the patrons most nights, while the two owners chat with patrons to ensure everyone has a good time. The food stays on the lighter side, but offers just the right accompaniment to the wine.

Residents prefer to get around the neighborhood and surrounding Houston areas via personal vehicles. Though somewhat walkable, the neighborhood does not provide much public transportation or bike infrastructure. Easy access to Interstate 45 and a quick 12-minute drive north lands you at Hobby Airport for a quick getaway out of town. Nearby Ellington Field services smaller commercial and military flights.

To hail a cab, call the cab company to request a ride, or schedule a pickup with Uber. Two major highways, Interstate 45 and Beltway 8 intersect in the center of Southbelt-Ellington, allowing its residents easy access to and from downtown Houston as well as surrounding areas.

Southbelt-Ellington provides multiple outdoor recreational areas, with more than 10 parks open to the public. Many parks have pools open from May until the beginning of the school year, around August. Though dog-friendly, most parks require pups to remain on a leash. Locals love Frankie Carter Randolph Park for its wide range of entertainment options. Its paved walking trails, various playgrounds, and communal herb garden, among other amenities, ensures the park is always active. Plenty of shaded picnic tables allow for small families or large parties to enjoy the outdoor space.

El Franco Lee Park sprawls over 326 acres just off Beltway 8 and Pearland Parkway. Mostly frequented by baseball and softball players and fans, the multisport complex also provides a community center, which hosts various daily senior activities like exercise classes and arts and crafts.

The Sagemont Recreation Center and Pool houses a public pool open during summer months and year-round youth sports, including free tennis and golf programs. Local youth enjoy after-school enrichment programs focusing on self-esteem-building activities involving fitness and crafts.

For outdoor fitness sessions, residents use the exercise stations at Clear Brook City Park. The hiking and biking trails provide joggers a nice track to run, and the park also contains sports fields for team-oriented exercise.

The Houston area overall is a bit cheaper to live in compared to the national average, and the cost of living in the Southbelt-Ellington neighborhood comes at around 5 percent lower than the Houston average. A trip downtown via public transit costs around $1.25 per ride. The average monthly rental rate of $745.55 runs about 16 percent lower than Houston’s overall average rent for one-bedroom apartments outside of the city’s central metropolitan area. Gas in Houston costs less than the national average, and stations in Southbelt-Ellington follow suit with gas about 20 percent less than the national price. Locals spend about $3 for a beer in a neighborhood pub.

With close proximity to major highways, locals travel to major shopping areas like Baybrook Mall for most of their shopping needs. Located off Interstate 45, Baybrook Mall provides convenient neighborhood access to a wide array of stores. Anchored by the familiar department stores such as Dillard’s and Macy’s, the selection of stores accommodates any budget, from discount to designer. A well-kept local secret, the food court houses Caps & Corks, a bar that serves beer and wine while you shop.

Residents rely on familiar chain grocery stores like HEB and Kroger for their everyday staples. However, the neighborhood houses a few specialty stores as well. The Fresh Market provides an organic selection that you might not find at the bigger chain stores, and locals willingly pay a little extra for the high-quality produce and fresh meat and seafood. For the health conscious, Tri Health Inc. keeps a well-stocked supply of vitamins, specialty health and wellness products, and some organic foods.