
A reader writes in with this report on the newly reopened McDonald’s at I-45 and N. Main, at the entrance of Woodland Heights:
It’s no “McStarbucks,” but it is different from most McDonald’s I’ve seen. The colors are rich coffee browns. There’s some fake zebrawood-looking formica on some walls, and a strange wallpaper-like tile in the bathroom. Right in the middle of the main eating area there’s a round structure that looks vaguely like a DJ booth. A bar-height counter juts out from it, where people waiting for their orders can rub elbows. The indoor playground in front is in a separate room. Sorry, no comfy couches.
How were the hamburgers?!!!?
Read more about: 77009, Brookesmith, Fast Food, Woodland Heights
January 18, 2008 – 8:11 pm
Time for a stroll through lovely Woodland Heights, where the bungalows are small but keep growing. This week’s open-house tour starts simple but gets fancier fast:

Location: 706 Teetshorn St.
Details: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1,292 sq. ft.
Price: $279,500
The Scoop: 1920 bungalow with enclosed porch and large 1-car garage. Listed in October, price dropped $10K in November; still here in January.
Open House: Sunday, 2-4 pm
The tour continues . . . after the jump!
Continue Reading This Story >
Read more about: 77009, Homes for Sale, Open Houses, Woodland Heights
January 3, 2008 – 5:59 pm

We have an answer to last week’s reader question about the future of the Woodland Heights McDonald’s, at the corner of I-45 and North Main St., which was recently demolished. Miz Anonymous (”from the lovely and talented ‘Brooke Smith’ subdivision”) writes in:
Neighborhood prattle says that one of those new fancy McDonald’s, with earth tones, Wi-Fi and lounge areas, will be put up there. We’re calling it “McStarbucks.” Guess the McD franchise figures the neighborhood is going “up” after all. We hope that the 45-feeder bums will have to get their panhandled-dollar burgers somewhere else.
Another clue the burgers are coming back: the hood on the freeway-visible sign, which remains. If you haven’t visited the Willowbrook McDonald’s, see the prototype photos in this BusinessWeek slideshow.
Photo of McDonald’s sign: Flickr user Michael Schanbacher
Read more about: 77009, Brookesmith, Demolitions, Fast Food, Proposed Developments, Woodland Heights
December 28, 2007 – 7:42 am

A question from our email:
What is happening with the land that was the former McDonald’s on Main St at I45? I have seen no sign or other information that would explain plans for the site.
Got an answer for our reader? Send it in — to the Swamplot tips line. We’ll post the best responses next week.
Photo of McDonald’s sign: Flickr user Michael Schanbacher
Read more about: 77009, Demolitions, Fast Food, Woodland Heights