Dobbs Houses spanned several decades in the Houston area with different themes (polynesian, luau) and carry-overs from purchased restaurants (Toddle House, Steak N Egg) and had an airline division at Intercontinental Airport in the 1970s. The chain completely closed by the late 1980s.

While early Dobbs Houses in the Houston area were on “sanitation honor rolls” a humorous Rice student newspaper review from 1976 described the remaining two locations (Montrose and W. Holcombe) as “Bad food, good jukebox. Small and too expensive. Hookers prevalent at Holcombe location.” (source)

 

Known locations:

2618 W. Alabama St. (build date uknown)
5214 Bellaire Blvd. (built 1959; see photos below)
4331 Old Spanish Trail (build date unknown)
617 Sage Rd. (build date unknown; demolished)
3515 Westheimer Rd. (build date unknown; demolished)
No. 290: 1313 S. Shaver St. (Pasadena; built 1973)
No. 294: 4005 N. Braeswood Blvd. (built 1966; see photos below)
No. 295: 4802 Richmond Ave. (build date unknown; demolished)
No. 297: 7905 Long Point Rd. (built 1967)
No. 299: 8611 Memorial Dr. (build date unknown; demolished)
No. 300: 4908 San Felipe St. (build date unknown; demolished)
No. 1218: 3230 Richmond Ave. (build date unknown; demolished)
No. 1219: 701 Elgin St. (build date unknown; demolished)
No. 1248: 9101 Main St. (build date unknown; demolished)
No. 1280: 4321 Montrose Blvd. (unknown)
No. 1337: 2317 (2319) W. Holcombe Blvd. (built 1970)
No. 1348: 2431 Telephone Rd. (build date unknown; demolished)
No. 1371: 7305 Fondren Rd. (build date unknown; demolished 1996)
No. 1384: 7805 Hillcroft St. (build date unknown; demolished 1983)
No. 1386: 1305 NASA Rd. 1 (build date unknown; demolished)
No. 2131: Intercontinental Airport

 

No. unknown: 5214 Bellaire Blvd. (Bellaire; built 1959)

This location was also Houston Shoe Hospital/Houston Shoe Store & Repairs, Chrisarno’s Hair Styling, Action Check Cashing, and Fresh & Best Donuts.

 

 

 

Advertisement from the Bellaire & Southwestern Texan, September 2, 1970.
The building, except for a new overhang, is largely the same. Also visible is the Bert Wheeler sign next door.

 

 

4331 Old Spanish Trail (build date unknown)

(image: Google Street View)

 

No. 294: 4005 N. Braeswood Blvd. (built 1966)
This location along Brays Bayou was also University Savings Association, Pilgrim Cleaners, Shriners donation center, and now Bacco Wine Bar.

 

 

(above image: Davis Commercial)