Cleburne Street holds a special place in Houston's culinary history, primarily due to the famous Cleburne Cafeteria. Nick and Pat bought Cleburne Cafeteria® established in 1941 and located on Cleburne Street at Fannin in 1952 from Anabelle Collins and Martha Kavanaugh. This establishment became a Houston institution, serving the community for decades before relocating.
The faithful Cleburne clientele would not hear of it when the new owners considered converting it to a barbecue restaurant, demonstrating the deep community attachment to this establishment. Nick and Pat raised their two children, George and Angela, upstairs above the cafeteria which was a large twelve room house, supported by two large trees located in the dining room.
The original Cleburne Cafeteria building had fascinating architectural features that reflected Houston's colorful past. Back in the 30's it was known as Napoleon's. The house had all types of trapdoors, unusual arches, secret hideaways, and old blackboards that were used for posting racing results. These features suggest the building may have served as a speakeasy during Prohibition, adding to Cleburne Street's intriguing history.
No one knows whatever happened to Napoleon, the man who ran the old speakeasy. But it is known that a tremendous amount of exciting old Houston memories are locked within its walls. This mysterious past adds to the street's character and represents the type of colorful history found throughout Houston's older neighborhoods.
Cleburne was located on the edge of Riverside, a beautiful residential area. Most of Nick and Pat's regular customers moved out to the suburbs. Crime was becoming a problem, and the Mickelis family decided it was time to relocate. This reflects the broader urban changes that affected many Houston neighborhoods during the mid-20th century.
The restaurant's eventual move in 1969 marked the end of an era for Cleburne Street. The move from Cleburne Street was a painful one but when it came in 1969, Pow! "Nick called me on the phone and said, 'I just bought a new cafeteria on Bissonnet'". This relocation reflected changing urban dynamics and the suburban migration that characterized American cities during this period.
Cleburne Street maintains important connections to Houston's educational landscape. Texas Southern University, located in Houston, TX, is a comprehensive institution offering a wide range of degree programs across various academic disciplines, and the university's address includes Cleburne Street, showing the street's continued importance in Houston's educational infrastructure.
With a rich history and a commitment to student success, TSU provides a vibrant campus life and a supportive learning environment. The presence of Texas Southern University on Cleburne Street ensures the area remains vital to Houston's intellectual and cultural life.
The Cleburne Cafeteria's legacy extends beyond just food service. Founded in 1941, Cleburne Cafeteria serves fresh, home-cooked meals and desserts for people of all ages. With almost 80 years of service, Cleburne Cafeteria continues to pride itself on offering fresh, high-quality foods. Though relocated, the restaurant's original Cleburne Street location remains part of Houston's cultural memory.
The street represents Houston's evolution from individual neighborhoods with distinct characters to a more integrated metropolitan area. The stories and memories associated with Cleburne Street continue to be passed down through families and community organizations, maintaining the street's place in Houston's collective consciousness.