South Loop Fwy, Golfcrest / Bellfort / Reveille

I stopped in the Golfcrest area a few days ago on my way to Galveston. A friend and I had heard through some extended grapevine that Dot's 24-hour Coffee House was a good place to eat. I wasn't too high on the area as we pulled off I-45. The feeder roads are packed with storefronts and signs in this area and if you're not careful, can cause a lot of confusion. Plus, there is a massive amount of traffic near 610 and I-45. But Dot's was delightful. The food was good, the people were friendly and they let me smoke within 25 feet of their doorway. The rest of the restaurants and shopping in the area are pretty good as well. There is a wide selection of places in all price ranges. The houses tucked off the freeway are small and quaint, affordable but tightly packed, and getting out of the neighborhoods can take a while because of traffic from 610 and I-45. But, with no state income tax, you can stretch your dollar farther. The waitress at Dot's said that neighbors in the area were friendly. When she moved in to her house, her neighbor brought her a house-warming gift, and invited them over for her son's birthday party. As I said before, there is some pretty good shopping in this area, not to mention that Downtown Houston is a few minutes away on either 610 or 45, and getting places (minus the traffic) is easy with 610 and I-45. You have limitless options. There is a park just on the other side of I-45 and while educational standards are difficult to maintain in HISD, Houston Community College is on the other side of I-45 as well, which is great for continuing education or seminars.