Welcome to Houston

Is "Die Hard" a Christmas movie? What are the best Christmas movies of all time? Hosts Nick Scurfield and Jordan Smith rank their top 5, with a few surprises in the mix. 

Hosts Nick Scurfield and Jordan Smith recap the tragedy at Astroworld, which they both attended on Nov. 5 in Houston, and the Astros loss in the World Series to the Atlanta Braves.

Welcome to Houston hosts Nick Scurfield and Jordan Smith record a bonus episode to discuss the Houston Rockets' trade of former NBA MVP Russell Westbrook to the Washington Wizards for All-Star John Wall and a first-round draft pick.

Hosts Nick Scurfield and Jordan Smith discuss the good and the bad (mostly the bad) of the Houston Texans and rank the best Christmas movies of all time.  0:00-4:12: Intro 4:13-6:59: Taco Tuesday presented by Tacos A Go Go 7:00-10:45: Thanksgiving recap 10:46-24:15: Texans Good, Texans Bad 24:16-30:11: Carlos Correa trade rumors 30:12-35:38: Rockets free agency 35:39-38:25: "Hou-Ville" at Bayou City Music Center 38:26-40:45: Giving Tuesday charities Lucille's 1913 & Homemade Hope 40:46-43:58: Pizza rankings revisited 43:59-1:08:09: Best Christmas movies, ranked

Hosts Nick Scurfield and Jordan Smith rank the best pizza in Houston and discuss James Harden's impending departure. Topics include: 05:17: Heartbreak Harden 15:60: New Dynamo logo & whatnot 21:37: 100 sacks for JJ Watt 22:26: Texans dumpster fire continues  29:00: Alonzo Highsmith for Texans GM  32:09: Best pizza in Houston, ranked Special shoutouts to episode sponsors The Union Kitchen and No Label Brewing Co. and producer Colin Laird.

Topics:  0:50: Shoutout to James Harden and Southern James Beads 5:35: Welcome to Houston, Stephen Silas, new Houston Rockets head coach 11:25: We'll miss you in Houston, Daryl Morey, new Philadelphia 76ers GM 15:50: Alternative NFL teams to root for besides the Texans 36:52: Live music is back; Shakey Graves and Major Lazer concert reviews 41:00: Borat Subsequent Moviefilm review 45:19: Halloween costumes 48:50: Halloween happenings in Houston 52:13: Restaurant rec of the week: Traveler’s Table & Avalon Diner 

Hosts Nick Scurfield and Jordan Smith return for their first episode since April 6, 2020. Topics include:  0:00: Intro 02:58: Taco Tuesday with Tacos A Go Go 05:01: End of the Astros season 13:20: George Springer 18:49: Comments from ex-Astros GM Jeff Luhnow 24:16: Bill O’Brien fired by the Texans (GM Death Row Part II) 32:30: Who is Jack Easterby?  34:47: Should the Texans have gone for 2? 39:23: Daryl Morey out as Rockets GM 48:38: Next Rockets coach  50:54: Thank you notes 51:50: COVID-friendly spots in Houston 59:20: New favorite restaurants since the last podcast 1:09:25: Game over 

0:00: Rudy T in the Hall of Fame 4:24: Intro 8:35: Bill O’Brien/Cal McNair on DeAndre Hopkins 17:53: COVID-19 silver linings 23:08: Alternatives to live sports  31:47: Netflix Power Rankings 44:43: Deshaun Watson donations  49:07: Restaurant Workers Relief Program at Riel 53:24: Another Houston rapper with coronavirus 56:14: Houston restaurant rec of the week 1:05:37: Closing poem: Samuel L. Jackson "Stay the Fuck at Home"

Our second Zoom podcast as the COVID-19 quarantine continues. Check out videos on our new YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFNYhx3wB9NeqkqYaohokMQ/.  03:48: Shelter in place in effect 09:40: Virtual Happy Hours & the age of Zoom & FaceTime  15:02: What’s blowing up your Instagram feed? 19:47: Jordan's Virtual Dating update  23:02: RIP to "The Gambler" Kenny Rogers  29:43: Slim Thug got coronavirus  32:08: Houston birthday shoutouts 33:30: Revisiting the abysmal DeAndre Hopkins trade 35:01: Deshaun Watson, please don't go 42:45: Houston restaurants to go and KeepHoustonFed.com

Sponsored by Purell.  04:11: DeAndre Hopkins traded by the Texans  19:00: Coronavirus outbreak 23:35: Quarantine activities  29:15: Quarantine dating 30:56: TV shows to binge 41:36: Houston restaurants offering to-go 

Intro: Kobe Bryant reaction  10:20: Astros sign-stealing scandal  29:35: Texans playoff collapse & fallout 44:51: Houston Sports Awards 48:07: Mardi Gras! Galveston 53:05: Restaurant recs of the week

Live audio from our World Series Game 4 watch party at Revelry on Richmond. Dr. Lickey from London at 24:51. Alex Bregman grand slam audio starting at 43:55.

It's World Series time. This episode features an ALCS Recap (02:55), World Series Preview (15:44), Where to Eat & Drink Near Minute Maid Park (17:35), World Series Deals at Houston Restaurants (23:41) and World Series Predictions (25:32). Plus: An interview with Janet Roush Flood (30:10), the Astros' "secret weapon" who made headlines for baking good luck cakes for Jose Altuve, Josh Reddick and other Astros players.

Nick and Jordan recap the Astros’ Game 5 ALDS victory and look ahead to the ALCS against the Yankees.  03:50: Texans flying high after their blowout vs. the Falcons 07:31: Daryl Morey and the tweet heard 'round the world 14:16: Dave Chappelle plays 4 nights in Houston 17:50: Nick sells his tickets to Game 5, ends up with a free ticket and it all comes full circle -- a redemption story 24:37: "It's about to be a Hard Knock Life for the Yankees" 25:52: Gerrit Cole, man on fire  35:31: Closing prayer  Be sure to follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook at @welcometohou. #welcometohouston

Raheel Ramzanali of ESPN 97.5 FM joins the podcast for an Astros postseason preview. Plus: Texans year-in-review, Astroworld, Mattress Mack and Old Guys on Social Media Power Rankings. 08:18: Houston Texans review 16:42: Whitney Mercilus and his new sandwich at Antone’s Po’ Boys 19:48: Astroworld Part II (it’s lit) 21:18: Phil Collins concert review 23:38: “The Joker” movie review (SPOILER ALERT) 25:06: Mattress Mack in the news 29:40: Power Rankings: Old Guys on Social Media 37:22: Astros playoff preview 49:52: Jordan’s turtle racing omen … and quick-fire topics including who has the most swag on the Astros (52:50), Raheel’s favorite Astros memory (54:02), favorite Houston athlete (56:05), Jordan and Booker T (59:54), favorite Houston artist (01:01:05) and favorite restaurant in Houston (01:02:02).

Nick and Jordan recap the Texans' gut-punch of a Week 1 loss to the New Orleans Saints (02:10-17:20), Yordan Alvarez's triple-deck home run (17:33-19:04), Dollar Dog Night at Minute Maid Park (20:42-23:30), "Throw It Back" etiquette (23:31-28:59) and Gerrit Cole's historic tear (29:00-31:15). Plus: An interview with special guest Ryan Lachaine (31:42), chef/owner of Riel Restaurant, which was just named the #1 restaurant in Houston by CultureMap. Parental discretion advised.

In this episode, Nick and Jordan discuss the Texans' trades involving Jadeveon Clowney and Laremy Tunsil, Justin Verlander's third career no-hitter and where he ranks in the pantheon of Houston athletes, and Eric Gordon re-signing with the Rockets. Plus: Restaurant recommendations of the week at Rosie Cannonball and One Fifth.

On this 713 Day episode, topics include the Rockets’ trade for Russell Westbrook (4:38), Glover Quin retirement (16:00) and the worst moves in Texans franchise history (17:28), Astros All-Stars (25:05), Houston Facts from @visithouston (27:51), Houston city nicknames (47:07), and Jordan and Nick's restaurant recommendation of the week (49:11).

Houston soccer legend Brian Ching joins the podcast (23:25) to talk about his new bar project, East End Backyard, along with the success of his first bar, Pitch 25, and his transition from professional soccer to business. Nick and Jordan discuss the sale of Whataburger (2:09), Texans GM fiasco (7:55), Rockets problems (11:57) and a Restaurant Rec of the Week (19:22).

Nick and Jordan go to Minute Maid Park for Astros rookie Yordan Alvarez's MLB debut. They discuss their experience in Section 105, along with The Original Ninfa's Uptown Houston restaurant opening and the Texans' shock firing of General Manager Brian Gaine after 1 year on the job. 01:05: Catching up  04:35: "Welcome to Houston" at the Astros game 06:13: Yordan Alvarez MLB debut 14:06: Original Ninfa's Uptown opening 21:19: Texans firing of GM Brian Gaine 29:28: Rockets playoffs; sitting courtside  31:56: Game of Thrones final season 42:01: Jordan at The Masters; Tiger Tiger Woods, y'all 44:50: Hanging with Jerry Jones at Cowboys & Indians With shoutouts to Slim Thug (00:35), Hangout Music Festival (02:06), Kygo (02:16), Alba Huerta & Julep (02:50), Robbie Beck (18:39), John McClain (23:55), Brett Favre & Mike Vick (28:40), Paul Miller & Gr8 Plate Hospitality (29:55), TJ Yates (30:35), Oysters Clams and Cockles & Ross Bolen (37:05), Zoë Kravitz (38:21), Ryan Lachaine & Riel (44:22), Syracuse (49:15) and Donkeeboy & Donkeemom (51:40).

Dez Parker, team boss of the Confederated Cooks, joins the podcast (16:35) to discuss the ins and outs of the World Championship BBQ Cook-Off at the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo. Other topics: 01:35: Travis Scott  03:45: "Best Bars" revisited 07:00: Texans coaching staff changes 10:43: 8th Wonder Dome Faux’m  12:45: Rockets All-Star break review 15:44: Can the Astros bring back Dallas Keuchel?

In the first episode of 2019, Nick and Jordan have a “spirited” discussion and rank the 10 best bars in Houston. Topics include: 03:42: Cowboy boots 06:32: James Harden  10:33: Super Bowl  12:16: Texans Wild Card loss to Colts 15:02: Worst Ls in Texans playoff history 18:57: Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo 2019 lineup 22:27: 10 Best Bars in Houston, Ranked

CultureMap Food Editor Eric Sandler joins the show (22:45) to discuss the ins and outs of the Houston food scene, including the best new restaurants of 2018, his favorite meals of 2018, the best burgers and stadium food in Houston and his most anticipated new restaurants for 2019.

Artist Alex Roman Jr. AKA "Donkeeboy" joins the show (31:25) to discuss the Houston art scene, Art Basel, the origins of the name Donkeeboy, working with his mother @donkeemom and notable works including his DJ Screw-inspired pieces, an Anthony Bourdain-inspired mural at Burns Original BBQ and Houston Astros mural at Minute Maid Park. Plus: Jordan drops some H-Town Christmas T-shirt ideas.

Nick and Jordan discuss the passing of Houston Texans owner Bob McNair and President George H.W. Bush, along with the latest on the Texans, Rockets and Houston food and music. Featuring soundbites on McNair from former Texans wide receiver Kevin Walter (39:48), PR director Kevin Cooper (43:25), head athletic trainer Kevin Bastin (46:35), nose tackle Shaun Cody (49:27), team dietitian Roberta Anding (53:15), director of equipment services Mike Parson (56:34), Pro Bowl linebacker Brian Cushing (58:44) and senior VP of ticketing and event management John Schriever (01:02:07).

Grant Pinkerton of Pinkerton’s BBQ joins the show for a Thanksgiving special. Nick and Jordan talk Astroworld, the red-hot Texans, end of the Carmelo Anthony era, Astros offseason and lots of food. Grant (32:42) discusses his path to BBQ, Texas Longhorns football, cooking during Hurricane Harvey, being the first pitmaster ever named to the Forbes "30 Under 30" list and what separates average from good BBQ.

Kam Franklin, lead singer of The Suffers, joins the show for a Halloween episode. Nick and Jordan discuss their Halloween costumes, food Instagram accounts, the fateful end of the Houston Astros' season, slow start for the Rockets and the surprisingly surging Texans. Kam (31:46) talks Halloween, music festivals, the origins of her band, their new album "Everything Here" and upcoming tour, sports, food and karaoke.

Charles "Big Angry" Adams joins the show to discuss his viral tweet about the Astros fan who bought $500 worth of beer in his section at a recent playoff game; his career as a police officer, judge and attorney for Bun B and Z-Ro; a little bit of politics; Gumball 3000; Nintendo 64 and his budding friendship with Ken Griffey Jr. Plus: Jordan and Nick talk superstitions, food and art. Parental discretion advised.

Nick and Jordan interview each other and give the “Welcome to Houston” podcast a proper introduction. Topics include In-N-Out coming to Houston, the Houston Chronicle’s Top 100 Restaurants list, the 0-3 Texans, playoff-bound Astros and Nick’s fantasy football incompetence. Plus: Jordan sings a song.

Former Houston Texans and current N.Y. Giants linebacker Connor Barwin reminisces about the Texans’ "Bulls on Parade" defense, his favorite Houston concerts and breakfast tacos, along with fatherhood, public transportation and his community work with Make The World Better Foundation. Plus: Jordan and Nick debate the merits of Astros vs. Texans and In-N-Out vs. Whataburger.

John McClain of the Houston Chronicle joins the show to talk all about the Houston Texans following their first game of the season, along with memories of the Houston Oilers, Hall of Fame stories, the best (and worst) games he ever covered and his roles in movies like "Spring Breakers" and “Invincible". Plus: Jordan’s John McClain impression and John’s prediction for the Texans in Week 2.

Hip hop legend Bun B (Bernard Freeman) joins the premiere episode of the podcast to discuss his new album "Return of the Trill", along with Houston sports, the Houston food scene and his relationships with J.J. Watt, Travis Scott, Drake and Beyoncé. Plus: Why "Houston is the coolest city in America", and a special freestyle to close things out.