Pappas sues BP over spill; others might follow

Lawsuit lookout: Houston-based Pappas Restaurants Inc. has filed a lawsuit against BP, Halliburton and Cameron International, asserting the Deepwater Horizon disaster that sent horrific amounts of oil gushing into the Gulf of Mexico is hurting business, the Southeast Texas Record reports.

Meanwhile, other area restaurateurs who rely on fresh Gulf seafood are starting to ask about their legal options, some attorneys are reporting.

Pappas, which operates a chain of seafood and Cajun eateries, filed the lawsuit in Galveston County Court No. 2. Pappas asserts the disaster is hurting its ability to get fresh seafood, is keeping patrons away and also is causing prices to climb, according to the report.

Attorney Tony Buzbee said he had been fielding calls from local restaurateurs with questions about their legal options. So far, none of those has taken legal action. Buzbee is not representing Pappas, which operates Clear Lake area restaurants.

Want to talk about it? Visit Buzz Blog at galvnews.com.

Transmission trouble: Meanwhile, John Suayan of the Southeast Texas Record also is reporting that Verizon is suing The Cherry Cos. for about $66,000 over damaged transmission lines in Dickinson. According to the lawsuit, on May 19, 2008, The Cherry Cos. was using heavy equipment to excavate at the intersection of Minnesota Street and state Highway 517 in Dickinson when the damage occurred.

Mosque update: La Marque building inspectors confirm that the Islamic League of America is behind the building with the cyclone fence at 2611 FM 1765. Stay tuned.

Mystery solved: For all those readers wondering what happened to Avery’s Bayside Café, 21706 Burnet Drive on the island’s West End, there’s news. Owner and Chef Todd Mackey and his wife, Billy, have opened Mackey’s Bar & Grill, 20801 Interstate 45 in Bayway Village II in Webster. Mackey’s serves up many of the dishes for which Avery’s was known, including baby back ribs with chef’s homemade barbecue sauce, fresh flounder and snapper and that famous Bayou Shrimp, reports manager Nathan Trager.

Avery’s didn’t fit into West End resident John Turner’s plans for a major makeover of the 50-slip marina, which he bought out of foreclosure earlier this year. For information about Mackey’s, call 281-316-8866.

Toast to Coast: The island’s newest club, 3rd Coast Downtown at 2416 Postoffice St., is planning a weekend of grand opening festivities, reports owner Rodney Seiler.

Seiler had owned the popular, gay-friendly nightclub 3rd Coast, 3102 Seawall, until his lease expired in March. He describes the ambience of the 4,000-square-foot downtown club as “urban minimalist.” For information, call 409-765-6911.

Grill thrill: Look for a Wednesday opening of Fantasea BBQ and Grill, 1951 state Highway 87 in Gilchrist. An official grand opening and ribbon cutting is planned for June 12. The eatery serves up barbecue via sandwich, plate or by the pound.

Float your boat: Look for news soon about an official grand opening of Teichman Point Marina, 9415 Teichman Road, reports owner Virginia Robertson.

The marina, with 40 dry slips and 23 wet slips sustained some Hurricane Ike damage. But repairs are complete. The marina already is accepting business. Call 409-692-9415.

Biz Buzz appears Tuesdays and Thursdays.