Red Rising

Official Review by Paul Derrick, Stadium Journey Regional Correspondent

Located smack dab in the middle of downtown Houston you will find the beautiful Toyota Center, the home of the Houston Rockets. Officially opened in late 2003, the Rockets have definitely made the Toyota Center a must see for any NBA or sports fan. With plenty of great choices for food and absolutely amazing entertainment, the Toyota Center is a hard place to beat when it comes to seeing great basketball.

Food & Beverage    5

You definitely won't be disappointed if you arrive at the arena hungry because there is a vast array of options to please even the picky eater. With options like Space City Dogs, Clutch City Pizza and Baskets Grill your taste buds will not be disappointed.

If hot dogs are your thing then definitely make sure to make a stop by Space Dogs where they have a variety of different dogs to please you. They offer a Texas Dog, Chicago Dog and a Big Dawg all for right around $8. Yeah, it's a tad pricey but the Texas Dog was well worth the price tag.

There are other great options including The Rim Chinese which offers a variety of (obviously) Chinese plates, all fairly priced. Another great option I found was a build your own salad bar with plenty of choices and again, reasonably priced.

One of my favorite options at the Toyota Center though is The Natural Stop, which offers a variety of tasty smoked sausage treats. My two favorites are the gourmet apple gouda sausage or the chipotle cheddar. No matter which one you choose I think your stomach will be obliged.

Also, if getting your drink on is more of what you are in the mood for, there is a variety of alcoholic beverages on tap. The Toyota Center also has the Jack Daniels No.7 lounge, which is a great place to grab a jack and coke, and watch the game on the big screen if you want and mingle with friends.

Overall you will not find a shortage of food and drinks at the Toyota Center. Some of which may be a bit pricey, but overall it is on par with the rest of the NBA.

Atmosphere    5

When it comes to great NBA atmospheres, it doesn't get much better than the Toyota Center and the Red Rowdies. Established in 2006, the Red Rowdies are a group of rowdy Rocket fans that call section 114 home. These Rockets fanatics can be seen before and after the games decked out in their red and white, fully supporting and rooting on the Rockets. You can always feel and hear the energy of the Red Rowdies before the game during their ROMP that starts 30 minutes before tip at the Labranch entrance.

The Rockets have been a pretty up-and-down team over the past decade making the playoffs fifty percent of the time. However they are looking for that magic that they had during the early to mid 90's when they won two NBA championships under the realm of Rockets favorite Rudy Tomjanovich.

The atmosphere of the Toyota Center is right up there with some of the best in the NBA and any fan who shows up at the Toyota Center better be ready for some great basketball and fun.

Neighborhood    5

Downtown Houston is a great destination for any pre or post game activities. If you're looking to get a drink before or after the game I always recommend the Flying Saucer, which carries over 150 beers on tap. If you are a beer lover like me, you'll be in heaven. Carrying everything from 512 IPA to Young's Double Chocolate Stout, you are sure to find a beer you will enjoy.

If you're not looking for a beer and looking more for something to eat I highly recommend Vic and Anthony's. An upscale steakhouse in downtown Houston, it has won all kinds of awards, including Top 10 Restaurant in Houston from Zagat and Best Steakhouse from the Houston Press. In addition to that, they also have a star line-up of wines.

If you want something lighter on the wallet, I prefer the Hubcap Grill. It's one of my personal favorites and one of those little hole-in-the-wall places that probably seems better than it actually is simply because it's a hole-in-the-wall. But if up you're for that (and honestly, I do feel like that's part of the restaurant experience), this burger joint is a must visit.

Fans    5

From the Red Rowdies to the good old mascot Clutch, Rockets fans are intense and definitely some of the best in the league. Houston fans are dedicated to the Rockets and pack the Toyota Center nightly making it great place for a game, and a rough place for opponents. You will definitely be hard pressed to find many other fans that are as dedicated and loyal as Rocket fans.

Access    3

The only flaws I really have with attending a Rockets game is getting to and from the stadium, as well as the steep parking prices. Downtown stadiums are always nice, but they can make for some absolute headaches getting to and away from the stadium. Parking ranges anywhere from $10-$20 depending on distance from the stadium, so make sure to bring the loot. I am always a fan of staying until the last buzzer, but in a blowout win or loss I always try to get out of the Toyota Center when convenient.

Return on Investment    4

Tickets are right on course with the NBA average. Without the steep parking, I think this would be a no brainer investment. The fans, atmosphere and food make the Toyota Center a definite must see venue. The Rockets organization makes the Toyota Center a great fan-friendly establishment. If you're a man or woman keener to the wild side, then the Red Rowdies are always looking for more members.

Extras    5

One extra point goes out to the beauty of the Toyota Center. The way the center is built makes for not one bad seat in the house.

Another point goes out to the Red Rowdies, one of the biggest and best team fan clubs I have ever seen.

Another two points for Clutch the bear, the Little Dippers and the beautiful Rockets Dance Crew, they always have the fans on their feet during every break.

My last point goes out to the Rockets Organization which pays great tribute to the Rockets former greats from Clyde the Glide to Hakeem the Dream; much respect is given.

Final Thoughts

The Rockets provide an absolutely great experience for any NBA fan and family and I definitely recommend stopping by for a game next time you're in Houston.