Spec's Wines Spirits & Finer

05/08/09

Racially Profiles Customers

by 2009BauerMBA at Citysearch

After parking my Lexus in the parking lot, I walked in the front door where I was asked very rudely by an employee to leave my gym sack at the front desk. Since I just left the gym and had no pockets, I had to get my wallet, keys, iPhone, and iPod out of my gym sack (which I use when working out since I don't have pockets in my gym shorts) and hold it all in one hand.

While in the store, I noticed many other customers (mostly Caucasian) who had back packs and other large bags on, and many White women with large handbags much larger than my gym sack. Even after finished shopping and trying to retrieve my empty gym sack I was again harassed by store security (my little gym sack was the only bag being held at the front desk). I am a successful young man with a graduate education and a six figure salary, store employees deliberately targeted and harassed me due to race and appearance (since I was in gym clothes, I assume).

I will never go back to another Spec's, the selection of alcohol may be good, but there are many other liquor stores in Houston where I can go without being targeted and harassed.

• Pros: Good selection of alcohol
• Cons: Store secuity targets young minority male customers

03/21/09

:) Spec's Liquor

by LouiseTexas at Citysearch

People are always happy to celebrate something at Spec's. I personally feel it's a landmark of Texas

• Pros: Great place to shop
• Cons: What are the drawbacks?

12/20/07

Best place to shop in town

by tickledpink at Citysearch

I have always LOVED shopping at Spec's Liquor...knowledgeable, intelligent staff who seem as if they'd be fun to socialize with outside of work. If I walk in looking lost, they offer immediate assistance, suggesting the ideal libation, if not outright saving me time in looking for the exact product I have come to expect is in their wide selection; the best in town. Yesterday, I was really impressed, as I thought I had left my wallet at the counter in a rush and it had been pickpocketed. When I returned, Louis, I believe, searched the trash cans outside the store and another manager ran the surveillance video for me, verifying that I didn't remove my wallet from my purse, I had paid out of pocket, therefore, it wasn't left on the counter to be picked up. I was so relieved! I found it, but they went over and above to help me in my stressed state of mind. Spec's Liquor is a fine example to study for any business wishing to improve their service.

10/24/06

"Warehouse" is no exaggeration, and this popular booze-and-gourmet-goodies spot is almost an institution.

by Contributor at Citysearch

The Scene
Downtown denizens and savvy partiers from all over town patronize this huge, well-stocked liquor store and specialty foods shop.

The Goods
Beer, wine and liquor of all kinds and prices. A walk-in humidor with more than 900 cigars. But you'd really be missing out if you made do with those offerings and didn't check out the 5,000-square-foot deli and specialty foods shop in the back of the store. Fancy cheeses and chocolates (including Godiva) lead the pack of superlative foodstuffs, which include everything from dried porcini mushrooms to an unusually large quantity of olives in jars. Once your food and drink needs are met, stock up on other necessaries. Spec's has lots of party-time extras, from glassware and napkins to traveling bar sets and caviar.

08/11/05

Great Sandwich

by grahamstone at Citysearch

We went to Spec's to get a deli sandwich and we were not disappointed. The Aroastica Chicken sandwich was excellent, we switched to pumpernickel bread instead of the jalapeno and ate at the tables in front of the store by the check out counters. A place for excellent taste to be eaten in basic surroundings or taken back to the office. Service was friendly in the deli and there was more choice than most people could handle in a month.

• Pros: great choice, prices

08/07/03

The Den of Decadence Rules!

by shysong at Citysearch

If you want to throw a party and want to do it with style (and cash left over in your wallet), skip Central Market or Whole Foods for your deli selections and come here!!! Friendly, down to earth, and knowledgeable employees will help you with whatever you need. The only con? I live five minutes from Spec's and visit it WAY TOO OFTEN!! :-)

• Pros: large variety, good prices
• Cons: construction