Houston’s locally-owned, locally-grown restaurants will always have our hearts, but it seems that some big names are hoping to find some love here, too. From Japanese-Peruvian fusion to a hipster taco joint, read on for the nine most-anticipated restaurants putting down roots in H-Town.
Texas-based entrepreneur Travis Cook is helping bring a piece of South Carolina back to Houston with Bacon Bros. Public House. The southern concept rose to fame in Greensville, S.C., thanks to its menu loaded with farm-to-table comfort food like pimento cheese with bacon jam, pork chops and fried pickles. The location has yet to be announced.
Acclaimed Dallas-born Cane Rosso Pizza recently branched out of the Big D and it brought its wood-fired Neapolitan pizza along with it. In addition to expanding to Austin, the concept is carving out two Houston locations, too. The first, which recently opened in The Heights, delivers the spot’s signature sandwiches, pasta and Naples-worthy pies. Go classic with a Margherita or try the off-the-menu Honey Bastard, which blends a honey drizzle, spicy bacon jam and hot soppressata. Look for the Montrose location to open soon.
Watch out fried chicken lovers. Washington Avenue will make room for another newcomer when Memphis-based Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken sets up shop near Tacodeli. The cult favorite was once named “one of the top 10 meals in the United States worth flying for” by GQ magazine and soon locals can their fill of crisp and juicy fried chicken, creamy coleslaw and sweet potato pie.
Deemed one of the “Best Burgers in America” by Food & Wine, Hopdoddy Burger Bar expanded its Austin concept in May 2016, settling into Houston’s buzzy River Oaks District. There, fans praise the company’s fresh gourmet burger approach, aided by an in-house bakery and butchery and a commitment to using all-natural produce and humanely-raised beef.
Denver-based breakfast joint, Snooze, an A.M. Eatery, recently opened in Montrose and locals can’t get enough of the company’s creative spin on breakfast tacos, breakfast sandwiches and pancakes. You can’t go wrong with anything on the restaurant’s cocktail line-up, though our money is on the Bloody Mary with house-made mix and jalapeno-infused vodka.
Good news hipster taco fans, Austin is sending another of its popular concepts our way in the form of Tacodeli. This fall, the company plans to put down roots on Washington Avenue, across from Julep, where it will serve its signature tacos, salads and soups using organic eggs, humanly-raised proteins and non-GMO tortillas and chips.
Dallas-based Rise nº1, which specializes in sweet and savory soufflés, recently opened its second location, Rise nº2, along Post Oak Boulevard. Settling into the hip BLVD Place, the French venture enjoys a loyal following that can’t get enough of the restaurant’s signature “marshmallow soup,” which combines a tomato-based recipe with a mini goat cheese soufflé topping. Other menu standouts include the jambon and gruyere soufflé, creamed spinach soufflé and the bread pudding.
Hip young things all over the world flock to Chef and Restaurateur Nobuyuki Maatsuhisa’s wildly-popular sushi fusion restaurants, Nobu, so it comes as no surprise that Houstonians were excited to hear that the popular chef would be adding a Houston location in The Galleria’s new wing. Can’t wait to dive into the spot’s signature miso black cod, rock shrimp tempura and artichoke salad? Be patient, the restaurant isn’t expected to open until late 2017.