Get ready for a new dining experience in The Heights! Just in time for the rodeo season, Long Weekend, a cozy ranch-inspired restaurant brought to life by the talented husband-and-wife team, Paige and Andrew Alvis, officially opened its doors at 2044 E. TC Jester on March 4, 2026. Designed as the perfect spot for food lovers, families, and neighbors to connect, this venue brings together delicious wood-fired Western cuisine with a delightful breakfast café, all within a welcoming indoor-outdoor space. It's set to be a go-to gathering spot for Houstonians and city visitors of all ages.
The largest outdoor play area of any restaurant in Houston, featuring a Western-themed playground with slides, climbing structures, and open green space.
Located near the TC Jester Hike and Bike Trails, Long Weekend offers approximately 8,000 square feet of indoor dining space, including a dedicated café and main dining room, along with more than 20,000 square feet of outdoor amenities. Outside, guests will find a state-of-the-art playground, an active stream with fish, a stage for live music, ample TVs for sports viewing, and plenty of room to gather, making it an easy destination for families and large groups. Private event options include a 10-seat private dining room and reservable areas throughout, including the café, outdoor bar, yard near the play area, patio space, and more.
Inspired by Andrew Alvis’s childhood weekends spent on the family ranch, where trail rides ended around the fire with country music, storytelling, and shared meals, Long Weekend is rooted in the idea that the ranching lifestyle revolves around family and connection. As parents of three young boys, Paige and Andrew envisioned a place where kids can be kids, with room to play and explore, while adults enjoy a quality meal, craft cocktails & beer, and time together.
“We built Long Weekend around the idea of bringing people together the way the ranching lifestyle always has—great food, drinks, music, and time with family and friends,” said Paige and Andrew Alvis, founders of Long Weekend. “Everything is centered around hearty, wood-fired meals, modern cocktails, and a relaxed country-western setting that feels welcoming to everyone. Whether you’re a local or visiting Houston, we wanted Long Weekend to feel like a place you’ll want to settle in and stay awhile.”
At the heart of Long Weekend is a custom-built wood-fired kitchen, designed exclusively for the restaurant, featuring premier Demant Grills, including a rotisserie, large open hearth, and vault smoker. It also features a one-of-a-kind, unique cherry-wood-fired pizza oven by Forno Classico. Led by Executive Chef German Mosquera (Verdine, Café Brasil), who oversees both the main kitchen and bakery café program, the menu delivers cowboy-inspired comfort food. Standout dishes include Ax Breaker Elk Burger, Spatchcock style Rainbow Trout, Wagyu Tomahawk Steak, From the hearth Pozole, Texas Quail, and Bacon Jalapeño Poppers, Prairie Side Deviled Eggs (with rabbit), Rotisserie Style Heritage Chicken, Wild West Wings, Liquid Gold Queso and Fancy Saloon Caviar Potatoes along with a slew of pizzas from the wood fired pizza oven Desserts lean on nostalgia and are campfire-inspired, including Skillet Cookies, Cast Iron Bread Pudding and Peach Cobbler Pizza.
Long Weekend’s café serves as a morning-to-midday hub for the neighborhood, offering breakfast favorites such as Migas, omelets, breakfast burritos, tacos, pancakes, French toast sticks, and breakfast sandwiches. A full coffee program includes espresso drinks, cold brew, matcha, chai, and specialty lattes, making it an easy stop for weekday mornings or a relaxed start to the weekend.
The beverage program at Long Weekend is designed to complement the food and fit every part of the day, from afternoon hangs to late dinners. The cocktail menu, dubbed “From the Saloon,” features a lineup of handcrafted drinks with Western flair, including house margaritas, mezcal and tequila-based cocktails, espresso-forward sips, and classic whiskey cocktails like the Texas Old Fashioned. Wine lovers will find a thoughtfully curated selection of red, white, and sparkling wines available by the glass and bottle, while the beer program offers a mix of local favorites and national staples.
Designed in collaboration with London-based architecture and interior design firm Harrison, the space reflects a modern ranch aesthetic with warm tones and pops of color. Real wood elements, canvas accents, and layered natural materials create warmth and authenticity throughout the interiors, while rich leather seating adds comfort and character. A custom hide art installation, created from an image captured during a trail ride at the Alvis family ranch, serves as a meaningful focal point, alongside carefully curated taxidermy mounts that bring a personal connection to the landscape. Rustic furnishings with a modern edge offer flexible gathering spaces across both indoor and outdoor areas, embodying Long Weekend’s philosophy: Saddle Up & Settle In.
Photos: Courtesy of Long Weekend