One of Austin's most popular pizza joints has revealed its Houston location. Home Slice Pizza has claimed the former t'afia/Sparrow space at 3701 Travis St. for a restaurant that will open in early 2021, according to a release.
The announcement makes official a location that had seemed like a strong possibility since Home Slice first revealed its interest in the Bayou City last October. Choosing Mid Main puts Home Slice in close proximity to The Continental Club, another Austin import, as well as a bustling bar and restaurant district that includes Kura Revolving Sushi, Spicy Girl, and Double Trouble Caffeine and Cocktails. Opening in Midtown represents a sort of homecoming for Home Slice co-founder Joseph Strickland, who grew up in Sharpstown.
"Midtown is evolving into the most walkable, dense neighborhood in Houston, making it a perfect fit for the Home Slice brand, which is rooted in the pizzerias and slice joints of NYC,” Joseph Strickland said in a statement. “I am personally thrilled to be part of the team bringing Home Slice to my hometown.”
Home Slice's original location on South Congress has a fairly constant line as people wait for slices of its signature New York-style pies, salads, and sandwiches. A second location in north central Austin opened in 2018. Craft beer and Italian wines offer diners pizza-friendly beverage choices.
"Although pizza was invented in Italy, it was perfected in NYC and grew from there into an integral part of the American food experience. We are simply aiming to uphold that original legacy of the hand-tossed pizza pie,” co-founder Jen Strickland added. “We love the diverse food culture Houston has to offer and we are overjoyed and excited to have the opportunity to bring Home Slice here.”
The New York-style slice joint has earned wide acclaim since its first location opened in 2005, including being named among the top pizzeria in the U.S. by both TripAdvisor and TripSavvy. Beyond its food, the restaurant has a reputation for providing warm, friendly service that's above and beyond what most people expect at a pizzeria.
Over the last year or so, Houston has seen an increase in the number of dedicated pizzerias and restaurants that serve pizza as part of their menu. The list includes Neapolitan-style pizzeria Gypsy Poet, BOH Pasta and Pizza in downtown's Bravery Chef Hall, the restaurant at Buffalo Bayou Brewing Company's new facility in Sawyer Yards, and Austin's Southside Flying Pizza, which opened in the Second Ward last fall.
The restaurant will take over the former Sparrow space in Midtown.
