Lopez heads west

Beloved Tex-Mex restaurant joins Mattress Mack in Katy location

After almost 40 years in business, one of Houston's most beloved Tex-Mex institutions will add a second location.

López Mexican Restaurant announced that it has signed a lease for the space next to Gallery Furniture's Katy location that was previously occupied by Brick & Mortar Kitchen. The 7,200 square foot restaurant features an expansive dining room, full service bar, and spacious patio. Renovations on the space will begin soon with an eye towards a fall opening.

“This truly is a blessing for López,” said Jonathan López, vice president of López Mexican Restaurant, in a statement. “Not only has it been a family dream to one day open a second restaurant, but to be able to do it in conjunction with ‘Mattress Mack,’ the McIngvale Family, and Gallery Furniture, is beyond anything we could have ever imagined.”

The restaurant will bring its full menu of Tex-Mex favorites to the new location, including enchiladas, queso, fajitas, and more. Combo plates like the Mina (two cheese enchiladas, guacamole salad, and a beef taco) backed up by the potent house frozen margaritas have made the restaurant a staple in Southwest Houston. Consistently high quality food and reasonable prices have kept generations of families eating at the original location since 1978.

"Gallery Furniture and the McIngvale family are so excited for the new López Mexican restaurant located adjacent to Gallery Furniture Grand Parkway,” added Gallery Furniture owner Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale. “Gallery has been so welcomed by the Richmond-Katy community and we are thrilled for the second López location!”

Just try and resist these cheese enchiladas.

Courtesy photo

Just try and resist these cheese enchiladas.

tex-mex news-you-can-eat openings

where there's smoke

Houston's only Michelin-recognized Tex-Mex restaurant now open in Bellaire

Photo by Duc Hoang

Don't miss the brisket nachos at Candente.

It didn’t take Sambrook Hospitality Group long to turn Mandito’s into Candente. First announced in September, the restaurant’s second location officially opens today, Monday, December 22, at 5101 Bellaire Blvd.

Speaking on a November episode of CultureMap’s “What’s Eric Eating” podcast, Sambrooks Hospitality founder Michael Sambrooks explained that, as a Bellaire resident, he saw an opportunity to open a restaurant close to home.

“It was a combination of, this location became available, and we liked the market. I think Bellaire is underserved. As far as Tex-Mex options, I think it’s limited,” he says. “We always struggle with where’s somewhere we can grab a bite that’s five minutes away as opposed to driving to another part of town. I think Candente is that solution. I think it’s going to be pretty well received.”

In terms of design, the restaurant replicates many of the same elements as the original Montrose location that opened in 2019, such as its copper-topped tables and yellow, orange, and maroon accents. Diners will note a mural by local artist Franky Cardona along one wall. Overall, the restaurant seats 125 in its dining room, 10 at its bar, and 24 on an outdoor patio.

While the location is new, the menu is the same. That means the same wood-fired fajitas, brisket enchiladas, nachos, birria tacos, and other fare that helped it achieve a “Recommended” designation in the Michelin Guide for Texas — the only Tex-Mex restaurant in Houston to make the prestigious guide. Pair them with margaritas (both shaken and frozen), as well as agave-based cocktails such as the paloma and ranch water, beers, and non-alcoholic options.

Sambrooks Hospitality also operates The Pit Room, the barbecue joint with locations in Montrose and Memorial City that earned a Bib Gourmand designation.

“It’s a privilege to open in Bellaire and get to know and serve a new clientele,” Sambrooks said in a statement. “We’re excited to introduce our style of authentic, handcrafted Tex-Mex that has made us a Houston dining staple.”

Candente will be open for lunch and dinner during the week beginning at 11 am. Brunch is served Saturday and Sunday beginning at 10 am.

Don't miss the brisket nachos at Candente.

Photo by Duc Hoang

Don't miss the brisket nachos at Candente.

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