Américas Shuttered

Pioneering South American restaurant has closed in River Oaks

The coronavirus pandemic has claimed another high-profile Houston restaurant. Américas restaurant in the River Oaks Shopping Center has shuttered.

Although its website and Facebook page are still active, Américas appears to have closed in mid-March and will not reopen. A representative for the property's landlord, Weingarten Realty, confirms the restaurant has closed.

Fred Espinoza, chief operating officer for Américas owner Churrascos Restaurant Group, provided CultureMap with the following statement about the restaurant's closure: "Due to the business effects of the coronavirus and the high-cost structure of the operations, we decided not to reopen Américas. We are extremely grateful to all our loyal fans for all the support throughout the years, and we hope to see you at one of our Churrascos’ locations."

As Espinoza noted, Churrascos, the company's South American steakhouse, operates a nearby location in River Oaks that remains in business.

Opened in 2010 by celebrated Houston restaurateur Michael Cordua, Houston's third Américas became an instant success. With its luxurious interior and a prime location, the restaurant provided a new outlet for a wide array of South American dishes prepared by its executive chef, Michael Cordua's son David.

The menu covered everything from ceviches to steaks, but Cordua earned acclaimed for creative dishes such as lobster corndogs, paella with smoked lamb, and black bean empanadas. A full range of craft cocktails and a wine list with plenty of South American vintages helped complete the experience.

Founded in 1993, the original Américas location on Post Oak featured an interior by architect Jordan Mozer that recreated a tropical rainforest. It closed in 2011. A second location in The Woodlands converted into a Churrascos in 2017. Michael and David Cordua parted ways with Cordua Restaurants, now Churrascos Restaurant Group, in 2018.

Américas joins an ever-growing list of Houston restaurants that have closed since restrictions designed to limit the spread of covid-19 severely restricted restaurants' operations. They include Bernie's Burger Bus, Penny Quarter, The Tasting Room in Uptown Park, and Indika.

A screen capture from the non-offline Churrsacos Restaurant Group website.

Screen capture via churrascosrg.com

A screen capture from the non-offline Churrsacos Restaurant Group website.

closings

With or Without Whiz

Houston burger mastermind fires up new pop-up devoted to Philly cheesesteaks

Photo by Michael Ma

Abbas Dhanani is serving up cheesesteaks at his new pop-up.

Abbas Dhanani is at it again. The food influencer-turned-restaurateur behind the CultureMap Tastemaker Award-winning smash burger concept Burger Bodega is firing up a new pop-up concept devoted to another iconic sandwich.

Called Bas’s Cheesesteaks, the new concept will Dhanani’s take on the classic Philly cheesesteak, made with sliced ribeye and white cheese on a seeded hoagie roll — onions and a spicy sauce are optional. A second version swaps the white cheese for Cheez Whiz. Like Burger Bodega, Dhanani is using halal beef for his cheesesteaks.

Bas's Cheesesteaks cheesesteak sandwich The cheesesteak is served on a seeded hoagie roll.Photo by Michael Ma

“We have experimented with cheesesteaks as specials on the menu at Burger Bodega and received amazing feedback,” Dhanani said in a statement. “However, the cheesesteaks at Bas’s are the most refined versions we have done so far. I am excited to bring authentic Philly cheesesteaks to Houston as a new flavor experience while continuing to build on the energy and community we have created at Burger Bodega. This is a huge passion project for me, and I plan to take it step by step, just like Burger Bodega."

As Dhanani notes, he introduced Burger Bodega with a series of pop-ups throughout Houston. To answer the obvious question, of course a restaurant could be in the cards for Bas’s, too.

“I think thats the goal of any new pop-up concept,” Dhanani tells CultureMap. “Like Burger Bodega, we want to take it one step at a time and see where it goes.”

Bas’s Cheesesteaks will have its first pop-up on Monday, June 30 at Burger Bodega’s location (4520 Washington Avenue). In addition to the two cheesesteaks, diners can get fries. Future pop-ups will be announced via Instagram.

As for Burger Bodega’s second location in Katy, Dhanani says it’s still working through securing the necessary permits to begin construction.

news-you-can-eat openings bas's cheesesteaks