• Home
  • popular
  • EVENTS
  • submit-new-event
  • CHARITY GUIDE
  • Children
  • Education
  • Health
  • Veterans
  • Social Services
  • Arts + Culture
  • Animals
  • LGBTQ
  • New Charity
  • TRENDING NEWS
  • News
  • City Life
  • Entertainment
  • Sports
  • Home + Design
  • Travel
  • Real Estate
  • Restaurants + Bars
  • Arts
  • Society
  • Innovation
  • Fashion + Beauty
  • subscribe
  • about
  • series
  • Embracing Your Inner Cowboy
  • Green Living
  • Summer Fun
  • Real Estate Confidential
  • RX In the City
  • State of the Arts
  • Fall For Fashion
  • Cai's Odyssey
  • Comforts of Home
  • Good Eats
  • Holiday Gift Guide 2010
  • Holiday Gift Guide 2
  • Good Eats 2
  • HMNS Pirates
  • The Future of Houston
  • We Heart Hou 2
  • Music Inspires
  • True Grit
  • Hoops City
  • Green Living 2011
  • Cruizin for a Cure
  • Summer Fun 2011
  • Just Beat It
  • Real Estate 2011
  • Shelby on the Seine
  • Rx in the City 2011
  • Entrepreneur Video Series
  • Going Wild Zoo
  • State of the Arts 2011
  • Fall for Fashion 2011
  • Elaine Turner 2011
  • Comforts of Home 2011
  • King Tut
  • Chevy Girls
  • Good Eats 2011
  • Ready to Jingle
  • Houston at 175
  • The Love Month
  • Clifford on The Catwalk Htx
  • Let's Go Rodeo 2012
  • King's Harbor
  • FotoFest 2012
  • City Centre
  • Hidden Houston
  • Green Living 2012
  • Summer Fun 2012
  • Bookmark
  • 1987: The year that changed Houston
  • Best of Everything 2012
  • Real Estate 2012
  • Rx in the City 2012
  • Lost Pines Road Trip Houston
  • London Dreams
  • State of the Arts 2012
  • HTX Fall For Fashion 2012
  • HTX Good Eats 2012
  • HTX Contemporary Arts 2012
  • HCC 2012
  • Dine to Donate
  • Tasting Room
  • HTX Comforts of Home 2012
  • Charming Charlie
  • Asia Society
  • HTX Ready to Jingle 2012
  • HTX Mistletoe on the go
  • HTX Sun and Ski
  • HTX Cars in Lifestyle
  • HTX New Beginnings
  • HTX Wonderful Weddings
  • HTX Clifford on the Catwalk 2013
  • Zadok Sparkle into Spring
  • HTX Let's Go Rodeo 2013
  • HCC Passion for Fashion
  • BCAF 2013
  • HTX Best of 2013
  • HTX City Centre 2013
  • HTX Real Estate 2013
  • HTX France 2013
  • Driving in Style
  • HTX Island Time
  • HTX Super Season 2013
  • HTX Music Scene 2013
  • HTX Clifford on the Catwalk 2013 2
  • HTX Baker Institute
  • HTX Comforts of Home 2013
  • Mothers Day Gift Guide 2021 Houston
  • Staying Ahead of the Game
  • Wrangler Houston
  • First-time Homebuyers Guide Houston 2021
  • Visit Frisco Houston
  • promoted
  • eventdetail
  • Greystar Novel River Oaks
  • Thirdhome Go Houston
  • Dogfish Head Houston
  • LovBe Houston
  • Claire St Amant podcast Houston
  • The Listing Firm Houston
  • South Padre Houston
  • NextGen Real Estate Houston
  • Pioneer Houston
  • Collaborative for Children
  • Decorum
  • Bold Rock Cider
  • Nasher Houston
  • Houston Tastemaker Awards 2021
  • CityNorth
  • Urban Office
  • Villa Cotton
  • Luck Springs Houston
  • EightyTwo
  • Rectanglo.com
  • Silver Eagle Karbach
  • Mirador Group
  • Nirmanz
  • Bandera Houston
  • Milan Laser
  • Lafayette Travel
  • Highland Park Village Houston
  • Proximo Spirits
  • Douglas Elliman Harris Benson
  • Original ChopShop
  • Bordeaux Houston
  • Strike Marketing
  • Rice Village Gift Guide 2021
  • Downtown District
  • Broadstone Memorial Park
  • Gift Guide
  • Music Lane
  • Blue Circle Foods
  • Houston Tastemaker Awards 2022
  • True Rest
  • Lone Star Sports
  • Silver Eagle Hard Soda
  • Modelo recipes
  • Modelo Fighting Spirit
  • Athletic Brewing
  • Rodeo Houston
  • Silver Eagle Bud Light Next
  • Waco CVB
  • EnerGenie
  • HLSR Wine Committee
  • All Hands
  • El Paso
  • Avenida Houston
  • Visit Lubbock Houston
  • JW Marriott San Antonio
  • Silver Eagle Tupps
  • Space Center Houston
  • Central Market Houston
  • Boulevard Realty
  • Travel Texas Houston
  • Alliantgroup
  • Golf Live
  • DC Partners
  • Under the Influencer
  • Blossom Hotel
  • San Marcos Houston
  • Photo Essay: Holiday Gift Guide 2009
  • We Heart Hou
  • Walker House
  • HTX Good Eats 2013
  • HTX Ready to Jingle 2013
  • HTX Culture Motive
  • HTX Auto Awards
  • HTX Ski Magic
  • HTX Wonderful Weddings 2014
  • HTX Texas Traveler
  • HTX Cifford on the Catwalk 2014
  • HTX United Way 2014
  • HTX Up to Speed
  • HTX Rodeo 2014
  • HTX City Centre 2014
  • HTX Dos Equis
  • HTX Tastemakers 2014
  • HTX Reliant
  • HTX Houston Symphony
  • HTX Trailblazers
  • HTX_RealEstateConfidential_2014
  • HTX_IW_Marks_FashionSeries
  • HTX_Green_Street
  • Dating 101
  • HTX_Clifford_on_the_Catwalk_2014
  • FIVE CultureMap 5th Birthday Bash
  • HTX Clifford on the Catwalk 2014 TEST
  • HTX Texans
  • Bergner and Johnson
  • HTX Good Eats 2014
  • United Way 2014-15_Single Promoted Articles
  • Holiday Pop Up Shop Houston
  • Where to Eat Houston
  • Copious Row Single Promoted Articles
  • HTX Ready to Jingle 2014
  • htx woodford reserve manhattans
  • Zadok Swiss Watches
  • HTX Wonderful Weddings 2015
  • HTX Charity Challenge 2015
  • United Way Helpline Promoted Article
  • Boulevard Realty
  • Fusion Academy Promoted Article
  • Clifford on the Catwalk Fall 2015
  • United Way Book Power Promoted Article
  • Jameson HTX
  • Primavera 2015
  • Promenade Place
  • Hotel Galvez
  • Tremont House
  • HTX Tastemakers 2015
  • HTX Digital Graffiti/Alys Beach
  • MD Anderson Breast Cancer Promoted Article
  • HTX RealEstateConfidential 2015
  • HTX Vargos on the Lake
  • Omni Hotel HTX
  • Undies for Everyone
  • Reliant Bright Ideas Houston
  • 2015 Houston Stylemaker
  • HTX Renewable You
  • Urban Flats Builder
  • Urban Flats Builder
  • HTX New York Fashion Week spring 2016
  • Kyrie Massage
  • Red Bull Flying Bach
  • Hotze Health and Wellness
  • ReadFest 2015
  • Alzheimer's Promoted Article
  • Formula 1 Giveaway
  • Professional Skin Treatments by NuMe Express

    Food Truck Moves Indoors

    First look: Hotly anticipated new burger joint brings food truck experience indoors

    Eric Sandler
    Jun 26, 2014 | 11:25 am

    One of the summer's most anticipated restaurants isn't open yet, but that hasn't stopped the curious from stopping by for a peek.

    "Do you know the password to get in?," a woman who had been turned away asked me as I walked up. I didn't have a password; thankfully, I didn't need one. Justin Turner stood at the door of Bernie's Burger Bus and welcomed me inside.

    "Instead of customers walking up (to the bus), we’re walking up to them. Instead of getting a drink from a cooler, we’re serving it."

    Turner says he's aware his fans are ready to try the new place.

    "Before you came in, I served about 55 people today because I had cooks training and servers I wanted to work with. I told the hostess and my staff 'anyone walks in, we serve them free food,'" Turner says. "I’m surprised by the amount of walk-ins we had without even being open. When I post (that it's open), I think it’s going to be ridiculous."

    Despite the anticipation, Turner is confident his kitchen staff will be ready for whatever crowds show up. "I just have a feeling we’re going to be crushed, which is awesome. I’ve got all hands on deck. I’ve scheduled the buses down to have my best cooks (at the restaurant)," Turner says. "Even 110 seats, which I think is the final count — 110 people is not that much. We’re used to cooking 100 burgers an hour. It’s not something that’s going to be challenging in the sense of getting it out of the kitchen."

    While Turner feels like his cooks are ready, adding servers and front of house staff to the mix makes him nervous. He's scheduled a series of invite-only practice services over the next few days to get rhythm and timing down. "I’m treating it like a food truck as far as the servers go," Turner adds. "Instead of customers walking up (to the bus), we’re walking up to them. Instead of getting a drink from a cooler, we’re serving it."

    Indoor truck experience

    Local design firm Collaborative Projects has brought the truck experience indoors. First, all the cooking is done inside a school bus that's been loaded inside the building. Booths are shaped like bus benches, and custom-designed two-person tables resemble school desks.

    "I'm A-plus-plus about Collaborative Projects," Turner tells CutureMap. "I couldn't be happier with the look. My only complaint is that I didn't get a big enough space. If I had another 1,000 square-feet, I'd be where I want to be."

    The new menu also includes poutine topped with smoked brisket, gravy and cheese curds. A lobster version will pop-up on weekends.

    Turner has made a number of new additions to the menu. Diners can now choose from lamb and chicken patties in addition to the regular beef. Both are ground in-house: the lamb is from New Zealand and the chicken is all-natural and organic. In one configuration, the chicken burger gets topped with Turner's special goat cheese guacamole.

    "It goes hard," Turner says with a chuckle. "The creaminess and the tartness of the goat cheese adds the right amount of acidity to the avocado without adding a ton of lemon . . . I like doing that when I do Mexican nights – it’s the first thing to go."

    The new menu also includes poutine topped with smoked brisket, gravy and cheese curds. A lobster version, along with the truck's celebrated lobster roll special, will pop-up on weekends while supplies last. Turner says he doesn't want to spend Sunday nights eating leftover lobster; expect supplies to be limited while he gages demand. Those looking for something lighter can try a chopped salad topped with what Turner promises is "the best honey mustard in town," along with house-made ranch and vinaigrette dressings.

    For dessert (or just because), choose from a selection of boozy milkshakes Turner created in collaboration with Fluff Bake Bar pastry chef Rebecca Masson. Yes, this is a burger restaurant with a full bar and a selection of locally-brewed craft beer.

    In the meantime, Turner has his real estate agent scouring Katy for location No. 2, which he plans to open sometime in 2015. This restaurant's massive, hidden prep area allows Turner to add two or three additional stores within the next two years. "The hardest thing is going to be determining how fast I can get this thing running the way I want it," Turner says.

    "I’m not going to do too much or spread myself too thin. I’ve got to get a grasp on the prep and equipment."

    When exactly will it open? Turner is aiming for one day next week. To find out, follow Bernie's Burger Bus on Instagram. The password is "roll call."

    Custom tables are shaped like desks.

    17 first look at Bernie's Burger Bus restaurant June 2014 school desk
      
    Photo by Eric Sandler
    Custom tables are shaped like desks.
    unspecified
    news/restaurants-bars

    most read posts

    Meet the Houston siblings bringing old school Tex-Mex to the Hill Country

    9 new bars shaking up Houston with cocktails, live music, and more

    Bun B opens new Spring location of his smash hit smash burger joint

    here comes the sun

    Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr serves up a new pickleball bar in Midtown

    Eric Sandler
    Apr 28, 2025 | 9:00 am
    Solarium ​owners Lance McCullers Jr., Juan Carlos de Aldecoa, and Jimmy Doan
    Photo by Swiggard Creative
    Rex Hospitality partners Lance McCullers Jr., Juan Carlos de Aldecoa, and Jimmy Doan

    A new destination for cocktails, bar bites, and social gaming has arrived in Midtown. After a quiet soft opening this weekend, Solarium is now officially open for service daily.

    Located in the former Holman Draft Hall space, Solarium unites Rex Hospitality — the group behind Maven at Sawyer Yards that includes Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. as one of its founders — with the Kirby Group, the veteran bar operators behind Heights Bier Garten, Pitch 25, and more. Together, they’ve transformed Holman into a luxurious new sports bar built around pickleball.

    At the heart of the renovations is a glass-walled indoor/outdoor bar area — the eponymous solarium. It offers a range of seating options, including community tables for large groups and more intimate bar-height tables. Design details include velvet chairs and and an “earthy palette,” according to a release, that features “Rolex green” fabric.

    Next to the bar, patrons will find six outdoor courts — four pickleball and two padel. They’re available via reservation beginning at 9 am daily for rates that vary from $10 to $30 for pickleball and $20 to $40 for padel. An adjacent pro shop offers all the gear necessary to play either for rental or purchase.

    Surrounding the courts are five private rooms. Made from repurposed shipping containers, they offer glass walls with a view of the games, as well as servers who will bring food and drinks. These VIP-style suites are part of how Rex Hospitality and The Kirby Group aim to distinguish Solarium from other, similar pickleball bars that have been opening around the Houston area. That’s consistent with the company’s approach with Maven, which adds cocktails to the familiar coffee shop model.

    “Though the concept isn’t related to Maven in a direct way, it is in in line with the Rex vision and the ethos of Maven an indirect way,” Rex Hospitality president Nina Quincy tells CultureMap. “It is a unique take on a common pastime. We have taken something and added a unique and elevated twist, so in that sense I think it meshes well with the overall Rex vision and shares a similar ethos with Maven.”

    A menu created by Rex Hospitality culinary director Nico Baizán features takes on familiar pub fare such as burgers, po’ boys, skewers, wings, and “bang bang” shrimp. At brunch, the bar’s menu includes pancakes, shrimp and grits, and shakshuka. Dessert options include a banana split and a build-your-own sundae.

    Pair them with cocktails, beer, wine, or nonalcoholic sips. Brunch cocktails include mimosas and spritzes.

    The bar and restaurant opens at 11 am Monday-Friday and at 10 am on weekends.

    Solarium \u200bowners Lance McCullers Jr., Juan Carlos de Aldecoa, and Jimmy Doan
      

    Photo by Swiggard Creative

    Rex Hospitality partners Lance McCullers Jr., Juan Carlos de Aldecoa, and Jimmy Doan

    news-you-can-eatopeningspickleballsolariummidtown
    news/restaurants-bars
    Loading...