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    Houston's Hot New Bakery

    Food game changer: Houston's best bread company is set to open its first local bakery — and expand to Austin

    Eric Sandler
    Jun 30, 2014 | 9:56 am

    The numbers are staggering: 15,000 to 20,000 pounds of flour per week, 18,000 pieces per day (6,000 or more of which are hamburger buns), 300 customers from Conroe to Webster and Katy to Kingwood. All produced from an anonymous, unmarked warehouse space on Westpark.

    Owner Heath Wendell estimates that as many as 20,000 Houstonians per day eat the bread produced by Slow Dough Bread Co. "It's just mind boggling for us," he tells CultureMap.

    While Wendell could be content with Slow Dough's growth over the past five years, he isn't the sort of person to rest of his laurels. That's why the company, which supplies freshly baked bread to many of Houston's finest restaurants, is set to expand even further by moving into the Austin market and opening a retail storefront as part of the new Weights + Measures complex in Midtown. (CultureMap was first to report on the Weights + Measures complex.)

    The menu is still under development, but it will include donuts, as well as what Wendell calls the "rustic side of pastries . . . "

    Wendell recalls growing up in Chicago and working for Deerfields Bakery, a company his grandfather started. When he wanted to grow the business beyond what his uncles were comfortable with, Wendell's grandfather encouraged him to leave and start his own business.

    "He recognized I was an entrepreneur," Wendell says. Eventually, Wendell arrived in Houston. "I came down here and recognized the need for bread," he says.

    The Austin expansion has already begun. A Slow Dough truck heads west four days per week to service six accounts that include celebrated charcuterie shop Salt & Time, Royal Blue grocery and the Farmhouse delivery service. General manager Clayton Garrett tells CultureMap that Slow Dough is responding to demand from Austin restaurants that couldn't purchase bread from Austin's existing commercial bakers.

    "We made the decision because of the amount of phone calls we received," Wendell adds. "We're really, really excited about it."

    To meet the expected demand, the company has added two new trucks and will soon install two massive new deck ovens to double its production capacity.

    In addition, manager Thomas Massey, who spent years working for Whole Foods in Austin, will be in the city full-time to serve as a resource for customers. Massey notes that despite the growth of Austin's restaurant scene, the city's existing bakeries don't have "enough capacity to handle the desire for new, different and better." Still, he says, "I love Austin. There's tons of room for everyone."

    If there's sufficient demand, Wendell thinks Slow Dough could even open a bakery in Austin to service both that city and San Antonio. Once the demand justifies the expense, Wendell says he'd like to find a business-minder baker in Austin who could partner with the company and train in Houston. "It would be nice," he says.

    As the Austin expansion is happening, Slow Dough will also launch its first retail space as part of the Weights + Measures complex in Midtown. The development, a joint venture between urban designer/developer Ian Rosenberg, 13 Celsius owner Mike Sammons, Brown Paper Chocolates owner Richard Kaplan and Slow Dough, will feature a 600 square-foot retail bakery that sells sweet and savory breads and pastries.

    The partnership grew out of Wendell's longstanding relationship with Rosenberg and Sammons that began when Wendell and co-owner/fiancee Marlo Evans first started Slow Dough. The last stop on their delivery route was 13 Celsius, and they would stay to have a glass of wine and discuss their businesses. For four years, Rosenberg told Wendell that he wanted to help him open a retail location.

    "This project came up, and everything worked out," Wendell says. "Everything will be made there," he promises, rather than trucked in from the wholesale facility.

    "When you have a retail store, you can see people's reactions to your product," Wendell notes. "I'm totally looking forward to it." The menu is still under development, but it will include donuts, as well as what Wendell calls the "rustic side of pastries . . . Things I grew up making."

    The new space will also make pizza dough for an adjacent restaurant and serve as a training ground for bakers before they enter production at the wholesale facility, since they'll be freed from the pressure of having to make hundreds of pieces at a time.

    "We'll be part of the retail community, which is pretty cool," Wendell says.

    Slow Dough produces over 150 different bread products every day.

    12 Slow Dough bread making June 2014
      
    Photo by Eric Sandler
    Slow Dough produces over 150 different bread products every day.
    unspecified
    news/restaurants-bars

    Tequila and Tacos

    Celebrate Cinco de Mayo 2025 at these Houston bars and restaurants

    Brianna Griff
    May 2, 2025 | 4:42 pm
    Picos Cinco de Mayo Margarita
    By Becca Wright
    Picos has margaritas for $10 all day on Cinco de Mayo.

    It’s Cinco de Mayo weekend in Houston, and this city knows how to celebrate Mexico's victory at the Battle of Puebla. From sizzling street tacos and refreshing margaritas to live mariachi music and cultural festivities, there’s no shortage of ways to join the fiesta. We’ve compiled a few of the festivities happening around the city. So, pour yourself a shot of tequila, grab a taco, and enjoy a reason to celebrate with friends.

    Axelrad
    This beloved Midtown beer garden is keeping it chill with all-day margarita specials on Monday, May 5. From 2 pm to midnight, enjoy house margaritas for $5 (add a flavor for $1). Then, settle into a comfy hammock in Axelrad’s spacious backyard to relax.

    Candente
    Cinco de Mayo celebrations at the Michelin-recognized Tex-Mex restaurant will span three days, from May 3–5. On Saturday and Sunday, enjoy all-day festivities including tequila tastings, a DJ, and a photo booth. On Monday, a traveling mariachi band will set the mood while diners feast on Tex-Mex favorites, paired with margaritas, micheladas, and other cocktails from multiple satellite bars. Seating is first-come, first-served.

    Cyclone Anaya
    All six Houston-area Cyclone Anaya’s locations are marking Cinco de Mayo with food and drink specials and live music. Stop by for $5 margaritas, two tacos for $5, and mariachi band performances throughout the day. Whether you’re in the mood to sip, snack, or dance, this classic Houston Tex-Mex joint is ready to party.

    Late August
    For Cinco de Mayo, executive chef Sergio Hidalgo presents a special three-course Taco Omakase menu, offering a refined take on tacos through an Afro-Mexican lens. Each course can be paired with wines selected by Level 3 Sommelier Danny Davis. This exclusive dining experience is available for dinner only on May 5. Reservations are highly recommended.

    Maximo
    This West U. Mexican restaurant from the team behind Local Foods and Milton's is going all out on Monday. From 5-8 pm, the restaurant's Cinco de Mayo Pachanga will feature a one-night-only collaboration menu from chef Adrian Torres and guest Joseph Boudreaux of Boo's Burgers, live painting by Houston artists Donkeeboy and Donkeemom, a market with local vendors, tequila tastings, and music by DJ Mexican Blackbird.


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    Molina’s Cantina
    Premium margs are just $8 at Molina’s all weekend. On Monday, mariachis will serenade guests at every outpost from 6-8 pm, while happy hour is on all day, including Molina’s margaritas for $9.50 and Mexican beers for $4.50.

    The Original Ninfa’s
    At Ninfa’s Uptown, the Tex-Mex favorite is partnering with Don Julio tequila for a twist on the Uptown Mezcal cocktail or the Ninfarita, Uptown, or Navigation margaritas. Don’t miss the Aguasol Tequila Jello shots for $3. Enjoy mariachi music Saturday from 5–6 pm, with a photo booth and giveaways from 5–7 pm.

    At Ninfa’s on Navigation, celebrate with Patron-based cocktails and the same festive Jello shots. Sunday’s mariachi is from 2–3 pm, with a photo booth and giveaways from 2–4 pm.

    Picos
    Get your groove on at this restaurant in Upper Kirby with a live DJ mixing up music on Sunday from 12-3 pm outside, and a mariachi band performing inside from 12-4 pm. Feast on the Cinco de Mayo brunch buffet from 10 am-4 pm. On Monday, order $10 house margs from 11 am-3 pm, while an all-you-can-eat pastor cart will be available for $21 a person.

    State Fare Kitchen and Bar
    On Cinco de Mayo, all three locations (Memorial, Sugar Land, and The Woodlands) will serve up festive specials, including $5 State Fare margaritas (frozen or on the rocks) and oversized eats like the Big Tex Taco with a 12-inch puffy flour tortilla. Bring friends and dig into the Big Cinco Platter ($45), which includes the Big Tex Taco, quesabirria, guacamole, salsa, and tortilla chips.

    Toca Madera
    This stylish steakhouse is known for its lively vibes, and Cinco is no exception. The restaurant will be alive with music all weekend, with a DJ, guitarists, and baile folklorico performances. You won’t want to miss the fire dancers. On Cinco de Mayo, happy hour is extended from 2-6 pm, with a live mariachi band. Reservations are recommended.

    Verde Garden
    The Harlow District is pulling out all the stops with three days of Cinco de Mayo festivities. On Saturday, May 3, enjoy a lively lineup featuring a mariachi band at 2 pm, Folklorico dancers at 7 pm, and a DJ set starting at 10 pm. A paloma bar and photo booth add to the fun. On Sunday, May 4, customers can sip from a michelada bar and unwind at the unique cumbia and coffee bar. Then on Monday, May 5, enjoy food and drink specials all day long.

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