Dave's debut

Drake-approved hot chicken restaurant sets opening date for first Houston location

Drake's favorite destination for Nashville-style hot chicken makes its Bayou City debut this week. Dave's Hot Chicken will open its first Houston-area location this Friday, September 24 in west Houston (12161 Westheimer Rd.).

Founded in 2017 by Dave Kopushyan — a classically trained chef and veteran of Thomas Keller’s Bouchon restaurant — Dave’s serves halal chicken tenders and sandwiches at seven difference spice levels that each has their own recipes. The menu also includes sides such as kale slaw, mac and cheese, crispy fries, and cheese fries, as well as milkshakes.

Initially opened as a food truck, Dave’s has grown to multiple brick and mortar locations across Southern California. This week, the company announced that hip-hop superstar Drake has become one of its largest investors.

“I tried the food and it was amazing,” Drake said in a statement. “After meeting the founders and hearing their story, I jumped at the opportunity to invest.”

So far, the company has signed leases for six Houston-area restaurants and is negotiating for even more. In addition to the Westchase store, the company will open at the following locations:

2525 Rice Blvd. (co-tenancy with Velvet Taco)
614 Dennis St. (The Crossing at Midtown)
6324 Highway 6 South (Missouri City)
15245 Wallisville Rd.
20740 Kuykendahl Rd. (Spring)
148 El Dorado Blvd. (Webster)

A representative tells CultureMap that the Midtown location will open next in late October or early November. Rice Village and Wallisville Road will follow by the end of the year. As seen in the photo above, Dave's works with local graffiti artists to decor each store, which gives each one a distinct look.

Dave's opens in Houston on Friday.

Courtesy of Dave's Hot Chicken

Dave's opens in Houston on Friday.

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And a new coffee bar

Historic Houston burger joint serves up new Woodlands location

Courtesy of Lankford's

Lankford's will expand its original location with a new coffee and wine bar.

Grim Burgers and tater tots are coming to The Woodlands. Lankford’s, the beloved Houston burger joint with locations in Midtown and Bellaire, will arrive in The Woodlands next year.

Slated to open in January, Lankford’s has claimed the former Baja Cantina space at 24 Waterway Ave. for its third Houston-area location. It will offer a number of amenities, such as a 12-tap, self-serve tap wall; a milkshake bar with both traditional shakes and boozy options for adults; and dog-friendly dishes that will include a donation to the Montgomery County Animal Shelter.

Of course, the new Lankford’s in The Woodlands will serve the same menu of comfort food and burgers as the almost 90-year-old original. That includes signature items like the Grim Burger, a bacon cheeseburger topped with mac and cheese, jalapeños, and a fried egg; the spicy Firehouse burger; daily specials like chicken fried steak; and a weekend breakfast menu.

Lankford's Grim Burger Behold the Grim Burger.Courtesy of Lankford's

In addition to opening a new location in The Woodlands, Lankford’s will upgrade its original location in Midtown. They’ve purchased an adjacent property that will house a new coffee and wine bar with fresh pastries from chef Jenny Finch, specialty coffee drinks, and wine. Like The Woodlands location, it is also expected to open in January.

Along with the new wine list, Lankford’s is launching a wine club that will give members access to select vintages, events, and other perks. It will also be available in The Woodlands.

Owners Jessica and Paul Prior have recruited their son Nicolas van der Does and his wife, publicist Sydney Prior van der Does, to serve as co-owners of the new location. Paul took over full control of Lankford’s after his mother Eydie retired in 2021.

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