Donut Drama

Donut Wars: Krispy Kreme plots Houston return, but is there room?

National doughnut chain Krispy Kreme has announced that it will make a return to Houston with 10 stores set to open over the next five years. The company signed an agreement with Dulce Restaurants, LLC, which already operates three locations in Dallas and has plans to open 15 more.

"Seeing the response and admiration for Krispy Kreme in Dallas has been a rewarding experience for me and my team," said Guillermo Perales, President and CEO of Sun Holdings, LLC, in a statement. "With our plans to continue developing the Dallas market now finalized and underway, we are excited by the opportunity to expand our relationship with Krispy Kreme in Houston."

But how will Houstonians receive Krispy Kreme?

But how will Houstonians receive Krispy Kreme? The company left Houston in 2006 after previous franchisee Lone Star Doughnuts sued the company over the cost of materials, forced expansion and other disputes. Jumbles, Lone Star's attempt at rebranding the stores, quickly folded.

In the meantime, Houston's doughnut market has only gotten more competitive. Local institution Shipley Do-Nuts continues to expand, and the company's diverse array of doughnuts, pastries and kolaches trumps the "more than a dozen" offerings Krispy Kreme promises to deliver. To make matters worse, Dunkin' Donuts, which mostly ignored Houston for years, is in the process of opening 50 stores across the city.

Then there are the city's beloved single location stores, like Christy's and River Oaks Donuts, that each have their own fans.

More than another chain, what Houston really needs is a new-style, creative doughnut shop like Gourdough's in Austin that offers a mix of sweet and savory options and keeps late hours. Rumors swirl periodically that such a concept is in the works, but it has yet to manifest itself. That would be cause for real excitement.

In the meantime, a glazed Shipley, hot and fresh, remains one of Houston's best treats, and Krispy Kreme's return won't change that.

Or Houston institution Shipley Do-Nuts?

Shipley's Do-Nuts

Or Houston institution Shipley Do-Nuts?

unspecified

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