Hometown Glory

Best city in the nation for business? That's Houston, of course — mag heaps on praise

Want to open a pet lounge-cum-coffee shop? Do it today! A bar that gives all of its proceeds to charity? Go for it!

You know why? Because Houston is one of the best cities in the nation for businesses. Even Forbes says so.

H-Town won in top overall friendliness marks from local business owners.

Based on data from the U.S. Small Business Friendliness Survey, conducted by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, Houston was graded an A+ in business-starting terms.

Though the city's licensing process could be improved, H-Town won in top overall friendliness marks from local business owners. Our infamous lack of zoning, loose tax codes and ample employment pool didn't hurt, either.

Austin and San Antonio also earned an A+ rating, and Dallas received an A, scoring the Lone Star State four of the top 10 spots in the ranking.

unspecified

This Week's Hot Headlines

Houston billionaire ranks among top U.S. landowners and more popular stories

HMNS Great Outdoors Gala 2022 Russell and Glenda Gordy and Red FJ Cruiser

Photo by Jenny Antill

undefined

Editor's note: It's time to look back at the top Houston news of the week, including a look at one of America's top landowners. Plus, the sad closure of a pioneering steakhouse and a popular pizzeria makes plans for Houston. Get the details on our most popular stories below, then head here to plan your weekend.

1. Houston oil-and-gas billionaire ranks among America's top 100 landowners. About one-fourth of the country’s mega-owners of private land have ties to Texas, either living here, owning land here, or both. The highest-ranked Houston-based landowner is oil-and-gas billionaire Russell Gordy.

2. Houston's pioneering South American steakhouse will soon shutter in River Oaks. Sad news for inner loopers who are fans of plantain chips, wood-grilled steaks, and Houston’s best tres leches. The River Oaks location of South American steakhouse Churrascos will close Monday, June 16.

3. Texas Monthly's BBQ Snob dishes on the magazine's new top 50 list. On this episode of “What’s Eric Eating,” Texas Monthly barbecue editor Daniel Vaughn joins CultureMap editor Eric Sandler to discuss the magazine’s new list of the 50 best barbecue joints in Texas.

4. 'Famous' Bronx-based pizza chain fires up 3 Houston locations. A New York-based pizza chain has big plans for Houston. Called Singas Famous Pizza, the restaurant will soon open three locations in the area.

Singas Pizza is coming to Houston.Photo courtesy of Singas

5. Texas slides down the list of best U.S. state economies for 2025. Texas' robust economy may be showing some cracks. Texas now ranks as the state with the eighth best economy, four spots lower than one year ago, according to a new report.