(blond) boss brunch

Favorite Houston eatery toasts Dolly Parton's birthday with Southern brunch and cocktails

With everyone is back from the holidays and workin’ 9 to 5, we could use deserve a little treat. Fortunately, Union Kitchen is hosting a Dolly Parton-themed brunch on Saturday, January 20, at all five of their Houston locations.

The event celebrates the legendary country singer’s 78th birthday. Since releasing her hit debut album, Hello, I’m Dolly, in 1967, Parton has racked up a pile of award and accolades as tall as her famous blonde hair. In addition, she’s made her mark on classic films like The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas and the aforementioned 9 to 5, as well as becoming a literary activist and theme park owner.

The menu is curated by Union Kitchen general manager Rebekah Vera and chef James Lundy. Crafting gastronomic adventures based around musical icons is old hat for Lundy. In December, he put together a similar event for hometown hero Beyoncé to coincide with the release of her concert film, Renaissance.

The Dolly Parton brunch includes a selection of specialty cocktails inspired by her hits. The Jolene contains mezcal tequila, fresh lime juice, and agave, as well as muddled mandarin to symbolize the song’s subject’s luscious auburn hair. The Blond Boss hits a similar, fabulous tone with tequila, lime juice, agave, fresh muddled raspberries and lychee liqueur, and topped with screaming-hot pink glitter. For the more rustic palate, the New Cowboy in Town uses a base of browned-buttered infused Jim Beam and bitters.

Dolly Parton brunch Union Kitchen Look for specialty cocktails like the Jolene and the Blond Boss. Photo by Dylan McEwan/Scurfield Group

Naturally for a country star that hails from Tennessee, the menu will be extremely Southern style. Parton herself has a famous milk gravy and biscuits dish that is a delicious way to start the day, and Union Kitchen will be serving a breakfast sampler inspired by Parton’s recipe. It includes two eggs and bacon or sausage. The more daring will want to try the Tennessee Homesick Blues. It is eggs Benedict made with jalapeño cheddar cornbread topped with a chicken tender, hot honey, more jalapeños (because why not?) and Gouda cheese. Dessert is a banana pudding parfait.

Dolly Parton brunch Union Kitchen Get sweet on the Puddin' Parfait. Photo by Dylan McEwan/Scurfield Group

The regular Union Kitchen brunch menu will be available as well.

The brunch will be accompanied by a special playlist featuring focusing on Parton herself. Songs from contemporaries like Tammy Wynette and Loretta Lynch will also be in the mix, as well as newer artists like Miley Cyrus and Kacey Musgraves, who were heavily inspired by Parton.

Parton, who is famously philanthropic, is well-known for her contributions to childhood literacy. Her worldwide Imagination Library charity was inspired by the singer’s father, who could neither read nor write. Today, her work brings free books monthly to nearly 2 million children.

In order to honor Parton’s pioneering work in the realm of literacy, the Union Kitchen is inviting visitors to bring a new children’s book to donate at the event. Collected books will go to Casa de Esperanza, a charity that organizes temporary homes and voluntary placement for young Texas children whose families are going through rough times.

Photo by Dylan McEwan/Scurfield Group

Enjoy a Southern brunch and wash it down with the Jolene cocktail.

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The Dolly Parton Birthday Brunch. runs 10 am to 2 pm Saturday, January 20 at Union Kitchen (All locations). For reservations, prices, and more, visit the official restaurant site.

that's slick

Affordable indoor amusement park slides into The Woodlands this spring

The indoor park at Slick City The Woodlands

Render courtesy of Slick City Action Park

Slick City offers all the fun of a park without the heat.

Any parent in Houston knows the four sweetest words in the English language are "affordable, indoor, air-conditioned playspace." Slick City, a brand-new dry slide indoor playground, is slated to open in The Woodlands next month to the delight of all sunburn and heat stroke-adverse families in north Houston.

“The Woodlands is a community built around families, and Slick City creates the kind of experiences that bring people together,” said Mandy Bush, co-owner of the Slick City The Woodlands franchise. “We were drawn to the innovation behind the park and the opportunity to create a space where kids, parents and friends can unplug, be active and make lasting memories together.”

Slick City Action park is a relatively new player in the indoor playspace industry. Founded in Denver, Colorado in 2021 by CEO Bron Launsby and Gary Schmit, the playgrounds focus on their patent-pending big slide designs rather than the trampolines and virtual reality games that seem to make up most other major indoor parks. The company has been rapidly expanding into the Texas market, including opening a Denton location last August, as well as parks in Willowbrook, Webster, and Katy.

The Woodlands' location at 3905 FM 1488, Suite 100, will have 35,800 square feet of playspace, with 14 large-scale slides using the company's latest designs. This is also the first Slick City to include a soccer air court, perfect for kids afflicted with FIFA Fever ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Attractions include Riptide, Mega Launch, Cowabunga, Avalanche (V2) and Turbo Twin, as well as a near-vertical thrill slide that rivals theme park coasters in intensity. Admission prices range from $25 to $34 for 90–120 minute sessions, with mandatory $3–$5 CitySocks required

With Houston's hot summers, families sometimes struggle to find places for kids to play away from the unrelenting heat. Playground architects have been steadily adapting their designs for newer parks to account for heat, but nothing beats the power of air-conditioning. Getting to watch the kids fly through the air off of massive slide ramps is a bonus.

Render courtesy of Slick City Action Park

Slick City offers all the fun of a park without the heat.

amusement parks family friendly