Barbecue Beat
Acclaimed EaDo barbecue joint has a new Cypress Hideout
Good news, barbecue fans. Pappa Charlies Barbeque, the acclaimed joint that closed its EaDo location in December, has found a new home in Cypress.
Owner and pitmaster Wesley Jurena tells CultureMap that he’s bringing Pappa Charlies to Cypress Trail Hideout, a new bar and restaurant that will be located at 25610 Hempstead Rd. Construction is currently underway, with the goal of opening in late February or early March.
Jurena notes that he found many aspects of the project appealing, including its proximity to a major master-planned community; the historic nature of the building, which was built in the late ’30s or early ’40s; and an expansive patio that will feature both a stage for live music and a play area for children.
“It’s a beautiful location,” Jurena says. “If you think about the Salt Lick it was a destination place with a great outdoor environment. That’s what I thought I wanted to do originally but finding the property was out of my budget. Things have kind of come full circle. We’re very excited about it. We think there's a good opportunity in Cypress to bring some different items to the table.”
Pappa Charlies will have its own signage at the location, and Jurena will bring some of his former's locations decor to the new space, including his Houstorian Astrodome home run bull.
Jurena and his son Jared will oversee the barbecue produced by an Oyler rotisserie smoker that will produce the brisket, ribs, and turkey that earned Pappa Charlies acclaim from food critics and barbecue bloggers alike. Sides like collard greens, mac and cheese, and jalapeno creamed corn will be available, too, as will the signature “goofyque” items like smoked meatloaf.
Increased pit capacity will allow the restaurant to serve baked potatoes for the first time, and the space’s much larger kitchen will allow for more sandwich options. The Jurenas will also have a hand in creating non-barbecue dishes like burgers, chicken fried steak, salads (available topped with barbecue, natch), and bar food items like tostadas and nachos. A steak night that uses meat from 44 Farms is also a possibility.
In addition to food, Cypress Trail will offer a full liquor license, 24 beer taps, and all the usual domestic options in cans and long necks. All in, it should be a pretty compelling mix of offerings for the area, even with competition closeby.
“There’s Goode Company, we respect what they do. There’s Rudy’s,” Jurena says. “There’s certainly barbecue in Cypress, but we think the whole package will be appetizing for the people who live out there.”