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    CultureMap Video

    Houston's $50 fried chicken and why you absolutely must try it: A surprise seafood restaurant revelation

    Eric Sandler
    Jan 28, 2015 | 8:03 am
    Houston's $50 fried chicken and why you absolutely must try it: A surprise seafood restaurant revelation
    play icon

    Eating fried chicken at an upscale seafood restaurant may feel like missing the point, but that's what happens once a month at Holley's. Chef Mark Holley has mostly sought to leave the past behind at his Midtown restaurant, but he gave in to fans who insisted that Holley continue Pesce's tradition of monthly fried chicken dinners.

    Beginning in August, Holley quietly revived the dinners on the last Sunday of every month. Even though the restaurant charges $50 per person and requires a minimum of six people to reserve a table, the dinners always sell out. The price includes all the dishes for a complete meal — a massive plate of fried chicken, three sides, biscuits and dessert.

    Paying $50 per person for fried chicken is, frankly, a lot of money. However, if any fried chicken dinner is worth that kind of money, Holley's serves it.

    Alcohol costs extra, but it's hard to resist the appeal of the restaurant's full lineup of 8th Wonder Brewery beers to wash it down.

    Paying $50 per person for fried chicken is, frankly, a lot of money. However, if any fried chicken dinner is worth that kind of money, Holley's serves it.

    The chef's old school technique, which includes frying high-quality free range chickens in cast iron skillets, gives the birds a crispy crust, a juicy interior and a slightly spicy flavor that sets it apart from any other fried chicken I've tried in Houston.

    Even though I'd sampled 20-plus dishes that afternoon as a judge at the Saint Arnold One Pot Showdown, I couldn't resist eating four pieces and my share of the sides and coconut cream pie.

    Part of the appeal comes from Holley's ebullient presence. When he's not frying chicken, the chef works the dining room where he greets regulars and makes newcomers feel like old friends. His good natured personality has clearly rubbed off on the restaurant's staff, who were quick with refills and advice about beverage choices.

    Still not convinced?

    Watch the video above that shows Holley at the stove. If the images of that chicken in the pan isn't persuasive, so be it.

    In the meantime, I'll be rounding up five friends for February's dinner. In honor of Mardi Gras, Holley plans to serve red beans and rice as one of the sides.

    Should I pay $50 just to eat Mark Holley's red beans and rice and more of that chicken?

    Probably not. But after trying the chicken, sides and biscuits on Sunday, I really want to.

    A full plate of chicken, collard greens, mac and cheese, sweet potatoes and biscuits.

    Holley's fried chicken dinner
    Photo by Eric Sandler
    A full plate of chicken, collard greens, mac and cheese, sweet potatoes and biscuits.
    unspecified
    news/restaurants-bars

    coming to fredericksburg

    Star Houston chef signs on to luxurious Hill Country hotel

    Eric Sandler
    Oct 22, 2026 | 3:00 pm
    Aaron Bludorn headshot
    Courtesy of Bludorn Hospitality Group
    Aaron Bludorn is opening a new restaurant in Fredericksburg.

    Houston chef Aaron Bludorn is coming to the Hill Country. The chef’s Bludorn Hospitality Group will open a restaurant and lead the culinary program at The Kimpton Fredericksburg, a luxury hotel that’s expected to open in late 2027.

    The still-unnamed restaurant will be a fresh concept from the company that’s behind five Houston restaurants — its flagship fine dining concept Bludorn, seafood restaurant Navy Blue, French-inspired Perseid at the Hotel Saint Augustine, and two locations of Bar Bludorn, including its recently-opened location in The Woodlands. Later this year, Bludorn, his wife Victoria Pappas Bludorn, and their business partner Cherif Mbodji, will open a new restaurant in San Antonio.

    “We really loved the idea of being out in Fredericksburg. With us opening in San Antonio, we’ll already have a team out there,” Bludorn tells CultureMap. “We’re a growing Texas hospitality group. We see it as a great opportunity to grow our brand with Texans in really cool spaces.”

    Bludorn adds that the restaurant will be a new concept from the company. Details, including its name and menu, will be released closer to the opening.

    “We were drawn to Aaron’s ability to create a dining experience that feels both approachable and elevated, where exceptional food and thoughtful service come together in a way that makes every guest feel welcome,” said Blake Berg, senior vice president of development & construction for hotel owner DC Partners. “We recognize that experiential dining is an important part of what makes a destination successful, particularly in a market as distinctive as Fredericksburg. Our vision is to build on the area’s existing culinary character while introducing a new level of creativity, quality and hospitality. Aaron understands that balance. His philosophy aligns with our intentional approach to The Meuse, where every element is designed to complement the community, create a lasting impression and give people a reason to return.”

    First announced in 2025, the Kimpton Fredericksburg is a 210-room luxury hotel. In addition to the Bludorn restaurant, it will offer a 10,000-square-foot outdoor pool and deck, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and more than 18,000 square feet of meeting and event space.

    The hotel will anchor The Meuse, a 22-acre mixed-use development with more than 70,000 square feet of retail space. Previously announced tenants include Houston-based Padre’s Wine Company, Texas bootmaker Lucchese, westernwear label Double D Ranch, gourmet food company Fischer & Wieser, and Jackson Ballard Gallery.

    Aaron Bludorn headshot

    Courtesy of Bludorn Hospitality Group

    Aaron Bludorn is opening a new restaurant in Fredericksburg.

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