7 things to know

7 things to know in Houston food right now: Austin oysters in Montrose, tacos, and 'twisted' cookies

Clark's serves some of the freshest oysters in town.

Clark's Oyster Bar/Facebook

Editor’s note: Houston’s restaurant scene moves pretty fast. In order to prevent CultureMap readers from missing anything, let’s stop to look around at all the latest news to know.

Openings and coming attractions

Austin’s MML Hospitality will bring its Clark’s seafood and oyster bar concept to Montrose, the Houston Chronicle reports. Slated to open later this year in the former Montrose Car Care building at the corner of West Alabama and Montrose, Clark’s will serve dishes such as raw and roasted oysters, crudos, a lobster roll, and signature items like a cheeseburger and cioppino.

Velvet Taco has opened its sixth Houston-area location in The Woodlands at 9120 Gosling Rd. The Dallas-based taco chain's newest outpost occupies approximately 3,000 square feet; it seats over 60 inside with room for 40 more people on a patio.

The upscale taco restaurant serves a variety of globally inspired fillings such as tikka masala chicken tenders with cilantro basmati rice, falafel with tahini crema, and shrimp and grits with Cajun remoulade. Pair them with beers, fruit-infused iced teas, and the signature Kick Ass Margarita. Catering for any occasion – game nights, birthday parties, graduation-you name it – is also available.

“We are so excited to be a part of The Woodlands community, a community which, rightfully so, has landed on several ‘top cities in which to live’ lists,” general manager Robie Robinson said in a statement. “It’s time we gave them the best taco restaurant! Our menu and electric vibe will become a gathering place for all members of this community.”

The Original ChopShop has opened its second Houston-area location in the Upper Kirby area at 3021 Kirby Dr. Similar in approach to Flower Child, the Original ChopShop's menu includes protein bowls, salads (“chops”), sandwiches, fresh juices, protein shakes, acai bowls, breakfast items, and parfaits. Many diets are taken into consideration, including gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, and vegetarian.

“We are excited to fuel our rapid expansion with the opening our second Houston Shop,” CEO Jason Morgan said in a statement. “We couldn’t be happier with early results from our Galleria-area location that opened in Oct. 2021. We are looking forward to inspiring another Houston neighborhood to “Just Feel Good” with our unique menu offerings that include items for every occasion from breakfast, lunch, snack and dinner to catering.”

The restaurant opens daily at 7 am and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Black Rock Coffee Bar has opened its fourth Houston-area location in Cypress (8552 Hwy 6 N). Known for its modern design, the Portland-based cafe serves coffee, tea, smoothies, and energy drinks.

"We decided to grow in Texas because we were attracted to its culture, and each new store we open here validates that thesis." Black Rock CEO Josh Pike said in a statement. "It's all about the people in Texas. Texans care about their communities and each other, which aligns with the core values of our business. We look forward to serving this great community."

Cookie bakery Twisted Sugar has opened its first Texas location in The Woodlands. The Utah-based bakery serves over 20 varieties of cookies, including gluten-free and sugar-free options, all of which are baked fresh daily. In addition, it serves more than 100 speciality sodas and ice cream.

"We are thrilled to open our first Twisted Sugar Texas store in The Woodlands," said Kate Johnson in a statement. "Everyone has been so warm and welcoming. They've really shown their excitement for our award winning cookies and sodas to arrive."

(Temporary?) Closings

Jasper’s has closed its location at Market Square in The Woodlands. Food website twtx.co published an image of a lockout notice posted to the restaurant’s door, but the rent dispute may not be Jasper’s final chapter.

A note on the restaurant’s website reads as follows: “For 17 years you’ve spent your anniversaries, birthdays, and date nights with us. We look forward to serving you from a new location in The Woodlands very soon.”

Stay tuned for details about where that new location will be.

Chefs on the Move

Roma, the Italian restaurant in Rice Village, has welcomed a new executive chef. Kevin Bryant brings experience from restaurants such as Tony’s and Eleven XI, but the chef has an even more personal connection to the eatery.

Bryant and his wife, publicist Marie Elgamal, had their first date at Roma. The couple held their wedding there a few years later.

“I’m excited to be back in the game and working with a long-time friend at a place I have a lot of passion for,” Bryant said in a statement. “I am excited to hone in on the menu and add some creativity.”

Velvet Taco has opened in Houston.

Courtesy of Velvet Taco

Velvet Taco has opened in Houston.

news-you-can-eat openings chefs

rumor no more

East Coast-style Austin pizzeria confirms plans to open in the Heights

Home Slice Pizza Heights location rendering

Courtesy of the Michael Hsu Office of Architecture

A rendering previews Home Slice Pizza's new location in the Heights.

One of Austin’s pizzerias is expanding its presence in Houston. Home Slice Pizza has claimed the former Mapojeong space in the Heights (602 Studewood) for a new location that will open in the fall of 2026.

Founder Joseph Strickland tells CultureMap that Home Slice wanted to add a second Houston location that would build on the success of its Midtown restaurant that opened in late 2022. Unlike Midtown, which is counter service and offers limited seating, the Heights location will offer full service, an expanded menu, and cocktails, which is in line with Home Slice’s North Austin location.

“We saw a lot of synergy in North Austin and the Heights,” Strickland says. “They have a similar feel, a lot of families, a lot of people looking to get together in big groups. There’s also a robust bar scene on White Oak that we’re happy to be part of.”

Strickland says Home Slice had several requirements for a new location, including a larger dining room than Midtown, a decent-sized parking lot, and enough kitchen capacity to serve both dine-in and larger to-go orders. Not only did they find the right building, but they established a productive relationship with the property’s owner, Revive Development, the Houston-based firm that also owns properties that are home to Loro, Squable, Camaraderie, and the Stomping Grounds development in Garden Oaks.

“It was hard to believe at first. The more we talked with the Revive folks, there was a lot of alignment and opportunity for us to expand what we’re showing Houston,” Stickland says.

Home Slice is working with the Michael Hsu Office of Architecture to renovate the building. Strickland notes that it will require some extensive changes, including removing the butcher shop that was installed as part of its iteration as Ritual, a steakhouse that closed in 2021. Assuming everything goes according to plan, the restaurant should open sometime in the fall of 2026.

Home Slice Pizza food spread Home Slice serves New York-style pizza.Photo by Garrett Smith

Once open, Home Slice will serve its East Coast-inspired menu of New York-style pizzas (whole or by-the-slice), hot and cold Italian deli sandwiches, salads, and desserts — all of which utilize dough or bread that’s made in-house. In particular, the restaurant is known for its white clam pizza, as well as classics such as pepperoni and mushroom or sausage with ricotta and roasted peppers. In 2024, the Houston Press awarded “Best Sandwich” to the restaurant’s Italian Assorted, which is made with ham, dry salami, capicola, genoa salami, vegetables, provolone, mayo, and oil & vinegar.

Critically, the Heights Home Slice location will add wings to the New York and Sicilian-style pizzas, salads, and sandwiches that the restaurant serves in Midtown. Inspired by the wings served at the Anchor Bar in Buffalo, New York, Home Slice keeps its wings simple — medium or hot and served with a house made blue cheese dressing. “It goes with our pizza quite wonderfully,” Stickland says.

He hopes that the the wide-ranging menu, flexible menu, and late night hours will appeal to Heights locals, people patronizing the nearby bars on White Oak, and anyone else looking for a slice and a drink. The larger location and full service should make home slice an option for date nights, office happy hours, any just about any other occasion.

“We hope the neighborhood will be happy to have another offering that’s like ours, where you can bring a first date or your office or go by yourself. We offer all those experiences,” Strickland says.

openings news-you-can-eat pizza home slice pizza