Big Restaurant Shakeup

Pico's Mex-Mex is moving inside the Loop: Lease signed on high-profile space

Beloved Pico's Mex-Mex Restaurant is making its way inside of the Loop: 29-95 reports that chef-owner Arnaldo Richards has signed a lease in Upper Kirby, at the spot recently left vacant by the short-lived Maggie Rita's Modern Mex.

Richards said that he has been considering the space at Kirby and Richmond since last July, when Mama Ninfa's converted to Maggie Rita's. Following that restaurant's December closure, the landlord allegedly selected Pico's from "about ten other suitors" interested in the high-profile space.

The menu will remain the same as the original Pico's on Bellaire Boulevard, but Richards told Alison Cook that he will "be able to expand his seasonal and weekend specials in the new location."

Remodeling work will begin immediately and is expected to take approximately eight weeks.

Chef-owner Arnaldo Richards told Alison Cook that the menu will remain the same, with expanded seasonal and weekend specials.

unspecified

With or Without Whiz

Houston burger mastermind fires up new pop-up devoted to Philly cheesesteaks

Photo by Michael Ma

Abbas Dhanani is serving up cheesesteaks at his new pop-up.

Abbas Dhanani is at it again. The food influencer-turned-restaurateur behind the CultureMap Tastemaker Award-winning smash burger concept Burger Bodega is firing up a new pop-up concept devoted to another iconic sandwich.

Called Bas’s Cheesesteaks, the new concept will Dhanani’s take on the classic Philly cheesesteak, made with sliced ribeye and white cheese on a seeded hoagie roll — onions and a spicy sauce are optional. A second version swaps the white cheese for Cheez Whiz. Like Burger Bodega, Dhanani is using halal beef for his cheesesteaks.

Bas's Cheesesteaks cheesesteak sandwich The cheesesteak is served on a seeded hoagie roll.Photo by Michael Ma

“We have experimented with cheesesteaks as specials on the menu at Burger Bodega and received amazing feedback,” Dhanani said in a statement. “However, the cheesesteaks at Bas’s are the most refined versions we have done so far. I am excited to bring authentic Philly cheesesteaks to Houston as a new flavor experience while continuing to build on the energy and community we have created at Burger Bodega. This is a huge passion project for me, and I plan to take it step by step, just like Burger Bodega."

As Dhanani notes, he introduced Burger Bodega with a series of pop-ups throughout Houston. To answer the obvious question, of course a restaurant could be in the cards for Bas’s, too.

“I think thats the goal of any new pop-up concept,” Dhanani tells CultureMap. “Like Burger Bodega, we want to take it one step at a time and see where it goes.”

Bas’s Cheesesteaks will have its first pop-up on Monday, June 30 at Burger Bodega’s location (4520 Washington Avenue). In addition to the two cheesesteaks, diners can get fries. Future pop-ups will be announced via Instagram.

As for Burger Bodega’s second location in Katy, Dhanani says it’s still working through securing the necessary permits to begin construction.

news-you-can-eat openings bas's cheesesteaks