Haunted Restaurant Fire

Haunted restaurant vows to rebuild after devastating fire: Houston area icon's stood strong for 113 years

Restaurants come and go so quickly in the Houston-area that if one survives for more than 10 years it's worth celebrating. A lucky few get to celebrate 20 and 30-year anniversaries — thereby earning the honor of saying they've served multiple generations of diners.

Restaurants with 50 or more years of history are practically unheard of, so, when something bad happens to one of these local institutions, it comes as a blow to the community that supports it.

All of which explains the outpouring of support in reaction to the news that Wunsche Bros. Cafe and Saloon in Old Town Spring suffered a fire early Sunday morning. The fire department arrived on the scene around 3:30 a.m. and were able to stop the flames from spreading, but firefighters were unable to save an addition to the 113-year old restaurant.

No one was hurt by the blaze, but the restaurant expects to be closed for at least six weeks.

"I don't know. I'm devastated. A lot of emotions. A lot of lives affected today," manager Beth Vincent tells KHOU. "By the grace of God the original structure has been left intact. There is a lot of smoke and water damage."

The damage is extensive enough that the restaurant has asked for donations to support employees who are currently out of work. It is also looking to replace old pictures that were destroyed. Hopefully the ghost of original owner Charlie Wunsche, who is said to haunt the place, escaped without harm.

No word yet on a what started the fire, but some employees speculate it was an electrical issue.

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Coastal-inspired Houston restaurant will shutter after 3 years in Montrose

Photo by Kirsten Gilliam

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A Montrose restaurant devoted to fresh and healthy fare will soon serve its final meal. Graffiti Raw will close on December 31.

Located next to Uchi in the Montrose Collective mixed-use development, Graffiti Raw opened in early 2023. It is part of the Big Vibe Group, the hospitality company behind Coppa Osteria in Rice Village and Flora, the stylish Mexican restaurant in Buffalo Bayou Park.

Graffiti Raw took inspiration from coastal destinations such as Big Sur, Mexico, and the Mediterranean. True to its name, the menu included raw items such as tartare and ceviche alongside classic fare such as steak frites, chicken schnitzel, and crab fried rice.

“Since opening, Graffiti Raw has been a place for connection — from shared meals to vibrant

nights that reflected the creative energy of Houston. The Big Vibe Group is grateful to the

guests, team members, partners and the Montrose Collective community who helped shape the experience,” the company said in a statement.

Big Vibe emphasizes that both Coppa Osteria and Flora “remain central to the company’s long-term vision, with an emphasis on growth, consistency, and elevated hospitality.” It made a similar commitment to those concepts when it closed Gratify, a neighborhood bistro in Rice Village, back in 2024.

Montrose has seen a number of openings and closings, with additions such as jazz supperclub Doc’s and wine shop/bar Montrose Grocer. Paulie’s, a neighborhood staple for more than 25 years, will also close on December 31.

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