Foodie News

Chef Scott Tycer is taking Kraftsmen to Austin in another expansion

After opening a second Kraftsmen Cafe in the Heights in November, owner/chef Scott Tycer is already ready to expand again. But this time he's heading west — northwest, to be exact, to Austin.

"We've established several clients for the bakery in Austin, we have a whole route there," Tycer tells CultureMap. "We're really strong in Central Texas."

To capitalize on his success in the market, Tycer is currently scoping several spots in the downtown/ South Congress area. He's planning on keeping baking operations strictly at his Heights base, but including a small kitchen for basic sandwiches and similar items.

According to Tycer, the style, layout and menu for the Austin location will be very similar to the original Kraftsmen Cafe on Montrose.

But Austin won't be getting the cafe's signature carbohydrates anytime soon. Tycer says he hopes to open near the end of 2011 or the beginning of 2012.

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Growing restaurant chain brings over-the-top burgers to Houston

Courtesy of Killer Burger

Killer Burger will open on May 6.

Portland, Oregon-based Killer Burger is coming to Houston. The restaurant will open its first Bayou City outpost near downtown on Wednesday, May 6.

Founded in 2010 by Thomas “TJ” Southard, Killer Burger is best known for its over-the-top Peanut Butter Pickle Bacon Burger, which adds creamy, acidic, and salty elements to the classic bacon cheeseburger. Other burgers have catchy names like the Bender — a bacon cheeseburger with spicy barbecue sauce, crispy jalapenos, and grilled onions — or the Motley Qüe, which is similar to the Bender but uses tangy barbecue sauce and Monterrey Jack cheese. All burgers are made to order.

Behold the Motley Qüe burger. Killer Burger Houston

The restaurant also serves fried chicken sandwiches and chicken tenders, which are matched with seven sauce choices. The only sides are fries and onion rings. Desserts include three milkshakes (chocolate, vanilla, or strawberry) as well as a chocolate chunk cookie and the “chewy marshmallow bar,” a variation on a Rice Krispie treat made with brown butter.

Located at 1909 Taylor St., the restaurant will be Killer Burger’s third Texas store, joining two in San Antonio. The restaurant also plans to open two locations in Austin later this year.

“Texas has been an incredible growth market for us, and the response we’ve seen so far has given us a lot of confidence as we expand into new cities like Houston,” Killer Burger CEO Adam Sanders said in a statement. “We’re not trying to be just another burger spot — we’re here to bring something bold and different. Killer Burger has always been about big flavor, no shortcuts, and an experience that stands out, and we’re excited to introduce that to Houston.”

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