pass the cheba, bud

Stoner-themed sandwich joint's first Houston spot hashes out cocktails and munchies

Cheba Hut opens next week.

A nationwide chain of stoner-themed sandwich "joints" — as a press release says, "pun intended" — will open its first Houston location next week. Cheba Hut will make its debut Monday, April 18 in Sawyer Yards (2150 Edwards St.).

Founded in 1998, Cheba Hut utilizes a marijuana theme throughout the restaurant. For example, the restaurant's "toasted" sandwiches are served in three sizes — "nug," "pinner," and "blunt" — sides like chips and desserts are labeled "munchies," and non-alcoholic drinks are "Cottonmouth Cures."

Popular sandwiches (many named for marijuana strains, natch) include the White Widow with chicken, ranch dressing, mushrooms, bacon, and provolone; the Kali Mist, with roasted turkey breast, chipotle mayo, fresh jalapeños, bacon, pepper jack, and avocado; and the Acapulco Gold, with grilled chicken breast, barbecue sauce, Swiss, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, Shake & House dressing. They're served on a Parisian-style sandwich bread that's hand-rolled, hand-scored, and available in white, whole wheat, or garlic herb.

The Munchies section includes pretzel nuggets, meatballs, and loaded nachos. Round out a meal with desserts such as cookies or the Goo Ball, a Rice Krispie treat with peanut butter, honey, and cocoa.

Cheba Hut pairs its sandwiches with a full range of cocktails and local craft beer from breweries such as Saint Arnold, Holler, Eureka Heights, and Karbach. Cocktails include the Dirty Hippie ( Deep Eddy Vodka, muddled fresh cucumbers, and lemonade), Hot Box (Deep Eddy Ruby Red Grapefruit Vodka, fresh jalapeños, ginger brew, and lime juice), and the Cheba Rita (Exotico Silver Tequila, Cheba sweet n’ sour, Triple Sec, and a splash of soda).

Local franchisees Ashley and Raj Gandhi are native Houstonians who look forward to introducing the community to their new restaurant.

“We fell in love with Cheba Hut for its acceptance of counterculture that draws people in and the best damn products that keeps them coming back,” the couple said in a statement.

Local artists have created murals for the restaurant's interior. Graphics pay homage to aspects of life in Houston such as SLABs. Here's a sneak peek.

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Teresa Gubbins contributed to this article.

openings news-you-can-eat

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