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    Bigger, Better Southern Smoke

    Chris Shepherd’s first food festival since 2019 goes all out with all-star, 3-day bash

    Eric Sandler
    Apr 11, 2022 | 9:29 am
    Southern Smoke 2019 Chris Shepherd check presentation
    The Southern Smoke Festival returns for the first time since 2019.
    Photo by Emily Jaschke

    Houston’s highest-profile food festival is stepping up to be bigger and better than ever in 2022. Chris Shepherd’s first Southern Smoke Festival since 2019 promises to be an event to remember with a star-studded lineup loaded with fellow James Beard Award winners, Top Chef stars, and more local culinary talent than ever before.

    Instead of one afternoon bash in Montrose, the event has morphed into a three-day weekend, October 21-23, that will take place at three venues: the Houston Farmers Market, the Houstonian Hotel, and a massive block party in EaDo. Compared to 2019, the number of participants has nearly tripled to more than 60 local, regional, and national chefs that include some of the nation’s most prominent culinary personalities.

    The event raises money for the Southern Smoke Foundation, the non-profit Shepherd started to provide cash assistance to hospitality workers in crisis situations like medical emergencies, natural disasters, loss of wages, and other unexpected events. To date, the foundation's Emergency Relief Fund has distributed over $9 million to recipients nationwide.

    On Friday, the H-Town Welcome Wagon will take place at the Farmers Market. Anchored by Shepherd’s two restaurants, Underbelly Burger and Wild Oats, along with the adjacent greenspace, the event will feature food prepared by Shepherd (cooking for the first time at Southern Smoke), along with Top Chef judge Gail Simmons, North Carolina chef Katie Button, Mason Hereford (Turkey and the Wolf, New Orleans), Paola Velez (Bakers Against Racism) and locals like Trong Nguyen (Crawfish & Noodles), Jacklyn Pham (Saigon Pagolac), Benchawan Painter (Street to Kitchen), and more. Beverage options will feature Texas wineries.

    On Saturday, the Houstonian will host Southern Smoke on Ice. Described as “the raw bar to end all raw bars,” the event will feature chefs Nicole Mills (Peche Seafood Grill, New Orleans), Mike Lata (Fig, Charleston), Jason Stanhope (Fig, Charleston), Ashley Christensen (Poole’s Diner, etc), Cheetie Kumar (Garland, Raleigh), and New Orleans chef Stephen Stryjewski. Over the course of the evening, Kata Robata chef Manabu Horiuchi will break down a whole tuna that will be turned into hand rolls.

    What most people will recognize as the original Southern Smoke Festival has morphed into the East Downtown Throwdown. Held on Sunday, October 23, the event will occupy seven acres centered around 8th Wonder Brewery, Agricole Hospitality’s Indianola/Vinny’s/Miss Carousel complex, and the surrounding streets.

    Once again, Aaron Franklin (Franklin Barbecue, Austin) will return to serve his signature brisket. He’ll be joined by an all-star roster that includes Top Chef head judge Tom Colicchio, master pizzaiolo Chris Bianco, and Top Chef alumni including Brooke Williamson, Karen Akunowicz, Stephanie Izard, Sarah Grueneberg, Claudette Zepeda, and Houston’s own Dawn Burrell. In addition look for TV star Andrew Zimmern and notable barbecue luminaries such as Leonard Bottelo IV (Truth BBQ), Billy Durney (New York’s Hometown BBQ), whole hog master Sam Jones, and more.

    Tickets will go on sale later this summer. Information about prices, packages, and other details will be released later. Head to the festival’s website for a full roster of participants.

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    pizza, burgers, breakfast, and more

    4 fresh new restaurants now open in suburban Houston

    Brianna Griff
    May 8, 2025 | 4:30 pm
    Next Level Lounge at Fogo de Chão  in Katy
    Courtesy of Fogo de Chão
    Katy's Fogo de Chão features the restaurant's Next Level Lounge.

    Everyone knows how quickly Houston’s ‘burbs are growing — and that includes the dining scene. From Katy to Stafford, Pearland to Webster, new restaurants are popping up all over. Whether you’re craving grilled meats carved tableside or a stack of pillowy pancakes, these fresh spots have something for every appetite.

    Fogo de Chão
    Katy just scored its first Fogo de Chão, making it the fifth Houston-area location for the popular Brazilian steakhouse. Diners can feast on the endless parade of grilled meat and seafood that servers slice tableside, or enjoy all-day happy hour at Bar Fogo. The new location also marks the Houston-area debut of Fogo's Next Level Lounge concept, billed as a sleek whiskey and bourbon hideaway. Located at 222 West Grand Parkway South, Fogo is open Monday - Thursday from 11:30 am–10 pm, Friday until 10:30 pm, Saturday from 11 am–10:30 pm, and Sunday from 11 am–9 pm.

    Hash Kitchen
    It’s brunch all day, every day at Hash Kitchen’s new Webster outpost, joining its sister spot in Pearland. The lively location dishes out plates of tamale eggs Benedict, pineapple upside-down pancakes, and birria-loaded scramblers. It’s always a party with an extensive drink menu featuring a build-your-own Bloody Mary bar with more than 50 toppings, plus a live DJ spinning tunes on weekends. Hash Kitchen is located at 1065 W Bay Area Boulevard, Suite 170, in Webster, and is open Monday-Friday from 7 am-2 pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 7 am-3 pm.

    Via 313
    Pearland is now home to a slice of Motor City with the opening of Via 313 in the Silverlake Business Park. The Austin-based pizzeria serves up Detroit-style rectangular pies with crispy edges and focaccia-like dough, plus vegan and gluten-free options. Try The Jalapeño Poppa with bacon, whipped cream cheese, jalapeños, and Sriracha hot honey, or go for The Cadillac — a sweet-and-savory combo of prosciutto, gorgonzola, fig preserves, and balsamic glaze. This is Via’s fourth Houston-area location and can be found at 9250 Broadway St., Suite 190. Hours are Monday - Thursday from 11 am–10 pm, Friday and Saturday until 11 pm, and Sunday from 11 am–9 pm.

    Hopdoddy Burger Bar
    Hop on over to Stafford’s The Grid for a bite at Austin-based Hopdoddy Burger Bar. Highlights include the Cadillac Burger — a half-pound wagyu beef patty topped with steakhouse bacon and truffle aioli — plus veggie options, gluten-free buns, loaded Brussels sprouts, salads, and boozy milkshakes. The chef-crafted “Burger of the Month” keeps the menu fresh. The Stafford spot joins Hopdoddy’s nine other Houston-area locations and is decked out with custom neon signs and vibrant artwork. Located at 12333 Southwest Freeway, Suite 300, it’s open Sunday - Thursday, 11 am-10 pm, and Friday and Saturday, 11 am-11 pm.

    Next Level Lounge at Fogo de Ch\u00e3o  in Katy
      

    Courtesy of Fogo de Chão

    Katy's Fogo de Chão features the restaurant's Next Level Lounge.

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