delivery bots, assemble!

Domino's powers up Houston's first robot delivery in The Heights

Look for the Nuro R2 on the roads of Woodland Heights.

Courtesy of Domino's Pizza, Inc.

The relentless march of progress has come for pizza delivery drivers. Domino's announced it will begin testing a pizza delivery robot in Houston this week.

First announced in 2019, the pizza giant has partnered with Nuro to utilize a self-driving car for deliveries from its Woodlands Heights location (3209 Houston Ave.). When a customer places an order from that location, they will have the option to select delivery via Nuro R2.

Once they've ordered online, customers will receive a text message with a PIN and an update on the R2's location. When the robot arrives, simply enter the number on a touchscreen to retrieve that Ultimate Pepperoni pizza and Stuffed Cheesy Bread.

How customers respond to the program remains to be seen. Perhaps they'll miss the convenience of having an actual person ring the doorbell with a piping hot pizza in hand. Then again, robots don't receive tips or want to engage in awkward small talk while you sign the receipt.

"There is still so much for our brand to learn about the autonomous delivery space. This program will allow us to better understand how customers respond to the deliveries, how they interact with the robot and how it affects store operations," said Dennis Maloney, Domino's senior vice president and chief innovation officer, in a statement. The growing demand for great-tasting pizza creates the need for more deliveries, and we look forward to seeing how autonomous delivery can work along with Domino's existing delivery experts to better support the customers' needs."

Nuro's self-driving cars are a familiar presence on Houston's roads. Back in 2019, Nuro tested Toyata Priuses equipped with its technology for grocery delivery. The fully self-driving R2 has been in use by both Kroger and CVS for deliveries in some neighborhoods, CultureMap sister site InnovationMap reports.

"We're excited to introduce our autonomous delivery bots to a select set of Domino's customers in Houston," Nuro co-founder and president Dave Ferguson added. We can't wait to see what they think."

science pizza the-heights

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Family-friendly Houston restaurant picks Missouri City for 6th location

Photo by Jenn Duncan

Local Table serves a mix of Mediterranean and classic American fare.

A family-friendly Houston restaurant will soon its sixth location. Local Table is expected to open in Missouri City in January.

Located at 3434 FM 1092 Road, the new Local Table will occupy approximately 6,700 square feet. It will feature a semi-private dining room, an outdoor patio, and a mural by Houston artist Shelbi Nicole

First opened in 2016, the restaurant builds on the legacy of Hungry's, the popular Mediterranean cafe that has two Houston-area locations (with a third on the way this spring). Shervin Sharifi and Neima Sharifi, who are nephews of Hungry's founder Fred Sharifi, partnered with Hungry's co-owner Ashkan Nowamooz and his brothers Arash and Alex. Additionally, Sue Nowamooz, Ashkan's wife, serves as executive chef for both Hungry's and Local Table.

“Every Local Table location is born from the community around it — our guests shape who we are. We’re honored to create spaces where neighbors can gather, share meals, and feel at home,” Shervin Sharifi said in a statement. “Missouri City has already shown us so much warmth, and we can’t wait to become part of the fabric of this community.”

Similar to Hungry’s, many dishes include Mediterranean-inspired elements such as a gyro pita, a kebab plate, and hummus. Other selections — including chicken fried chicken, a bacon cheeseburger, and a Philly cheesesteak — take their inspiration from traditional Southern or classic American fare. Gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan items appear throughout the menu. Weekend brunch features three-egg omelets, chicken and waffles, croissant French toast, and more.

Weekly specials includes kids eats free on Monday, $5 margaritas on Tuesday, half-off bottles of wine on Wednesday, and “Board and Bottle Thursday,” that offers a pizza and bottle of wine for $40. Meals are available for both dine-in and Local Table’s in-house delivery service.

“Local Table is dedicated to providing families in the Greater Houston area with access to quality dining in a welcoming, family-friendly setting,” Sharifi added. “Expanding our footprint to Missouri City is a perfect next step for us, and we’re thrilled to become part of this community.”

Photo by Jenn Duncan

Local Table serves a mix of Mediterranean and classic American fare.