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    $1.5 million to restaurant relief

    Big Lone Star State brewery and powerhouse company donate $1.5 million to help Texans

    Eric Sandler
    Apr 20, 2020 | 2:30 pm
    Whataburger exterior
    BCBSTX's donation will provide meals at Whataburger for first-responders.
    Courtesy of Whataburger

    The Texas Restaurant Association (TRA) has announced two substantial donations to its TX Restaurant Relief Fund that provides immediate financial support to Texas’ independent restauranteurs and their employees.

    Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) contributed a $1,000,000 grant that will be used to feed first responders such as police officers and firefighters as well as hospital workers. The Spoetzl Brewery, best known for producing Shiner Bock, donated $500,000 that will be used towards grants provided to independent restaurants across the state.

    The BCBS donation will be split between two purposes. First responders and hospital workers will be able to receive a free combo meal or bowl from either Chipotle or Whataburger. In addition, the TRA will use the funds to allow hospitals to request packaged meals from independent restaurants for their workers who are treating COVID-19 patients.

    Overall, the program will supply 150,000 meals statewide through over 100 independently owned restaurants, 670 Whataburger locations, and 220 Chipotle stores. That keeps restaurants open and employees working at a time when up to 32 percent of restaurants statewide have temporarily closed, according to statistics compiled by the TRA.

    “Through these grants, we are working to move resources to community-based organizations that are directly supporting local residents and families who are most impacted by the emerging health, economic, and social impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic,” BCBSTX president Dr. Dan McCoy said in a statement. “We applaud the TX Restaurant Relief Fund and its effort to support independent restauranteurs and their employees.”

    The Spoetzl Brewery donation helps the TRA reach its overall goal of raising $10 million for its relief fund that provides grants up to $5,000 for independently-owned restaurants across the state. TRA estimates that the Texas restaurant industry has lost more than 208,000 jobs and $1.8 billion in sales since March 1.

    “As of today, our brewery is fortunate to continue brewing with enhanced health and safety measures,” Shiner brewmaster Jimmy Mauric said. “But we are saddened to know that restaurants and bars throughout Texas — that are independent like us — are in distress. We hope that our collective fundraising efforts will help them respond to the challenges that they’re facing.”

    Restaurants must supply various documentation to demonstrate their eligibility, including information about their staffs and agreeing to comply with certain reporting requirements to verify funds have been used appropriately. Grants are provided on a first-come-first-serve basis to eligible applicants. To date, the number of restaurants seeking a donation from the fund has been so substantial that TRA has temporarily suspended accepting new applications.

    “This is an unprecedented time for our industry, fighting a never-before-seen battle for survival,” said Dr. Emily Williams Knight, President & CEO of the Texas Restaurant Association and Education Foundation, in a release. “In times of crisis, restaurants are always on the front lines, feeding victims and first responders; in this crisis, restaurants are among the victims. Together with amazing partners like Spoetzl Brewery, we can support restaurants and their employees, the heart of our communities, stay in operation and weather this storm.”

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    one last squeeze

    Ben Berg's New York-inspired, fancy burger joint will soon shutter

    Eric Sandler
    May 21, 2025 | 5:16 pm
    BB Lemon exterior
    Photo by Leah Wilson
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    The original location of Ben Berg’s fancy burger joint will soon serve its last meal. B.B. Lemon on Washington Avenue will close after service on Sunday, June 1, the restaurant announced on social media.

    In response to CultureMap’s request for comment about the decision, a representative provided a statement that reads in part:

    “It is never an easy decision to close a restaurant,” Berg said. “The love Houston has shown B.B. Lemon-Washington over the years is what made it such a special place. Thank you for making us part of your everyday moments and life celebrations.”

    The statement continues that the restaurant is “no longer part of our strategic plan,” referring to Berg’s company, Berg Hospitality Group. However, the location of B.B Lemon that opened last year in the downtown tunnels will remain open.

    Open since late 2018, B.B. Lemon takes inspiration from iconic New York City restaurant JG Melon, including its signature green-and-white checked tablecloths. Thanks to a spacious patio and a lively atmosphere, B.B. Lemon soon found favor with area residents and downtown office workers, who made it a happy hour favorite.

    Like its decor, B.B. Lemon’s menu also takes inspiration from the East Coast. In addition to a diner-style, wagyu cheeseburger, the restaurant serves an array of comfort food that includes fish and chips, a lobster roll, and blue crab beignets.

    Berg’s decision to close B.B. Lemon follows last year’s closure of Benny Chows, its New York-inspired Chinese American restaurant. In January, the company closed NoPo Cafe to make way for a new location of Bagel Bob’s HTX.

    The group also opened three new concepts in 2024: live fire steakhouse Prime 131, retro diner Buttermilk Baby, and upscale steakhouse Turner’s Cut. It will open a second location of Buttermilk Baby in Sugar Land this summer.

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