Keepin' it classy

The Breastaurant invasion bounces along: From Bone Daddy's to Bikinis, they allwant a piece of Houston

The Austin-based Bikinis Bar and Grill — which touts the tagline "sports with aview" — recently announced it will be taking over a former Tortuga's site in TheWoodlands.
Bikinis Sports Bar and Grill
Bone Daddy’s House of Smoke, based in Addison, plans to open one of itslady-staffed barbeque in Houston by summer.
Bone Daddy's House of Smoke/Facebook
Bikinis entices breastaurant fans a full "scratch kitchen," unlike some of itscompetitors.
Bikinis Sports Bar and Grill
Bone Daddy's staffers
Bone Daddy's House of Smoke/Facebook
On site at one of the many Bikinis throughout Texas, North Carolina andOklahoma.
Bikinis Sports Bar and Grill
Bikinis
Bikinis Sports Bar and Grill
Bone Daddy's "killer smokehouse barbeque."
Bone Daddy's House of Smoke

As it turns out, some things just never go out of style.

Two Texas-based "breastaurant" chains are looking to the Bayou City to capitalize on the seemingly endless popularity of Hooters, which currently maintains 15 restaurants throughout the region that compete with two branches of its arch-rival Twin Peaks.

The Austin-based Bikinis Bar and Grill — which touts the tagline "sports with a view" — is taking over a former Tortuga's site in The Woodlands along I-45 to launch its first location in the Houston area and 10th overall. Bone Daddy’s House of Smoke, based in Addison, is also planning to open one of its lady-staffed barbecue restaurants in Houston this summer.

So, that's 15, 16, 17 . . . plus two more . . . That's a total of 19 Space City region breastaurants by the end of the year.

"We also take our slogan 'sports with a view' pretty serious here," Bikinis general manager Danny Mac Donald says. "You can expect high-definition televisions everywhere along with all of our beautiful girls."

"We've actually been looking to get into the Houston market for about four years," Danny MacDonald, general manager of The Woodlands Bikinis, tells CultureMap. "It's taken us a while to find a perfect location like this and we're excited to finally be here."

So, how exactly does Bikinis differ from Twin Peaks or Hooters? MacDonald seemed prepared for what is perhaps the most important question for a breastaurant operator.

The food, he says, is fairly traditional American pub fare with wings and burgers being the menu highlights. The main difference, however, will be the quality of both the food and the service according to MacDonald.

"This is a scratch kitchen, unlike what you'd find at our competitors," he says. "We also take our slogan 'sports with a view' pretty serious here, so you can expect high-definition televisions everywhere along with all of our beautiful girls."

Located at 25657 Interstate 45, the new Bikinis will have a soft opening starting May 10 with an official launch in June. The website notes the location is currently hiring.

Although CultureMap was unable to reach a Bone Daddy's representative about its pending arrival, owner Mike Leatherwood told the Houston Business Journal that for Houston, the restaurant plans on a less forward approach to service.

“With the old uniform, [waitresses] had to tie it up to fit the contours of their body,” he said. “There was just a lot more skin showing. This one is tailored.”

Leatherwood noted that he doesn't appreciate being pigeonholed as a run-of-the-mill breastaurant. “We just don’t like being lumped into that category. It’s demeaning to the girls that work here, and it’s just not what we are committed to.”

"Bone Daddy's is a funky barbeque joint with smoking hot waitresses and ice cold beer — that's the line we use to sum up what we do," says Ted Beaman, Bone Daddy's strategic planning director.

Ted Beaman, who heads strategic planning for Bone Daddy's, tells CultureMap that the Houston area location is planned for Webster. The company is hoping to roll out three more restaurants in the region by the end of 2013.

"Bone Daddy's is a funky barbecue joint with smoking hot waitresses and ice cold beer — that's the line we use to sum up what we do," Beaman says.

"There's always a lot of effort to make each of our buildings unique and the barbeque is from a old family recipe that's been perfected over time. Finally, we always make sure we hire attractive, personable and smart waitresses who will provide excellent service and pay lots of attention to our customers."

unspecified

Where to eat on Christmas Day

More than 25 Houston restaurants that are open on Christmas Day 2025

Photo by Julie Soefer

Hypsi serves pasta and other Itaian-inspired dishes.

Whether or not a Houstonian happens to celebrate Christmas, the day is perfect for gathering with friends and family for a celebratory meal. While many people will feast at home, others may want someone else to do the cooking and cleaning.

Thankfully, Houston restaurants are here to help. As with Thanksgiving, more and more establishments are open for business with a range of cuisines. From familiar Chinese restaurants to one of the city's buzziest new Italian restaurants, diners are spoiled for choices. Read on for options that include a variety of cuisines, neighborhoods, and price points.

Afuri Ramen
Open regular hours from 11 am to 10 pm, the Heights spot serves a menu of tasty sushi, ramen bowls, and an array of craft cocktails.

Aga’s Restaurant & Catering
The Southwest Houston Indo-Pak restaurant will be open during its regular hours on Christmas Day, serving biryani, goat chops, curries, and more.

Baso
Open for its regular hours of 4-10 pm on Christmas, diners at the Heights spot — winner of Restaurant of the Year in the 2025 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards — can expect its signature, chef-driven menu of Basque-influenced fare.

The Burger Joint
Stop in at any of the three locations on Christmas for burgers, fries, and milkshakes.

Cleburne Cafeteria
Open from 11 am-8 pm, the Houston favorite will serve comfort food classics like chicken fried steak, roast turkey, and liver and onions, as well as its signature cakes and pies.

Davis Street
A $75 prefix menu lets diners choose from appetizers, entrees, and desserts such as Boutte’s Southern gumbo, poached pear salad, blackened Louisiana catfish, grilled pork chop, and Down South Coconut Cake. See the full menu and reserve online.

Doris Metropolitan
Dinner service from 4 to 9 pm features the Upper Kirby restaurant’s signature steaks and refined sides, along with special holiday-themed cocktails like the Spiced Coquito or Boozy Hot Chocolate.

Duck N Bao
All three locations will be open their regular hours, 11 am - 9:30 pm, with menu selections like Peking duck, dim sum and dumplings, noodle dishes, and cocktails.

Fielding’s River Oaks
Maine Lobster Thermidor, chateaubriand for two, and a Christmas yule log dessert highlight the swanky spot’s Christmas menu offerings, which are available from 11:30 am to 9 pm. Expect a wide selection of specialty, holiday-themed cocktails as well.

Hamsa
The elegant Rice Village spot offers regular dinner service from 11:30 am to 8 pm, with a selection of sharables, craft cocktails and exquisite wines.

Harrison’s at The Woodlands Resort
Come for brunch on Christmas Day and enjoy buffet selections such as carved turkey, crown roasted pork, oysters, sushi, desserts, and gourmet hot cocoa. Make reservations online.

Hongdae 33
The Korean restaurant in Chinatown’s Dun Huang Plaza from the owners of Duck N Bao will be open regular hours on Christmas Day, serving its all-you-can-eat menu for $36 per person.

Hypsi
The Italian restaurant at the Hotel Daphne will serve its menu of pastas, shareable apps, and entrees from 5-10 pm. Don't miss sampling dishes from the the signature mozzarella cart that rolls through the dining room.

Juliet Steakhouse & Fine Dining
The Galleria-area restaurant has a Christmas Day buffet with selections like carved-to-order turkey and filet mignon, served with sides such as mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, candied yams, cornbread dressing, lobster bisque, and more. The cost is $59 for adults and $28 for kids under 12. Reservations suggested.

La Griglia
The upscale River Oaks restaurant will be open from 12 to 8 pm serving specials like pasta alla routa, bucatini Amatriciana, and other Italian favorites.

Lombardi Cucina Italiana
Open from 10:30 am to 9 pm, the menu at this Italian concept includes dishes like Mediterranean branzino, eggplant Milanese, a variety of housemade pastas, plus holiday cocktails and desserts.

Maison Chinoise
Recently opened in the River Oaks Shopping Center, this contemporary Chinese restaurant will serve dim sum, Peking duck, sizzling black pepper beef tenderloin, and other luxurious dishes from 10:30 am-9 pm

Ocean Palace
The Chinatown dim sum favorite is open from 10 am to 5 pm on Christmas day, serving a menu of steamed dumplings, baked bao, and classic Cantonese dishes.

Ojo de Agua
This Mexico City-based restaurant in River Oaks District will be open from 9 am to 4 pm on Christmas Day, serving its regular menu of acai bowls, egg dishes, salads, and sandwiches.

The Palm
The downtown steakhouse will be open from noon to 8 pm, serving its regular menu as well as Christmas Day specials of king or queen cut prime with soup or salad and dessert for $95 or $85 respectively.

Phat Eatery
The Katy restaurant is open from 11 am - 9 pm, serving it regular menu of much-loved Malaysian dishes.

Remi at Hotel Granduca
Christmas Day brunch begins with a complimentary glass of bubbles for adults and apple juice for the kids, followed by selections such as the Autumn Harvest Grain Bowl, chopped salad with chicken, mini filet Wellington, lemon-herb seabass, and butternut squash ravioli accented with mushrooms and black truffle. Reservations online.

Silk Road
Widely considered to serve the best dim sum inside the loop, this Chinese result will be open from 11:30 am-2 pm for dumplings, tea, and more.

The Sunrise House
Open for brunch from 8 am to 3 pm, expect a special winter menu that includes festive selections like the Jingle Board, red and green pancakes topped with cream cheese drizzle, roasted marshmallows, fresh fruit, and candied pretzels, served with eggs, bacon, sausage, and shrimp and grits; and The Merry Roll, a holiday twist on the restaurant’s Sunrise Sushi made with bacon, avocado, egg, cucumber, cream cheese, tobiko, and sweet soy glaze. Reservations encouraged.

Toro Toro
The pan-Latin steakhouse at downtown's Four Seasons Hotel will serve a lavish buffet from 10 am to 3 pm, with selections like herb-crusted prime rib with horseradish cream and red wine jus; honey-glazed ham with bourbon-mustard sauce; a seafood tower; pasta station; waffle and French toast station; omelette station; and dessert. The cost is $145 for adults and $65 for children. Reservations required.

Toulouse Cafe & Bar
Give Christmas a French flair at this River Oaks District spot. Open for brunch and dinner, the menu features favorites like deviled truffled eggs, steak frites, Dover sole, beef Bourguignon, chef specials, and holiday cocktails.

Victory Restaurant & Lounge
The chic downtown cocktail spot is open from 9 pm to 2 am for those looking to keep their Christmas revelry going long after dinner has ended.

Willie G’s
Open from 11 am to 7 pm, the seafood restaurant next to the Post Oak Hotel will serve an expansive Christmas buffet with a variety of restaurant favorites and specials like prime rib and all the fixings. Expect breads, rolls and pastries, starters and sides, and an extensive raw bar. The cost is $69 for adults and $29 for children.

Winsome Prime
The elegant Westheimer spot serves Christmas dinner from 4 to 10 pm with a menu that showcases the restaurant's bold global flavors and fine wine selections.

Photo by Julie Soefer

Hypsi serves pasta and other Itaian-inspired dishes.

where-to-eat news-you-can-eat holidays