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Celeb chef David Chang’s chicken sandos return to Houston after rocky rollout

Fuku sandos have returned to Houston.

A celebrity chef-backed chicken sandwich restaurant is giving Houston another shot. Fuku, the concept developed by David Chang, recently returned to Houston at Kitchen United MIX, the ghost kitchen facility inside the Kroger at 1035 N. Shepherd Dr.

Once again, the company's chicken sandwiches, chicken fingers, and fries are available either for pick-up or delivery via third apps. Diners may choose from a spicy fried chicken sando topped with pickles and mayo; the "knockout" sando topped with knockout sauce (described as "creamy, tangy, and savory"), shredded cabbage, and pickles; the C.B.R. topped with bacon, ranch, and pickles; the sweet and spicy sando; or the chicken burger made with a ground chicken patty that's topped with lettuce, onion, tomato, pickles, American cheese, and mayo ("make it a double," the website suggests).

Chicken fingers come in regular, sweet & spicy, and "rippin' hot" flavors. Those looking to feed a crowd may opt for a bucket of wings. Vegan will find nuggets made with Impossible chicken.

Fuku's initial debut in Houston went poorly. Complaints flooded in about delayed or canceled orders and substandard food. For its return, the restaurant switched ghost kitchen partners.

Asked to comment about what steps the company took to improve its performance, a Fuku representative provided the following statement from CEO Alex Munoz-Suarez:

"We're so grateful for the overwhelming response we received in Houston last year. Fuku is committed to working with operating partners like Kitchen United that have proven track records of keeping up with delivery demand, minimizing wait times, and maintaining the highest brand standards. We delivered on all of those fronts this past weekend and look forward to continually delivering the best possible guest experience in Houston and beyond."

Chang — a multiple time James Beard Award winner, founder of the New York-based Momofuku restaurant empire, and the star of TV series such as Netflix's Ugly Delicious and The Next ThingYou Eat on Hulu — initially developed the Fuku chicken sandwich as an off the menu special at Momofuku Noodle Bar. Fuku opened as a dedicated concept in New York 2015; it has since expanded via ghost kitchen to California, Georgia, Kentucky, and Texas.

The chef knows Houston well. He featured the city on an episode of Ugly Delicious and donated his $1 million prize from winning Who Wants to be a Millionaire to local non-profit the Southern Smoke Foundation.

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two days of bbq

2 Michelin-rated barbecue joints holding can't-miss pop ups in Houston

Courtesy of KG BBQ

KG BBQ is bringing its Egyptian-influenced barbecue to Houston.

Two of the Texas barbecue joints to earn Bib Gourmand recognition in the Michelin Guide will be holding pop ups in Houston this week. One is visiting from Austin, while another is a Spring favorite with a one-day-only menu.

On Saturday, December 14, Austin’s celebrated KG BBQ will be serving at Axelrad in Midtown. Part of Texas Monthly’s 2023 list of the Top 25 New and Improved BBQ Joints in Texas, KG BBQ has earned wide acclaim for pitmaster Kareem El-Ghayesh’s Egyptian-influenced take on Texas barbecue.

The menu will include many of KG’s most popular dishes, including brisket rice bowls with smoked Mediterranean rice; smoked lamb chops; sumac-and-cinnamon-rubbed lamb shoulder, and sides such as pink buttermilk potato salad and Baladi salad.

Service begins at 10:30 am. Preorders are available online with a minimum order of $60.

In a statement, Axelrad co-owners Adam Brackman and Monte Large say that KG will make more visits to Houston in 2025. El-Ghayesh adds that he’s a fan of the Houston bar that’s known for its spacious backyard with hammocks, a stage, and a wide-ranging menu of beer and cocktails.

“Since the moment I stepped foot in Axelrad, I loved their culture, their vibrant colors and artistic flare, their attention to detail and hospitality and love for entertainment makes this place perfect for bringing back my nostalgic memories of hosting pop-ups like how I started in Austin,” he said. “I’m proud to bring what I have created to Houston. From how diverse the city is, its beautiful variety of ethnic foods, and large Egyptian community, it has so much to offer. We are excited to serve up some Egyptian BBQ to the Houston community through our pop ups over the next year at Axelrad.”

On Sunday, Spring’s Rosemeyer Bar-B-Q will trade its usual offerings for a special menu of dishes made with smoked whole hog. The menu will include whole hog plates, whole hog sandwiches, whole hog-and-parmesan polenta cakes, and whole hog served over cheese grits with a New Orleans-style barbecue sauce as well as sides and desserts. Service will run from 11 am until everything sells out, likely sometime between 2 and 3 pm.

“The whole menu is filled with specials and cool items we don’t do everyday at the stand,” co-owner Jordan Rosemeyer writes in an email. The motive, beyond exercising some creative muscles, is to raise money for Hogs for the Cause, an annual event that raises money for pediatric brain cancer research and the families who are fighting it.

Like KG, Rosemeyer is also a member of Texas Monthly’s 2023 new and improved list. Located at 2111 Riley Fuzzel Rd., the humble trailer has earned acclaim for its weekly specials, housemade ice cream, and well executed barbecue staples.

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