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    Welcome Gus's

    Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken now open on Washington Avenue

    Eric Sandler
    May 8, 2018 | 1:15 pm

    Houstonians have spent almost two years dreaming of the day they could sink their teeth into a freshly fried piece of Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken. That wait finally came to an end on May 7, when the restaurant opened its doors at 1815 Washington Ave.

    The Memphis-based restaurant has developed a cult following for its spicy, crispy chicken. Award-winning food critic Jonathan Gold describes Gus's chicken as "pretty remarkable stuff" thanks to its "peppery heat [that] at first seems mild, even nonexistent, until it starts creeping up a few bites in, a heat that makes you glad you have a pint of sweet ice tea by your side."

    That success has led to long lines at the restaurant's locations in Austin and Fort Worth, but stopping by in the middle of the afternoon on May 7 found the restaurant only about a third full. Once home to Throne nightclub, the space has been transformed into a casual spot that features simple wooden tables covered with brightly colored tablecloths.

    Unlike Nashville hot chicken that can deliver an almost painful level of heat, the chicken at Gus's delivers a more mild tingle. The thin, crispy batter adheres well to the plump, juicy pieces. While the recipe is a closely guarded secret, local food blogger Jay Francis suspects it's a slurry-style batter that uses at least some cornstarch with cayenne pepper for heat. Overall, it's a slightly different style of chicken than one might find at places like Frenchy's or Lee's Fried Chicken and Donuts.

    While the chicken lives up to the hype, other parts of the restaurant still seem like a bit of a work in progress. Sides like mac and cheese, beans, and coleslaw seemed like pretty standard, chain restaurant fare. Maybe save those calories for the fried pickle spears or not-too-slimy fried okra. Service was friendly but will benefit from a little more familiarity with the menu and the mechanics of waiting tables; for example, we had to ask for plates and plasticware to accompany the tray of food pictured above. On the plus side, the beer selection mixes craft and macro options at very reasonable prices — only $4.50 for a can of brews including Saint Arnold Art Car and 8th Wonder Dome Faux'm.

    Whether Houstonians will line up for a bite remains to be seen, but it's certainly a welcome addition to the city's dining options.

    A selection of chicken and sides.

    Gus's fried chicken food tray
    Photo by Eric Sandler
    A selection of chicken and sides.
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    Where to Drink Now

    16 Houston restaurants and bars with affordable happy hour deals

    Brianna McClane
    Jul 30, 2026 | 1:00 pm
    93 Til happy hour
    Photo by Rebekah Flores
    '93 Til, the vinyl-centered restaurant and bar, recently extended its happy hours to include weekends.

    Groceries aren’t getting any cheaper, so skip H-E-B and head to one of Houston’s newest happy hours instead. This roundup contains some of Houston's newest happy hour deals, ranging from a new East End bar with tacos and tequila, to a Brazilian-Cuban sandwich shop on Washington Avenue with croquettes and cocktails. Read on to find a new spot to unwind after a long day.

    Atlantic Ocean
    Atlantic Ocean's extended happy hour runs from 5-9 pm at the bar (or until 7 pm in the dining room), with specials like $5 seafood gumbo, $16 garlic butter crab claws, $8 cocktails, $7 glasses of wine, and $5 bottled beers.

    By the Wayside
    This artsy East End bar has its newly-launched happy hour weekdays from 4-6 pm. Stop in at the Navigation Boulevard spot for deals like $8 Ranch Waters, two chicken tacos for $7, two brisket tacos for $9, and select signature cocktails priced at $10 or $11. Draft beers are $6, with both wells and seltzers for $7.

    Camaraderie
    The Heights restaurant's happy hour caters to both the after-work and late-night crowd, running Wednesday through Friday from 5-6 pm and again from 9-10 pm, plus Sunday from 5-9 pm. Diners can score 25 percent off all cocktails, like the Late Checkout, made with tequila and citrus.

    Concrete Rose
    Newly opened in downtown, Concrete Rose has patrons covered with its new “Golden Hour.” Deals include half-off food and bottles of wine along with classic cocktails like palomas and negronis for $9. Golden Hour is Monday through Friday from 5-7 pm.

    Eastbound BBQ
    Barbecue might not be the first thing that comes to mind for happy hour, but Eastbound makes a convincing case. Find deals like $2 off draft beers, $10 draft cocktails, and $8 for a shot and a beer. Food offerings include $12 for carnitas pork ribs or pork belly bites. Eastbound’s happy hour is Wednesday through Friday, from 3-6 pm.

    Fielding’s Steak
    Sample what’s on Fielding’s menu without breaking the bank during its Social Hour, served in the bar and lounge on Tuesday-Sunday from 3-7 pm. Classics such as steak frites get the petite treatment, with a 4-ounce sirloin au poivre and fries for $12. Other highlights include Moroccan spiced lamb chop ($12) and two crispy oysters and caviar with beurre blanc for $12. Select cocktails, including a frozen strawberry margarita, Spanish gin and tonic, and pecan Old Fashioned, are available for $8-10.

    Kira
    The Upper Kirby hand roll bar’s happy hour deals start with $7 crudos, $5 select hand rolls (avocado, tamago, spicy bluefin tuna, Peking duck, coconut curry shrimp, cucumber, or tofu), $12 luxe temaki (steak and eggs or lobster) and $12 kakigori. Plus, all drinks are 25 percent off. Kira serves happy hour Tuesday through Friday from 5-6 pm, Saturday and Sunday from 4-5 pm, and all day on Monday.

    Kirkwood
    The Energy Corridor’s clubhouse-inspired spot from Mac Haik Restaurant Group has $6 draft beers, $7 wells, and glasses of wine for $8 to $11 on happy hour. Grab a snack like fried oysters for $14 and tenderloin sliders for $12. Kirkwood’s happy hour is weekdays from 3-6 pm.

    '93 Til
    This vinyl-centered restaurant and bar recently extended its happy hours to include weekends. Now, from Tuesday through Sunday from 4-6 pm, patrons can take advantage of discounts like 30 percent off bottles of wine and 25 percent off wines by-the-glass. Rounding out the special menu are deals like an Old Fashioned for $8, a poblano margarita for $10, and $2 Lone Star beers.

    Oheya
    Uchi’s 12-seat omakase counter serves a $50, 10-course tasting menu Wednesday-Sunday at 5 and 6:15 pm. Pair those bites with select $6 cocktails, $5 wines, $4 beers, and $3 sake.

    Ramen Tatsu-ya
    Available at both the Montrose and Memorial locations for dine-in customers, the Japanese restaurant’s happy hour includes $10 Kirin pitchers, $2.50 frozens (NA and sake-based), $2.50 non-alcoholic drinks, and $5 munchies. It is served daily from 3-5 pm and 9 pm until close.

    Remi
    The restaurant at the Hotel Granduca’s happy hour offerings start with a daily pizza special and beer for $20. Selected bites are priced between $8 and $14, including the Remi burger, potato chips and caviar, meatballs, hot dog poppers, and more. Pair them with select wines by-the-glass priced from $8-11. Happy hour is available Monday-Friday from 4-6 pm.

    Street to Kitchen
    The Michelin-recognized Thai restaurant’s happy hour menu includes fried chicken wings ($8) and Thai fried mushrooms ($9) paired with $5 select white wine, red wine, and beer; $10 margaritas and Thai tea; and $12 Old Fashioneds. Happy hour is served Monday-Friday from 5-6:30 pm

    Toga
    The newest concept from Comma Hospitality has all-day happy hour on Wednesdays, and Tuesday through Friday from 4-6 pm. The Japanese pub’s specials are food-forward, with deals on dishes like onigiri ($7) and a wagyu burger ($15) with comté cheese. Beverages include $4 Sapporos and cocktails from $8-$10.

    Uptown Sporting Club
    The city’s most elevated sports bar has happy hour from 4-7 pm on weekdays, offering discounts on beer, wine, cocktails, and bites. Make it a girl dinner with a $10 martini and $7 truffle fries, or choose between three flatbreads for $8 with a $5 draft beer.

    Yuma
    The Brazilian-Cuban sandwich pop-up turned brick-and-mortar restaurant has a new happy hour to brighten the afternoons. All cocktails — like the Toasted Caju with aged rum, madeira, and cashew — are $10, with nonalcoholic options for $5. Choose three sides for $10 to satiate any hunger pangs, with options like fried ham and cheese croquetas. Yuma’s happy hour is weekdays (except for Tuesdays when it’s closed) from 4-6 pm.

    93 Til happy hour
    Photo by Rebekah Flores

    '93 Til, the vinyl-centered restaurant and bar, recently extended its happy hours to include weekends.

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