rice platters for katy

Local favorite Halal Guys spice up Katy with seventh Houston outpost

Halal Guys and its popular dishes are headed to Katy.

Since it's founding in 1990, The Halal Guys have attracted a devoted fan base who flock to their restaurants for what the founders call American halal fare. The Houston area has six locations of the popular eatery — including a buzzy Garden Oaks outpost. Now, the red-hot franchise has announced a new locale.

The Halal Guys will open in Katy in August, across the street from Cinco Ranch Junior High School. The new spot (23703 Cinco Ranch Blvd., Suite B) is in the same strip center as Layne’s Chicken Fingers, which is also owned by Halal Guys local franchiser Masroor Fatany.

“I’m thrilled that we can bring The Halal Guys to Katy,” said Masroor Fatany in a press release announcing the plans. “The Houston region is so diverse, and big part of the success of our melting pot is rooted in the enthusiastic embrace of different cuisines. Now, Katy residents who have depended on The Halal Guys while working Downtown, in Upper Kirby, in the Texas Medical Center, or perhaps near one of our three other Houston locations will be able to satisfy cravings closer to home.”

Diners should look for a menu packed with the restaurant's signature items. Available options will include beef gyros, seasoned chicken, and crispy falafel.

Combo platters of rice, lettuce, and tomatoes, with a choice of toppings and The Halal Guys’ Famous White and Hot Sauces are also planned, as are the restaurant's signature pita bread sandwiches, stuffed with beef gyro, chicken, falafel or customer-requested combinations.

Look for baba ghanoush, hummus, and fries — and desserts such as baklava and chocolate chip cookies.

The new restaurant is 1,800 square feet with seating for 32 inside and three convenient outdoor tables. The interior design pays homage to the days when The Halal Guys were food cart operators on the streets of New York.

The Halal Guys Katy will be open Sunday through Thursday 11 am to 11 pm, and Friday and Saturday from 11 am to midnight.

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Growing Houston sushi chain rolls into new Galleria-area development

Courtesy of Handies Douzo

Handies Douzo will brings its hand rolls to Uptown later this year.

A growing Houston hand roll restaurant has signed on to a new Galleria-area development. Handies Douzo is the fourth restaurant announced for Central Park Post Oak.

Opened in late 2019, Handies is known for wrapping its rolls in crispy seaweed that gives each bite a distinct crunch. The well-executed dishes and affordable prices helped Handies earn a nomination for Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year in the 2026 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards.

On track to open later this year, the Uptown location will be Handies Douzo’s fourth, joining its original in the Heights as well as restaurants in Montrose and Spring Branch. Like those siblings, it will serve Handies’ familiar menu of hand rolls (temaki), crudos, and sashimi that’s overseen by founding chefs and co-owners Daniel Lee and Patrick Pham.

Duckstache, the hospitality group behind Handies, is working with Houston’s Gin Design Group on the interior. Expect a slightly more upscale look than the restaurant’s other locations, with details such as matte black finishes and dark terrazzo to complement the 26-seat counter.

“We’re really intentional about the neighborhoods we choose and where we think Handies Douzo will feel like a natural fit,” Lee said in a statement. “Houston diners know what they like, and Uptown is such a vibrant, fast-growing area. Central Park Post Oak felt like the right match for our handroll experience and the way people in Houston live, work, and dine.”

Handies is the fourth restaurant that’s announced its plans to open at Central Park Post Oak. The others are:

Buck & Rider, an Arizona-based seafood restaurant known for its oyster bar and lively brunch
The Henry, the “ultimate neighborhood restaurant” from Flower Child owner Fox Restaurant Concepts
Sparrow Italia, an Italian steakhouse from Toca Madera owner Noble 33.

Announced last year, Central Park Post Oak will consist of three buildings with a combined 1.2 million square feet of office space separated by a three-acre lawn. Houston-based real estate development firm Midway, working with real estate investment firms 3Edgewood and Parkway, is developing the property. Construction is expected to be completed in the fall of 2026 with the restaurants openings to follow.

“Handies Douzo represents the kind of thoughtful, chef-driven hospitality we want at the heart of Central Park Post Oak,” Midway vice president Clayton Freels said. “Patrick, Daniel, and the Duckstache team have built a loyal following across Houston, and we are thrilled to help them extend that experience to Uptown in a way that feels authentic to both the brand and the neighborhood.”

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