this week's covid closures

These Houston restaurants have closed or reopened due to COVID-19

Eunice reopened this week.

Photo by Kirsten Gilliam

Restaurants temporarily closing after one or more employees tests positive for COVID-19 has sadly become part of Houston’s culinary landscape. Usually, the businesses are able to reopen a few days later after their other employees have been tested, and the spaces have undergone extra cleaning.

That they’re able to reopen so quickly demonstrates how seriously restaurants take requirements regarding hand washing, wearing a mask, etc. Despite working in occasionally cramped conditions, even those restaurants with an employee who tests positive don’t seem to be infecting their coworkers very often.

Once they reopen, diners should feel comfortable patronizing these establishments. They’re taking everyone’s health seriously and deserve our dollars.

Restaurants that have reopened this week after temporary closures

Daddy's Burgers: Closed June 17. Reopened July 2.
Eunice: Closed June 27. Reopened July 1.
Local Foods: Closed June 26. Reopened June 30.
Local Group Brewing: Closed June 18. Reopened July 3 (to-go only).
Pistolero’s: Closed June 20. Reopened June 30.
The Pit Room: Closed June 30. Reopened July 1.

Restaurants that have closed temporarily

Downtown restaurant Batanga closed on June 26. The tapas restaurant has not announced a reopening date.

Citing the rise of COVID-19 cases in Houston, Bosscat Kitchen closed on June 27. The restaurant’s staff will be tested for coronavirus, and the building will undergo a deep cleaning before it reopens.

Bars and restaurants that have announced a closure this week

Cane Rosso in The Heights closed temporarily on June 30 after an employee tested positive. The Neapolitan-style pizzeria will reopen “soon,” after its building has been cleaned and disinfected.

Hando temporarily closed on June 29 after an employee tested positive. The Heights hand roll restaurant will reopen “when we are confident that we can do so safely and responsibly.”

Love Buzz Pizza Pub temporarily closed on June 29 after the family member of an employee tested positive. The Montrose pizzeria expects to reopen later this week.

Rainbow Lodge temporarily closed June 28 after an employee tested positive. The luxurious restaurant expects to reopen July 1.

Taste Bar & Kitchen temporarily closed June 29. It is expected to reopen July 2 after its employees have been tested for COVID-19 and the restaurant has undergone a deep cleaning.

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Growing national pizza chain will bring halal pies and pastas to Katy

Vocelli Pizza/Facebook

Vocelli Pizza will open its first Houston-area location in March.

A Pittsburgh pizzeria has set its sights on Houston. Vocelli Pizza will makes it Bayou City debut next year with a location in Katy.

Scheduled to open in March 2026, the restaurant will be located at 2941 W. Grand Parkway. Although pizza is part of the restaurant’s name, the menu also includes wings, pizza rolls, salads, sandwiches, pasta, and more. Specialty items include mac and cheese pizza, spinach mushroom rolls, and a chicken parmesan sub.

"We are thrilled to continue our growth into new communities that share our passion for quality, service, and authentic Italian-inspired food," Vocelli Pizza CEO Toni Bianco said in a statement. "Our expansion into Dalton and Houston reflects the strong demand for our brand, and we look forward to delivering an exceptional experience to guests in both markets."

For its expansion into Houston, Vocelli’s will debut an all-halal menu that’s designed to appeal to Houston’s diverse community.

"The team is excited to introduce Vocelli Pizza to Houston with a full halal menu," Bianco added. "There is a clear demand for high-quality Halal pizza and delivery options, and we are proud to meet that need while bringing our brand to a new and dynamic market."

Founded by Turkish immigrant Varol Ablak in 1988, Vocelli began franchising in 1993. The restaurant currently has more than 80 locations.

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