vegan pepperoni

Global pizza giant selects Houston to test new, plant-based pepperoni

It's pepperoni for people who don't dig on swine.

Courtesy of Pizza Hut

Houston has been selected as one of the test markets for the newest innovation in plant-based meat. Bayou City diners will be among the first people in the country to sample Pizza Hut pies topped with Beyond Meat pepperoni.

Developed jointly by Pizza Hut and Beyond Meat, the plant-based pepperoni aims to deliver the same flavors as traditional, pork-based pepperoni in a form that can be consumed by people who don't dig on swine — whether that's for dietary, ethical, religious, or other reasons — although it is made with the same equipment as the restaurant's other pizzas. The product is made from ingredients such as peas and rice and does not contain GMOs, soy, gluten, hormones, antibiotics, or cholesterol, according to a press release.

Houston has been selected as one of five test markets nationally for the product. Other participating cities include Albany, New York; Columbus and Macon, Georgia; and Jacksonville, Florida.

“We know there is strong consumer demand for pepperoni, and we’re thrilled to unveil a game-changing plant-based pepperoni topping as the next chapter in our innovation-focused partnership with Pizza Hut,” Dariush Ajami, Beyond Meat's chief innovation officer, said in a statement. “We’re confident fans will love Beyond Pepperoni as it delivers the crisped edges and savory flavor profile of Pizza Hut’s classic pepperoni with the added benefits of plant-based meat.”

Beyond Meat pepperoni will be available at select stores across the Houston area while supplies last. Add it as a topping to any of Pizza Hut's crusts, including the fan favorite Stuffed Crust. Customers may find participating stores via the restaurant's website; place orders via the "Deals" page.

Previously, the company tested a plant-based Italian sausage as part of Yum Brands partnership with Beyond Meat. With almost 18,000 locations in 100 countries, Plano-based Pizza Hut is the largest pizza restaurant in the world by store count.

pizza vegan

where to drink now

Celebrate Margarita Day 2026 at these 19 Houston restaurants and bars

Photo by Becca Wright

The Original Ninfa's is offering happy hour prices all day.

At the risk of being self-refential, we all know that articles about food holidays are pretty silly. However, we always make an exception for National Margarita Day.

After all, the cocktail is Houston’s unofficial favorite drink, and everyone likes a good deal on a tasty sip. So, here’s a rundown of places where you can celebrate these sweet-and-tart beverages this Sunday, February 22:

Axelrad is keeping it simple with house margaritas (tequila, triple sec, lime, simple) for $5. That’s also when the beer garden will have its monthly record swap, BTW.

Best Regards will offer four of its house margaritas for $10 (usually $17) all day on Sunday. They include two skinny margaritas (regular and spicy) that are made with Socorro tequila, as well as the Rita from Accounting and the Luxe Blue Chip Margarita.

Betelgeuse Betelgeuse is offering some delicious sips at both locations. Specials include buy one, get one Hornitos Blanco margarita, buy one, get one Amaras Verde Mezcal margarita, and the special National Margarita Day cocktail, the clarified and carbonated peach margarita for $14

Caracol, Hugo’s, URBE, Xochi, and Zaranda will have all-weekend house margaritas for $10. On National Margarita Day, they will also serve The Greatest Margarita Ever Sold, which is usually $29, for just $18.

All three Liberty Kitchen locations will be serving up handcrafted margaritas all day long. They include $10 Spicy Secret Ritas and $5 pomegranate margaritas — designed to be balanced and refreshing.

Across its 13 Greater Houston locations, Mambo Seafood is celebrating National Margarita Day with frozen house ritas for $3. They’re available in lime, strawberry, chamoy, mango, and Tamarindo.

Mexican Sugar will have The Tejas Flight, a limited-time margarita trio created in partnership with Henry’s Ice Cream. The flight features a custom sorbet margarita alongside two house favorites, offering a playful twist on classic margaritas with Lone Star spirit.

Over at Molina’s Cantina, enjoy Molina’s blackberry margarita for $8 all day (normally $12), available dine-in or to-go. More margarita options include Molina’s Margarita, the Top Shelf Margarita, and the Mangonada Margarita.

Both locations of The Original Ninfa’s will serve the Original Ninfarita at $7 happy hour price all day, the Uptown Margarita for $10, the Navigation Margarita for $10, and margarita flights — frozen or on the rocks — for $15.

Reset Lounge keeps it simple and classic with a $6 Margarita made with Espolon Tequila, triple sec, and fresh lime. The lounge offers happy hour all day on Sundays as well.

You can raise a glass to National Margarita Day at State Fare Kitchen & Bar’s two locations. They’ll have $5 house margaritas all day, available frozen or on the rocks.

Twin Peaks recently introduced the Cuervo Tradicional Margarita, crafted with Jose Cuervo Tradicional Blanco, triple sec, agave, and lime juice. You can also partake in their updated bar menu, which features a variety of creative and fun margaritas.

Velvet Taco will celebrate National Margarita Day all weekend long. Their Kick Ass Margarita is the fan favorite boozy libation, and at $5, it's a good deal, too.

Over at Via 313’s two locations, they’ll have $3.13 Margaritas, as well as the Frita-Rita, Via 313’s secret frozen margarita, for only $5 for to-go orders.

Wille’s Grill & Icehouse is offering specials including $3 small house ritas (regular, strawberry, swirled), $3 Shiner vodka boozy cherry limeade, and $3 prickly pear ritas (where applicable).

Photo by Becca Wright

The Original Ninfa's is offering happy hour prices all day.

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