go loco

California chicken restaurant goes 'crazy' with 15 new Houston locations

El Pollo Loco will soon unveil its new store designs.

Courtesy of El Pollo Loco

A California-based chicken chain sees Houston as its next growth market. El Pollo Loco plans to open 15 new locations across the Houston area in the next few years, which would more than double the chain's presence in the Bayou City.

Known for its Mexican-style chicken that uses a citrus marinade and is grilled over an open flame, El Pollo Loco also serves a range of other Mexican-inspired dishes that are made with fresh ingredients. The chicken gets utilized in tacos, quesadillas, burritos, bowls, and more. A section of the menu offers options for those following keto and other low-carb diets.

“We are thrilled to continue developing our presence in Houston and bring El Pollo Loco’s signature chicken, handcrafted Mexican entrees, and assortment of healthy offerings to even more local communities,” chief development officer Brian Carmichall said in a statement. “The expansion announcement and impending unit growth is sure to appeal to the growing number of consumers looking for healthier options; consumers’ growing demand for bolder, spicier flavors; and experienced franchise owners with the desire to be part of a strong franchisee family.”

Part of the restaurant's growth will be fueled by two prototype designs that have been created to meet the growth in off-premise dining. The first doesn't offer any indoor seating; instead, it features a take-out window, a dual drive-thru, parking for curbside pick-up, and patio seating. The second has a small indoor dining area with a larger outdoor patio, dual drive-thru, and curbside pickup spaces. Both build-outs aim to take advantage of the growth in ordering via the company's app.

Expanding its presence in Houston is just one aspect of the company's growth strategy. Currently at approximately 500 company-owned and franchised restaurants in Arizona, California, Nevada, Texas, Utah, and Louisiana, El Pollo Loco plans to add 140 new stores by 2026, according to a press release.

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Teresa Gubbins contributed to this article.

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the pho will flow

Growing Houston Vietnamese restaurant hustles into hot Katy neighborhood

Courtesy of Saigon Hustle

Saigon Hustle's new Cinco Ranch location is now open.

A growing Houston Vietnamese restaurant has arrived in Katy. Saigon Hustle is now open in Cinco Ranch.

Located at 23703 Cinco Ranch Blvd., the Houston area’s third Saigon Hustle began a quiet soft opening this Monday, May 11, and will celebrate its grand opening on Thursday, May 14. Like its siblings in Garden Oaks and Spring Branch, the restaurant will serve its familiar menu of banh mi, egg rolls, spring rolls, and rice dishes, as well as the pho that was added to the menu when Spring Branch opened in October 2024.

Beverage options include both Vietnamese iced coffee and freshly-brewed jasmine teas.

The Cinco Ranch location seats approximately 60 people. It also offers curbside pickup and delivery via third-party apps. Co-founder Sandy Nguyen said the restaurant had been looking at Cinco Ranch for awhile.

“Our guests out here have been asking us to come to them, and it finally felt like the right moment to plant a flag in Katy,” Nguyen said in a statement. “We grew up in Houston, and bringing the food we love to a community we love is everything. This is more than a new address — it's a hometown moment for us.”

As part of its continued growth, Saigon Hustle recently hired chef Justin Yoakum as its vice president of operations. Yoakum previously served as director of operations for Culinary Khancepts, the Houston restaurant group behind Liberty Kitchen, State Fare, Leo’s River Oaks, and others.

“Justin has been wonderful,” Nguyen writes in an email. “He's been the leader we have been needing to further the next steps in our expansion. We are excited to have him. He's already proven to be such a great asset to the brand and brings a lot of energy!”

Originally opened by Nguyen and her business partner Cassie Ghaffar, Saigon Hustle is now backed by Savory Fund, a Utah-based venture capital firm that’s invested in a diverse range of concepts including Austin-based, Detroit-style pizzeria Via 313; breakfast concept Hash Kitchen; and Pincho Burgers & Kebabs, a Miami-based restaurant with locations in Memorial City, Conroe, and Cypress. Savory has committed to helping it grow to as many as 40 units in Texas and the Midwest.

To celebrate its grand opening, the Katy location will offer a number of promotions and giveaways, including:

Free banh mi for the first 100 customers on May 14.
A block party with a lion dance beginning at 6:30 on May 14.
Free Saigon Hustle for a year sweepstakes: All visitors to the location are eligible to win. See store or website for contest rules.
Buy-one-get-one-free Banh Mi: For customers who sign up for the Saigon Hustle Rewards loyalty program
Red envelopes: In a nod to the restaurant’s Vietnamese heritage, customers may receive a red envelope containing a discount, giveaway, or prize.

“We wanted opening week to feel like a block party, not just a ribbon cutting. Free food, music,

neighbors, and the team that's going to be feeding this community for years to come,” Ghaffar added. “From the lion dance to the red envelopes, every detail of opening week is a love letter to our culture and to Cinco Ranch.”

Saigon Hustle Cinco Ranch is open daily from 11 am-11 pm.

Courtesy of Saigon Hustle

Saigon Hustle's new Cinco Ranch location is now open.

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