Foodie News

A cupcake drive-thru cafe? Believe it — The Woodlands is upping the sweetsinsanity

Congratulations, America. The only thing standing between you and infinite cupcakes — that being the need to get out of your car to purchase them — has finally been removed.

Houston's first-ever cupcake drive-thru opened on Monday in The Woodlands. The Cupcake Shack is the second food concept from owner Amber Box, who also owns The Haute Frog food truck in Conroe, and serves flavors from peanut butter and red velvet to snickerdoodle, Dreamsicle and a vanilla cupcake with Coca-Cola chocolate icing.

The Cupcake Shack, whose small space previously housed a drive-up coffee shop, will offer more than just handheld treats. Box's menu includes pastries and coffee for breakfast, grilled sandwiches, hamburgers and daily specials and sides for lunch, plus personal pies, bread pudding and banana pudding and, of course, cupcakes. Box has dubbed it a "drive-thru cafe."

Now someone just has to invent a foie gras drive-thru and my life will be complete.

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flying into Houston

Chopped champion's Indian-spiced fried chicken joint opens in Midtown

One of Houston’s most dynamic chefs has unveiled his take on fried chicken. Pok Pok Po is now open in Midtown.

Located at 3201 Louisiana, the restaurant is the latest concept from chef and Chopped champion Jassi Bindra and business partners Surpreet and Preet Paul Singh, the trio behind Indian fine dining restaurant Amrina in The Woodlands. Bindra’s fried chicken recipe uses a gluten-free flour and starch batter that’s seasoned with Indian Kashmiri red chili powder along with other herbs and spices. It’s pressure cooked to ensure the meat stays both juicy and crispy.

The certified halal chicken is available as strips, sandwiches (made with thigh meat), and chicken breast bites.Those looking for a heartier meal, can get their chicken served on top of sidewinder fries or in the “Rice & Shine,” which includes basmati rice and Bindra’s “Desi kimchi.” Beverage options include Akra, an American-style lager that’s brewed in India, cannabis-infused drinks from 8th Wonder and non-alcoholic options such as sodas and a mango lassi.

“At Pok Pok Po, we’re creating something that’s not just a meal but an experience,” Bindra said in a statement. “We’ve taken everything people love about fried chicken and given it a twist with bold, gluten-free recipes and flavors that truly speak to the diversity of Houston.”

While most counter service restaurants are designed primarily for to-go, Pok Pok Po’s 55-seat dining room caters to those who want to enjoy their meals. It features banquette seating and a white-and-black motif that will also be present at Bol, the restaurant’s sister concept that’s opening soon.

The two restaurants occupy part of the former Artisans space. Medium Rare, an affordable steak frites restaurant from Washington, D.C., recently opened next to Bol and Pok Pok Po.

Courtesy of Pok Pok Po

Pok Pok Po is now open in Midtown.

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