It's not a Walmart
New Hubcap Burgers draws its own Heights protestor; promises not to rock theneighborhood
Hubcap is bringing its burgers to the Heights.
The Heights is quickly turning into the land of the burger wars.Photo by houstonfoodie
The original Hubcap isn't going anywhere, but it will soon have a sister.Photo by Erika Ray Makes
From the moment Ricky Craig announced on Twitter he would be opening a new Hubcap Burgers and Beer Garden in the Heights, burger junkies and Heights residents were frenzied.
Of course, a frenzy isn't always a good thing: One future neighbor swore to stop the new "bar" at any cost, calling the city and the original downtown Hubcap Grill.
"Dude, it's not a bar, I just want to have beer with my burgers!" Craig said, adding that the protestor stood down after he realized Hubcap wouldn't be rocking till 2 a.m. every night.
Understandably wary after his not-so-friendly welcome, Craig will only say his space will be in 19th Street near Durham.
"It's an existing structure and we're going to do a substantial remodel, so we're looking at two to three months," Craig says. "It'll be the same look, same menu. The only difference is adding a bunch of beers and specialty burgers, kind of gourmet — something Houston hasn't seen yet."
As to the plans for music, Craig said it will depend on city permits and noise ordinances. "We're not talking about ZZ Top," he says. "More like three-piece bands or acoustic sets Thursday through Saturday. Nothing that's gonna blast the neighborhood out."
Craig envisions the Heights Hubcap as much more laid back.
"I like the area, it's an industrial area, so we're giving workers something new for lunch and residents a place to go after work. The kinda place you can wear shorts, jeans, just kick back, have a burger and watch a game."
When it comes to the beer garden side of the equation, Craig has big plans.
"There's a pretty good sized backyard, so we're going to close it in, fence it out so it feels like your own little hole in the wall, like you aren't in Houston anymore," he says. "Have some games — horseshoes, cornhole, ping pong, maybe even Twister — while you go grab a Lone Star."
