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    What A Meal!

    All-star roster of Houston chefs plan amazing fundraiser dinner for popular foodie

    Eric Sandler
    Nov 17, 2015 | 10:00 am
    Liz Fenton
    Houston's culinary community is rallying to support Liz Fenton.
    Courtesy photo

    An impressive roster of Houston's best chefs will join forces for a one-night only event that's sure to be one of 2015's most talked about culinary events. Dubbed the "Houston Culinary All-Stars," the December 6 dinner will raise money to offset medical expenses incurred by Liz Fenton, a local dining enthusiast who's known for her prodigious appetite, eclectic tastes and generous spirit.

    Underbelly chef/owner Chris Shepherd will host the event, and he will be joined by fellow luminaries who will each serve one family-style course (Fenton's favorite way to eat): Adam Dorris (Pax Americana), Manabu Horiuchi (Kata Robata), Ronnie Killen (Killen's Steakhouse, Killen's Barbecue), Hugo Ortega (Hugo's, Caracol, Backstreet Cafe), Ryan Pera (Coltivare, Revival Market), Seth Siegel-Gardner and Terrence Gallivan (The Pass & Provisions) and Justin Yu and Karen Man (Oxheart).

    Pastry chefs Rebecca Masson (Fluff Bake Bar) and Philip Speer (formerly of Uchi) will handle dessert. Sommelier Justin Vann (Oxheart, Public Services) will offer wine pairings. The menu is still up in the air, but expect a mix of greatest hit dishes like Killen's barbecue beef ribs and Shepherd's Korean fried chicken, with a couple of one-offs unlikely to be seen, or tasted, ever again.

    Organizer Jenny Wang tells CultureMap that she approached Shepherd about hosting a fundraiser after she realized that Fenton, who has been suffering from a rare neurological disorder called transverse myelitis for over a year, was struggling with the financial pressures from both her medical expenses and time away from work. With the James Beard Award winner on board, Wang and co-organizer Lea McKinney didn't have much trouble recruiting the other chefs to pitch in.

    Fenton is only 33, but she's made an indelible mark on the culinary community. Her appetite is legendary; I once watched her polish off 2/3rds of Kenny & Ziggy's massive Zellagabetsky before giving up as the sandwich began to get soggy. She still had room for a bowl of ice cream after.

    Additionally, she's always willing to lend a hand to others in need, playing a key role to help organize fundraisers on behalf of bartender Linda Salinas, pastry chef Jodi Stevens and the annual Valentines for Veterans event. Now that she's facing the prospect of a lengthy treatment at M.D. Anderson, the time has come for others to help her.

    With only 120 seats available at $300 each, the event will likely sell out quickly. Tickets may be purchased at Fluff Bake Bar starting Tuesday (cash only).

    Thanks to underwriting by F.E.E.D. TX co-owner Lee Ellis and other sponsors, all $36,000 raised will go directly to Fenton. Those who are unable to attend may consider contributing via the GoFundMe page Wang has set up, which has already raised an additional $28,000 in only five days.

    The usually boisterous Fenton has been keeping a low profile since the fundraising kicked off, but she did offer one indication that all this support has helped raise her spirits.

    For the tweets, RTs, donations, efforts & well wishes, thank YOU. 💛 Gonna do my damndest to hold up my end of this & get well, stay strong.

    — liz,liz,liz (@married2food)

    November 14, 2015
    fundraiserschefs
    news/restaurants-bars

    halal switcheroo

    Houston's street-style halal favorite takes over 3 former Halal Guys

    Eric Sandler
    Jun 2, 2026 | 12:15 pm
    Gyro Hut exterior
    Photo by Eric Sandler
    Gyro Hut has rebranded the former Halal Guys on Farnham St.

    Three of Houston’s Halal Guys franchises have quietly closed and reopened as the newest outlets of Gyro Hut, the locally-owned halal restaurant that’s inspired by halal carts in New York City.

    They are:

    • Upper Kirby/Montrose: 3821 Farnham St.
    • Medical Center: 6609 Main St.
    • Garden Oaks/Oak Forest: 3008 Ella Blvd.

    In addition, the Halal Guys location in downtown Houston at 609 Main St. recently converted to Layne’s Chicken Fingers, the rapidly growing, Aggie-loved chicken finger chain. A Halal Guys location in Cypress at 10111 Louetta Rd. is owned by a different franchisee and remains open.

    Halal Guys made its Houston debut in January 2016 at the Farnham St. location. Diners flocked to the restaurant, drawing long lines for its signature rice platters topped with a tangy, mayonnaise-based white sauce, spicy red sauce, and a choice of chicken or gyro meat.

    Gyro Hut owner Mehran Khan tells CultureMap that his company sees taking over the leases at the three locations as more than an opportunity to expand his restaurant’s footprint.

    “We saw an opportunity to revitalize these locations by introducing a fresh concept, a new energy, and an elevated customer experience,” he writes in a message. “We are bringing authentic New York-style gyro flavors and street-food culture to Houston in our own unique way. Our goal is to introduce the flavors that made New York’s halal food scene famous while combining them with modern operations, quality ingredients, and a strong focus on hospitality.”

    Like Halal Guys, Gyro Hut serves rice platters with white sauce, red sauce, and different proteins, but it expands the offerings considerably. In addition to chicken and gyro, diners can also choose fried shrimp, fried fish, falafel, and chapli kabab. Those same entrees are also available as a salad topping, over fries, and in a pita wrap. The restaurant also offers sides such as fries and hummus as well as fresh juices.

    In his 2023 list of Houston’s 25 best halal restaurants, Burger Bodega owner Abbas Dhanani praised Gyro Hut as “my favorite halal platter-style joint in the city.” He recommends ordering a combo platter of chicken and gyro with no salad, extra white sauce, and extra fire sauce (Note: Dhanani like his food spicy. Use your own discretion about ordering extra fire sauce.). Here's another take from Shawn the Food Sheep.


    View this post on Instagram
    A post shared by Shawn Singh (@shawnthefoodsheep)


    “Gyro Hut has built its reputation on consistency, authenticity, and serving great food, and we believe these locations provide an excellent opportunity to expand that vision,” Khan adds. “We are excited to transform the spaces into destinations that offer customers something familiar yet completely refreshed.”

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    news/restaurants-bars

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