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    Foodie News

    The Heights jumps into Houston's new pastry shop craze: Architect turned baker plans a cozy spot

    Eric Sandler
    Nov 27, 2013 | 12:30 pm

    Add The Heights to the list of neighborhoods where a new-style, baker-driven pastry shop is set to open. Coming in April, architect turned baker Jessica Lusk is transforming her Stella Bakes online business into a 30-seat bakery and cafe called RED Dessert Dive & Coffee Shop.

    "Currently, I'm an architect, but I'm not liking it," Lusk tells CultureMap. She started Stella Bakes two years ago to explore a career change and has found enough of an audience for her work that "I'm following it up with a brick and mortar." She's been traveling across the country collecting ideas and wants RED to have a "cozy" feel.

    RED will be at least the fourth new bakery coming to Houston in 2014.

    Lusk has long-time roots in the Heights. She lives there now, and both her grandfather and mother grew up there. To pay homage to the neighborhood and emphasize her commitment to sustainability, Lusk has incorporated reclaimed wood into her design for RED's bar front. The staff will also wear "It's ok to love Houston" T-shirts from nearby store Hello Lucky. "I want to support Houston businesses and be proud and promote Houston," Lusk explains.

    She describes RED's menu as "classic American desserts with a twist." In addition to classics, Lusk is developing recipes that she describes as "super-different," such as using malt powder in cake recipes. She also cites her salted caramel brownies as a customer favorite that will make an appearance at the shop.

    "We really do strive to use the best quality ingredients," Lusk says. She uses organic produce when available and seasonal produce from farmers markets.

    As with other newcomers like Common Bond and Rebecca Masson's proposed Fluff Bake Bar, RED will have a beer and wine license. Lusk says the cafe will definitely serve wine, but she's still trying to figure out how to incorporate beer. Greenway coffee will also be available.

    RED will be at least the fourth new bakery coming to Houston in 2014, and that doesn't include Three Brothers new location on Washington Ave. Won't that be delicious?

    Jessica Lusk will open RED Dessert Dive & Coffee Shop on Studewood next year

    Stella Bakes RED Dessert Dive & Coffee Shop is opening in The Heights in Spring 2014 November 2013
      
    StellaBakes.com
    Jessica Lusk will open RED Dessert Dive & Coffee Shop on Studewood next year
    unspecified
    news/restaurants-bars

    With or Without Whiz

    Houston burger mastermind fires up new pop-up devoted to Philly cheesesteaks

    Eric Sandler
    Jun 19, 2025 | 4:35 pm
    Bas's Cheesesteaks Abbas Dhanani
    Photo by Michael Ma
    Abbas Dhanani is serving up cheesesteaks at his new pop-up.

    Abbas Dhanani is at it again. The food influencer-turned-restaurateur behind the CultureMap Tastemaker Award-winning smash burger concept Burger Bodega is firing up a new pop-up concept devoted to another iconic sandwich.

    Called Bas’s Cheesesteaks, the new concept will Dhanani’s take on the classic Philly cheesesteak, made with sliced ribeye and white cheese on a seeded hoagie roll — onions and a spicy sauce are optional. A second version swaps the white cheese for Cheez Whiz. Like Burger Bodega, Dhanani is using halal beef for his cheesesteaks.

    Bas's Cheesesteaks cheesesteak sandwichThe cheesesteak is served on a seeded hoagie roll.Photo by Michael Ma

    “We have experimented with cheesesteaks as specials on the menu at Burger Bodega and received amazing feedback,” Dhanani said in a statement. “However, the cheesesteaks at Bas’s are the most refined versions we have done so far. I am excited to bring authentic Philly cheesesteaks to Houston as a new flavor experience while continuing to build on the energy and community we have created at Burger Bodega. This is a huge passion project for me, and I plan to take it step by step, just like Burger Bodega."

    As Dhanani notes, he introduced Burger Bodega with a series of pop-ups throughout Houston. To answer the obvious question, of course a restaurant could be in the cards for Bas’s, too.

    “I think thats the goal of any new pop-up concept,” Dhanani tells CultureMap. “Like Burger Bodega, we want to take it one step at a time and see where it goes.”

    Bas’s Cheesesteaks will have its first pop-up on Monday, June 30 at Burger Bodega’s location (4520 Washington Avenue). In addition to the two cheesesteaks, diners can get fries. Future pop-ups will be announced via Instagram.

    As for Burger Bodega’s second location in Katy, Dhanani says it’s still working through securing the necessary permits to begin construction.

    news-you-can-eatopeningsbas's cheesesteaks
    news/restaurants-bars

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