Loro Sneak Peek

Superstar pitmaster Aaron Franklin and Bun B host free preview pop-up for new smokehouse

Loro's brisket sandwich is topped with papaya salad, peanuts, and Thai herbs.

Photo by Logan Crable

UPDATE: The event is currently sold out, but a waitlist has been added.

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One of next year's most eagerly anticipated new restaurants will provide diners with a sneak peek next weekend. Loro will give diners a first taste by serving brisket sandwiches and gin and tonic slushies on both Saturday, December 11 and Sunday, December 12 at its location in The Heights (1001 W. 11th St.) from 2-5 pm.

Since the restaurant is still under construction — it's expected to open in early 2022 — the pop-up will be held in the parking lot. To attend the free event, diners will need to register for one of two time slots (2 or 3:30 pm) via Eventbrite. The event will also collect non-perishable food for the Houston Food Bank.

Due to the expected size of the crowd, attendees are encouraged to carpool or use a rideshare. Valet parking will also be available.

Developed by James Beard Award winners Tyson Cole of Uchi and Aaron Franklin of Franklin Barbecue, Loro is an Asian smokehouse concept that blends the talents of its founders. For example, smoked beef brisket gets paired with a chili gastrique and Thai herbs, and smoked pork sausage comes with a Thai-style papaya salad. Those dishes can be matched with a full range boozy slushes, batch cocktails, wine, beer, and sake.

Franklin will be in Houston for the pop-up, along with Loro's regional chef Mike Perez and Houston chef de cuisine Marcos Leal. They'll be joined on Saturday by Houston hip hop legend — and CultureMap Tastemaker Awards emcee — Bun B.

Loro first announced its plans to convert the former sanctuary on W 11th St. into a restaurant in 2019. The restaurant has a location in its hometown of Austin and in Dallas.

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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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