Donut Drama

Donut Wars: Krispy Kreme plots Houston return, but is there room?

National doughnut chain Krispy Kreme has announced that it will make a return to Houston with 10 stores set to open over the next five years. The company signed an agreement with Dulce Restaurants, LLC, which already operates three locations in Dallas and has plans to open 15 more.

"Seeing the response and admiration for Krispy Kreme in Dallas has been a rewarding experience for me and my team," said Guillermo Perales, President and CEO of Sun Holdings, LLC, in a statement. "With our plans to continue developing the Dallas market now finalized and underway, we are excited by the opportunity to expand our relationship with Krispy Kreme in Houston."

But how will Houstonians receive Krispy Kreme?

But how will Houstonians receive Krispy Kreme? The company left Houston in 2006 after previous franchisee Lone Star Doughnuts sued the company over the cost of materials, forced expansion and other disputes. Jumbles, Lone Star's attempt at rebranding the stores, quickly folded.

In the meantime, Houston's doughnut market has only gotten more competitive. Local institution Shipley Do-Nuts continues to expand, and the company's diverse array of doughnuts, pastries and kolaches trumps the "more than a dozen" offerings Krispy Kreme promises to deliver. To make matters worse, Dunkin' Donuts, which mostly ignored Houston for years, is in the process of opening 50 stores across the city.

Then there are the city's beloved single location stores, like Christy's and River Oaks Donuts, that each have their own fans.

More than another chain, what Houston really needs is a new-style, creative doughnut shop like Gourdough's in Austin that offers a mix of sweet and savory options and keeps late hours. Rumors swirl periodically that such a concept is in the works, but it has yet to manifest itself. That would be cause for real excitement.

In the meantime, a glazed Shipley, hot and fresh, remains one of Houston's best treats, and Krispy Kreme's return won't change that.

Krispy Kreme will return to Houston with 10 new stores in the next five years.

PRNewsWire.com

Krispy Kreme will return to Houston with 10 new stores in the next five years.

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there's the rub

Restaurant known for 'new Houston cuisine' now open in Cypress

Courtesy of Jonathan's the Rub

Jonathan's the Rub serves steaks and other dishes.

A restaurant known for its eclectic “new Houston cuisine” has opened in Cypress. The fourth location of Jonathan’s the Rub is now open for dinner in Bridgeland (20215 Bridgeland Creek Parkway).

First announced last year, the new Jonathan’s is located in Village Green, a 70-acre mixed-use development within the 925-acre Bridgeland Central district. The 5,500-square-foot restaurant includes two patios totaling 2,600 square feet, giving the restaurant plenty of room for private dining rooms, a bar area, and indoor-outdoor areas with fire pits and greenery.

“We were looking for the next frontier — a community with a booming population and a clear vision for growth that aligns with our brand,” chef-owner Jonathan Levine said in a statement. “When we discovered Bridgeland and learned it was a Howard Hughes development, we were immediately impressed. With their reputation for developing generational communities, we felt confident that Bridgeland was the right place for our family and for Jonathan’s the Rub.”

Like Jonathan’s three other locations, the menu at Bridgeland is built around Levine’s signature “new Houston cuisine,” a kicked-up take on comfort food that includes everything from lobster tacos and blackened shrimp and grits to Italian American classics and steakhouse fare.

Village Green is also home to H-E-B and restaurants such as Sweet Paris Crêperie & Café and Crust Pizza Co. Austin-based burger joint P. Terry’s will open there next year.

“Jonathan’s the Rub’s arrival in Bridgeland Central brings a distinguished addition to the culinary scene in both the community and northwest Houston,” said Jim Carman, president of the Texas region, for Bridgeland developer Howard Hughes Communities. “We’re proud to partner with exceptional restaurateurs like Chef Jonathan Levine to bring elevated dining experiences that enhance the lifestyle offerings for our residents and neighbors.”

Courtesy of Jonathan's the Rub

Jonathan's the Rub serves steaks and other dishes.