BB's Cafe Expands

With crawfish season just around the corner, popular Cajun restaurant expands to 7th location

Productivity in the Energy Corridor may dip slightly this crawfish season thanks to the imminent arrival of one of the Houston-area's most popular Cajun restaurants, BB's Cafe.

The restaurant's seventh location will be the company's third new opening in the past two years, joining Katy and Pearland. Located in the former home of Verde Cali-Mex, the 3,200 square foot space sits at a prime location with a spacious patio. The company expects to open in "Winter 2017," just in time for crawfish season.

"We decided to open there because it modeled really well on our proprietary analytical site model and every member of our executive team had a good feeling about the neighborhood, the access, and the visibility," founder Brooks Bassler tells CultureMap.

BB's has blossomed over nine years from humble beginnings in a small space on Montrose Boulevard to a growing Houston mini-empire. Credit for the success goes to Bassler's signature "Tex-Cajun" recipes that blend classic Cajun fare like po' boys and fried seafood with Houston-inspired dishes like the Tex-Cajun Virgin poutine that's topped with queso and roast beef. A fitting combination for a UH alum with Louisiana roots.

"The best perks about this location are the vibrant and beautifully manicured neighborhood, the expansive patio, and the great day time population," adds Bassler's wife Maricela. She also notes there are no direct competitors in the immediate area, which, combined with the restaurant's reputation, should help it get off to a good start.

Of course, the company has plans for further growth. Maricela says that BB's has its eye on Houston's northern suburbs for the eighth location, but she notes that the company keeps an open mind about new opportunities.

"If something comes up in another market, we will give it serious consideration," she says. "Our door is open when location scouting and when opportunities are brought to us. It really is determined by our executive team, our site study, and research."

The restaurant will open this winter, just in time for crawfish season.

BB's Cafe, crawfish, corn on the cob, October 2012

BB's Cafe/Facebook

The restaurant will open this winter, just in time for crawfish season.

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it's a trap

New Houston sports bar opens with hookah, ping pong, and 50 HDTVs

Courtesy of The Fox Trap Restaurant & Lounge

The interior features more than 50 TVs for watching games.

A new sports bar and restaurant has opened in west Houston just in time for football season. The recently opened Fox Trap Restaurant & Lounge aims to combine elements of sports bars and nightclubs to give fans a more premium game day experience.

Located at 11470 Westheimer Road, native Houstonian Dorwin Samuel brings experience in both the marketing and hospitality worlds to the project. Formerly the owner of The Garden, a since-shuttered bar and hookah lounge in Midtown, Samuel is ready to serve customers in the Westchase District.

“My goal was to create something truly next-level,” Samuel said in a statement. “We’ve combined the excitement of a sports bar with the elegance of an ultra-lounge, offering a unique space where guests can enjoy every game in a luxurious setting with exceptional food and amazing hospitality. We’re confident that Houstonians are going to love what we’ve created here.”

To emphasize its upscale bona fides, Fox Trap is divided into three distinct areas: a main dining room and bar, a covered patio, and a game room loaded with pool tables, ping pong tables, and a stage for live entertainment. Sports fans will find more than 50 HDTVs for keeping up with the day’s games.

The Fox Trap sports bar interior Play pool or ping pong in the game roomCourtesy of The Fox Trap Restaurant & Lounge

Chef Jimmie Farley is a New Orleans native who brings some Southern flair to the menu. In addition to sports bar staples such as sliders and wings, diners will find spicy jambalaya, Cajun pasta, and braised collard greens. Other dinner options include flatbreads, lamb chops, and seafood. During the day, it offers a few brunch specials such as waffles, French toast, and shrimp and grits.

Groups will find private rooms for celebrating special occasions as well as game day platters of 25 or 50 wings and seafood platters that combine catfish and shrimp.

True to his roots in the hospitality industry, Fox Trap offers hookah alongside a range of alcoholic beverages that includes beer, wine, and cocktails such as the Pink 75, grilled pineapple margarita, and an espresso martini.

Fox Trap is open daily from 11 am until 2 am. Happy hour is offered from 3-7 pm.

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