temporary covid closures

Running list of Houston restaurants and bars temporarily closed due to latest COVID outbreak

Restaurants across Houston are temporarily closed due to Covid outbreaks.

Photo by Claudia Casbarian

Over the weekend, a number of Houston restaurants announced temporary closures due to outbreaks of COVID-19 among their employees.

Temporary closures had been a part of the early days of the pandemic, but they waned as more people became vaccinated and businesses followed CDC guidelines regarding quarantines and testing. Sadly, the Omicron variant — currently responsible for over 80 percent of new cases in Houston — has triggered breakthrough infections, as demonstrated by Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner’s announcement that he’d be quarantining after testing positive on Friday.

Conversations with some employees of affected establishments reveal mostly good news for the people involved; thankfully, their symptoms are relatively mild. Most restaurants are so short staffed that losing even a couple of key employees degrades a business’ ability to operate properly.

While the closures have only lasted for a few days at any individual establishment, the timing almost couldn’t be worse. Restaurants rely on revenues from the busy holiday season to sustain them during the traditionally slower months of January and February. Employees need to earn money for everything from Christmas gifts to January living expenses like rent and groceries.

CultureMap will update this list as necessary over the next few days. Customers should also keep an eye on a restaurant’s social media pages for the latest updates.

Acme Oyster House - Temporarily closed Monday, December 20 through Wednesday, December 22.
Angel Share HTX - Temporarily closed beginning Saturday, December 18. Reopened Monday, December 20.
Awesome Bites Co. - Closed from Wednesday, December 29 until Wednesday, January 5.
The Bearded Baker - Closed from Tuesday, December 28 until Wednesday, January 5.
Better Luck Tomorrow - Closed from Tuesday, December 21 until Tuesday, December 28. Reopens Wednesday, December 29 with limited hours of 3:30 pm to 12 am through Sunday, January 2.
Brasil - Reopened Monday, December 20.
Caracol - Closed until further notice beginning Monday, December 27.
Dandelion Cafe - Closed Friday, December 17. Plans to reopen Monday, December 27.
Davis St. at Hermann Park - Closed from Tuesday, December 21 until Tuesday, December 28. Reopened Wednesday, December 29.
Double Trouble - Closed until Wednesday, December 22.
Hughie's - Both locations open for patio dining and to-go effective Monday, December 27.
Hugo's - Closed until further notice beginning Monday, December 27.
J-Bar-M Barbecue - Closed until Tuesday, December 28. Will fulfill existing holiday pre-orders.
Johnny's Gold Brick - Closed until further notice beginning Sunday, December 26.
La Table - Closed Tuesday and Wednesday, December 28 and 29.
Lei Low - Open for to-go only from Tuesday, December 28 until Friday, December, 31. Reopens for dine-in on Tuesday, January 4.
March - Closed Tuesday, December 28 through Thursday, December 30.
Nancy's Hustle - Closed Tuesday, December 28 and Wednesday, December 29.
93 'Til - Closed from Thursday, December 23 until Monday, December 27. Reopened Tuesday, December 28.
Nobie’s - Closed until Tuesday, December 28.
Pearl Bar - Closed until further notice beginning Saturday, December 18.
Relish Restaurant & Bar - To-go only through Wednesday, December 22. Closed December 23-26. Reopened Monday, December 27.
Roots Wine Bar - Open for retail wine sales only through Sunday, December 26.
Rosalie Italian Soul - Closed from Tuesday, December 28 until Wednesday, January 5.
Rosewater Clear Lake - Closed until further notice beginning Tuesday, December 21.
Squable - Closed from Friday, December 17 until Monday, December 27. Reopened Tuesday, December 28.
Tea + Victory - Closed from Monday, December 27 until Sunday, January 2.
Tiny Champions - Closed for dine-in beginning Friday, December 18. Resumes full service Tuesday, December 21.
Underbelly Hospitality - All restaurants closed through Tuesday, December 21.
Urbe - Closed from Monday, December 27 through Wednesday, December 29. Reopened for lunch service on Thursday, December 30.
Winnie's - Operating with reduced hours of 4 pm - midnight until further notice. Closed Christmas Eve.
Xochi - Closed until further notice beginning Monday, December 27.

news-you-can-eat

Bowling over Houston

Gluten-free Austin restaurant picks River Oaks for first Houston store

Rendering of Honest Mary's in River Oaks

Rendering by Mark Odom Studio

Honest Mary's, an Austin-based eatery, is expanding with a new location in Houston's River Oaks in fall 2025.

It will be a Houston homecoming for restauranteur Nelson Monteith with the fall 2025 debut of Honest Mary’s in River Oaks.

“It’s a joy and honor to bring a brand we’ve worked hard to create in Austin and finally be able to share that concept with friends and family in Houston,” Monteith said in a statement. “There’s a bit of built-in comfort in knowing there are folks here who are already fans of Honest Mary’s. They’ve been asking us for years to open a location in Houston, and now it’s happening.”

Located at 2047-A West Gray St., Honest Mary's will occupy the current La Madeleine space. It is not known at this time when La Madeleine will close, but construction on Honest Mary's is expected to begin in May 2025.

Monteith and his wife, Mary, launched Honest Mary’s in 2017 after embracing mindful eating to improve their health. Since then, the Austin-based eatery that describes itself as serving "life-giving fast food" has expanded to four locations, with the upcoming River Oaks spot marking its arrival in Houston.

“There’s healthy food, fresh food, and fast food,” he said. “We wanted to create something that fits into that sweet spot without sacrificing quality or convenience. The trend towards healthy eating and the reality of busy lifestyles aren’t slowing down. We offer a place that caters to both.”

At the center of Honest Mary’s menu are five signature bowls ranging from poke to vegetarian, including the smoky poblano ($10.25) that features a basmati rice base with fresh vegetables of wild arugula, sweet corn, and pickled onions in a creamy poblano sauce. Co-partner and chef Andrew Wiseheart, known for Austin’s Contigo and Ladybird Taco, leads the kitchen.

Honest Mary's menu features healthy, gluten-free bowls. Guests can choose from five signature bowls at Honest Mary's, or create their own.Courtesy of Honest Mary's

Diners can build their own bowls by selecting a base like quinoa, proteins including grilled chicken and tuna, and vegetables such as sweet potatoes. Pickled onions, cucumber salad, and avocado are among the topping selections, with sauces like lemon garlic and cashew-lime crema.

Scratch-made sipping broths round out the menu, with the chicken bone broth packed with celery, carrots, onions and parsley, or an umami-rich seaweed and mushroom broth.

A selection of house-made aguas frescas and teas, local craft beer, wine, kombucha, and organic cold-pressed juices will be available, as will Honest Mary’s popular almond butter cookies sweetened with maple syrup and topped with a sprinkle of Maldon salt.

Rendering by Mark Odom Studio

Honest Mary's, an Austin-based eatery, is expanding with a new location in Houston's River Oaks in fall 2025.

With its fully gluten-free menu, Honest Mary’s caters to a range of dietary preferences, including vegetarian, vegan, and dairy-free. To align with Monteith’s dedication to nutrition, Honest Mary’s uses seed oils sparingly and prioritizes local and organic ingredients when possible.

“River Oaks Shopping Center has a unique blend of history and vibrant new concepts, making it the ideal home for us,” Monteith said. “We aim to be a neighborhood spot where people can enjoy delicious, healthy food.”

Lunden McGill and John Frazier of Baker Katz brokered the deal for the 2,200-square-foot space and additional patio with seating for 38 inside and 44 outside. Mark Odom Studio is responsible for architecture and design.

Honest Mary’s signature elements of terra cotta and blue tilework will be incorporated to provide consistency between all five locations, while Art Deco-inspired decor of lush greenery, warm wood tones and natural light will align the space with the River Oaks Shopping Center’s structure.

Takeaway, delivery, and dine-in will be provided daily from 11 am to 9 pm.

news-you-can-eat openings honest mary's

temporary covid closures

Running list of Houston restaurants and bars temporarily closed due to latest COVID outbreak

Bowling over Houston

Gluten-free Austin restaurant picks River Oaks for first Houston store

Twin burger and taco restaurants coming to Memorial City area in 2025

New York-style pizzeria slices into Sugar Land with lots of craft beer

Michelin Guide removes shuttered Houston Vietnamese restaurant

temporary covid closures

Running list of Houston restaurants and bars temporarily closed due to latest COVID outbreak

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Bowling over Houston

Gluten-free Austin restaurant picks River Oaks for first Houston store

Twin burger and taco restaurants coming to Memorial City area in 2025

New York-style pizzeria slices into Sugar Land with lots of craft beer

Michelin Guide removes shuttered Houston Vietnamese restaurant

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