all aboard

Popular Houston chicken & waffle restaurant rolls into Montrose with 'fryders' and ice cream parlor

The Waffle Bus has arrived in Montrose.

A popular Houston food truck has opened a second brick-and-mortar restaurant. The Waffle Bus is now serving in Montrose.

Owner Phi Nguyen tells CultureMap in an email that he always planned to open in the neighborhood. Taking over the former BuffBurger space at 1540 W. Alabama St. allows the restaurant to build on the success its achieved since opening its first restaurant in The Heights two years ago.

“We added a second location, because our first location has been a big success even through COVID,” he writes. “We actually got busier every month as we worked harder to improve everything on our menu.”

Those improvements mean the restaurant’s signature chicken and waffles, chicken thunder fries (fried chicken over waffle fries with spicy mayo and ancho chile honey butter), and “fryders” (mini sandwiches with waffles fries for buns) taste better than ever. Over time, the restaurant has added a full range of chicken dishes that keep it current with the latest trends. Diners will also find new options such as a smash burger on a brioche bun and banana cream pie waffles.

Nguyen found so much success with the milkshakes at the first location that Montrose features a full ice cream parlor. Ten flavors of cereal ice cream can be paired with 10 different toppings. In addition, a soft serve machine dispenses two flavors of Dole Whip: black cherry and the more familiar pineapple.

On the beverage side, the restaurant has 11 beers on tap and a full liquor license to serve flavorful cocktails.

To transform BuffBurger into The Waffle Bus, Nguyen made a number of improvements to the space. The walls have been covered with the brand’s signature red acrylic, and a wall features nine, 65-inch TVs. An expanded patio area adds more TVs and convenient pickup windows.

As it celebrates 10 years of operations with a new location, Nguyen is already looking to the future.

“The food truck life is not an easy one, but we've put in a lot of hard work to get where we are and don't plan on stopping anytime soon,” he writes.

news-you-can-eat openings

Sports + Snacks

All the game-day snacks + drinks awaiting you at The Tailgate 2024

Facebook

Chow down on adobo beef tacos from 1891 American Eatery & Bar.

Attention, sports fans: The Tailgate is almost here. CultureMap Houston's signature sporty event, presented by Verizon, is happening Monday, November 11, at 8th Wonder Brewery, and you'll want to be there.

Why? Because even if you aren't a football fanatic, hockey hound, soccer supporter, or basketball and baseball buff, you're probably a big fan of fantastic local food and drinks.

All Tailgate tickets include bites by participating restaurants, complimentary premium beverages, and access to fun activities throughout the event. VIP tickets come with one-hour-early entry, access to a dedicated VIP bar, an exclusive meet-and-greet with two popular Houston Texans alumni (courtesy of Verizon), and more perks for an elevated experience.

You also get to make your voice heard before the event, as readers are now voting for their favorite local wings restaurant in our Ultimate Wing Showdown. Think of this as sort of like the Sweet 16, where local champs face off in an online tournament and the winner will be revealed at the party. Click here to vote for your favorites.

Hungry yet? Popular Houston restaurants and chefs will create tailgate-inspired dishes for attendees to sample and vote for their favorite.

Here's even more of what's on the menu at The Tailgate:

Adobo beef tacos from 1891 American Eatery & Bar
Wings and loaded french fries from Big City Wings
Comfort Foodies' signature empanadas in four flavors: oxtail, beef and cheese, chicken and cheese, and spinach and cheese
Shrimp ceviche shooters and brisket on a croissant from The Halal Guys
St. Louis ribs with Comeback Sauce from Josephine's Gulf Coast Tradition
Spicy and regular Layne's chicken fingers with dipping sauce
Smoked salmon handroll from Kokoro
Loro's smoked brisket tostadas with shishito salsa
Ramen Frito pie from Ramen Tatsu-Ya
Lobster rolls, corn and crab bisque, lobster bisque, and whoopie pies from Mainely Sandwiches
Smoked pulled pork bahn mi pizza from Pizarro's Pizza
Al pastor sausage and challah lobster roll from Saint Arnold Brewing Company
Sweet jerk chili wings from Southern Jerks
Spicy ranch wings from Taste Kitchen + Bar
Laab chicken sandwiches with tortilla chips from Thai Tail
The Waffle Bus' Hot Mess Fries: seasoned waffle fries topped with spicy buttermilk fried chicken bites, white cheddar mac and cheese, and Thunder Sauce
72-hour sous vide wagyu short rib from Uchi
Wagyu meatballs and edamame fritters from Uchiko Houston
A kolache-eating contest sponsored by Shipley Do-Nuts, where the winner will receive free doughnuts for a year.

To wet your whistle, there will be signature cocktails by Jameson Irish Whiskey and Weber Ranch Vodka (including an espresso martini made with Shipley Do-Nuts cold brew), along with THC seltzers from Howdy and 8th Wonder beers.

The event will also shine a spotlight on local sports organizations, including the Texans, which will raffle off a CJ Stroud-signed White Panel football. The Astros will show off their Shooting Stars dancers as well as the 2017 and 2022 World Series Trophies, and their Shuttle Crew team will bring prizes. Houston soccer stars the Dynamo and Dash will raffle team-signed jerseys.

We'll keep you up to date on all things Tailgate-related in a special editorial series of stories leading up to the event.

Tickets are $75 for VIP and $50 for General Admission. For a limited time, we’re giving you $10 off; use code Tailgate10 at checkout.

Get your tickets now before they sell out, and we’ll see you on November 11.

---

The Tailgate is sponsored by Verizon, HOWDY, Jameson Irish Whiskey, Houston Powder Coaters, Holey Moley Golf Club, Mizzen + Main, Shipley Do-nuts, East River 9, and more to be announced.

video sports celebrities wings tailgate