2021's saddest shutters

Houston’s 8 saddest bar and restaurant closures of 2021

The Pastry War entrance with people inside

Fans of agave spirits miss The Pastry War.

Relative to all the trauma of 2020, restaurants had it somewhat easier in 2021. While they didn’t have to face any shutdowns — at least in Texas — this year still had plenty of challenges.

Rising prices for ingredients and other essentials, a devastating winter storm, an extremely tight labor market, and, most recently, the omicron surge all presented challenges to operators and employees alike. Many places found a way to persevere, but some reached the end of the road.

With that in mind, let’s look back at some of the shuttered bars and restaurants we’ll miss the most.

UB Preserv
Originally intended to be a spiritual successor to Chris Shepherd’s groundbreaking restaurant Underbelly, UB Preserv evolved into a welcoming space with a creative menu that pulled freely from Houston’s immigrant traditions. Under the leadership of executive chef Nick Wong, the restaurant mixed staples like its crispy rice salad and Vietnamese fajitas with a rotating cast of dishes that were both playful and flavorful.

Wong and sous chef Leila Frink are heading to Georgia James Tavern, which gives that restaurant the potential to become one of the shining stars in Underbelly Hospitality’s growing empire. As for the space at 1609 Westheimer, it will reopen next month as Everlong Bar & Hideaway.

The Pastry War
In the face of an imminent lease renewal and uncertainty about when downtown’s nightlife scene would return to pre-pandemic levels, owner Bobby Heugel made the decision to shutter the popular agave bar at the end of October. First opened in 2013, Houstonians will remember it for multiple reasons: focusing on family-owned producers instead of big brands, an extensive back bar of hard-to-find spirits, and its signature house margarita made with a blend of Persian and key lime juice.

As for the future of 310 Main, Carson Hager, owner of 80s-themed nightclub Cherry and Japanese-inspired Zenaku, posted on Instagram that he’s leased the space for a new concept that will open next year. Details are TBA.

Down House
For ten years, this restaurant in The Heights satisfied diners by putting its own spin on trends such as farm to table, craft cocktails, and specialty coffee. Its opening occurred around the same time as The Heights began to emerge as one of the city’s best dining neighborhoods, and people filled its patio for brunch, burgers, and more.

The space won’t stay vacant for long. Goode Co announced that it has leased the property for a still-unnamed restaurant that will open in 2022.

Tony Mandola’s Gulf Coast Kitchen
The Houston institution — it traces its roots to the original Blue Oyster Bar that Tony Mandola and his wife Phyllis Mandola opened in 1982 — ended its 10-year run on Waugh Dr. in July. Known for its combination of Gulf Coast fare like gumbo and fried seafood paired with Italian-American specialities such as spaghetti and meatballs and lasagna, Tony Mandola’s provided Houstonians with a lively forum for any number of happy occasions.

Thankfully, it may not be gone for good. Eater Houston reported Tony Mandola's plans to reopen on Houston Ave., although the restaurant hasn’t provided any updates on when that might occur.

Golden Bagels & Coffee
Originally opened by Katz Coffee owner Avi Katz and local attorney Gregg Goldstein in January 2018, Golden Bagels & Coffee closed its doors in September. Known for its freshly made bagels and diverse selection of schmears, the cafe set itself apart from other bagel shops by curing and smoking its own salmon.

The space didn’t stay empty for long. It has already been converted into Kinokawa, a new omakase restaurant from chefs Billy Kin and Brandon Silva.

Avondale Food & Wine
Originally opened as L’Olivier in 2012 by chef Olivier Ciesielski and his business partner Mary Clarkson, the restaurant, which relaunched as Avondale in 2018, closed in July. Ciesielski’s seasonal, market-driven menu and an in-house wine shop that specialized in small producers helped it build a following with Houston oenophiles. The duo plan to reopen but haven’t revealed their new location yet.

Burt’s Meat Market
After 75 years in business, the Fifth Ward institution shuttered in March. Known for its signature sausages and affordable, steam table lunches, Burt’s provided shoppers with a taste of East Texas and Louisiana-influenced meats and sides. Although it’s gone, fans can take comfort in knowing that sausage maker Aaron Lazo, a 35-year Burt’s veteran, now practices his craft at Henderson & Kane in the Old Sixth Ward.

Ritual
The Southern-inspired steakhouse in The Heights closed in April after a five-year run. Known for its in-house butcher shop and a creative menu built around comfort food and a first-rate burger, the restaurant earned widespread praise, including a spot on Texas Monthly’s list of the best new restaurants for 2017. At the time, owner Ken Bridge planned to convert the space into Mapojeong Galbijib, an all-new Korean BBQ concept, but an opening timeline hasn’t been set.

closings

rumor no more

East Coast-style Austin pizzeria confirms plans to open in the Heights

Home Slice Pizza Heights location rendering

Courtesy of the Michael Hsu Office of Architecture

A rendering previews Home Slice Pizza's new location in the Heights.

One of Austin’s pizzerias is expanding its presence in Houston. Home Slice Pizza has claimed the former Mapojeong space in the Heights (602 Studewood) for a new location that will open in the fall of 2026.

Founder Joseph Strickland tells CultureMap that Home Slice wanted to add a second Houston location that would build on the success of its Midtown restaurant that opened in late 2022. Unlike Midtown, which is counter service and offers limited seating, the Heights location will offer full service, an expanded menu, and cocktails, which is in line with Home Slice’s North Austin location.

“We saw a lot of synergy in North Austin and the Heights,” Strickland says. “They have a similar feel, a lot of families, a lot of people looking to get together in big groups. There’s also a robust bar scene on White Oak that we’re happy to be part of.”

Strickland says Home Slice had several requirements for a new location, including a larger dining room than Midtown, a decent-sized parking lot, and enough kitchen capacity to serve both dine-in and larger to-go orders. Not only did they find the right building, but they established a productive relationship with the property’s owner, Revive Development, the Houston-based firm that also owns properties that are home to Loro, Squable, Camaraderie, and the Stomping Grounds development in Garden Oaks.

“It was hard to believe at first. The more we talked with the Revive folks, there was a lot of alignment and opportunity for us to expand what we’re showing Houston,” Stickland says.

Home Slice is working with the Michael Hsu Office of Architecture to renovate the building. Strickland notes that it will require some extensive changes, including removing the butcher shop that was installed as part of its iteration as Ritual, a steakhouse that closed in 2021. Assuming everything goes according to plan, the restaurant should open sometime in the fall of 2026.

Home Slice Pizza food spread Home Slice serves New York-style pizza.Photo by Garrett Smith

Once open, Home Slice will serve its East Coast-inspired menu of New York-style pizzas (whole or by-the-slice), hot and cold Italian deli sandwiches, salads, and desserts — all of which utilize dough or bread that’s made in-house. In particular, the restaurant is known for its white clam pizza, as well as classics such as pepperoni and mushroom or sausage with ricotta and roasted peppers. In 2024, the Houston Press awarded “Best Sandwich” to the restaurant’s Italian Assorted, which is made with ham, dry salami, capicola, genoa salami, vegetables, provolone, mayo, and oil & vinegar.

Critically, the Heights Home Slice location will add wings to the New York and Sicilian-style pizzas, salads, and sandwiches that the restaurant serves in Midtown. Inspired by the wings served at the Anchor Bar in Buffalo, New York, Home Slice keeps its wings simple — medium or hot and served with a house made blue cheese dressing. “It goes with our pizza quite wonderfully,” Stickland says.

He hopes that the the wide-ranging menu, flexible menu, and late night hours will appeal to Heights locals, people patronizing the nearby bars on White Oak, and anyone else looking for a slice and a drink. The larger location and full service should make home slice an option for date nights, office happy hours, any just about any other occasion.

“We hope the neighborhood will be happy to have another offering that’s like ours, where you can bring a first date or your office or go by yourself. We offer all those experiences,” Strickland says.

openings news-you-can-eat pizza home slice pizza