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Spacey WashAve cocktail bar-pizzeria opens in Montrose with must-try 'ironclad' pies

Montrose’s mini boom of new pizzerias has added another establishment to its roster. Betelgeuse Betelgeuse officially opens to the public Friday, September 1.

Photo by Sergio Trevino

Betelgeuse Betelgeuse has opened its Montrose location with a karaoke-ready back room.

Located in the former Bamboo/Kam’s Wok space at 4500 Montrose Blvd., the Montrose location of Betelgeuse Betelgeuse builds on the success of its original Washington Avenue outpost that opened last year. Whereas the first location utilizes a food truck to prepare its pizzas and bar snacks, the Montrose location has a full kitchen.

That means owner Chris Cusack has been able to expand the menu a bit with additions such as Spaghetti Squares (deep fried spaghetti balls with cheese and tomato sauce) and more wings flavors. The Montrose location also offers a personal-sized, 10-inch version of the bar’s signature “ironclad pizzas” that are baked on cast iron pans to give each slice a crispy edge. Dishes such as loaded fries, Space Balls (pizza dough that’s brushed with garlic butter), and a cheeseburger carry over from the original location.

Also making the trip south is Betelgeuse’s extensive cocktail offerings. The menu includes an Appletini, the “Mommy, What’s a Funkadelic?” (tepache, mezcal, lime, pineapple, and vanilla), an espresso martini, and the Watermelon Fresca that’s been a staple of La Grange’s menu since it opened.

All that eating and drinking happens in a space-themed environment that fits an establishment named for a red supergiant star in the Orion constellation. A 900-square-foot back room has been wired for karaoke and will also serve as a venue for private events.

“Betelgeuse Betelgeuse Montrose has been a labor of love and is my tribute to this amazing neighborhood,” Cusack said in a statement. “I can’t wait to welcome customers through our doors for great cocktails, amazing food, and weird vibes.”

While Cusack is opening the Montrose location, he’s also in the process of sourcing a replacement for the original location’s food truck that was damaged in a fire. The proprietor tells CultureMap he could have a solution in place as soon as next week. In the meantime, guest food trucks are filling the gap.

This summer has been a busy time for new pizzerias in Montrose. In addition to Betelgeuse, the neighborhood has welcomed ElRo Pizza & Crudo, a new concept from chef Terrence Gallivan (The Pass & Provisions), and Nonno's Family Pizza Tavern, the latest project from Nobie's owners Sara and Martin Stayer.

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hello himari

Growing Houston hospitality group rolls into Briargrove with new sushi spot

Photo by Studio Rivera

Himari offers sushi, skewers, and more.

Duckstache Hospitality has taken another step in its quest to bring sushi to every neighborhood in Houston. The group announced plans to open a second location of Himari, its neighborhood sushi concept, in Briargrove.

Slated to open in later 2026 or early 2027, Himari has claimed a former bank building at 6414 San Felipe St as an addition to its current location in the Stomping Grounds development in Garden Oaks. It’s the latest project for the group, which includes Kokoro, Aiko, Doko, Bar Doko, and an ever-growing number of its hand roll concept Handies Douzo.

Designed as a family-friendly Japanese restaurant, Himari serves a broad selection of sushi — including sashimi, nigiiri, and maki — crudo, donburi bowls, and robata. Part of the dining room will have drapes capable of making it a private event space.

Duckstache is working with Houston’s Gin Design Group and and architect SDstudio to transform the 4,500-square-foot space. Overall, the design will be inspired by Japanese Rural Modernism, according to press materials, with details that include wood ceilings, indigo accents, dark terrazzo floors, and an open sushi kitchen.

The restaurant is expect to seat about 110 people, including a 15-seat sushi bar and a 9-seat cocktail bar. That will make it Duckstache’s largest restaurant to date.

“We wanted this second Himari to feel like a natural evolution of the original — still casual, approachable and welcoming, but with more room for people to gather and make it their own,” chef and co-owner Daniel Lee said in a statement. “And the fact that we’re taking over a former bank makes it even more fun, we’re finding creative ways to preserve some of the character of the original space while giving it a whole new life as Himari.”

Photo by Studio Rivera

Himari offers sushi, skewers, and more.

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