BRW 2023

Houston's Black Restaurant Week returns with more than 70 mouthwatering options

One of Houston’s most popular dining events has returned for 2023. Black Restaurant Week takes place from April 2-16.

Founded in 2016 by Warren Luckett, Falayn Ferrell, and Derek Robinson, the event shines a spotlight on Black-owned restaurants and other culinary businesses and serves as a showcase for African American, African, and Caribbean cuisine. Organizers cite a 15-percent increase in business for participating restaurants as proof of the event’s popularity.

“From being overlooked for revitalization funds to inflation, most Black-owned culinary businesses cannot afford advertisements/PR/marketing to build awareness and attract consumers,” Luckett said in a statement. “That’s why we proudly do this for free — it’s peer-to-peer support for 10 or 14 days within each market and for the past seven years.”

This year’s event features more than 70 restaurants, caterers, and food trucks. Below are five restaurants that have opened new locations in the last year or so along with one of Third Ward’s most popular breakfast spots.

Bungalow Downtown Dining
Part of ALife Hospitality Group (Lost & Found, Kamp, etc.), this luxurious restaurant on Main St. is participating in its first BRW. The $65, three-course menu begins with appetizers such as spicy seafood bisque and wagyu meatballs. Entree choices include filet mignon with garlic butter, a pork chop with chimichurri, and Texas redfish topped with crab. Finish with one of three desserts.

Kuji’s Kitchen
At this new coffee shop and restaurant in the South Park neighborhood, chef Keisha Griggs has partnered with Houston farmers Jeremy Peaches of Fresh Life Organics and Ivy Walls to serve healthy, Caribbean-inspired dishes made with locally-sourced ingredients. The restaurant’s BRW menu include choices such as a Classic Sunday plate that comes with Trinidadian Stew Chicken, Macaroni Pie, and Coconut Red Beans; a Trinidadian flatbread stuffed with curry chickpeas; and a smoked salmon burger topped with a fried egg, pickled red onions, caper-avocado mayo, and Dijon mustard.

Mo Better Brews
Third Ward residents have been flocking to this vegan coffee shop and restaurant since it opened in 2021. For BRW, it will be featuring specials such as the Blvd. Burger, chicken-fried mushrooms and grits with three different sauces, gumbo, and chicken fried mushrooms and waffle

1929 Po-boy Kitchen
Located at Lyric Market in the Theater District downtown, this Louisiana-inspired eatery offers a compelling menu of sandwiches, gumbo, seafood, and more. At lunch, the restaurant is offering a two-course, $25 menu that include choice of cucumber salad or fried green tomatoes and a choice of Buffalo chicken po’ boy or shrimp and grits. The $45, three-course dinner menu features entree choices such as beef rib yakamein, blacked catfish po’ boy, and whole fried snapper. Add strawberry lemonade or blueberry limeade for $3.99 more.

The Smoke
Among the newest additions to downtown’s Finn Hall food hall is this barbecue joint from Oxtail Mash Up winner Reginald Scott. The restaurant’s BRW offerings include chicken boudin with choice of side ($15) and a stuffed turkey leg with a side ($25).

Stuff’d Wings
Located in the Ion mixed-use development, this food truck-turned-restaurant sells chicken wings and chicken tenders stuffed with fillings like dirty rice and mac and cheese. Its BRW special is four stuffed tenders with fries and a purple lemonade for $14 (usually $18).

Courtesy of The Smoke

Chef Reginald Scott serves barbecue at The Smoke.

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Make a wish

Mexico City-style bar shakes up Houston with modern sips and Michelin-worthy eats

Photo by Josh Aranda

A U-shaped bar is a focal point.

A Mexico City-inspired bar from two of Houston's most well-regarded nightlife operators will soon open its doors. 1111 will begin its soft opening this Monday, May 4.

Located next to Doc’s Jazz Club at 1111 Westheimer, 1111 is the latest project from Melrose owners Army Sadeghi and Brandon Duliakas. Sadeghi tells CultureMap that where Melrose is built for groups, 1111 is a more immersive experience, with more sophisticated cocktails and an elevated food program by chef Emmanuel Chavez, chef and co-owner of Houston’s Michelin-starred Tatemó.

“I’d choose 1111 for something more elevated, such as a date,” Sadeghi writes in a text. “Melrose is better for a more social night with bigger groups and that indoor-outdoor patio energy.”

To create the cocktail program, Sadeghi and Duliakas collaborated with bartenders who had worked at Handshake Speakeasy, the Mexico City standout that ranked No. 1 in the world in 2024 and remains No. 12 in 2026. By employing modern techniques such as clarification, fat washing, and advanced infusions, 1111 is focused on elevating classic cocktails and delivering a consistent experience from visit to visit.

“We approached 1111 with a clear focus on how the bar program, kitchen, and design work together,” Duliakas said in a statement. “From the precision behind the cocktails to the depth and flexibility of the menu, we wanted every detail to be developed with intention, and the design is meant to bring that same intention into the space. We’re really excited to bring this to Houston and hope guests enjoy it as much as we’ve loved creating it.”

Whereas Chavez created playful bar food for Melrose such as chicken fingers with caviar, tuna over crispy rice, and a cheeseburger, the food at 1111 is more explicitly Mexican. It includes a tuna tostada, empanadas, and guacamole. Entrees include a wagyu carne asada and a whole grilled sea bass with green and red sauces that’s presented in the style of Contramar, Mexico City’s celebrated seafood restaurant that holds a Bib Gourmand designation in the Michelin Guide.

In terms of design, the 4,500-square-foot space is decorated in neutral tones with blond wood accents. Diners may sit at the oval-shaped or on custom, lounge-style furniture and banquets. Well-placed lighting enhances the room’s intimate feeling.

1111 is part of Houston developer Radom Capital’s redevelopment of the former Tower Theater property. In addition to Doc’s, it is also home to a location of South African chicken restaurant Nando’s Peri-Peri and Houston Chinese food staple Mala Sichuan.

Photo by Jason Haas

A U-shaped bar is a focal point.

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