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    refreshed express

    River Oaks fast casual restaurant staple upgrades with new look and fresh eats

    Eric Sandler
    Sep 29, 2022 | 1:30 pm
    Cafe Express River Oaks interior

    Cafe Express reopens October 4.

    Photo by Michael Anthony

    One of Houston's most enduring fast casual restaurants will soon sport a fresh new look. Café Express' location in River Oaks Plaza will reopen October 4 after a comprehensive series of upgrades.

    Created by Cafe Annie partners chef Robert Del Grande and restaurateur Lonnie Schiller (Schiller is also a CultureMap co-founder) after a trip to Europe, this Café Express location has received a series of upgrades to bring it in line with contemporary dining trends. For example, dedicated curbside parking spots and to-go shelves expedite picking up to-go orders.

    First opened in 1991, the River Oaks restaurant also has a new look inspired by European cafes. The interior features wood floors, leather banquettes, and a light fixture that spells out "River Oaks." Similar changes will roll out to Cafe Express' location in Meyerland and Town & Country.

    New dishes complement the updated interior. They include a tuna nicoise salad, Romesco chicken, and bavette steak with lemon-herb sauce. They join Cafe Express favorites like chicken deli salad, basil pesto Chicken, and Mediterranean grilled salmon. Even better, the restaurant has brought back its signature condiment bar that includes olives and imported breadsticks.


    Cafe Express bavette steakGet a steak at the new Cafe Express.Photo by Michael Anthony

    Dine-in service has been upgraded, too. Customers still order at a counter, but the restaurant will now deliver trays to people's tables.

    “The remodel of our River Oaks restaurant marks an exciting time in the evolutionary journey of the beloved Café Express brand,” Café Express president Sarah McAloon said in a statement “Not only have we totally renovated our River Oaks location, but we have also elevated the menu and overall dining experience while maintaining prices that are in keeping with a family-friendly, craft-casual neighborhood restaurant.”

    Debuting a new look represents a comeback for the restaurant, which exited the Dallas market in 2020 after operating there for more than 25 years. Plans call for opening 30 locations, 15 each in the Houston and Dallas areas, by 2030. First up will be a store in The Woodlands, according to a release.

    "The beautifully remodeled River Oaks location is the first example of our expansion plan and designs,” McAloon added. “We are thrilled to breathe new energy into this pioneering restaurant concept and introduce it to a whole new generation of future Café Express lovers."

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    Raise the Steaks

    12 special Houston steak nights served Monday through Thursday

    Brianna McClane
    Aug 28, 2026 | 4:00 pm
    Turner's steak night prime affairs
    Photo by Kristen Gilliam
    Turner’s "Prime Affairs" night offers steaks ranging from an eight-ounce American Wagyu ($88) to a 22-ounce prime dry-aged bone-in ribeye ($123), served with sides and choice of enhancement.

    Houstonians love a deal, especially when it involves a juicy steak. Thankfully, Houston's bars and restaurants devote lots of to creating compelling steak night specials. These are a few that caught our attention, mostly new additions with a few familiar favorites thrown in as a reminder of their consistent excellence.

    Monday

    EZ's Liquor Lounge
    This award-winning, retro-inspired cocktail bar in the Heights serves a 12-ounce strip with a salad and mashed potatoes for $32 every Monday beginning at 6 pm.

    Memorial Trail Ice House
    After reopening in June, Memorial Trail Ice House added a steak night on Mondays. Dig into a ribeye steak with bacon-smashed mozzarella potatoes and salad for $21. Take advantage of industry night, too, with $5 Espolon, $5 Jäger, $5 Maniball Peanut Butter Tequila, and $8 Good Boy seltzers.

    Tuesday

    Griff’s
    The steak night at this beloved Irish pub has a loyal following. The $24 plate comes with a marinated steak, giant baked potato, a visit to the full potato-fixings bar, and a draft beer.

    Toga
    This Japanese-inspired pub offers a $29 steak night deal on Tuesdays from 4-10 pm. Diners get an eight-ounce steak with housemade chimichurri sauce, plus sweet potato mash with chili garlic and a house salad topped of frisée, cabbage, and tomato that's topped with creamy ginger dressing and sesame seeds.

    Turner’s
    For an elevated take on steak night, Turner’s "Prime Affairs" night showcases three cuts on Tuesdays: an eight-ounce American wagyu filet mignon ($88), an 18-ounce prime dry-aged bone-in New York strip ($76), and a 22-ounce prime dry-aged bone-in ribeye ($123). Each comes with a choice of True Madeira, smoked chimichurri, or au poivre, along with potato purée and grilled asparagus. For the whole table, the “After Dark” board serves three to four guests and includes all three steaks for $275.

    Wednesday

    The Blind Goat
    The Spring Branch eatery from MasterChef winner Christine Ha serves a steak frites special on Wednesdays for $27.

    Confessions
    It’s all-you-can-eat ribeye and fries for $45 on Wednesdays at this hookah bar and restaurant. Diners can also get $5 glasses of wine and $20 bottles.

    KP’s Kitchen
    Wednesdays bring all-day happy hour and prime rib night to the Spring Branch restaurant. Diners can pair the steak with their first glass of red wine for $1, or take advantage of $7 drinks and $7 appetizers during happy hour.

    Yuma
    Known for its Brazilian and Cuban sandwiches, Yuma gets in on the steak night trend on Wednesdays. A slab of picanha, also known as top sirloin cap, is coated in a housemade dry rub, smoked slowly, and sliced like prime rib. It’s served with yuca fries, sautéed mustard greens, and chimichurri.

    Thursday

    Johnny Ritas
    It’s “Noche Asado” at Johnny Rita's on Thursdays from 5-9 pm. The $27 plate comes with a 12-ounce carne asada served with salad and elote. Diners can also take advantage of $2 off frozen margaritas and signature cocktails.

    Jonathan’s The Rub
    Stop by either the Campbell Place ($35) or East End ($30) locations of Jonathan’s The Rub on Thursdays for a 16-ounce New York strip paired with a vegetable and smashed potatoes.

    Starduster Lounge
    The casual Heights spot's steak night comes with a steak, butter poached potatoes, and rotating veg with cowboy butter for $30. Add a margarita for $5.

    Turner’s "Prime Affairs" night offers steaks ranging from an eight-ounce American Wagyu ($88) to a 22-ounce prime dry-aged bone-in ribeye ($123), served with sides and choice of enhancement.

    Turner's steak night prime affairs
    Photo by Kristen Gilliam

    Turner’s "Prime Affairs" night offers steaks ranging from an eight-ounce American Wagyu ($88) to a 22-ounce prime dry-aged bone-in ribeye ($123).

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