are you in or out?

California cult fave In-N-Out Burger finally reveals opening date for wildly anticipated Woodlands location

The Houston area's new In-N-Out Burger opens this week.

Photo courtesy of In-N-Out Burger

Cult favorite fast food restaurant In-N-Out Burger will open its fourth Houston-area location in The Woodlands this Thursday, November 30, the Houston Chronicle reports. Located in a former Sweet Tomatoes at 1717 Lake Woodlands Dr., it will offer indoor seating for 84 and a 24-seat covered patio.

After years of rumors and speculation, the California-based chain opened two locations in Katy and Stafford simultaneously in 2019. Diners immediately flocked to both with hour or more waits for drive-thru orders.

Debates immediately followed about the newcomer’s quality relative to local favorite Whataburger.

Founder Harry Snyder opened the first In-N-Out in 1948 in Los Angeles’ San Gabriel Valley. The company had become known for a number of firsts and traditions, including being the first drive-thru restaurant to use a two-way speaker system, hand-leafing its lettuce on site, and a not-very-secret menu that's developed a loyal cult following.

Woodlands residents making their first visit to In-N-Out may want to stick to staples like the classic double-double cheeseburger and a milkshake. From there, consider trying the signature “Animal Style” burgers that come topped with pickles, grilled onions, extra spread (a sauce that’s similar to Thousand Island dressing), and mustard fried onto each meat patty.

The Woodlands has seen a number of new bar and restaurants openings recently. The Stand, a more elevated burger-oriented concept from California, opened in Hughes Landing in August. Popular bar Kirby Ice House debuted near the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavillion in September. A second location of whiskey-obsessed comfort food restaurant Bosscat Kitchen & Libations will soon debut in Market Street.

All In-N-Out Burgers locations are open daily beginning at 10:30 am.

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need a hand?

Growing Houston sushi chain rolls into new Galleria-area development

Courtesy of Handies Douzo

Handies Douzo will brings its hand rolls to Uptown later this year.

A growing Houston hand roll restaurant has signed on to a new Galleria-area development. Handies Douzo is the fourth restaurant announced for Central Park Post Oak.

Opened in late 2019, Handies is known for wrapping its rolls in crispy seaweed that gives each bite a distinct crunch. The well-executed dishes and affordable prices helped Handies earn a nomination for Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year in the 2026 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards.

On track to open later this year, the Uptown location will be Handies Douzo’s fourth, joining its original in the Heights as well as restaurants in Montrose and Spring Branch. Like those siblings, it will serve Handies’ familiar menu of hand rolls (temaki), crudos, and sashimi that’s overseen by founding chefs and co-owners Daniel Lee and Patrick Pham.

Duckstache, the hospitality group behind Handies, is working with Houston’s Gin Design Group on the interior. Expect a slightly more upscale look than the restaurant’s other locations, with details such as matte black finishes and dark terrazzo to complement the 26-seat counter.

“We’re really intentional about the neighborhoods we choose and where we think Handies Douzo will feel like a natural fit,” Lee said in a statement. “Houston diners know what they like, and Uptown is such a vibrant, fast-growing area. Central Park Post Oak felt like the right match for our handroll experience and the way people in Houston live, work, and dine.”

Handies is the fourth restaurant that’s announced its plans to open at Central Park Post Oak. The others are:

Buck & Rider, an Arizona-based seafood restaurant known for its oyster bar and lively brunch
The Henry, the “ultimate neighborhood restaurant” from Flower Child owner Fox Restaurant Concepts
Sparrow Italia, an Italian steakhouse from Toca Madera owner Noble 33.

Announced last year, Central Park Post Oak will consist of three buildings with a combined 1.2 million square feet of office space separated by a three-acre lawn. Houston-based real estate development firm Midway, working with real estate investment firms 3Edgewood and Parkway, is developing the property. Construction is expected to be completed in the fall of 2026 with the restaurants openings to follow.

“Handies Douzo represents the kind of thoughtful, chef-driven hospitality we want at the heart of Central Park Post Oak,” Midway vice president Clayton Freels said. “Patrick, Daniel, and the Duckstache team have built a loyal following across Houston, and we are thrilled to help them extend that experience to Uptown in a way that feels authentic to both the brand and the neighborhood.”

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