here comes the breeze

Houston Tex-Mex favorite and margarita hot spot claims familiar space in River Oaks for seventh locale

A Houston Tex-Mex favorite will open a new location in River Oaks this fall. Cyclone Anaya’s has claimed the current Frank’s Americana Revival space at 3736 Westheimer Rd. for its seventh location.

A Houston staple since 1966, Cyclone Anaya’s is known for its classic Tex-Mex fare — such as enchiladas, fajitas, and queso — and potent margaritas. The Sugar Land-based Dhanani Group acquired the restaurant in 2017 from Ricardo Valencia and Vienna Valencia Bement, the children of the restaurant’s eponymous founder.

At 6,250-square-feet, the new Cyclone Anaya’s is expected to seat more than 200 people when it opens this fall. To create a more modern look than its existing locations, the restaurant recruited Gin Design Group, Tramonte Design Group, and Anchor Construction Management. Plans call for an indoor/outdoor bar, plenty of parking, and a dedicated entrance for curbside and to-go orders.

“We are excited to continue to grow the Cyclone Anaya’s brand in Houston to new neighborhoods where we know our famous Tex-Mex will be enjoyed daily,” Cyclone Anaya’s president Usman Dhanani said in a statement. “We are excited to showcase this new location that will bring a modern design aesthetic with the same hospitality and unbeatable cuisine.”

Cyclone Anaya’s will join an area that has lots of Tex-Mex options. Escalante is just down the street in Highland Village, and Chuy’s is a mile to the east near Kirby Dr. Other nearby options include El Tiempo Cantina, Pappasito’s, and Valencia’s Tex-Mex Garage, the restaurant created by Valencia and Bement after they sold Cyclone Anaya’s.

As CultureMap has previously reported, Frank’s Americana Revival is moving to the nearby Alexan River Oaks building later this year. It will close its Westheimer location on June 30.

Cyclone Anaya's River Oaks exterior rendering

Courtesy of Gin Design Group

Cyclone Anaya's is coming to River Oaks this fall.

Tex Mex River Oaks openings news-you-can-eat

one last squeeze

Ben Berg's New York-inspired, fancy burger joint will soon shutter

Photo by Leah Wilson

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The original location of Ben Berg’s fancy burger joint will soon serve its last meal. B.B. Lemon on Washington Avenue will close after service on Sunday, June 1, the restaurant announced on social media.

In response to CultureMap’s request for comment about the decision, a representative provided a statement that reads in part:

“It is never an easy decision to close a restaurant,” Berg said. “The love Houston has shown B.B. Lemon-Washington over the years is what made it such a special place. Thank you for making us part of your everyday moments and life celebrations.”

The statement continues that the restaurant is “no longer part of our strategic plan,” referring to Berg’s company, Berg Hospitality Group. However, the location of B.B Lemon that opened last year in the downtown tunnels will remain open.

Open since late 2018, B.B. Lemon takes inspiration from iconic New York City restaurant JG Melon, including its signature green-and-white checked tablecloths. Thanks to a spacious patio and a lively atmosphere, B.B. Lemon soon found favor with area residents and downtown office workers, who made it a happy hour favorite.

Like its decor, B.B. Lemon’s menu also takes inspiration from the East Coast. In addition to a diner-style, wagyu cheeseburger, the restaurant serves an array of comfort food that includes fish and chips, a lobster roll, and blue crab beignets.

Berg’s decision to close B.B. Lemon follows last year’s closure of Benny Chows, its New York-inspired Chinese American restaurant. In January, the company closed NoPo Cafe to make way for a new location of Bagel Bob’s HTX.

The group also opened three new concepts in 2024: live fire steakhouse Prime 131, retro diner Buttermilk Baby, and upscale steakhouse Turner’s Cut. It will open a second location of Buttermilk Baby in Sugar Land this summer.

news-you-can-eat closings