just in time for valentine's

Beloved Houston bakery and home for sweet treats opens in The Woodlands

Residents of The Woodlands have a new destination for sweet treats — just in time for Valentine’s Day. Dessert Gallery has opened its second Houston-area location in The Woodlands Waterway.

First announced last year, Located in the new Dessert Gallery occupies a former Nestle Toll House Cafe (25 Waterway Ave.). The intimate, 1,150-square-foot space offers indoor seating for 12 along with an 8-seat outdoor patio. As with the bakery’s Upper Kirby location, the interior features purple and turquoise throughout.

The new location features all of the same desserts as the inner loop outpost, including cakes, cookies, and pies. Some of Dessert Gallery’s most popular items include tres leches, the Old-Fashioned Diner Cake, Billionaire Brownies, and French silk pie with an Oreo crust.

“We are so excited to officially open The Woodlands location of Dessert Gallery,” Dessert Gallery owner Sara Brook said in a statement. “We have been creating sweet memories with the Houston community for nearly 30 years, and expanding into The Woodlands was the natural next step. We are so lucky to have found a great location that’s close to staples like The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel & Convention Center, The Westin at The Woodlands, Cinemark movie theater and Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, and we look forward to being part of The Woodlands community.”

As Brook notes, she founded Dessert Gallery almost 30 years ago in 1995, but her roots go back even farther. In 1983, she opened The Executive Sweet out of her parents house. It evolved into Sara Brooks Desserts in 1988.

In an appearance last year on CultureMap’s “What’s Eric Eating” podcast, Brook discussed how the classic nature of her desserts has contributed to Dessert Gallery’s success.

“There have been times in my 40-year career when there have been different trends that come and go with things flying out of a dessert or all sorts of weird accessories. They’re fun to look at or order once, but it’s not something you’d want again,” Brook said. “You want the thing that reminds you of what your grandma made for your birthday. Those are the things that inspire memories and good feelings.”

Photo by Dylan McEwan

Sara Brook founded Dessert Gallery in 1995.

desserts openings the woodlands news-you-can-eat

bigger, better burger chan

Houston's most customizable burger joint is coming to the Heights in May

Photo by Terence Tang

The compelling burger-chan offering — with an egg.

One of Houston’s best burger joints will soon open a second location. Burger Chan is coming to the Heights.

The restaurant has claimed the former Be More Pacific space at 506 Yale St. for a new location that’s expected to open in May. Partners Roveen Abante and Ryan Stewart, who acquired a majority of the restaurant from founders Diane and Willet Feng last year, said they received an overwhelming number of customer requests for a Heights location.

“We’re incredibly grateful for the customers who participated in our poll and shared their thoughts,” Stewart said about the results of an online poll. “Their feedback confirmed what we were already feeling: the Heights is the right next step for Burger Chan.”

Thankfully, Abante and Stewert confirm that the new Burger Chan will serve the exact same menu as the Galleria-area location that opened in 2019. The build-your-own format allows diners to create their perfect combo from two patty sizes, four buns, four cheeses, and more than a dozen vegetables and sauces, including favorites like charred jalapenos, sambal mayo, and scallion aioli.

In a 2023 clip that’s been viewed more than 300,000 times, YouTube food star Mike Chen created a burger topped with 17 ingredients. Houston influencer Shawn the Food Sheep ranks Burger Chan as his favorite in Houston.

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“For longtime fans, nothing about the food is changing,” Abante added. “We’re bringing the full burgerchan experience to the Heights … just in a bigger space with a few new ways to enjoy it. Our goal is to build an amazing and scalable brand while retaining the original vision of Willet and Diane. They built something great and we just want everyone to experience it.”

Since the new location is larger than the Galleria-area store, it will have a dedicated bar area, complete with cocktails and happy hour. It will also sport a new logo that will guide Burger Chan’s identity for this location and beyond.

openings burgers news-you-can-eat the-heights burger chan