hello, dolly

LA-based waffle and ice cream shop chills out with 2 new Houston-area outposts full of sweet treats and llama love

The Dolly Llama is known for its bubble waffles.

Dolly Llama

A Los Angeles-based dessert shop is bringing its waffles and ice cream to Houston. The Dolly Llama will open its first two Houston-area stores next month in Shenandoah (8920 Metropark #800) and Pearland (3589 Business Center Dr #110).

Founded in 2017 by real estate investor Eric Shomof and restaurateur Samuel Baroux, the Dolly Llama has earned a devoted following for its Hong Kong-style bubble waffles that have a crispy exterior and a custard-like texture. Named for an actual llama that Baroux encountered while traveling in France, the concept has grown to three Los Angeles stores as well as locations in Dallas, Las Vegas, and Florida.

In addition to bubble waffles, the Dolly Llama serves Belgian-style liege waffles. Diners can “build their own” waffles with a range of ice cream flavors (vanilla, chocolate, ube, green tea, etc), sauces (nutella, peanut butter, sweetened condensed milk, etc), and a wide array of fruit, candy, cereals, and other sweets. They also offer ice cream by-the-scoop and creative milkshakes.

Adding to the appeal is an eye-catching interior with llama prints, signage, and other photo-worthy elements. That combination of sweet treats and creative branding has allowed the brand to sign franchise agreements for growth its existing states as well as Utah, South Carolina, and North Carolina.

“2022 was a great year for us as we built a foundation of opening franchises in new markets, but 2023 is shaping up to bring even more growth for The Dolly Llama brand,” Shomof said in a statement. “The popularity of the concept has exceeded our expectations, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to have over 50 signed deals across the country. We’re thankful to our new and loyal guests who continue to support each opening.”

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goodbye, grand lux

Eclectic comfort food restaurant to shutter after 21 years in Houston

Grand Lux Cafe

Beignets with three sauces, thanks Grand Lux Cafe.

A staple of the Galleria-area dining scene will soon serve its last meal. Grand Lux Cafe will close January 24, 2026.

A representative provided CultureMap with a statement from Alethea Rowe, senior director, public relations and global branding, for Grand Lux owner The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated:

After extensive review and analysis, the company made the difficult decision to discontinue operation of our Grand Lux Cafe in Houston. Our last day of service will be January 24, 2026. We are working with our staff to help transition them to other opportunities, including transfers to our other concepts in the area. We have truly enjoyed being a part of the local community over the last 21 years and hope that our guests will continue to dine with us at our other restaurants in the area.

News of the closing was first reported by Chron after it circulated on social media.

Open since December 2004, the massive, 12,100-square-foot restaurant serves a crowd-pleasing menu of eclectic, globally-inspired comfort food in a setting inspired by European design. Diners can choose from a wide array of dishes, including pot stickers, Buffalo wings, burgers, salads, pastas, steaks, seafood, and more. Baked-to-order desserts — including chocolate chip-pecan cookies and molten chocolate cake — are particularly can’t-miss.

Cheesecake Factory operate a number of restaurants across the Houston area, including those of its subsidiary Fox Restaurant Concepts. It recently opened its “greatest neighborhood restaurant” The Henry in Town & Country Village.

Although Grand Lux is leaving its location at the Centre at Post Oak, the shopping center will remain a likely remain a culinary destination. Various media outlets have reported that Eataly, described by CultureMap Dallas as a “mega-shopping and eating experience, with restaurants, bakery, wine shop, and retail store, all promoting the awesomeness of Italian food” will soon begin construction on its first Houston location at the development.

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