Revival relocates

River Oaks comfort food restaurant's big move brings new patio and more

Frank's Americana Revival buttermilk fried chicken

Frank's serves classic fare such as buttermilk fried chicken.

Photos courtesy of Frank's Americana Revival

One of River Oaks's favorite comfort food destination will soon have a new home. Frank's Americana Revival will relocate from its current home on Westheimer to the Alexan River Oaks (3015 Weslayan St.).

Construction on the new restaurant will begin with an eye towards an early 2023 opening. The restaurant will operate at its current location (3736 Westheimer Rd.) through the end of the year.

Opened in 2012 by veteran restaurateur Michael Shine with his sons, beverage specialist Chris Shine and chef Colin Shine, Frank's Americana Revival serves classic American fare in a stylish, mid-century environment. Often regarded as serving one of Houston's finest chicken fried steaks, the menu also features dishes such as crab cakes, a maple-brined pork chop, and buttermilk fried chicken.

“On behalf of the entire Frank’s family, we are excited to share the news about relocating our beloved restaurant,” Michael Shine said in a statement. “While we are looking forward to capitalizing on this move as an opportunity to refresh certain elements of our concept, we’re planning to keep the heart and soul of Frank’s while providing Houstonians a place where the neighborhood can come together to share their best moments with their best relationships.”

As Shine notes, moving to the new location will come with a number of advantages. For the first time, the restaurant will be able to offer patio seating. More interior space will allow the restaurant to expand The White Star Bar, its companion bar and lounge. An expanded kitchen will facilitate growth in both to-go and catering services.

In time, the restaurant will add a companion coffee shop and cafe. Details on the new concept will be announced closer to its opening.

“This is the right move for us and it will allow us to continue serving our loyal customer base that have become our extended family, but also reach new customers that may not have heard of us before,” Shine added.

Matcha News

TikTok star Keith Lee crafts matcha latte for Hill Country flood relief

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Keith Lee hoists his special matcha drink.

The devastating floods that swept across Central Texas on July 4 are bringing out all kinds of charitable endeavors — and that includes a limited-edition beverage from Texas-based TikTok food influencer Keith Lee.

Lee, a social media sensation whose online food reviews have benefited hundreds of small restaurants, is partnering with La La Land Kind Cafe on a special drink: Called the La La Land X Keith Lee Latte, it's a matcha drink in which 100 percent of the proceeds will go towards Kerr County flood relief.

La La Land is the coffee chain founded in Dallas in 2019 with a mission to provide opportunities for fostering youth and individuals in need. It has three locations in Houston, along with 10 across Dallas-Fort Worth and six in Southern California.

The new Keith Lee Latte will consist of double ceremonial matcha, with secret syrup, matcha cloud, a whole fresh strawberry, flaky salt, and matcha powder. (See Lee enjoy the latte in the video below.)

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A post shared by Keith Lee (@keith_lee125)

Matcha is the Japanese green tea powder that has experienced a surge in popularity, appearing in everything from drinks like the matcha latte to desserts like matcha mousse.

Keith Lee Latte is a matcha drink.Instagram

Lee, who relocated to Dallas in 2024, has been on a matcha kick ever since he tried it in Chicago, which he says "led me down a rabbit hole," and it has become his trademark drink. In May, he visited seven cafes across DFW in search of the perfect matcha in town, and that included La La Land, where he ordered a matcha with almond milk.

He also has a charitable history, including a special visit he made to Taste Project in Fort Worth to donate $4,000 to support the nonprofit's mission to fight food insecurity.

The Keith Lee Latte will be available at all La La Land cafes beginning Friday July 11, for a limited time only. From July 11-27, 100 percent of all proceeds will support flood relief efforts in Kerr County — "a community in our home state that’s hurting," La La Land Cafe says.

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