hands up

Heights favorite sushi spot now serving hand rolls in Spring Branch

A popular Heights restaurant has arrived in Spring Branch. Hando is now serving sushi hand rolls, small plates, and cocktails in the Spring Branch Village shopping center (8141 Long Point Rd.).

The new location is similar to the original Hando that opened in 2019. A slightly larger space means its sushi counter seats 30 people — six more than the Heights. The intimate restaurants found in Japanese train stations inspired the space’s design.

“We can’t wait to share the Hando experience with this neighborhood,” co-owner Jason Andaya said in a statement. “Everyone on the team has been working so hard to make sure Spring Branch gets the same friendly service, fresh food, and creative drinks that our Heights guests have enjoyed over the last four years.”

Chef Man Nguyen's menu is built around set offerings of three, four, or five hand rolls along with a la carte offerings. In order to ensure the nori wrapper stays crispy, rolls are prepared and served individually. Small plates such as Brussels sprouts, gyoza, and izakaya-style skewers round out the offerings. Limited time specials add a touch of novelty. They're paired with creative cocktails, sake, and beer.

The Heights location has a companion cocktail bar called Kanpai Club. Spring Branch has a similar, speakeasy-style spot, but it’s under wraps for now. A representative tells CultureMap details about it will be released soon.

“We’re very excited to announce that our second Hando restaurant has opened in Spring Branch,” co-owner Raymond Chan added. “We looked at other areas, but a number of factors, including the mix and caliber of restaurants in the neighborhood, made Spring Branch the logical choice.”

As he notes, Hando is located in the same shopping center as a number of other restaurants, including The Blind Goat, Feges BBQ, Stuffed Belly, Jinya Ramen, Slowpokes, and Barnaby’s. Spring Branch also recently welcomed Texas comfort food restaurant Wild Oats, a second location of Underbelly Burger, and The Decoy, a lively sports bar with volleyball courts.

Courtesy of Hando

The design is inspired by Japanese train stations.

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Stay trill, owls

Bun B serves up smash hit smash burgers at Houston's Rice University

Photo by Quit Nguyen

Bun B is bringing Trill Burgers to Rice University.

Faculty, students, and staff at Rice University will have a fresh new dining option when classes resume for the fall semester. Trill Burgers will open its fourth Houston-area location on campus beginning Monday, August 17.

Located at the Rice Memorial Center, the new Trill Burgers will serve the restaurant’s signature smash burgers, which are available in either beef or vegan versions. That starts with the OG Trill Burger, made with two smashed beef patties, pickles, caramelized onions, Trill Sauce, and American cheese on a Martin’s potato roll. A vegan version uses plant-based smashed patties, vegan sauce, and vegan cheese. Burgers will be sold individually or as a combo with fries and a drink. Students will be able to use their campus dining dollars (Tetra) to purchase their meals.

Bun B, a Houston hip-hop legend and co-founder of Trill Burgers, has long had ties to Rice University. In 2011, 2013, and 2015, he served as a distinguished lecturer, co-teaching Religion and Hip-Hop Culture with Anthony Pinn, the Agnes Cullen Arnold Distinguished Professor of the Humanities.

“This is truly full circle for me,” Bun B said in a statement. “To bring this brand to Rice University where I once taught is a major moment for Trill Burgers and for myself.”

In addition to Trill Burgers, Rice is also home to locations of breakfast favorite Dandelion Cafe and salad and sandwich concept Local Foods Market.

“We are excited to build upon this long-standing relationship while giving the Rice community an authentic taste of Houston,” Beth Leaver, Rice’s assistant vice president of housing, dining, and hospitality, added. “Trill Burgers brings a distinctive and celebrated part of Houston’s culinary culture to the Rice campus. I am often asked about adding a great burger option, and this partnership fills an important gap in our dining portfolio.”

While the restaurant is open to the general public, its proximity to the original Trill Burgers location (3607 S. Shepherd Dr.) means it will likely appeal primarily to people who are already on campus. Initially, the restaurant will be open from 11 am-5 pm.

Opening at Rice comes at a time of continued growth for Trill Burgers. In December, the restaurant opened in Missouri City. It is expected to open a new location at Westheimer and Hillcroft (7616 Westheimer Rd.) as soon as this month.

burgers rice university openings bun b trill burgers