Rope 'em

10 Houston restaurants saddling up can't-miss Rodeo dishes and deals

It's that time again, when all of Houston decks itself out in cowboy hats and boots, amps up its two-stepping skills, and celebrates that thing they call Rodeo. But it's not just on the grounds of NRG Park where diners will find great eating. All across the city, restaurants are offering specials throughout Rodeo season. Rope 'em before they're gone.

Cafe Leonelli
The fast-casual option inside the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston gets into the Rodeo spirit with a braised pulled pork sandwich, made with house barbecue sauce, dijon mustard, arugula, tomatoes, and pickled onions. The special is available through Sunday, March 24.

Dandelion Cafe
The Bellaire restaurant is serving Brisket Breakfast Hash, made with smoked brisket from their neighbors at Blood Bros BBQ, bell peppers, onions, country potatoes, and two eggs made to order. It's available all day, every day, through March 17.

Eunice
Come on by the Upper Kirby restaurant for an extended happy hour from 2-6 pm throughout Rodeo season and opt for a Tumbleweed cocktail, made with vodka and jalapeno, or the Texas Ranger, a blend of tequila, pomegranate, and lime. Those needing some sustenance with their drinks can tuck into chef Drake’s Grilled Cowboy Ribeye, served with crawfish butter, green asparagus, and Yukon gold potatoes. All special are available through March 17.

Georgia James
In honor of Rodeo season, the Montrose steakhouse has transformed its upstairs lounge into GJ Saloon. In addition to live music Wednesday through Saturday, customers can look for happy hour specials between 5 and 7 pm. There's also a special Rodeo prix fixe menu for $95 that includes an appetizer, entree, and dessert. Diners may select from choices such as a half-dozen oysters, crab hushpuppies, 44 Farms Ribeye with fried Brussels sprouts, Gulf fish with Szechuan style noodles and charred cabbage, and pecan pie.

Hilton Americas-Houston
Head to the hotel's lobby bar for the BBQ Beef Brisket Sandwich – crafted with mesquite-smoked, Black Angus beef brisket, topped with barbecue sauce and smoked gouda. Served on a soft brioche bun, the sandwich is paired with steak fries, bread and butter pickles, and a side of ranch-style baked beans. It's available through March 17.

Loch Bar
The River Oaks District seafood restaurant offers 15-percent off customer checks through March 17, when they present their Rodeo Houston badge or Rodeo tickets.

Marmo
Rodeo revelers will appreciate the restaurant's extended happy hour, available from 2-6 pm through March 17. On the weekends, Marmo offers a reverse happy hour from 10 pm to midnight.

Drink highlights include $6 select glasses of wine, $5 Peroni beer and $8 cocktails. Food specials include $2 oysters on the half shell with Calabrian chili mignonette and $7 pastas such as rigatoni alla vodka, veal bolognese, and polpette (meatballs with tomato sauce). Marmo’s extended happy hours will be available at the bar, in the lounge, or on the patio.

Puttshack
This year is the downtown destination's first rodeo, and they're doing it up with specials like Korean BBQ Bao Buns ($15) and the Pitmaster sandwich, made with smoked chicken, barbecue sauce, smoked Gouda, red onion, jalapeños, and buttermilk ranch ($16).

Relish
Head to this River Oaks spot to sample a full menu of Rodeo-themed treats. Try the 44 Farms Mini Corn Dogs for $10 or the pulled pork sandwich for $16, made with Relish's barbecue sauce and slaw, served on a brioche bun with a side of fries — both available from 11 am - 5:30 pm. Other options can be had from open to close, including the Space City Cowboy with bourbon, blackberry, mint, lemon, and maple and the Rodeo Rita with mezcal, tequila, lime, blood orange, and bitters for $14 each.

Pulled port sandwich on a wheat-looking bun with arugula sitting on a white plate.

Courtesy of Cafe Leonelli

THE MFAH's Cafe Leonelli has a pulled pork sandwich special on the menu through March 24.

Tacos A Go Go
Rodeo Committee members who present their current badges at the Midtown location can get a 15-percent discount, an acknowledgement of the hard work put in by the Rodeo's tens of thousands of volunteers. With its location on the METRO light rail's red line, volunteers can travel easily between the restaurant and the Rodeo grounds.

happy-hours news-you-can-eat

there's the rub

Restaurant known for 'new Houston cuisine' now open in Cypress

Courtesy of Jonathan's the Rub

Jonathan's the Rub serves steaks and other dishes.

A restaurant known for its eclectic “new Houston cuisine” has opened in Cypress. The fourth location of Jonathan’s the Rub is now open for dinner in Bridgeland (20215 Bridgeland Creek Parkway).

First announced last year, the new Jonathan’s is located in Village Green, a 70-acre mixed-use development within the 925-acre Bridgeland Central district. The 5,500-square-foot restaurant includes two patios totaling 2,600 square feet, giving the restaurant plenty of room for private dining rooms, a bar area, and indoor-outdoor areas with fire pits and greenery.

“We were looking for the next frontier — a community with a booming population and a clear vision for growth that aligns with our brand,” chef-owner Jonathan Levine said in a statement. “When we discovered Bridgeland and learned it was a Howard Hughes development, we were immediately impressed. With their reputation for developing generational communities, we felt confident that Bridgeland was the right place for our family and for Jonathan’s the Rub.”

Like Jonathan’s three other locations, the menu at Bridgeland is built around Levine’s signature “new Houston cuisine,” a kicked-up take on comfort food that includes everything from lobster tacos and blackened shrimp and grits to Italian American classics and steakhouse fare.

Village Green is also home to H-E-B and restaurants such as Sweet Paris Crêperie & Café and Crust Pizza Co. Austin-based burger joint P. Terry’s will open there next year.

“Jonathan’s the Rub’s arrival in Bridgeland Central brings a distinguished addition to the culinary scene in both the community and northwest Houston,” said Jim Carman, president of the Texas region, for Bridgeland developer Howard Hughes Communities. “We’re proud to partner with exceptional restaurateurs like Chef Jonathan Levine to bring elevated dining experiences that enhance the lifestyle offerings for our residents and neighbors.”

Courtesy of Jonathan's the Rub

Jonathan's the Rub serves steaks and other dishes.