hungry, hungry Houstonians

Houston Mediterranean restaurant opens first new location in 43 years

One of Houston’s most enduring Mediterranean restaurants will soon open its first new location in more than 40 years. Hungry’s will unveil its new Tanglewood location on Monday, August 19.

Located at 5750 Woodway Dr., Hungry’s took pieces from three former restaurants to create a space large enough to accommodate diners from Tanglewood, Briargrove, and the Memorial villages who want to dine on Hungry’s fresh, Mediterranean-inspired fare. The main dining room, approximately 6,000 square feet, has been created by combining spaces that used to house Le Peep and Skeeter’s. A private dining room that can also be used for overflow seating is situated in the space that used to be Barnaby’s.

The restaurant also features an indoor-outdoor bar and an expansive, dog friendly patio patio. Design details include gold lighting, a wooden accent wall, and banquet seating.

Taken together, that means plenty of room for eating, drinking, and socializing. Founded in 1975, Hungry’s wide-ranging menu includes pizzas, salads, sandwiches, kebabs, gyros, and more for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch. To keep up with contemporary tastes, diners will also find a selection of plant-based dishes imported from Heartbeet, a sister restaurant that’s located next to Hungry’s Memorial Drive location.

Hungry's food spread Start with tuna tartare, spinach-artichoke dip, or crab cakes.Photo by Becca Wright

The restaurant is owned by the Nowamooz and Sharifi families, who have also applied their expertise to the rapidly growing Local Table restaurant brand. While executive chef Sue Nowamooz and her husband Ashkan (the nephew of Hungry’s founder Fred Sharifi) remain involved, so too is their daughter Nousha in her role as vice president of development.

“Our family has poured our hearts and souls into this concept, so amid a robust restaurant scene in Houston, it is incredibly humbling to have had the support of the community for 50 over years,” Nousha said in a statement. “It’s because of that support that we’ve been able to capitalize on our success and bring Hungry’s to one of Houston’s most coveted neighborhoods.”

Once the restaurant opens, it will serve lunch, dinner, and brunch. Hungry’s staples such as catering and in-house delivery will also be available. The restaurant opens at 11 am Monday-Friday and 9 am on Saturday and Sunday.

Photo by Becca Wright

The new Hungry's will open on Monday, August 19.

news-you-can-eat openings tanglewood

blinded with science

New York's science-themed holiday bar shakes up the Museum District

Courtesy of Drunken Lab

Conduct holiday-themed science experiments at the LIT-Mas Spectacular.

A taste of Manhattan has made its way to Houston with the immersive LIT-Mas Spectacular holiday pop-up. From now until January 12, Houstonians can discover the hype behind New York City’s The Drunken Lab that's known for its unique blend of science and cocktails.

This pop-up marks the first expansion for The Drunken Lab’s parent company, Science and Sip, a concept created to make science accessible and unforgettable. Attendees can dive into holiday-themed science experiments — including explosive endothermic reactions — while enjoying festive cocktails in a winter wonderland setting enhanced with a live DJ. Appropriately, the pop-up is located in the Museum District at 4715 Main Street.

“Houston was the perfect next step for Science and Sip,” founder Cautney Nelson said in a statement. “The city’s vibrant culture, love of celebration, and ties to science through world-famous programs like NASA aligns beautifully with our mission to blend entertainment with discovery.”

Visitors enter a world filled with larger-than-life gingerbread decor and candy-inspired installations where light bulbs and laboratory flasks have been transformed into quirky beverage containers. Admission includes one cocktail or mocktail, a lab coat and goggles, and two to three science experiments. Add-ons like cocktail-filled ornament “Booze Balls” and Grinch-inspired pouches in festive red and green add an extra dose of holiday charm.

“We’re thrilled to host guests for an immersive holiday experience that merges festive fun with curiosity,” Nelson added. “With each pop-up, we aim to create a space where a great party and exploration come together, and we’re excited to see how Houston embraces The LIT-Mas Spectacular.”

A portion of the proceeds from LIT-Mas will benefit Millennial Scnce, a nonprofit founded by Nelson that provides students with accessible STEM resources and educational opportunities.

Tickets are available for Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, with showtimes at 2:30 pm, 6 pm, and 9 pm. Private party and group bookings are also available.

Courtesy of Drunken Lab

Conduct holiday-themed science experiments at the LIT-Mas Spectacular.

cocktails holidays museum district nightlife