gimme a grimm burger

Historic Houston burger joint sets opening date for new Woodlands store

One of Houston’s most beloved burger joints will open its third location this weekend. Lankford’s will open its new location in The Woodlands this Saturday, January 31.

Located in the former Baja Cantina space at 24 Waterway Ave., the new Lankford’s builds on the legacy of the restaurant’s two existing locations in Midtown and Bellaire. It offers a number of amenities, such as a 12-tap, self-serve beer wall; a milkshake bar with both traditional shakes and boozy options for adults; and dog-friendly dishes that will include a donation to the Montgomery County Animal Shelter.

Lankford’s signature burgers form the heart of the menu. They include a classic cheeseburger as well as more creative options, including the Grim Burger, a bacon cheeseburger topped with mac and cheese, jalapeños, and a fried egg, and the spicy Firehouse burger, topped with habanero mustard, cayenne butter, and jalapeños. Non-burger options include chicken sandwiches, chili, and a maple-bourbon pork chop.

Customers also have the opportunity to join Lankford’s Reserve, the restaurant’’s new wine club. Priced at $360 per year, members get access to wholesale pricing on select wines, discounts on meals at Lankford’s, and other perks.

The restaurant’s original location traces its roots back to the 1937 when Aubrey and Nona Lankford opened Lankford Grocery. Their daughter, Eydie Lankford Prior, converted the grocery into an icehouse and restaurant that became lauded for its burgers and Texas comfort food. When Eydie retired, her son Paul Prior took over the family business and opened its second location in Belliare. The Woodlands location will be led by the fourth generation of the family — Paul Prior’s daughter, Sydney van der Does, and her husband, Nicolas van der Does.

Ahead of its grand opening on Saturday, the restaurant is hosting a reservation-only soft opening. From there, it will be open for lunch and dinner Monday-Friday beginning at 11 am and brunch and dinner on Saturday and Sunday beginning at 10 am.

Lankford's restaurant The Woodlands Grimm Burger

Photo by Lauren Lutz

The cult-favorite Grimm Burger is a bacon cheeseburger topped with mac and cheese and a fried egg.

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shining star

New chicken restaurant flies into Houston with 'gluten-friendly' tendies

Courtesy of Starbird

Starbird sells chicken tenders, chicken nuggets, chicken sandwiches, and more.

A local restaurant group is bringing a California-based chicken concept to Texas. Mac Haik Restaurant Group announced it has reached an agreement with Starbird to open locations in Houston, Austin, and San Antonio.

Founded in the San Francisco area in 2016, Starbird is a fast casual restaurant with 19 locations in California and Colorado. It serves fried chicken sandwiches, chicken tenders, chicken nuggets, chicken wings, and salads that are made with chicken that’s “all-natural, never-frozen, antibiotic-free” and covered in a “gluten-friendly breading” that’s cooked fresh to order, according to a press release.

Pair them with sides such as cole slaw, french fries, crispy Thai Brussels sprouts, or elote. Diners can dip their tenders in 11 sauces, including Greek yogurt ranch, Thai herb aioli, honey mustard, honey chipotle bbq, and more.

Part of Mac Haik Enterprises Ltd, Mac Haik Restaurant Group operates a number of franchised restaurants, including breakfast concept First Watch Daytime Café, the Original ChopShop, and Due’ Cucina. It will open Kirkwood, an upscale supper club, later this spring in a West Houston office building that’s also owned by MHE.

“We evaluate opportunities through the lens of long-term brand relevance, not just unit growth,” MHRG COO Dan Anfinson said in a statement. “Starbird delivers a level of culinary quality and operational sophistication that we believe is still underserved in the premium fast-casual chicken category, particularly in Texas. The brand has a clear point of view and the systems to scale responsibly. That combination is rare, and we’re excited to introduce it thoughtfully across our markets.”

The company intends to open as many as 36 locations beginning in 2027, but MHRG is still in the process of securing specific locations. It will announce which city will be first to receive a Starbird at a later time.

“This agreement reflects the strength of our business model and the clarity of our long-term vision,” added Starbird CEO Greg Levin. “As we mark our 10th anniversary, this is shaping up to be our biggest year yet in terms of expansion. Texas is a critical market for us moving forward, and partnering with an experienced organization like Mac Haik Restaurant Group allows us to grow thoughtfully while staying true to what makes Starbird special.”

Courtesy of Starbird

Starbird sells chicken tenders, chicken nuggets, chicken sandwiches, and more.

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