Locally Minded

Convivial Canadian sports bar sets opening date for new Woodlands pub

A growing sports bar and restaurant chain will soon make its Houston-area debut. Local Public Eatery will open at Market Street in The Woodlands on August 21.

Located in the former La Madeleine space (9595 Six Pines Dr., Ste 200), Local Public Eatery is owned by the same Canada-based hospitality group behind Joey Uptown, the casual, globally-inspired restaurant that opened at the Galleria in 2021. Founded in 2009, Local Public Eatery has 16 locations across Canada and two in America — one in Seattle and another in Dallas that opened last year.

"We're beyond excited to join The Woodlands community and bring the Local Public Eatery experience to our new neighbors," regional chef Oliver Lewis said in a statement. "Our team has fallen in love with this neighborhood, and we can't wait to create unexpectedly memorable experiences and new opportunities for the people of The Woodlands."

Known for its convivial atmosphere, Local Public Eatery serves what could broadly be considered modern comfort food. The menu includes everything from wings and nachos to burgers, steaks, a poke bowl, and thin crust pizzas. Weekend brunch includes a Dutch baby pancake, pork hash, and eggs Benedict.

LPE’s extensive beverage offerings start with draft beers. It also serves a range of cocktails, including a few different margaritas, along with highballs, martinis, and more. Wines and non-alcoholic options are also available.

Renovations to the 5,100-square-foot interior include Texas pine walls, vintage lighting, and “cozy area rugs,” according to a release. The 2,000-square-foot patio will feature a retractable roof with heaters and fans to keep it comfortable all year long. Flatscreen TVs are installed throughout the restaurant to allow fans to keep up with their favorite teams.

Prior to the opening, LPE intends to hire more than 100 people in all positions, including managers, cooks, servers, and more. A hiring event will be held at The Woodlands Mall on July 26 from 11 am-7 pm at stall 6520 near Kokee Tea. More information on the available positions is available here.

Local Public Eatery The Woodlands rendering

Courtesy of Local Public Eatery

Local Public Eatery will open August 21.

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One Day Only

Chef of Michelin-starred Texas BBQ joint pops up at Houston crawfish favorite

Photo by Quit Nguyen

Join Lucas McKinney for a crawfish pop-up this Sunday, May 17.

The pitmaster behind one of Texas’ Michelin-starred barbecue joints will be in Houston for a one-day-only crawfish boil. Evan LeRoy, chef and co-owner of Austin’s LeRoy and Lewis Barbecue, will be at Josephine’s this Sunday, May 17 from 2-6 pm.

Part of the restaurant’s Backyard Boil pop-up series, LeRoy and Josephine’s executive chef Lucas McKinney have collaborated on a four dishes that will be served at the pop-up, which will take place on Josephine’s patio. They are:

Smoked Crawfish Boil Sausage on a Stick: andouille flavored pork sausage with crawfish, corn, and potatoes
Brisket and Cheddar Croquettes: Chopped brisket and cheddar cheese in a creamy bechamel. Scooped, breaded in panko, and fried til crispy
Oysters on the Half Shell: Pickled Onion Mignonette, Smoked Jalapeno Salsa, Kimchi Elote
Smoked Salsa Macha with Beef Tallow: Guajillo, ancho, and arbol chiles, lime, soy, garlic, onion, pepitas, and pecans

The pop-up is part of LeRoy’s tour for his new book, New School Barbecue: Recipes for Next-Level Smoking and Grilling, which he co-wrote with Texas Monthly restaurant critic Paula Forbes. Released this week, the book contains almost 100 recipes for mains, sides, and desserts.

LeRoy & Lewis Evan Leroy ATX Evan LeRoy is coming to Houston this weekend. Photo by Briana Balducci

“Lucas asked me to participate in a crawfish boil this year, and it happened to line up with the release of the book, so I said yes,” LeRoy tells CultureMap. “The event format centers around a crawfish boil, along with some fried items and oysters, so it doesn't necessarily reflect the recipes in the book. Instead, we decided to bring a few dishes we’ve been working on over the past year or so, including the brisket and cheddar croquettes — which will definitely make it into my next cookbook.”

McKinney has already hosted pop-ups with the likes of ChòpnBlọk chef-owner Ope Amosu and Mike Pham of Trill Burgers.

“With these crawfish boils, I want each chef to bring their own perspective and let the menu reflect their personal style of cooking,” McKinney adds. “Events like this are really centered around community, collaboration, and introducing something fresh and exciting to Houston each time.”

LeRoy and Lewis has earned wide acclaim for its “new school” barbecue. In addition to being one of only four Texas barbecue joints to hold a Michelin star, it ranked No. 2 on Texas Monthly’s list of the state’s 50 best barbecue joints. McKinney began patronizing the restaurant when his friend, pitmaster Cole Parkman, worked there.

“It’s incredibly good,” McKinney says. “Eating there feels like they’re telling you, ‘I know you think you like brisket, but this is what you should really like.’ I really respect that they’ve planted their feet firmly in the ground and committed to doing things differently. It all makes so much sense — and it’s delicious.”

Reservations (free) are required to attend the Backyard Boil at Josephine’s; both 2 pm and 4 pm seatings are available. Attendees will purchase food and drinks a la carte. Josephine’s regular menu will not be available at the pop-up. Copies of New School Barbecue will also be available for purchase.

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