Editor’s note: Readers turn to CultureMap to stay informed on all the latest Houston restaurant news, but some stories grab more people’s attention than others. As always, closings rank highly, taking four of the 10 places on this list. But it wasn’t all bad news. Readers demonstrated their excitement for the Michelin Guide’s arrival in Texas by looking at our predictions for which restaurants would earn stars, and they celebrated national recognition for Texas-based eateries such as Torchy’s and Chuy’s. This year also saw sudden changes at a prominent steakhouse and a Houston breakfast favorite being acquired by new owners.
Here are the 10 most-read restaurant stories of 2024 in Houston.
1. Houston beer shocker: Sawyer Yards brewery shutters after landlord lock out. Buffalo Bayou Brewing Company's existence came to an abrupt end in January, when its landlord suddenly terminated its lease for non-payment of rent. Initially, the brewery vowed to reopen. Instead, Gulf Coast Distillers claimed the facility as the new home for its Tejas Beer brand.
2. Predicting 14 Houston restaurants that should earn a Michelin star. Overall, this article fared reasonably well. Three of the four “locks” earned stars, and one of the four “probably” restaurants did, too — meaning we correctly identified four of the six restaurants that ultimately earned a star. Six of the other predictions for stars and Bib Gourmands earned either a Bib or a “Recommended” designation.
3. Embattled Houston hospitality group negotiating sale of its signature steakhouse. Published in July, neither Underbelly Hospitality nor the ownership of Bari Ristorante have ever commented publicly on the status of who’s operating Georgia James. What is known is that the menu has changed significantly in the last few months. In addition, the people serving as Georgia James’ executive chef, general manager, wine director, and Underbelly Hospitality’s then-president have all left the company.
4. Favorite Texas taco chain ranks high on USA Today 10-best list. From its humble food truck roots, Torchy’s Tacos has spread to 14 states, allowing it to capture the affection of USA Today’s readers. Part of the credit for the success goes to these practices: making items from scratch, originating delivery orders at the counter rather than offsite, and tip- or profit-sharing.
5. Iconic Fulshear barbecue favorite will soon shutter after 67 years. Despite considerable acclaim, Dozier’s BBQ closed suddenly in March, citing a steep decline in business. Thankfully, this story has a happy ending. Tyler Risinger, the great-grandson of founder Ed Dozier, reopened the restaurant in August.
6. Katy's massive new beer garden boasts 100 taps and German-inspired design. Steven Salazar took the experiences from a lengthy stint with the Kirby Group and applied them to Katy Beer Garden. The massive, indoor-outdoor features a landscaped beer garden, an air-conditioned beer hall, and a more intimate cocktail bar.
7. Rice Village bistro quietly closes after only 3 years in business. Gratify Neighborhood Bistro had some initial success, but operator The Big Vibe Group elected not to renew their lease on the space. Instead, ownership said that they plan to expand sister concepts Coppa Osteria and Flora Mexican Kitchen. The group also operates California-inspired Graffiti Raw in the Montrose Collective mixed-use development.
8. 7 Mexican chain restaurants from Texas attempting to conquer America. We all know Texas has great restaurants, so it’s no surprise to see concepts such as Torchy’s, Chuy’s, and Velvet Taco expanding across the country. Some of that has been fueled by acquisitions by bigger companies, such as Olive Garden owner Darden Restaurants buying Chuy’s this summer for approximately $605 million.
9. Houston breakfast staple has new owners, but giant pancakes will remain. Then again, not all acquisitions involve big corporations. This summer, the company behind Adair Kitchen and Los Tios purchased Buffalo Grille, the all-day concept known for its giant pancakes and classic Southern comfort food. As for former owner John McAleer, fans will find him running two establishments in Galveston: Lil’ Buffalo Grille and the recently-opened 1817 Steak & Seafare.
10. Historic Houston Italian restaurant will shutter after 41 years in Midtown. High-profile restaurant closures always generate plenty of reader interest. In 2024, no closing stung quite as much as Damian’s Cucina Italiana. General manager Johnny B. Mandola, the son of co-owner Frankie Mandola, told CultureMap that the restaurant never fully recovered from changing in dining habits that took place during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Buff Brew closed abruptly in January.
