Where to brunch now

Where to eat in Houston now: 10 new brunches dishing up fall flavors

Mayahuel's brunch features dishes such as made-to-order chilaquiles verde, and in-house baked pastries.

Photo by Brian Kennedy

Whether diners are partial to the breakfast or the lunch part of brunch, Houston restaurants are serving up fresh reasons to love the midmorning meal. From tres leches French toast to an all-you-can-eat sushi buffet, these 10 spots are dishing up new options — and maybe someone's next favorite bite.

Balboa Surf Club
Located near the Galleria, Balboa’s version of brunch is known as weekend lunch. Breakfast bites feature first on the weekend-only menu, with Huevos Rancheros atop house-made tostadas ($16), donut holes with a miso caramel sauce ($10), and a French omelette laden with soft cheeses and herbs ($17). Sip on the Breakfast Martini ($17), a boozy concoction of Sapphire gin and Grand Marnier mixed with orange marmalade. Weekend lunch is served on Saturday and Sunday from 11 am-3 pm.

Camaraderie
Chef Shawn Gawle’s brunch menu runs the gamut, ranging from affordable classics such as a mushroom and leek quiche ($17), a cinnamon bun ($5), and a yogurt parfait with tarragon ($14), to more decadent dishes like the lobster omelette with Boursin ($32). For a truly upscale option, order the Eggs and Eggs, a shareable plate featuring caviar, soft scrambled eggs, and mini English muffins ($70). Brunch is available on Sundays from 11 am-3 pm.

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Find a decadent lobster omelette on Camaraderie's brunch menu.

Juanita’s Mexican Kitchen
This family-owned establishment is using its Sabores Nuevos menu as a test kitchen of sorts, to see which brunch dishes diners love the most. Visit either its Tomball or Cypress locations to sample limited-time plates, such as tres leches French toast ($12) or the breakfast sopes ($16), layered with refried beans, chorizo, and crispy potatoes, and served alongside two eggs. Brunch at Juanita’s is weekends from 10 am-2 pm.

Latuli
Already a neighborhood favorite, this upscale Memorial restaurant is expanding its hours with the addition of Saturday and Sunday brunch. Diners can find dishes like Eggs in Hell, a combination of chorizo and baked eggs with a carrot-arbol salsa ($24), filet and frites ($51), and Truffled Toad in a Hole ($18), featuring eggs nestled inside truffled brioche. TVs in the bar, patio, and back room make it easy to catch the game while dining. Brunch runs from 11 am-3 pm on weekends.

Little’s Oyster Bar
At Little’s, executive chef Jason Ryczek shows that the charming spot is more than just an oyster bar. The recently-introduced brunch offerings include a smoked salmon Benedict ($36) that layers poached eggs, horseradish, and hollandaise on thick slices of bread. The grilled filet of beef ($59) is served with a luscious black garlic tare and a sunny-side-up egg, while the French toast ($29) with candied bacon manages to be both elevated and comforting. Little’s brunch is served every Sunday from 11 am-3 pm.

Mayahuel
At this modern Mexican restaurant in Autry Park, diners will find highlights, including made-to-order chilaquiles verde with house-made tortillas, Mexico City–style eggs Benedict with salsa roja hollandaise, and shakshuka with seasonal vegetables and labneh (all $18 each). Don’t skip the in-house pastries, from croissants to conchas, baked fresh each morning. Pair plates with mimosas, spritzes, or tequila cocktails. Spirit-free drinks include the traditional cafe de olla ($4.50) — drip coffee with cinnamon and piloncillo— and a hot chocolate ($6.50) made with 100-percent Mexican craft chocolate. Brunch is served Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am-3 pm.

Nobu
After a late Saturday night, nothing is quite as enticing as an all-you-can-eat brunch buffet. For $75, diners can graze from a wide spread that includes sushi rolls, bao, salads, pastries, and rotating carving stations with Japanese short rib, brisket, prime rib, and char siu pork tenderloin. Brunch exclusive cocktails include a lychee mimosa. The buffet-only brunch is Sundays from 11 am-2:30 pm.

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Saint Arnold Brewing Company
Houston’s oldest craft brewery has added brunch to its beer garden lineup. Families and friends can take advantage of Saint Arnold’s airy space while enjoying creamy crawfish and grits ($22) and the hummus and avocado platter ($15) served with toasted everything bagel wedges and toppings. Each plate comes with a suggested beer pairing, while mimosas, ciders, and coffee round out the drink list. Brunch is Saturday and Sunday from 10am-2pm.

Whiskey Cake
Start the day off strong with Whiskey Cake’s new cocktail towers. Ideal for three to four individuals, choose from three different cocktails on draft, such as the Aperol Brunch Punch, featuring orange, grapefruit, soda, and sparkling wine ($36). Stay satiated with plates like the B.L.T. toast ($15), with candied bacon, marinated tomato, and smashed avocado. Feeling only a bit snackish? The Bloody Mary deviled eggs ($9) combine the flavors of the cocktail and a beloved dish with pickled green tomato relish.

Zanti Cucina Italiana
The River Oaks location of the lively Italian restaurant spices up its weekend brunch with monthly themed parties. August featured a tribute to Mamma Mia!, while September 20 will bring a Grease-inspired celebration complete with spiked milkshakes, a best-dressed couples contest, and a live DJ. Regular menu favorites include crab cake Benedict ($29), pork Milanese ($44), and a smoked salmon omelette ($22). Brunch is served weekends from 11 am-3 pm.

news-you-can-eat brunch

Breastaurant news

Texas restaurant Twin Peaks rises out of bankruptcy with new owners

Twin Peaks Houston Facebook

Twin Peaks is climbing its way back.

Six months after filing for bankruptcy, the Addison-based Twin Peaks restaurant chain is getting a second chance at success.

In a Monday, June 15 press release, Twin Peaks said it has separated from its parent company, FAT Brands, and now operates as a standalone private company called Summit Twin Hospitality I LLC.

Summit Acquisitions LLC, a group of the brand’s bondholders — high-priority bankruptcy creditors including Twin Peaks franchisees 3BMgmnt Inc., JEB Food Group, and Operadora 2 Montes — has assumed management of the brand and is poised to eventually buy the chain.

“This transition gives our team the foundation we’ve needed to execute on the vision we’ve always had for this brand,” says Roger Gondek, president and chief operating officer of Twin Peaks, in the release. “We have a strong system, exceptional operators, and enviable guest loyalty, and now we have the financial footing to match. The best days for Twin Peaks are ahead.”

In May, a business known as TWNPKS Bid Co. — backed by bondholders — acquired Twin Peaks in a $359 million debt-to-equity deal approved by a bankruptcy judge in Houston.

Five years ago, FAT Brands bought Twin Peaks from New York City investment firm Garnett Station Partners for $300 million. Last year, Twin Peaks became a publicly traded company after its spinoff from FAT Brands, which remains the chain’s biggest stockholder.

Twin Peaks enters its new era with more than 115 restaurants in the U.S. and Mexico, including five restaurants in Houston and a total of 31 statewide. More restaurants are on the way, including franchised locations in Brownsville, Laredo, and South Padre Island.

Twin Peaks, founded in Lewisville in 2005, competes with Bombshells, Hooters, Twisted Kilt, and other “breastaurant” chains.

According to the press release, Twin Peaks’ executive team remains intact, and no layoffs are planned. In fact, the company plans to add employees as its store count grows.

In conjunction with FAT Brands’ bankruptcy case, a business called FBG Bid Co. said Tuesday, June 16 that it purchased 13 restaurant brands owned by FAT Brands for about $595 million. The acquisition includes chains like Fatburger, Fazoli’s, Great American Cookies, Johnny Rockets, Marble Slab Creamery, and Ponderosa and Bonanza steakhouses, but excludes Twin Peaks.

FAT Brands and Twin Peaks filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in January with plans to reorganize the businesses. At the time of the bankruptcy filing, FAT Brands owed about $1.4 billion in debt that it was unable to cover.

breastaurants bankruptcy twin peaks