welcome back, chef

Superstar Mexican chef returns to Houston via new 3-year partnership

A superstar Mexican chef is bringing a fresh perspective to a Houston restaurant. Pochitos Mariscos y Más will soon feature a new menu created by chef Aquiles Chávez.

$Pochitos Mariscos y M\u00e1s Aquiles Chavez$

Courtesy of Pochitos Mariscos y Más

Chef Aquiles Chávez will roll out his menu on September 3.

One of Mexico’s most prominent celebrity chefs, Chávez is known for his time as a judge on Top Chef Mexico as well as starring in shows such as Fox Life's El Toque de Aquiles, Aquilísimo, Motochefs, and Amazon Prime’s Sabores de Libertad. He opened Houston restaurant La Fisheria in 2012 before eventually parting ways with the restaurant.

Pochitos owner Juan Antonio Hernandez recruited Chávez for a three-year term. Beginning September 3, the chef will roll out a new menu that includes Gulf Coast fried seafood; grill and asado preparations; Cajun-influenced boiled seafood; Sinaloa- and Pacific-inspired cold dishes such as ceviches, aguachiles, and crudos; and Mexican-inspired sushi. Chávez will also oversee seasonal updates to the restaurant’s cocktail menu.

“Houston is one of those cities where so many cultures meet at the table, especially when it comes to seafood,” Chávez said in a statement. “We have an opportunity at Pochitos to bring together different techniques and traditions while keeping the food fun, generous and full of flavor. And because this is a three-year collaboration, we can keep evolving the menu and giving guests new reasons to come back.”

Open since 2024, Hernandez hopes bringing Chávez on board will make Pochitos a destination restaurant that draws diners from the inner loop as well as nearby suburbs such as Clear Lake and Webster. Other upgrades include new dining room seating, tables, and plateware; a dedicated kids’ menu; and fold-up windows to blend the restaurant’s indoor and outdoor environments.

Hernandez is the lead singer and composer for Houston Tejano/norteño group Obzesion. Aspects of that career have influenced Pochitos, such as its stage, DJ booth, and high-end AV equipment.

“I grew up in southeast Houston. This is home to me,” Hernandez added. “We could have taken this concept to another part of the city, but I kept coming back to one thought: why not here? Why shouldn’t this side of Houston have something people are willing to drive across the city to experience? I didn’t want Aquiles to come put his name on a handful of dishes and leave. I wanted him to challenge everything we were doing in the kitchen. That’s why we committed to this partnership.”

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one caipirinhas, please

Texas-based all-you-can-eat Brazilian steakhouse fires up Katy location

Courtesy of Chama Gaucha Brazilian Steakhouse

Picanha is a staple of Chama Gaucha's menu.

Katy residents don’t have much longer to wait for caipirinhas and all-you-can-eat picanha. Chama Gaúcha Brazilian Steakhouse announced it will open its second Houston-area location in the suburb by mid-September.

Located at 24205 Bella Katy Drive, Chama Gaúcha has claimed the former Doneraki Mexican Grill/Cooper’s Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que space for its new location. Similar to other rodizio concepts, Chama Gaúcha offers a range of grilled beef, lamb, pork, chickens, and Brazilian sausages that are served tableside by the restaurant’s staff. The meats come with caramelized bananas, garlic mashed potatoes, fried polenta, and pão de queijo, the celebrated Brazilian cheese rolls.

Diners also have access to a salad bar with more than 30 selections, including vegetables, cheeses, and charcuterie. Those who want a lighter meal may opt for a salad bar-only option for a reduced price.

The interior will feature five private dining rooms with capacities ranging from 20 to 150 people. They’re available for celebrations, business dinners, and other happenings.

João Carlos Ongaratto founded Chama Gaúcha in San Antonio in 2008 after he spent 20 years working for pioneering churrascaria concept Fogo de Chao. The Houston location (5865 Westheimer) opened in 2011. It also has locations in Chicago and the Dallas suburb of Grapevine. Chron was first to report the restaurant’s plans to open in Katy.

“We’ve welcomed many guests from Katy at our Westheimer location for so long that opening here has always been part of our vision,” general manager Guilherme Da Silva said in a statement. “We’re excited to finally bring the Chama Gaúcha experience closer to home for those loyal guests while introducing our authentic Brazilian hospitality to those who live and work in the area.”

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