chicken shaq

Shaquille O’Neal invites Houston to join him for his big restaurant opening this weekend

NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal will celebrate the grand opening of his Houston restaurant this weekend, and you’re invited.

O’Neal will appear at Big Chicken, his fast food chicken sandwich restaurant at 9660 Westheimer Rd., this Saturday, June 24 from 1-3 pm. He’ll be joined by Houston Mayor Sylvestor Turner, former Secretary of Education Rod Paige, and Emily Williams Knight, the president and CEO of the Texas Restaurant Association.

Fans are invited to the restaurant for photos with the NBA Hall of Famer and media personality. The restaurant will offer a range of activities, including caricatures, face painting, balloon animals, a 360 photo booth, and outdoor games.

Courtesy of Big Chicken

Meet Shaq this Saturday.

“We’re going to have big fun, eat a lot of delicious food, and celebrate the grand opening of our first restaurant in Texas,” O’Neal said in a statement. “I’m looking forward to meeting with the Mayor and residents of Houston this weekend to share big food and big flavor inspired by my childhood favorites.”

Based in Las Vegas, Big Chicken serves fried chicken sandwiches with a range of toppings such as the Big & Sloppy (mac and cheese, fried onions), the Big Aristotle (fried onions, Muenster, Memphis-style barbecue sauce), and the Shaq Attack (pepper jack, jalapeño slaw, spicy chipotle barbecue sauce).

Big Chicken also serves fried chicken tenders, sliders, and milkshakes. Sides include Cheez-It-crusted mac and cheese, jalapeño slaw, and fries (both potato and sweet potato).

O’Neal — along with local franchisees Fazil Malik, Frank Malik, and Noordin Jhaver — plan to open 50 Big Chicken locations across Houston, Austin, San Antonio, and Dallas. The Westheimer restaurant, the group’s first, opened in April. A second location will open later this year in Richmond at 3415 FM 762.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Big Chicken to the Lone Star State,” Knight added. “Everything is bigger in Texas, and so it’s only fitting that Big Chicken celebrates its next chapter expanding right here in Texas.”

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Edgy pizza chain sets opening date for first Houston-area store

Donatos

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An Ohio-based pizza chain will soon make its Houston-area debut. Donatos Pizza will open in Humble on Saturday, November 14 (15906 Woodland Hills Dr.).

Founded in 1963 by Jim Grote, Donatos is a rapidly-growing chain that operates more than 170 locations nationwide. Its pizza are also available in non-traditional locations such as sports stadiums and select Red Robin restaurants.

Donatos is known for its edge-to-edge toppings applied to a thin, crispy crust. More than a dozen pizzas are available, including veggie, four cheese, and pepperoni with hot honey. It also serves sandwiches such as meatball and Italian cold cuts, along with salads and wings.

Local franchisee Tyler Wheatley is a University of Houston alum who spent more than 20 years in the technology industry. He signed an agreement to open three Donatos locations in northeast Houston. The chain also has three locations in Dallas.

"I believe in having a purpose beyond serving great food, investing in people and making a positive impact in the community,” Wheatley said in a statement. “Donatos' commitment to serving others, supporting families and team members, and making people's days a little better really resonated with me. And, of course, there's the pizza. The Edge to Edge concept is unique, the product is outstanding, and I can't wait to introduce it to Houston."

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Teresa Gubbins contributed to this article.

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