fair enough

Texas comfort food restaurant closes at Memorial City after 10 years

Houston, new patios, March 2017, State Fare

Photo by Julie Soefer

One of Houston’s favorite destinations for Texas comfort food has closed its original location. State Fare Kitchen & Bar at Gateway Memorial City shuttered after service on Sunday, May 31, its owner Culinary Khancepts announced.

Originally opened in May 2016 by Cherry Pie Hospitality, State Fare quickly established a reputation as a family friendly restaurant with a wide-ranging menu of Texas-inspired dishes such as chicken fried steak, burgers, chili, and seafood. Over time, the restaurant added over-the-top elements such as expansive brunch boards and cocktail flights. It won Best New Restaurant at the 2017 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards.

After being acquired by Culinary Khancepts in 2018, the restaurant expanded to Sugar Land in 2020 (and closed earlier this year), followed by The Woodlands in 2022. That location, in the development’s dining-focused Hughes Landing district, will remain open.

“State Fare wasn’t just a restaurant — it was an experience,” Culinary Khancepts Omar Khan said in a statement. “We set out to continue the legacy of something fun, energetic, and different, and the response from the Houston community exceeded anything we could have imagined. We’re incredibly proud of the memories made there and the role this location played in shaping the future of Culinary Khancepts.”

While State Fare’s time near Memorial City Mall has come to an end, Culinary Khancepts has plans to evolve the concept in a 15,000-square-foot new location. The company is redeveloping State Fare as a “social dining destination” with a “more relevant menu” and games for people to play before or after their meals. Details on the new location will be released in the coming weeks, according to a release.

“This brand has always been about bringing people together and creating moments that guests remember,” Khan said. “What’s coming next builds on everything people loved about State Fare, while taking the experience to an entirely new level.”

news-you-can-eat closings

dine by the vines

Exclusive Texas Hill Country winery restaurant named best in the world

Stout's Signature restaurant at Grape Creek Vineyards in Fredericksburg

Photo courtesy of Grape Creek Vineyards

Stout's Signature is Grape Creek's members-only restaurant, but a small number of reservations will be offered to non-members.

The Hill Country has no shortage of vineyards and wineries that serve bites with their vintages, but only one Fredericksburg vineyard boasts a restaurant that measures up against the best in the world.

The industry experts at Wine Enthusiast have declared Stout's Signature at Grape Creek Vineyards one of the 57 best destination restaurants in the world. It's the only Texas restaurant to make the cut.

The new honor also elevates Grape Creek Vineyards' reputation as one of the best wineries in the Hill Country region, and its tasting tours are also recognized among the best in the country.

Stout's is a hidden gem restaurant where patrons can enjoy Hill Country-inspired cuisine with their wine tastings, from light bites to a hearty meal, all while the sprawling Grape Creek vineyard beckons from beyond the tables.

Signature dinner dishes like the tenderloin bolognese and meatballs made with veal, pork, and ground beef are must-try picks, but Wine Enthusiast reserves the most praise for its weekend brunch.

"[Stout's] boasts the region’s best Sunday brunch, with tables laden with dishes like Bourbon shrimp and grits with homemade andouille sausage and a breakfast burger with egg, bacon, and avocado," Wine Enthusiast wrote. "A mini pancake stack for the table is a must. Pair it with their Cabernet Trois, a bold blend of Cab Sauvignon, Cab Franc, and Ruby Cabernet."

Wine tasting at Grape Creek Vineyards Pair a pour with an app or an entree.Photo courtesy of Grape Creek Vineyards

Stout's has traditionally been a members-only institution for the Grape Creek Wine Club, but non-members now have a chance to dine at the exclusive restaurant. A limited number of Friday and Saturday evening dinner reservations will be offered to the public after the winery's regular closing at 5:30 pm.

"Stout's Signature has always felt like one of our best-kept secrets, and we wanted to give more people the chance to experience it, especially after being named one of the best winery restaurants in the world by Wine Enthusiast this summer," said Heath Family Brands CEO and founder Brian Heath.

Stout's Signature is located at 10587 US-290 in Fredericksburg. Non-member reservation availability is limited, and can be booked by calling 830-644-2710, opt. 3, or online via heathfamilybrands.com.

winery hill country fredericksburg grape creek vineyard restaurants wine enthusiast