new spring branch spots

Underbelly's beefy burger restaurant and new volleyball themed bar open in Spring Branch

A new burger joint and an lively bar have arrived in Spring Branch. The Decoy and Underbelly Burger have opened at 1222 Witte Rd.

Photo by Alex Montoya

The Decoy has three volleyball courts.

Developed by the owners of Wakefield Crowbar, The Decoy combines Wakefield’s volleyball courts with a high energy atmosphere at night that will include DJs and colorful cocktails. That nightlife component brings a little Inner Loop glamor Spring Branch — and sets The Decoy apart from Wakefield’s more family-friendly atmosphere.

“Visitors to The Decoy can expect similarities with the sand volleyball courts and cornhole, but The Decoy features some of the top DJ’s in Houston spinning hits, the option to reserve tables for bottle service, and a huge outdoor TV ideal for watching your favorite team,” Decoy co-owner and managing partner Aly Valiani tells CultureMap. “We want to be considered more than just a sports bar or volleyball bar and desire to be the socializing option for the Spring Branch and Memorial community.”

While The Decoy is more than a volleyball, it does offer three sand volleyball courts along with corn hole, yard games, and TVs for watching sports. Going beyond its sports bar roots, the bar also offers an expansive patio, a 75-seat interior, and colorful cocktails. Food from both Underbelly Burger and Wild Oats will be available.

The bar’s owners aim to integrate with the Spring Branch community via a number of initiatives, including charity givebacks. The Decoy will donate $1 from all specialty cocktails sold through November 24 to the Houston chapter of Big Brothers Big Sisters.

“Our goal in bringing The Decoy to this part of Houston is to not just to open a bar, but to make a positive impact on the community by partnering with local businesses, non-profits, and schools,” co-owner and managing partner Omid Rafiei adds. “Fostering connectivity and social wellness in the neighborhood is of the utmost importance to us and something we plan to keep top of mind at all times."

The bar will offer a range of programming throughout the week, including:

Mix & Mingle Monday: $3 Jameson and Fireball
Tipsy Tuesday: all cocktails priced at $5
Western Wednesday: $2 off all whiskey drinks and a select cocktails, plus specials on steak from Wild Oats
Throwback Thursday: $2 off tequila drinks and shots and select bottles discounted to $100
Friday is Ladies’ Night: half off Veuve Cliquot and other select bottles plus $5 house wine

Turning to Underbelly Burger, the restaurant’s second location offers a new outlet for its burgers, which are made with Texas-raised beef from 44 Farms or wagyu from R-C Ranch. The menu also includes bacon sausage hot dogs, chicken sandwiches, a veggie burger, and sidewinder fries. They’re paired with beer, seltzers, soda, and milkshakes.

The counter service restaurant offers both indoor seating and a covered patio. Since it is located near a number of area schools, high school students will receive 15 percent off burger combos with valid id.

“Underbelly Burger is a fun, family-friendly concept and I’m excited to open our second outpost in my own backyard,” partner Jeff Lindenberger said in a statement. “The new location is designed to seamlessly blend into the neighborhood’s surroundings, offering residents and area visitors a casual and comfortable setting to enjoy their favorite burgers.”

Underbelly Burger won’t be alone for long. In the weeks to come, Underbelly Hospitality will open Wild Oats, its Texas comfort food restaurant, in the same development. Comalito, the Mexico City-inspired taqueria that replaced Wild Oats’ original location in the Houston Farmers Market, opened this week.

openings cocktails burgers nightlife news-you-can-eat

one last squeeze

Ben Berg's New York-inspired, fancy burger joint will soon shutter

Photo by Leah Wilson

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The original location of Ben Berg’s fancy burger joint will soon serve its last meal. B.B. Lemon on Washington Avenue will close after service on Sunday, June 1, the restaurant announced on social media.

In response to CultureMap’s request for comment about the decision, a representative provided a statement that reads in part:

“It is never an easy decision to close a restaurant,” Berg said. “The love Houston has shown B.B. Lemon-Washington over the years is what made it such a special place. Thank you for making us part of your everyday moments and life celebrations.”

The statement continues that the restaurant is “no longer part of our strategic plan,” referring to Berg’s company, Berg Hospitality Group. However, the location of B.B Lemon that opened last year in the downtown tunnels will remain open.

Open since late 2018, B.B. Lemon takes inspiration from iconic New York City restaurant JG Melon, including its signature green-and-white checked tablecloths. Thanks to a spacious patio and a lively atmosphere, B.B. Lemon soon found favor with area residents and downtown office workers, who made it a happy hour favorite.

Like its decor, B.B. Lemon’s menu also takes inspiration from the East Coast. In addition to a diner-style, wagyu cheeseburger, the restaurant serves an array of comfort food that includes fish and chips, a lobster roll, and blue crab beignets.

Berg’s decision to close B.B. Lemon follows last year’s closure of Benny Chows, its New York-inspired Chinese American restaurant. In January, the company closed NoPo Cafe to make way for a new location of Bagel Bob’s HTX.

The group also opened three new concepts in 2024: live fire steakhouse Prime 131, retro diner Buttermilk Baby, and upscale steakhouse Turner’s Cut. It will open a second location of Buttermilk Baby in Sugar Land this summer.

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