It's 'Stupid Hot'

'Stupid Hot' Austin chicken chain tumbles into Memorial City

Tumble 22 has opened its third Houston-area location.

Courtesy of Tumble 22

An Austin-based hot chicken restaurant has opened near Memorial City Mall. Tumble 22 is now serving chicken sandwiches, pie, and more at its third Houston-area location in the former Grub Burger Bar space at 10403 Katy Fwy Ste. 100.

Founded in 2017 as a food trailer by chef Harold Marmulstein, Tumble 22 serves all-natural chicken that’s raised in Texas. Available as a sandwich, tenders, or bone-in pieces, the chicken comes in one of six spice levels that range from “Wimpy” to “Stupid Hot.” The restaurant’s chicken is “tumbled 22 times” to ensure that it’s crispy, according to press materials.

The menu also includes Southern-inspired starters and sides such as deviled eggs, mac and cheese, and collard greens. Fries come plain or “dirty,” which means topped with cheese, hot chicken, and pickles. Tumble 22 further distinguishes itself from other hot chicken concepts by serving five different pies for dessert — apple, pecan, buttermilk, chocolate, and blueberry streusel.

Recent additions to the menu include a grilled chicken sandwich, more salads, and milkshakes. Monthly specials like this month’s Hot Hawaiian O.G. (boneless chicken thigh, caramelized pineapple, sliced jalapeño, slaw, and sriracha aioli) keep things interesting.

Adults will appreciate that Tumble 22 serves a full range of affordable cocktails, including $8 classics such as the margarita, paloma, and Moscow Mule as well as a $10 Bloody Mary. All the usual non-alcoholic options are also available.

"At Tumble 22, we pride ourselves on providing full-service dining with a smile and warm hospitality, all while keeping it family-friendly and affordably priced,” CEO Doug Thompson said. “We are thankful to our legendary staff, led by Ashley Vella at our new Memorial City location, who are dedicated to providing an unparalleled experience for every guest. We're excited to serve Houston with our award-winning chicken, pies, and shakes. And trust us, our margaritas are truly out of this world!"

Tumble 22 is only the latest new arrival in the Memorial area. In the last few months, the neighborhood has also welcomed Bar Bludorn, a tavern from the team behind Bludorn and Navy Blue; a second location of Montrose barbecue favorite The Pit Room; and Haywire, a Texas comfort food restaurant from the Dallas-based company behind Whiskey Cake and Sixty Vines. Next month should see the debut of Credence and Sidebar, two new concepts from Goode Co. Restaurants president Levi Goode.

news-you-can-eat openings

bring on barnaby's

Favorite Houston comfort food spot picks Garden Oaks for 10th location

Courtesy of Barnaby's Cafe

Barnaby's Cafe is coming to the Stomping Grounds this fall.

Earlier this week, real estate developer Bryan Danna promised “big news…very soon” about a new tenant for the former LuLoo’s Day & Night space at his Stomping Grounds development in Garden Oaks. That news is that Houston favorite Barnaby’s Cafe has claimed the space for a new location that will open later this year.

When a Barnaby’s decal appear on the restaurant’s door a couple of days ago, news of the restaurant’s imminent arrival spread quickly on social media. It will be Barnaby’s tenth location, joining outposts in Montrose, River Oaks, the Heights, and more.

The restaurant will occupy a 2,250-square-foot space at the Stomping Grounds. It will offer a to-go window for people hanging out in the development’s green space as well as a gated, dog-friendly patio. Houston artist Roberto Cervantes will contribute works to the restaurant’s interior.

Founded in 1992 by restaurateur Jeff Gale, Barnaby’s is known for its wide-ranging and affordable menu of classic American fare, including salads, sandwiches, breakfast items, and dinner entrees. Customer favorites include the Lebanese chicken fattoush salad, chipotle black bean burger, baby back ribs, and green eggs, which are scrambled with spinach and artichoke hearts. Dogs can snack on a special “puppy menu” of ground beef, sliced chicken breast, or scrambled eggs over brown rice.

Stomping Grounds green space A to-go window will expedite orders for people in the Stomping Grounds' green space.Courtesy of Stomping Grounds

“Bringing Barnaby’s to Garden Oaks and Oak Forest has been on my wish list for more than a decade, so I’m incredibly grateful that Jeff Gale and his team saw Stomping Grounds as the right fit,” Danna said in a statement. “Jeff and I go back to his first Heights location, which was one of Barnaby’s first big moves north of Montrose, and I have always respected what he and his longtime team have built. Thirty years in the restaurant business is a serious accomplishment. You do not make it that long unless you know how to take care of people, build loyalty, and become part of the neighborhood.”

When it opens this fall, Barnaby’s will be open daily from 11 am to 9 pm. It will join other restaurants at the Stomping Grounds, including Fat Cat Creamery, Tex-Mex restaurant La Mex, Bollo Woodfired Pizza, casual sushi restaurant Himari, Little Sister Cake Shop, and High Five Mini Bar. Earlier this week, casual Vietnamese restaurant Pho Prime announced that it had claimed the space formerly occupied by The Pho Fix for a new location that will also open this fall.

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