spring branch shutter

Chris Shepherd-founded Houston burger joint goes belly up after 4 years

Underbelly Burger will close this Sunday, September 13.

Photo by Julie Soefer

A Houston burger joint founded by James Beard Award-winning chef Chris Shepherd will soon serve its final meal. Underbelly Burger will close its Spring Branch location this Sunday, September 13, the restaurant announced.

“We are incredibly grateful to our guests, our team and everyone who has supported Underbelly Burger and been part of its story over the years,” the statement reads in part.

Shepherd opened the first location of Underbelly Burger at the Houston Farmers Market in January 2022. Although Shepherd left Underbelly Hospitality in June 2022, Underbelly Burger continued, opening its Spring Branch location in November 2023. The company didn't announce the closure of its Houston Farmers Market location, but it stopped including the restaurant's Airline Dr. address in social media posts earlier this summer.

True to Shepherd’s ethos of local sourcing, Underbelly Burger used beef from Texas’ 44 Farms or wagyu from R-C Ranch, which is located near Houston in Brazoria County. When it opened its menu also included bacon sausage hot dogs, chicken sandwiches, a veggie burger, and sidewinder fries. Over time, the menu grew to include chicken wings and chicken tenders.

The closure means that Georgia James, a steakhouse in the Regent Square development, is the only one of Shepherd’s restaurants that remains open. Underbelly Hospitality sold that concept to the owners of Bari Ristorante in the summer of summer 2024. Underbelly Hospitality closed Wild Oats, its Texas comfort food restaurant, in September 2024.

Since leaving the restaurant business, Shepherd has devoted himself to raising money for the Southern Smoke Foundation, the nonprofit he co-founded with his wife Lindsey Brown that provides emergency assistance and mental health services to hospitality workers. He also hosted Eat Like a Local, a show on KPRC, for three years. He writes articles for CultureMap on wine, food, and other related topics.

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Smoke on the Thames

2 Michelin-starred Texas barbecue joints fire up monthlong London pop-up

InterStellar and La Barbecue at The Ned London

The Ned London/thened.com

Even in Austin's home scene, these restaurants are considered the cream of the crop. Abroad, this is an extra special treat.

Two of Texas' best barbecue joints are are firing up their smokers in London. Austin-based InterStellar and La Barbecue are in residence for one month a London hotel called The Ned.

Service started on September 4, and guests have until October 4 to see what great barbecue tastes like on the other side of the pond.

Each restaurant sent its best representative: John Bates of InterStellar BBQ and Ali Clem of La Barbecue, the two pitmasters who led them to barbecue's first Michelin stars. Both are somewhat traditional with a few signature twists, making them a good match beyond their similar levels of prestige.

Proteins on the menu include pork ribs, pulled lamb shoulder, chopped cheese sausage, and InterStellar's famous peach tea pork belly burnt ends. Brisket will be available as an add-on. The team is also cooking up sides and pairing the bites with cocktails made for the occasion by Jack Daniels.

The exclusive sharing tray is available for $75 per person, with a minimum of two people per reservation ($150). A 14.5 percent service gratuity is also being added.

Many barbecue fans understand that a smoker plays a huge part in the final product, and being away from home could dramatically change the cooking process. An Instagram post explains (and seems to lightly promote) that the pitmasters are using Ironbrand smokers, which are custom-made in the United Kingdom.

The residency is happening at Electric Bar & Diner, The Ned's all-day American diner. The 248-room hotel is located in Poultry, on the north side of the River Thames near St. Paul's Cathedral. It is also very near to the Bank Station, a connecting station for four rail routes, making it easy to get to from many parts of London.

Booking is already going fast, so guests who want to snag a space should commit soon.

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