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    Cuban fusion

    Houston sandwich pop-up presses forward with a brick-and-mortar home

    Eric Sandler
    Jan 13, 2026 | 12:00 pm

    A popular Houston sandwich pop-up has found a brick-and-mortar home. Known for its Brazilian and Cuban sandwiches, Yuma has claimed the former Ninja Ramen space (4219 Washington Ave.) for a new restaurant that will open this spring.

    Yuma takes inspiration from the heritage of its owners, husband-and-wife duo Mike Hartley and Miriam Leek-Meira. Chef Hartley brings experience from his time as the executive sous chef of Brasserie 19, while Leek-Meira brings a passion for introducing Houstonians to Brazilian cuisine that transcends the familiar churrascaria steakhouse experience that’s served at restaurants such as Fogo de Chao and Chama Gaucha.

    “We have so, so much more to offer,” Leek-Meira said in a statement. “We have amazing fruits, we eat other meats, we have amazing seafood, and we even eat vegetables, so I’m really excited to introduce people to what I grew up eating in Brazil through the prism of the Cuban sandwich.”

    At the heart of the restaurant’s menu will be the sandwiches that have powered Yuma’s pop-ups, all of which are served on bread that’s baked in-house. They include a classic Cuban sandwich, the Sampa Gallo chicken sandwich, and the A Caipira, a Brazilian take on a cheesesteak. The menu also includes croquettes, Pastel de Bife (Brazilian beef empanadas), and Pão de Queijo, the craveable Brazilian cheese rolls.

    Yuma also creates sandwiches inspired by other cultures, such as the Vietnamese-style El Penny Cubano Banh Mi — made with mojo pork and ham that’s topped with Gruyere, garlic aioli, pate, pickled carrots, daikon, cilantro, and jalapeno. In November, Yuma served the Leftover Gringo, a Thanksgiving-inspired sandwich made with roast turkey; a casserole-style sauce made with Catupiry, corn, and tinga; Peruvian pearl peppers; and Gruyère.

    “This concept is one-of-a-kind but also approachable, much like this amazing city that we live in,” Hartley said. “Miriam and I have set out to create something completely unique, and we are excited to share it with everyone. We love the location, and want to ride the balance between new and exciting, combined with comforting and familiar.”

    For the restaurant, the couple worked with Nancy’s Hustle bartender Jamie Diaz to create Brazilian and Cuban-inspired cocktails centered around cachaca and rum.

    While the restaurant is under construction, Yuma will continue to hold pop-ups around Houston. Confirmed dates include Bobcat Teddy’s on January 17 and 19; Axelrad every Thursday in January; and Catbirds every Wednesday in January. It will also serve lunch at Third Place on February 7.

    Yuma sandwich restaurant

    Photo by Rebekah Flores

    Yuma will serve sandwiches, croquettes, and more.

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    This week in eating

    9 things to know in Houston food right now: Openings, closings, and more

    Brianna McClane
    Mar 12, 2026 | 9:15 am
    banana sundae hai hospitality hai for her
    Photo by Hai Hospitality
    Uchi and Uchiko are offering an $11 banana sundae for March, with a percentage of proceeds benefiting Girls Inc.

    From po’boys to fibermaxxing, Houston eateries and chefs continue to flex their culinary chops. Read on to find out how Brennan’s of Houston is commemorating its anniversary, which two restaurants are now under one roof, and which Houston classic has added breakfast enchiladas to its menu.

    Openings and Closings

    Maggie’s Coffee has opened in Energy Tower II, an office building in the Energy Corridor. Named after Mac Haik’s beagle, the former football pro’s restaurant group developed the project, with Gin Braverman as designer. The cafe sources its beans from Independence Coffee Co. in Bastrop and offers bites from local Kraftsmen Bakery. Open Monday–Friday from 7 am–3 pm, Maggie’s Coffee is located at 11720 Katy Freeway.

    Crawfish Cafe and Pho Prime, two concepts from Houston's Mamba Hospitality Group, have combined into a newly renovated, 10,000-square-foot space in Chinatown. The full-service, dual-concept restaurant provides diners with menus for both Crawfish Cafe’s New Orleans–inspired fare and Pho Prime’s traditional Vietnamese dishes. The two dining rooms feature cultural accents from Vietnam and New Orleans, including two 20-foot, side-by-side murals by Houston artist Donkeeboy. The restaurant is open daily from 11 am-10 pm at 11209 Bellaire Boulevard.

    Pie Tap Pizza has tapped out of its only Houston location. The Dallas-based restaurant announced on Facebook that it had closed as of Friday, March 6. Open less than a year in the Novel Residences luxury apartment building, the restaurant made its pizza with dough that uses a 96-hour fermentation process.

    Events

    Thursday, March 12

    Bayou City Po’boys on Parade
    Local chefs are putting a spin on the classic sandwich for this six-week pop-up presented by Blue Plate Mayo. The event kicks off at Blood Bros. BBQ on March 12 from 12–2 pm and wraps up April 2 at Eunice with a crawfish boil. Winnie’s, Killen’s in the Heights, BB’s Tex-Orleans on White Oak, and Josephine’s are also participating.

    Monday, March 16

    Eastward Bound: A Farewell Collaboration
    There’s only one night left of this two-night event featuring a five-course meal that showcases the flavors of Burma, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Vietnam. Suu Khin of Burmalicious, Sherman Yeung of Tobiuo Sushi, Willet Feng of Borrowed Goods, and Christine Ha of The Blind Goat and Stuffed Belly are joining together to honor their Asian heritage and bid farewell to Feng and his wife Diane as they leave Houston for a new endeavor in Taiwan. Tickets are $100 per person for the Monday, March 16 dinner, which begins at 5 pm. The Blind Goat (8145 Long Point Road) is hosting the event.

    Throughout March

    Brennan’s of Houston Anniversary
    The Houston mainstay is celebrating its March 5, 1967 opening with a $67 three-course menu featuring turtle soup, pecan-crusted Gulf fish, and demi strawberry shortcake. Diners can pair the meal with a $67 bottle of Chardonnay or Cabernet. The special is available for lunch, brunch, and dinner throughout March. Brennan’s of Houston is located at 3300 Smith Street.

    Hai for Her at Uchi and Uchiko
    Hai Hospitality is honoring Women’s History Month with the launch of its fifth annual Hai for Her initiative. Uchi and Uchiko are offering a special banana sundae for March, with a percentage of proceeds benefiting Girls Inc. The $11 dessert combines banana sorbet with candied coconut, coconut caramel, crispy plantains, black sesame salt, and brûléed banana. Uchi is located at 904 Westheimer Road., and Uchiko is at 1801 Post Oak Boulevard.

    New Menus

    Bellagreen
    Joining the “fibermaxxing” movement, Bellagreen’s spring menu is fiber-forward with dishes like gluten-free lemon blueberry cheesecake with a coconut hemp crust and the Golden Glow roasted veggie bowl with quinoa and pumpkin seeds. The seasonal menu is available through May 31. The restaurant’s gluten-free mac and cheese has also returned as a permanent fixture, along with a “build your own mac” option with vegetables and proteins.

    Goode Co. Taqueria
    The Tex-Mex restaurant has overhauled its menu for the first time in seven years, with a fresh lineup featuring street tacos, tostadas, loaded fries, and a crispy chicken sandwich. Breakfast offerings include the Saddle Up Enchiladas topped with two eggs and the LG Special taco with chorizo, egg, refried beans, and cheddar. The menu is available now at 4902 Kirby Drive.

    banana sundae hai hospitality hai for her

    Photo by Hai Hospitality

    Uchi and Uchiko are offering an $11 banana sundae for March, with a percentage of proceeds benefiting Girls Inc.

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