Sandoitchi, 1603 N. Durham, is expected to open by the end of 2025. It will be the flagship for the Japanese sandwich pop-up which has been serving its creative concoctions at festivals in Dallas, Houston and California, as well as collaborating with various restaurants for pop-up dinners.
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This ain’t your grandma’s egg salad.
Photo by Sandoitchi
The experimental concept was founded in Dallas in 2020 during the pandemic under the culinary direction of chef Stevie Nguyen and business partners Keith Tran, Andy Sirois and Angel Acosta. Chef Nguyen’s resume includes stints at such renowned eateries as Uchi, Momofoku Ko and Morimoto. It earned its cult-like status from celebrity gushes (Chrissy Teigen and John Legend are fans) and influencers galore raving about the unique Japanese sandos made with airy milk bread.
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The creations are endless.
Photo by Sandoitchi
Its cold Egg Salad Sando takes the normally pedestrian sandwich filling to a whole new level by filling the thin bread slices with soft-boiled, hard-boiled and scrambled eggs, plus Kewpie mayo. Another cold option is the Strawberry Cream, a creation based on the Japanese fruit sandwiches whose origins are debated, but have been around for a hundred years or so. The hot sandos include Classic Chicken Katsu with tonkatsu sauce and even one with truffles. The menu varies from pop-up to pop-up, so it will be interesting to see if the Lobster Roll or Smoked Ribeye Katsu make it onto the permanent menu.
Some of the drink offerings include house-made seasonal flavors like Strawberry Matcha Latte and Mango Ube Lassi.
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The whiskey room would have made Jim Morrison happy.
Photo by Jennifer Wales
Bosscat Kitchen & Libations, 4310 Westheimer, will close its doors September 28, after nine years. The Daily Dose Hospitality team have decided not to renew the lease. Instead, the owners will convert the space to a private venue until the end of 2025, finishing out its ten-year lease. The group, which also owns restaurants in California, will continue to operate Bosscat in The Woodlands and TEN Sushi + Cocktail Bar on Westheimer.
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The gilded cages of whiskies were a spectacular and practical decoration.
Photo by Jennifer Wales
Co-founder JT Reed said that the milestone is bittersweet. “Nearly a decade in this city is truly something to celebrate. I live here. I love Houston and, since Daily Dose Hospitality started, there was nowhere else we wanted to be.” However, according to the press release, the company has decided to consolidate its portfolio and focus on potential new opportunities, in and around Houston.
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The Fruity Pebble French Toast brings out everyone’s inner child, and glutton.
Photo by Jennifer Wales
Bosscat Kitchen first opened its Houston location in February 2017. Its hearty (and critically-acclaimed) whiskey list and playful brunch dishes made it a hotspot for cocktails, conversation and socializing. Its menu reached back into our childhoods for over-the-top dishes like Fruity Pebble French Toast and the Donut Burger. However, it also served more serious showstoppers such as 12-Hour Beef Short Rib and Sugar Barrel Steak, mouth-watering plates that just begged for one of its amazing whiskies.
Bosscat Houston will continue to serve its full menu until its final day and the hope is that Houstonians will come in and enjoy their favorites before it closes. For its last weekend, September 27 through September 28, there will be a “Bosscat Style Weekend” and guests can enjoy its signature brunch and a DJ on September 28.
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There are healthy options and splurge treats, too.
Photo by Becca Wright
On the Kirb, 6777 Woodlands Pkwy., will open in the former El Tiempo space later this year. It is currently hiring for a number of positions. It will be the fifth location for the organic eatery and sports bar, which opened its most recent location in Greenway Plaza last January.
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Happy Hour at On the Kirb means drink specials and a tasty menu of bar bites.
Photo by Becca Wright
While the image of a sports bar is one of dark walls, blaring televisions and greasy food to most people, On the Kirb has built a reputation for its fresh menu and inviting spaces. Yes, guests can still enjoy a cold beer while watching the big game, but the chicken wings here are organic and the burgers are made with grass-fed beef. Guests can enjoy comfort bar food like the Giant Pretzel with sriracha queso or healthier fare such as the Kale Caesar or Shawarma salad.
There are plenty of beers on tap, a wine list, plus craft cocktails like the Brojito or Gin Weasley.
The fresh strawberry version of its cheesecake is the most popular, out of 30.
Photo by The Cheesecake Factory
The Cheesecake Factory, 29216 Hempstead, will open at Houston Premium Outlets November 18. Currently the Cypress restaurant is looking to hire 270 staff members. That’s nearly one person per item on its menu. The Cheesecake Factory has been recognized by Fortune magazine as one of the “100 Best Companies to Work For” for 12 consecutive years.
Its massive menu has sometimes drawn criticism for the massive calorie counts, but diners have their favorites, whether its the Avocado Eggrolls, Shepherd’s Pie or Louisiana Chicken Pasta. There are loads of burger, sandwich, salad and flatbread choices as well. For those watching their calories, the SkinnyLiscious menu features Crispy Crab Bites, Asian Chicken Lettuce Wrap Tacos and Sesame Ginger Chicken over quinoa.
El Tiempo has frosty margaritas, too.
Photo by Troy Fields
El Tiempo Cantina, 2360 S. Loop W., officially opened September 8. Like its other 12 locations, the spacious interior is colorful and rustic, with old family portraits lining the walls, including ones of “Mama Ninfa” Laurenzo herself. There’s also a bar area.
The menu starts with appetizers like chile con queso with beef picadillo and ceviche and continues with soups, entree salads and a variety of nachos. The Mama Ninfa’s Favorites includes the Pork Tamale Plate, Carne Guisada and Chile Relleno a la Ninfa. There are more than a dozen fajita platters, plus steaks, fresh fish and lunch specials.
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What’s better than a burrito? A stack of burritos.
Photo by The Nix Company
Freebirds World Burrito, 20330 Fort Bend Pkwy Toll Rd., is celebrating its grand opening September 18 beginning at 10:30 a.m. The new Stafford location will have giveaways, games and free samples that day, plus the first 25 guests in line will receive free burritos for a year, one per week. The next 26 to 100 attendees will get free burritos for a year, one per month.
The BYOB (build-your-own-burrito) restaurant currently operates more than 60 locations. It also features house-made salsas, tacos, nachos and salads.
Bye-bye bocce and bowling.
Photo by Christopher Mann
Pinstripes, 3300 Kirby, closed this week. The closure is part of the Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing by Pinstripes Holdings Inc., according to the Houston Chronicle. The Houston location is one of 10 that are closed, including the other Texas location in Fort Worth. Its debts are listed in excess of $143 million.
The bowling alley venue debuted in Houston in 2019. It also featured bocce courts, a gorgeous patio and an Italian bistro with dishes like espresso-encrusted filet mignon and fried calamari.
We first heard the news when we were contacted by a spokesperson from Boat People S.O.S., the local non-profit that is hosting its annual Banh Mi Cookoff September 16, 2025. Pinstripes was supposed to be the event venue, but the banh mi competition has now been moved to Lam Bo Ballroom, 6159 Westheimer. The dates and times are still the same and yours truly is fortunate enough to represent the Houston Press as one of the judges. Tickets are still available at eventbrite.
Hacienda Los Arcos, 4625 Kingwood, opened this month, according to HKA Texas. It’s the second location for the Mexican restaurant which also operates a spot in Humble/Atascocita. In addition to authentic dishes like tortilla soup, hand-rolled enchiladas and sizzling fajitas, there are Los Arcos Specialties including Gulf Red Snapper and Steak Ranchero.
There’s a bright and open dining room, a small outdoor patio and a bustling bar.
Mo’ Brunch +Brews will host a pop-up September 18 at the University of Houston in collaboration with the UH Dining Services. Chef Courtney Lindsay will share samples of his vegan boudin sushi balls from 11 a.m. until sell-out at the Cougar Woods Dining Commons, 4277 Wheeler.
AloJapan.com