Erica Cheng

Houston

Food Reporter at Chron

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Articles

One of Texas' Top Hospitality Groups to Move into Iconic Houston Venue

1 week ago | perishablenews.com | Erica Cheng

June 18, 2025 | 1 min to read Submit release Save for later Share Photo Credit: MF Lobster & CevicheSay goodbye to MF Lobster & Seafood. Say hello to an award-winning Austin restaurant group. It’s a sad day for seafood fans. Lauded Houston eatery MF Lobster & Seafood has closed. Luckily, a Michelin-rated hospitality group is taking over its Autry Park space. Located at 3711 Autry Park Dr., MF Lobster & Seafood debuted on Feb. 16, 2024 under its previous name, MF Lobster & Ceviche.
Why Yao Ming and Houstonians return to this 25-year-old cafe

1 week ago | chron.com | Erica Cheng

Tapioca House is one of Houston's OG boba shops. Marco Torres/@MarcoFromHouston, Marco Torres/Marco Torres/ChronBefore international boba chains like Gong Cha and Chi Cha San Chen came to Houston, there was Tapioca House. Unknown to most Houstonians, the small Asiatown cafe was one of earliest bubble tea purveyors in the city, even becoming a favorite of NBA icon Yao Ming. For almost a decade now, boba or bubble tea has become a growing phenomenon across Houston.
Houston bar The Kid opens in former tire shop, Flying Fish space

1 week ago | chron.com | Erica Cheng

The Kid promises cool cocktail bar feels in a cozy neighborhood setting. Courtesy of The KidLate last year, Heights seafood joint Flying Fish shuttered suddenly. Now, just months later, the restaurant has rebranded into a new(ish) neighborhood bar. Known as The Kid, the bar is officially hosting its grand opening this month. Originally a tire shop, The Kid takes over a spot previously occupied by the only Flying Fish location in Houston. The Kid, located at 1815 N.
Houston-area chef wins 2025 James Beard award for Texas' best

1 week ago | chron.com | Erica Cheng

The prestigious James Beard Award is an annual highlight for chefs and restaurateurs across the nation. // Photographs of the 2019 James Beard Awards in Chicago, MN. All images by Eliesa Johnson and Melissa Hesse of The Restaurant Project® 2019Eliesa Johnson/Photo by Eliesa JohnsonYears before the Michelin Guide arrived in Texas, the acclaimed James Beard Foundation was already making waves in the Lone Star State.
Popular Korean BBQ spot to open its second Houston location

2 weeks ago | chron.com | Erica Cheng

Korean barbecue concept Handam BBQ is coming to the Heights. Sammyvision/Getty ImagesThe Heights is, yet again, getting a cool new restaurant. Popular Asiatown staple Handam BBQ will open a second location this year, bringing Korean barbecue to the northwest-central Houston neighborhood. Earlier this week, restaurant reps took to social media to announce the upcoming location.
Beloved Houston pub to close after just 3 years of operation

2 weeks ago | chron.com | Erica Cheng

Another restaurant in the Garden Oaks/Oak Forest neighborhood of Houston, Texas, will shutter. This time, a bar that had been part of the neighborhood for the last few years announced it will close its doors in July. thianchai sitthikongsak/Getty ImagesAnother Garden Oaks/Oak Forest food and beverage business is shuttering. Just hours after Tex-Mex joint Mi Tierra Mexican Kitchen closed, neighborhood bar The Upside Pub announced its imminent closing.
Neighborhood Mexican restaurant in Houston suddenly closes

2 weeks ago | chron.com | Erica Cheng

A neighborhood restaurant in Houston, Texas, specializing in cuisine reminiscent of Mexico City, has closed. Getty Images/GraphicscocoAfter just two years, a well-liked neighborhood Mexican restaurant in northwest Houston has closed, adding onto the pile of recent restaurant closures. Oak Forest joint Mi Tierra Mexican Kitchen has announced its shuttering.
Chicago sandwich chain to reportedly add 10 Houston-area locations

2 weeks ago | chron.com | Erica Cheng

Potbelly Sandwich Shop was founded in 1977 in Chicago. Its name refers to the potbelly stove. Now Potbelly Sandwich Works, the chain is making a big push through the Houston area with several franchise locations being planned, according to reports. patty_c/Getty ImagesScores of fast-casual chains have expanded to the Houston area, but only a select few have grown their footprint. Luckily for fans, one Chicago-based sandwich chain will debut 10 new locations across Southeast Texas.
'Greatest neighborhood restaurant' to open first Houston location

3 weeks ago | chron.com | Erica Cheng

Parkway Property Investments announced more than 80,000 square feet in transactions at its Post Oak Central office campus in Uptown Houston. Alex Montoya ' Parkway PropertyAnother restaurant chain is coming to Houston, but instead of the suburbs, this restaurant is coming straight to the city's center. The Henry will debut at the upcoming Central Park Post Oak plaza, located near the bustling Galleria-area.
Texas senate bill targets Dorito's, M&M's with new warning labels

3 weeks ago | chron.com | Erica Cheng

The "Make Texas Healthy Again" bill would put warning labels on packaged foods containing certain ingredients. Giselleflissak/Getty ImagesThe 89th Texas Legislature Session has ended. In its last few hours, state politicians approved the "Make Texas Healthy Again" bill, sending it to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's desk. If Abbott signs off on it, your favorite snack foods may get a new look. Earlier this week, the Texas House and Senate approved Texas Senate Bill 25, colloquially known as the.