Katz’s Never Kloses in Memorial City, LOCAL Public Eatery Debuts

Katz’s Memorial City, 10321 Katy Freeway, opens September 2. With its slogan of ‘Katz’s Never Kloses’, the casually upscale eatery will be a 24/7, around-the-clock restaurant just like its other locations. Before its official opening, Katz’s Memorial will host Charity Day, a practice-run service that is open to the public August 31. The entire day’s proceeds will go to the Kerr County Flood Relief Fund to support the victims and communities devastated by the July 4th flooding in the Texas Hill Country. Guests may sign up for the event online.

For its opening day. there will be a symbolic “key-cutting” ceremony at 11 a.m. with a tossing away of the keys, since the 24-hour eatery never “kloses.” Owner Barry Katz says it’s a dream come true to open this fifth location in the Houston area. “We strive to be the industry leader in food quality, service and ambiance, and can’t wait to NEVER Klose our doors again!”

Founded in Austin in 1979, the concept moved to Houston in 2000 when owners Barry and Lisa Katz opened the Montrose location on Westheimer. It was a perfect spot for a 24-hour eatery, especially with the late night people of Montrose. However, it also became popular for its lunch, dinner and brunch services with its offerings of Reuben sandwiches, beef stuffed cabbage roll and matzo ball soup.

The food menu has expanded over the years as has the cocktail program. Breakfast dishes include three-egg omelettes, a variety of Belgian waffles, a griddled Monte Cristo and the Texas Brisket Benedict. There are sandwich options like Yankee Pot Roast, French Dip and Deluxe vegetarian Reuben, plus salads such as Nicoise, Cobb and Mediterranean Chicken. There is a selection of burgers as well as entrees like Blackened Sea Bass Acapulco and The Manhattan Steak Dinner.

Katz’s is also known for its decadent desserts and this September’s Monthly Signature Slice is Lemon Italian Creme Cake. The line up of summer sips includes cocktails like Vodka Cherry Limeade and Sangria Swirl Margarita.

In addition to the Montrose location and the upcoming Memorial City restaurant, Katz’s has eateries in the Galleria, the Heights and The Woodlands. There is a plan to return to Austin with a 6th Street location in 2027.

 LOCAL Public Eatery, 9595 Six Pines, opened August 21 in The Woodlands. It’s the second Texas location for the brand and the first for the Greater Houston area. LPE was founded in Vancouver, British Columbia in 2009 and is under the umbrella of JOEY Restaurant Group, which also operates a JOEY Restaurant in Houston’s Galleria.

The eclectic 5,140 square-foot space features both vintage and modern elements with retro-style light fixtures, contemporary furniture and curated artwork. The beer board above the bar lists the huge offering of beers available and also doubles as a sports screen. A wrap-around patio with a retractable roof is prepared for Houston weather all year-round. A mix of comfortable booths, banquettes and tables means there is seating for a variety of parties, be it couples, families, or groups of friends. The open kitchen adds to the energy of the dining room, while a central back bar awaits sports fans.

Regional chef Oliver Lewis says that The Woodlands community is an ideal spot for its elevated comfort food and welcoming space. He says, “Celebrated for its dynamic culinary scene, deep-rooted sports pride and warm Southern hospitality, the Houston area is the perfect place for LOCAL Public eatery’s next Texas home.”

Lewis has also helped to create the menu of classic comfort foods and creative bites with innovative dishes like Fried Chicken Ramen and the Korean-inspired BBQ Rice Bowl. Its Fully Loaded Crispy Potatoes aren’t your typical sports pub grub. This shareable (or not) loads pair potatoes with delicious toppings including parmesan, horseradish aioli, bacon, jalapenos and shaved Grana Padano cheese. There are mains like Steak & Fries, plus a selection of pizzas, including The Texan made with organic tomato sauce, Spianata salami, bacon, fennel sausage and mozzarella. The restaurant also offers a weekend brunch.

The large beer menu and curated wine list are joined by fun cocktails, including a couple of frozen drinks. The LPE Bloody Mary, exclusive to the two Texas locations, is made with Tito’s vodka and gets a kick from a pickled pepper.

For its launch, LPE is offering the first 300 guests who book and complete reservations via OpenTable, and also join its loyalty program, a $20 digital gift card for use on the next visit.

Berwick’s Bird of Paradise, 2020 Studewood, will celebrate its grand opening August 24 from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Guests are encouraged to wear their best Hawaiian shirt and come ready to enjoy specials on oysters and a select martini, a $7 La Bruja frozen cocktail, plus half-price burgers and fries. From 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., there will be music from DJ Roots Vibah, followed by the Shame on Me band at 8 p.m.

Quietly opened this past July, the hideaway’s island resort theme entices guests to stay a while and enjoy a tropical cocktail while listening to the smooth Calypso sounds of Harry Belafonte. There are also palm trees swaying, outdoor patios and tasty burgers and bites.

Owner Robin Berwick, a Galveston native, says “Tropical is not a design thing. It’s literally in my DNA.” With the opening of her second bar, she can satisfy her obsession with the sea and boats. Having operated Double Trouble Caffeine and Cocktails for over a decade, and lasting through the COVID pandemic, Berwick was persuaded by her friend Robert Sussman of Ancorian Development to take a chance on a second bar. The space they found was perfect and the two palm trees out front seemed to be a sign.

As a hospitality professional, Berwick hopes the intimate space fosters conversations among friends, but also invites guests to mingle, enjoying the beachy cocktails and lush space. It was renovated by Pruitt Structures and it boasts a custom bar built by Objektfab. There’s room for 58 guests inside with additional space on its patios for another 100.

Some of the cocktails include Take the Rye Tai, a complex mix of rye whiskey, yuzu curacao, lime, mint and orgeat. Other concoctions include the Day-O’ Fashioned, a coffee-banana rum drink, and a zero-proof San Pellegrino Sanbitter, an imported soda reminiscent of Campari.

Berwick has chef Jacob Pate in charge of the kitchen and many Houstonians may recognize him as the former chef at Savoir and Patton’s. His resume also includes Agricole Hospitality and The Toasted Coconut. Pate’s menu includes the No-Brainer, a double-patty smash burger with American cheese, lettuce, onion and pickled jalapenos, plus lighter bites like a refreshing cucumber salad and labneh.

Kirby Ice House Heights, 1421 N. Loop W., is expected to open August 30. It will be the fourth location for the backyard bar and patio and promises to have the longest bar in Texas at 146 feet in length. It will also be located on three and a half-acre property.

We wrote about the project in September 2024 when it was slated to open in fall 2025. Now it looks as if it is going to be a little bit earlier than expected. Stay tuned next week when we will have new photos and additional information about the new hotspot.

7 Brew Drive Thru Coffee, 4800 Fairmont Parkway, open August 27. It’s the first location of the coffee stand in Pasadena. There will be a ribbon cutting at 10 a.m. and 7 Brew Pasadena will present a $2,000 donation to the Pasadena Animal Shelter. Three days later, August 30, the business will host a Swag Day in which customers who purchase a large drink will get a free 7 Brew t-shirt, while supplies last.

Though the drive-thru stand offers a number of classic coffee and espresso drinks, it also features its 7 Originals, in flavors like Cinnamon Roll and White Chocolate Mocha. The extensive menu of beverage includes teas, lemonades, infused sparkling waters, shakes and energy drinks.

Phat Eatery Katy, 23119 Colonial Parkway, reopened August 18 after a two month closure. The Katy Asian Town location was in the midst of expansion when they discovered an issue with the water heater compliance. Permits and details have been ironed out and the team is ready to serve its famous beef rendang and roti canai once more.

The Malaysian restaurant was founded by chef Alex Au-Yeung in 2018 and quickly became a destination restaurant for its unique cuisine. Its popularity inspired Au-Yeung to expand with a location in The Woodlands. Unfortunately, Au-Yeung passed away from cancer in March 2024, just three months before the Woodlands location made its debut. He was only 52.

Today, Kevin Lee and Martin He, directors of operations, carry on his legacy with both restaurants.

Milton’s, 5117 Kelvin, will add Sunday to its dinner service beginning August 31. The trattoria from Local Foods Group is coming up on its first anniversary this September and its bustling dining room has been at capacity for most of that year. Adding an extra dinner service will mean less disappointment for diners trying to wrangle a table at the second story eatery above Local Foods. Currently, the restaurant only offers dinner Wednesday through Thursday.

The restaurant will celebrate its first Sunday service, 4p.m. to 9 p.m., with a complimentary glass of bubbly for guests 21 and up, while supplies last. Executive chef Kent Domas and creative director Seth Seigel-Gardner have created a menu of Italian American classics such as chicken parmesan, lasagna and rigatoni Bolognese. There are also elegant entrees like chicken piccata and branzino with salsa verde and almond salmoriglio.

Milton’s wine list was recognized recently with an Award of Excellence by Wine Spectator‘s Restaurant Awards.

White Castle is bringing its first ever Texas location to the Lone Star State in 2026, according to PR Newswire. Unfortunately for us, it will be located at Grandscape at The Colony, a suburb near Dallas. The fast food slider company is 104 years old, so it’s about time.  Credited as the first fast food hamburger joint in the country, White Castle has 335 restaurants nationwide. You’d think it would have taken advantage of the fact that Texans love beef, in any shape or form, way before now.

Perhaps Houstonians will be enjoying the oniony square patties in the near future.