Our Savior Lutheran School
ntegrity
Grades 1-8
C A R E Funeral C are F
U N E R A L
• Simple Elegance • Sensible Pricing • Impeccable Quality • Pre-Arrangements Available
EnrollinG now
This week’s edition of Food & Drink takes a look at the relocation of a favorite food truck, as well as new resturants and a bartender with an artistic flair.
3915 Dacoma, Suite E (713) 344.0764
713-290-8277 5000 west Tidwell
Hello Pho Binh 1B · Behind the Bar 2B • Art Valet 3B
www.IntegrityFuneral.com
www.oslschool.org
Saturday, June 20, 2015 • Page 1B
PhOpen
Hittin’ the StrEATs
Favored food truck aims to renovate, relocate to permanent location By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com
Photo by Christina Martinez From the left, Brandon McPherren and Minh Lucas each enjoy a bowl of the beef soup, with shared rolls and a couple of beers.
Houston Vietnamese mini-chain opens doors on White Oak Drive By Christina Martinez christina@theleadernews.com
Jason Hill of H-Town StrEATs, as well as Hugs & Donuts and The Bird House, says that he and business partner Matt Opaleski “like to be integrated” in the community. “We want people to feel connected to brand and our business,” Hill said. Thus, the duo hatched a new KickInstragram photo from user @elimjones starter campaign to raise $6,000 in order A recent and current view of the H-Town StrEATs food truck. to fund the rehabbing of ‘Old Dingo’, affectionately known as the ugliest food H-Town StrEATs to one location saves Town StrEATs. As for the duos other seasonal chicktruck in Houston. Previously they raised on driving time, gas and generator costs, en venture, The Bird House which took nearly $60,000 to get Hugs & Donuts off plus no need to replace the tires. Hill, who used to rent space from turns with The Boil House on E. 11th the ground. The streat truck food, all can agree, Kraftsmen Baking once upon a time, Street, Hill said it’s on the back burner earns rave reviews from the critics and said that the new iteration will be “run for now. “We couldn’t function [with] both the the public alike. From the fried avocado like a restaurant.” Although some of the items on the truck and Bird House,” said Hill. taco, to the boudin and risotto, the menu So far, the campaign has 22 backers, is decadent, and good. Ask anyone who old menu are very time intensive – the has ever had a Shorty Mac – a grilled Shorty Mac takes more than 20 hours who have pledged $1,151 with a little cheese sandwich stuffed with macaroni due to the ribs – they will still be offered less than two weeks to go. Hill is hopeand cheese and pulled braised short in rotation, as well as on their catering ful that they will make it – “I hope so or menu. no one is getting Shorty Macs,” he jokes ribs. “We’ll still do the old favorites,” said – but he will proceed with the refurbishSo the news that the food truck – one ment even if they don’t. of the first gourmet offerings in Houston Hill. Those donating $15 to the Kickstarter The soft opening for Bernie’s Backalmost five years ago – is rebranding a bit to become H-Town StrEATs presents campaign are guaranteed a Shorty Mac yard will be July 3 with a grand opening Luv Me Tenders might be a little sad for as well as a golden ticket that will get on July 23. them $2 off every time they visit Hsome, as is the movement of the truck to a permanent location just past Splashtown near Old Town Spring. Bernie’s Backyard will host seven food trailers/trucks, including Oh My Gogi and BBQ Godfather out of Montgomery county. While some of the other tenants will retain a presence elsewhere, it will be H-Town StrEATs’ sole location. But take heart – Bernie’s is on five acres with a 2,400 square foot bar as well as a stage for live music, and big screen televisions for sporting events and family movie nights. And the food at Luv Me Tenders? Still yummy. Recent patrons have already had a preview with the tender tacos like the Kitchen Sink Taco (Nacho cheese, bacon and salsa verde) and the Riff Raff (nacho cheese, jalapeno ranch and jalapeno kettle chips), named after the local Houston rapper. The new logo features a distinctly groovy chicken, courtesy of artist Shelby Hohl. 350 W. 19th St.,Houston, TX 77008 If you want, blame H-Town 713.360.6204 | Haroldsheights.com StrEATs’ new incarnation on the success of Hugs & Donuts which surpassed the partners’ The Leader ad.indd 1 4/14/15 9:46 AM already high expectations and is keeping them very busy. Hill’s wife Amy even left her job as a Child Life Specialist at Texas Children’s Hospital to manage the shop. Moving
Heights neighbor Brandon McPherren and his friend Minh Lucas describe the new Pho Binh location as “magical.” McPherren lives down the street and regularly eats at the Cypress location near his work. Lucas has been dining with the Vietnamese mini-chain since the original Pho Binh trailer and now the two can satisfy their pho craving in a short walk’s time. The White Oak eatery opened doors on June 10, after undergoing about three months of renovations. The previous location housed the French bistro, Sale Sucre. Since the kitchen and utilities had all been established by the previous tenants, Pho Binh General Manager Walt Hoang said majority of the work needed was to put their touch on the inside. “We completely redid the inside,” Hoang said. “The kitchen needed some work, but we redid the inside to our taste and made it inviting and bright to come in so you feel welcome.” The restaurant has been open for just over a week and business has been increasingly steady. It wasn’t until opening weekend that Hoang saw the crowd really pour in. “Over the weekend we were packed from opening to closing,” Hoang said. “On Sunday we ran out of broth, noodles and even cilantro, of all things. Our kitchen is not that big, so we don’t mass produce or buy in bulk so we aren’t wasteful.” The Heights location is one of seven, but this location differentiates itself from the others by focusing on the sit down dinner, Hoang said. A ‘Heights Only Menu’ is being debuted for lunch and dinner, with offerings that can be shared or enjoyed for one. “We have different things on the menu and we’re going to try it out to see what our customers like,” Hoang said. “If something works, we’ll keep it and if they’d like to see something else we can work on that, too.” The Heights only menu has a slight seafood influence with standout items like the spread of oysters with Tabiko, soft shell crab salad, the bone-in chillean sea bass, and from the protein side, the black pepper steak and the baked bone marrow. Another Heights neighbor, Sandra Gunn, stopped in for lunch after a long day of errands and said after learning of Pho Binh’s opening, she knew exactly what she was having for lunch. “This is just the kind of place we needed in the area,” Gunn said. “Now all we’re missing is an Indian restaurant.” Gunn also added that she’d be back in for dinner. The most ordered dish from the menu is the beef soups, according to Hoang. The soups A fruit smoothie with are the most popular amoung tapioca balls. several of their restaurants and it is where the family business started with their Southeast Houston trailer. Something that stayed intact during renovations is the Frosted LemoNade previous bar at Sale Sucre that will now be home to Vietnamso tasy you’ll get the chills esse teas, smoothies, and even specialty Vietnamese beer and with diet wine. “We’re thinking about adding sake, but we’ll feel out the caLories customers,” Hoang said. “I don’t want to take away from with regular the dining experience and I’m not sure if that is something customers would even want.” caLories Hoang and his staff are excited to welcome in all the new faces and have them try something they’ve never had before. Pho Binh Heights is located at 2916 White Oak Dr. 77007 and are open Monday - Sunday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., with in-between closing hours 13240 Northwest Frwy Open Mon-Thurs 6am-10pm pending. Fri & Sat 6am-11pm 713-462-7698
New
240 330
We Cater
Come enjoy LUNCH
@ Harold’s
Tuesday-Friday 11-4pm It’s Terrace time!
Complimentary appetizer & non- alcoholic beverage with purchase of any lunch entree!
Breakfast & Lunch Thank you for all of neighborhood support
Try our Maple Bacon Fritters with a Katz Coffee
Assorted Kolaches & Fritters Doughnuts • Smoothies Cappuccinos • Frappuccinos • Lattes Panninis • Sandwiches
HourS
M-F 5:30am -5pm Sat 5:30 am - 2 pm Sunday Closed
5403 N. Shepherd Dr. 832-649-2287
GREENWOOD KING The Leader of Real Estate Sales in your Area
713.864.0888 G
R
E
E
N
W
k O
O
D
1801 Heights Blvd. K
I
N
G
.
C
O
M