Openings and Closings: Mexican Sugar Regent Square, Katz’s Deli Memorial

Mexican Sugar, 3505 Dallas, is opening this December at Regent Square. Part of the FB Society portfolio, it already has Texas locations in Plano, Las Colinas and Uptown Dallas. The upcoming Houston location will be a two-story restaurant as is FB Society’s most recent Houston foray, Haywire. It will span nearly 13,000 square feet with seating for 375 guests. It will also feature two patios on each level that offer views of Buffalo Bayou Park.

Inspired by the cosmopolitan vibe of Mexico City, its luxurious textiles and locally-produced artwork give it a modern feel while vibrant colors and woven pendant lights evoke the natural beauty of Mexico as well. Justin Beam, Director of Operations for Mexican Sugar says, “Our goal is to create a dining experience that blends bold, Mexican flavors with our signature style of hospitality that stays two steps ahead… We’re excited to offer Houstonians an immersive Mexican experience in a fresh, light and approachable way.”

The from-scratch menu centers on seasonal ingredients. The hand-pressed tortillas are made daily with heirloom masa from Oaxaca and are used for dishes such as Pescado Tacos with adobo-marinated striped bass and Pork Carnitas tacos with wood-grilled tomatillos. There are raw bar options including Tuna Crudo and Marinated Shrimp as well as shareables such as Queso Blanco and Lobster Fundito.

In addition to classic Mexican plates such as Fajitas and Roasted Chicken Enchiladas there are entrees like Bone-In Pork Chop and Marisco Veracruz. Its version of a burger, the Hamberguesa, starts with wagyu beef, chile-spiced bacon and roasted pobalano then gets topped with Monterey Jack cheese, pico de gallo, lettuce, avocado spread and adoba crema, served on a brioche bun. It comes with yucca fries for a reasonable $14.

There will also be a weekend brunch with dishes that include Cajeta French Toast, Vanilla Cinnamon Pancakes and Benedictos Rancheras.

The Houston location will have an Agave Library similar to its predecessors. It offers more than 150 tequilas and mezcals with knowledgeable staff to guide guests through curated tequila flights.

Katz’s Deli, 10321-A Katy Freeway, is coming to Memorial City in early 2026. The lease has been signed for the 6,381 square-foot space which will house the fifth location of the popular 24-hour restaurant. Construction will begin in early 2025 at the mixed-use development from MetroNational. Michael Hsu Office of Architecture is leading the design.

Its decor will echo its sister locations in the Heights and the Galleria with New York City-inspired elements such as subway tile, curved archways and a concrete u-shaped bar. Along with the 5,260 square-foot dining room, it will offer outdoor seating on its large patio.

Though it’s known as a deli-style eatery, Katz’s offers a full bar program with homemade margaritas and Kraft Kocktails like its vodka-based Lavender Lemonade or Malibu Pina Colada. There are Bloody Marys, micheladas and martinis as well.

Its menu will feature the sandwiches that Katz’s is famous for including its The Reuben, Monte Kristo and Kountry Klub along with traditional deli favorites such as Corned Beef, Pastrami,, BLT and Chicken Salad. Other items include Matzo Ball Soup, Cobb Salad plus a wide selection of burgers, hot heroes and main plates like Southern Fried Chicken, Mouth-Watering Yankee Pot Roast and The Manhattan Steak Dinner.

Its slogan of “Katz’s Never Kloses” means that late night partiers and early risers can enjoy breakfast, too. Guests can soak up the booze with its new Stuffed French Toast or get the day going with one of its Klassic Breakfast dishes such as Pastrami Hash & Eggs or David’s Spinach Frittata.  Its to-go service operates 24/7 as well.

The Rice Box 9201 Katy Freeway, is expected to open this December in the Memorial area, as reported by CultureMap Houston. It will be the fifth location for the American Chinese eatery which originally began as a food truck in 2011 serving University of Houston students and late-night Montrose party people. Six years later, it opened at 5 Greenway Plaza in the food court. In 2017, owner John Peterson opened a storefront in the Heights while getting rid of the food truck model permanently. In the past few years, Peterson has expanded The Rice Box to River Oaks and Rice Village.

Known for its colorful neon lights and futuristic decor, it offers American Chinese staples such as General Tso’s Chicken and a selection of dishes like Kung Pao, Sesame and Sweet and Sour that can be made with chicken, cauliflower or tofu. There are beef dishes like Mongolian Beef and Pepper Steak plus fried rice, lo mein, dumplings, soups and eggrolls.

Cecil’s Pub, 600 W. Gray, has a tentative closing date of November 10, as reported by Chron.com. It’s a loss of a longtime Montrose neighborhood hangout that has been popular with locals, visiting celebrities and daytime drinkers in its nearly four decades of business.

It began originally as Blythe Spirits in 1985 in what is now PJ’s Sports Bar. Owner Kimberly Blythe moved it next door to its current spot in 1990, and named it after her father, Cecil, according to Chron.com. Blythe sold it in 2016 but now its current owners say in an Instagram post that “the landlord of our property has decided to sell and the incoming landlord has elected not to sign a lease with Cecil’s.”

There’s a possibility of a new home for Cecil’s in the future but the fabric of Montrose has been ripped at the seams yet again. 

SOSH Coffee + Cocktails, 2221 W. Dallas, launched its cocktail service this week. SOSH debuted at Us Bayou Park last year offering its morning and afternoon coffee program that utilizes beans from local small-batch roastery, Rivas Coffee. It has now added afternoon and evening hours for its craft cocktail service. Along with the extended hours comes live music and a happy hour.

Taking its place among other upscale Allen Parkway destinations such as Toca Madera and Clarkwood, SOSH’s cocktail experience features seasonal beers, wines by the glass and on-trend cocktails such as espresso martinis, spicy margaritas and ranch water. For autumnal flavors, there are signature drinks like its Maple Old Fashioned and Apple Cider Mule.

It also offers guests a small food menu with items such as gourmet pizzas, snacks and fruit smoothies plus breakfast tacos from Tacodeli and pastries from Omar Pereney’s Love Croissants.

Restaurants Reported Open October 2024:

Andy’s Home Cafe, 2121 N. Main, opened October 30
Bashi, 800 Capitol, opened September 12
Big City Wings, 23402 Kingsland Boulevard, opened October 20
Black Rock Coffee Bar, 22219 FM 529, opened October 18
Blacksmith, 820 Gessner, opened October 8
Coffee Fellows, 1127 Eldridge, opened October 22
Haywire party Barn, 947 Gessner, opened October 21
HTeaO, 1935 Avenue D, opened October 18
Juicy Joint, 5550 Val Verde, opened October 18
Leo’s River Oaks, 2009 W. Gray, opened October 22
Maven at Sawyer Yards, 1501 Silver, opened October 18
Mi Luna, 888 Westheimer, opened October 7
Pho Guru, 6191 Highway Boulevard, opened September 10
Piper’s Cantina, 1815 Mangum, opened October 3
Portillo’s Hot Dogs, 11005 W. Grand Parkway, opened October 22
P. Terry’s Burger Stand, 9207 FM 723, opened October16
Saigon Hustle, 1223 Witte, opened October 11
Seareinas, 1910 Bagby, opened October 2
Seven Brew, 13353 FM 1488, opened October 26
Talespin Pizza, 11300 Katy Freeway, opened September 27
Tejas Brewery and Taproom, 2102 Summer, opened September 12
Trader Joe’s, 13550 University Boulevard, opened October 24
Traveler’s Cart, 1401 Montrose, opened October 23
Via 313, 1541 N. Shepherd, opened September 23

Restaurants Reported Closed October 2024:

Benny Chow’s, 1818 Washington, closed September 30
HiWay Cantina, 1201 St. Emanuel, closed September 28
Lightnin’s Good Times, 1201 St. Emanuel, closed September 28
Nippon Japanese Restaurant, 4464 Montrose Boulevard, closes November 17
PS-21, 2712 Richmond, closed early October
Vinny’s, 1201 St. Emanuel, closed September 28