An oral history of what Covid-19 has done to the Houston hospitality industry.
By
Timothy Malcolm
3/17/2021 at 9:48am
Published in the Spring 2021 issue of
Houstonia
Covid-19 dominated everything in 2020, from the way we lived (mostly at home) to how we ate (again, mostly at home). In Houston it significantly altered the restaurant industry, with more than 100,000 workers temporarily finding themselves out of work during the year, according to the Greater Houston Restaurant Association. Restaurants closed for weeks, and in some cases permanently, chefs and workers found themselves out of jobs, and a city known for how much its residents go out to eat retreated.
UPDATE: Now that the situation has stabilized, Eater will no longer be updating this running guide of openings and closures. Please call ahead before traveling to these establishments to ensure that they are open, as some may still be closed due to power outages or water issues.
As evidenced by the snow on the ground and chilly temperatures, this weekend brought truly unprecedented winter weather across the state of Texas. As such, most of the city’s restaurants have opted to close their doors in an effort to keep staff safe during treacherous driving conditions.
Still, as thousands of people across the city are stuck inside their homes without power, there’s plenty of Houstonians who are in need of a hot meal right now. There aren’t many restaurants open right now, but Eater’s keeping track of the spots that are planning to stay open or keep the doors closed during this bonkers winter weather.
Daily, 6am-4pm 5422 Bellaire
Popular Meyerland breakfast stop The Bagel Shop has officially opened another location, this time over in Bellaire, withpatio seating, a counter-style coffee bar with an espresso machine and pastries, bagels, breakfast sandwiches, deli favorites and grab-and-go items. Food Network Star chef Roshni Gurnani will helm the kitchen as executive chef, with chef Adriana Soto as the kitchen supervisor. Pop in for old favorites from whitefish salad and tuna fish salad to all the bagels, or try new items like the Falafel Burger, Elvis Schmelvish bagel sandwich and Deep Fried Blintzes.
UPDATE: This event has been rescheduled to Saturday, January 16.
Chef Chris Shepherd s Underbelly Hospitality announces two new concepts
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The Houston restaurant group behind Georgia James, UB Preserv, One Fifth, Hay Merchant and Blacksmith on Wednesday announced two new concepts.
Underbelly Hospitality from James Beard Award-winning chef Chris Shepherd is set to open Wild Oats restaurant in summer 2021 and Georgia James Tavern in spring/early summer 2021.
Wild Oats
Wild Oats, a full-service restaurant at Houston Farmers Market at 2520 Airline Dr., shines the spotlight on Texas cuisine by Houston native Nick Fine.
Dishes, made with locally sourced ingredients, include a house take on shrimp diablo featuring masa in a nod to tamales.
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: UB Preserv, 1609 Westheimer, is offering an ace New Year’s Day Snack Pack, available for preorder through Sunday, December 27 and with pickup from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. on New Year’s Eve or noon to 2 p.m. on New Year’s Day. Features include housemade Fritos and black-eyed pea dip, collard green samosas and chutney, a Japanese egg salad sandwich, a Mala pork cracklin’s, pickle, cheese, and sausage plate, cold fried chicken with coleslaw and pepper jelly, and build-your-own ice cream sandwiches. The entire set is $65 and serves two people.