Openings and Closings: Slowpokes is Expanding Fast
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Slowpokes, 1501 Silver, opens March 20 in Building B at Silver Street Studios. It’s the 8th location for the coffee cafe from owner Mazen Batalgi. It first debuted in 2016 and has seen a steady expansion across the city. Batalgi says the new location was a good opportunity that presented itself and it worked out the way it was supposed to. “We strive to create environments where people can gather over great coffee or wine, and we look forward to meeting all of our new neighbors.” Slowpokes roasts its coffee in-house. Credit: Becca Wright The Arts District location at Sawyer Yards has seen a number of eateries come and go, but Slowpokes seems to have a staying power that many others lack. The laid back environment is rustic and warm, inviting guests to linger over conversation and drinks. It also provides a comfortable space for those working on the next great American novel or taking a lunch break from the office. There is plenty of space, both inside and out. The new location can accommodate 126 guests, which is perfect for the artists and visitors flowing through the area. Slowpokes also plans to collaborate with its new neighbors by incorporating pop-up fitness classes and other community gatherings. Lunch breaks are more fun, and delicious, at Slowpokes. Credit: Becca Wright The cafe offers all-day service including breakfast, which features a menu of egg tacos, kolaches, salmon bagels and pastries that are baked locally. Its main menu offers panini, flatbreads, salads and snacks. The churro doughnuts are a popular treat. There is a multitude of coffee drinks, plus specialty lattes and refreshers. Its weekday happy hour offers specials on craft beer and wine, plus there is a board and bottle special for $25, which includes a bottle of select wine and a curated charcuterie board. The Raven Grill, 1916 Bissonnet, will close its doors March 29, after completing its final dinner service. Owners Sara and Rob Cromie made the announcement online, stating that the landlord did not renew the lease. However, its sandwich and soup concept next door, Picnic, will remain open. The American-style eatery opened in 1998, becoming a reliable neighborhood grill for comfort foods like meatloaf, steaks, burgers and enchiladas. Many regulars will miss its Tower O’Rings. Woody’s Hideaway in Webster will be similar to the location in Conroe. Credit: Woody's Brands Woody’s Hideaway, 20801 Gulf Freeway, is planning to open in Webster late this year. Part of Woody’s Brands, which operates Little Woodrow’s around Houston and Eddie’s Tavern in Louisiana, the Webster locations of Woody’s Hideaway will make number four for Texas and number three for the Greater Houston area. A location in Conroe opened this past January, The sports bar and entertainment venue will offer 12,500 square feet of indoor space, along with a large outdoor patio. With multiple golf bays, pool tables and dartboards, there is fun for everyone, 21 and over. Outdoors, there are yard games and ping pong and groups can rent karaoke rooms for private gatherings. Woody’s Hideaway offers multiple pay-to-play pool tables. Credit: Woody's Brands Of course, there are a number of televisions scattered throughout for sports fans, including a massive 30-foot-wide video wall. In addition to beer, wine and cocktails, there is a full kitchen serving burgers, sandwiches, quesadillas and wings. Galiana’s Tex Mex and Agave Bar, 11231 Greenhouse, is expected to open this summer at Towne Lake. The concept from Grupo Herrera restaurants, a locally and family-owned hospitality group, opened in late April 2020 when it transitioned from its previous bakery cafe to its current iteration. The group also operates Dario’s, Marvino’s, and Alicia’s Mexican Grill. According to its social media, the move will be a relocation. We have reached out for more specifics. Chef Hugo Ortega’s plato mariscos is Texas Monthly- approved. Credit: Paula Murphy Zaranda, 1550 Lamar, is adding Sunday hours and brunch, beginning March 22. The newest concept from James Beard Award-winning chef Hugo Ortega and four-time JBA-nominated restaurateur Tracy Vaught, opened last October. The couple also operate Hugo’s, Caracol, Xochi and URBE as part of H-Town Restaurant Group. Combining the culinary flavors of Baja, California and Baja, Mexico, the menu is based on Las Californias, the region spanning from Northern California to Cabo San Lucas. The Sunday supper menu, served from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., will feature the restaurant’s a la carte menu filled with ceviches, seafood plates, steaks and a number of vegan and vegetarian options. Sunday supper also offers happy hour pricing at dinner, as well as bottles of wine for 25 percent off. Zaranda’s steak and eggs can be paired with a bottle of mimosas. Credit: Paula Murphy The Sunday brunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with a menu of dishes like pan de elote, tostada de campechana, chicken chilaquiles, and bistec con huevos, a prime steak served with sunny side-up eggs, refried beans, guacamole, caramelized onions and salsa roja tatemade. The steak and eggs also come with flour tortillas. Brunch service will feature specialty coffee drinks, plus a mimosa cart with fresh juices and Mexican sparkling wine. Zaranda will also offer complimentary valet for Sunday services. Boba House, 5353 W. Alabama, opens March 21 with a lion dance at 2 p.m. The grand opening event will run from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. with buy-one-get-one free milk teas. Truluck’s in The Woodlands is getting a refreshed interior. Credit: Truluck's Truluck’s, 1900 Hughes Landing, will close its main dining room and bar temporarily in The Woodlands for a brief renovation. The private dining rooms will still be available for booking. The transformation will take place April 2, 2026 through April 22, 2026. In the interim, there’s always its other Houston location at 5350 Westheimer. Truluck’s is known for its seasonal stone crab claws, Credit: Truluck's Heading toward its tenth anniversary in The Woodlands, the upscale seafood and steak restaurant will have a refreshed design when it reopens after a quick facelift that will include new flooring, tables, chairs, chandeliers and drapery. Taking its cue from the recently-renovated Houston location and another in Plano, the revamp will be in keeping with the sophisticated, yet welcoming, vibe of the brand. This old warehouse complex will be a multi-use office and gathering space soon. Credit: Courtney Rodrigues The Swift BLDG, 621 Waverly, announced two new tenants that will be joining its lineup of retail and dining businesses. Leemoo and Van Leeuwen Ice Cream have signed on to join the historic redevelopment in the Heights. Designed by Michael Hsu Office of Architecture, the campus will provide more than 35,000 square feet of office space, plus 25,000 square feet for dining and wellness tenants. The project is a partnership between Radom Capital and Triton Real Estate Partners. Double the yolks, double the pleasure. Credit: Alex Montoya Van Leeuwen is slated to open at the development in late 2026, making The Swift its fourth Houston-area spot. Started as an ice cream truck in New York City in 2008, the brand is now sold nationally in its shops and grocery stores. Its decadent ice cream follows the French style, using twice the amount of egg yolks for a creamy, dreamy mouth feel. It also uses premium, responsibly-sourced ingredients. Leemoo is a Houston-based wellness bar that offers fresh-pressed juices, acai bowls, wraps, smoothies and other items made without processed sugars, preservatives or artificial additives. Osteria di Mercato, 3642 University Boulevard, will join its sister concept, Mercato and Company April 1, according to the Houston Chronicle. The restaurant will serve modern Italian cuisine made with fresh, seasonal ingredients. Mauricio Alvarado will serve as executive chef. His resume includes local establishments like Tony’s and Bludorn, as well as Michelin-starred restaurants further afield like the French Laundry in Napa. The post Openings and Closings: Slowpokes is Expanding Fast appeared first on Houston Press.