In a vivacious food city like Houston, restaurant and bar closures can come in droves, just as openings do. This month, the news of time-honored places, including two Montrose stalwarts and two neighborhood pubs, lead the gambit.
Here are eight Houston restaurant and bar closures to know right now:
Riel
After operating for nearly a decade at 1927 Fairview, chef Ryan Lachaine announced he will close the doors to Riel on Saturday, August 30, in lieu of renewing his lease. Lachaine aptly showcased his Canadian and Eastern European heritage through his refined, yet playful menu, earning him endless fanfare and critical acclaim over the last decade.
Regulars stopped in, not only for regional dishes like tourtière, borscht, and pierogies, not soon found elsewhere in town, but for a friendly and fun atmosphere, wholly reflective of the Montrose neighborhood. While Riel was a gift to the city, it also served as a jumping off point for local talent, including chef EJ Miller who is now executive chef at Chardon and Nicholas Nguyen, who is Director of Operations at Padre’s Wine Shop + Bar.
With his roots firmly planted in Houston, Lachaine mentioned via a press release that he’s “here for the long haul” and teases exciting forthcoming announcements to be made at a later date.
The Eagle
The Eagle, a popular gay bar and Montrose institution, abruptly closed in mid-July, with passersby noticing it boarded up with a notice to vacate. News spread quickly among locals, but no official statement was made via social media by the bar. A most recent post showed photos from the bar’s annual Pride festivities on the weekend of June 28-30.
Picos
After 44 years of serving Houston, Picos announced it will shutter this year, with a final closing day to be announced in the coming weeks. A statement posted to social media by the Richards Family and the Picos staff cited the “difficult decision” and expressed gratitude to the restaurant’s loyal customers. The statement also made mention of farewell dinners, with dates to be announced.
Picos showcased regional Mexican cuisine in a warm, inviting, and festive space that left a lasting impression on Houstonians over the last four decades. It had become a cornerstone of the Houston dining community, and even garnered a broader reach by way of shipping its famed tamales nationwide.
Ginger & Fork
After nearly 10 years in business, Cantonese restaurant Ginger & Fork, announced it will serve its last meal this fall. According to a lengthy post shared to Instagram, the decision comes after choosing against renewing the lease at the end of the year. Houstonians can get a final taste of the restaurant’s beloved dim sum, plus farewell specials including cocktails and dishes that have remained in the Ginger & Fork vault over the last decade, through Saturday, October 25.
Maple Leaf Pub
Maple Leaf Pub, a beloved hockey bar and hangout in Midtown, is closed after a formal seizure notice was posted on the door by the Texas Comptroller’s Office. The reason cites unpaid alcohol and sales taxes, and delinquent property taxes. While its fate remains unknown, support for the nearly 20-year-old haunt is strong, with locals taking to social media to speculate on its return.
Upside Pub
Upside Pub, a neighborhood watering hole located in a Garden Oaks-area retail strip served its last drink on Saturday, July 5, after three years in business. Husband-and-wife team, Paige and Andy Lujan, shared an announcement on Instagram, and shortly after its closure, a “Coming Soon” banner for Texadelphia graced the shuttered space.
Honey Art Cafe
According to a post made to Instagram, Honey Art Cafe will close on Sunday, August 24, before relocating to a new space in the Heights. Co-owners Lulu Fang and Amy Lin opened the DIY creative space in 2016 and overcame the challenges brought forth by floods, freezes, the pandemic, and ongoing road construction. With August marking the end of their lease, the decision was made to reinvent the cafe, while keeping its moniker, in a new space. Along with details of the closure, the announcement detailed that Lulu will retire, and Amy will head up Honey Art Cafe 2.0 on her own.
Cascabel
On a post made to Instagram at the start of the month, Cascabel announced it will close after serving Houstonians for the last five years. The restaurant, known for its plant-based Mexican cuisine, was one of few that locals flocked to for vegan comfort eats like tacos, enchiladas, and burritos, all made sans meat. The written statement hinted that “this isn’t goodbye forever…” And while no exact closing date was given, Houstonians are encouraged to visit one last time through the end of the month.
