Mayahuel, 811 Buffalo Park, is coming this July to Autry Park. It’s a collaboration between local hospitality group Culinary Khancepts and acclaimed chef Luis Robledo Richards. Richards, a native of Mexico City, has more than 25 years of experience, some of which were spent in Michelin-starred kitchens in Paris as well as being head pastry chef at Manhattan’s Le Cirque. Richards is also a chocolatier who opened his first artisan pastry shop, Tout Chocolat, in Mexico City in 2006. His finesses with pastry and chocolate will be evident in the stunning desserts that appear on the new menu.
For Richards, Mayahuel is not just about food, but also about honoring time, place, and process. He says, “Our ingredients are chosen only when they’re at their best. We don’t force nature to fit our schedule-we follow its lead.”
Named for the ancient Mexican goddess of the maguey plant, Mayahuel ‘s philosophy echoes that of the plant’s resilience and its symbolism in Mexican culture as a celebration of transformation, patience and care. Also known as agave, the plant’s influence is seen in the bar program at Mayahuel, as mezcals and tequilas are paired with fresh juices and house-made mixers for a pure drinking experience.
Another native Mexican plant, heirloom corn, is sourced directly from Mexico and is ground in-house daily for fresh masa. Foundational flavors such as cacao, vanilla and coffee are showcased, as well as local proteins and seasonal produce. Mayahuel will have a chef-curated tasting menu that will offer guests a journey through the regional cuisines and flavors of Mexico.
A home-style kitchen serves as a focal point in the restaurant’s dining room, bringing guests into the action as the aromas and sounds of a working kitchen waft through the air. The dining room itself is a blend of hand-carved wood, natural stone and woven textures. There’s a bar seating 16 guests, a private chef’s table, four booths facing the kitchen and a lush patio which can accommodate 34. An upstairs dining area seats 36 people and offers a view over the action.
Nick the Greek, 11805 Westheimer, opened June 27. It’s the first actual Houston location for the West Coast chain which opened a location in Porter last year. The company currently has five restaurants in Texas overall and nearly 90 across seven states.
Founded in 2014 by cousins Big Nick, Little Nick and Baby Nick Tsigaris in San Jose, California, the fast casual restaurant specializes in authentic Greek street food like gyros and souvlaki. The trio, all named for their grandfather, saw a need for quality Greek street food in the U.S. after numerous trips to Greece. The restaurant serves gyro meats that are cooked in-house on a traditional vertical rotisserie, along with charbroiled souvlaki skewers and fresh vegetables.
There are gyro plates, bowls and pitas with protein choices such as beef/lamb, beefteki, chicken and pork as well as falafel and veggies. There are several salads plus sides like fries, skewers and hummus. For dessert there are loukoumades, baklava and its new Dubai chocolate fro-yo.
The brand was acquired by YTG Enterprises in 2022, joining a portfolio of businesses such as Jack in the Box, Taco Cabana, TGIFridays and Denny’s.
Mambo Seafood, 7728 FM 1960, opened May 22 in the Willowbrook area. It’s the 13th restaurant for the coastal Mexican restaurant which serves appetizers like Mambo-style Shrimp, Street Elote, Stuffed jalapenos and Empanadas Costenas, filled with shrimp and black beans. There are cold seafood bar offerings such as raw oysters and seafood cocktails plus seafood soups and salads. The bounty of the sea can be found in fried plates, sizzling platters and its famous Mambo Rice. The focus is definitely on seafood but there are a few options for landlubbers such as the Grilled Monterey Chicken as well as a chicken sandwich and a burger.
On the cocktail side, there’s an array of margaritas in flavors such as lime, strawberry, chamoy, mango and tamarindo. Mambo Cheladas are one of its specialties.
Smalls Sliders, 1337 Gessner, opened July 1. The grand opening included a check presentation to the CJ Stroud Foundation, named for Houston Texans quarterback CJ Stroud. Fellow teammate and Texans wide receiver, Tank Dell, chose the non-profit as part of his partnership with Smalls Sliders as a Smalls Town Hero. The CJ Stroud Foundation hosts football camps and mentorship programs for kids.
The cheeseburger slider brand was founded in 2019 by Brandon Landry in Baton Rouge. New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees became a major investor in 2020. The Gessner location is part of a multi-unit franchise plan operated by Preston Cunningham and partner David Higgins, along with operating partner Kirk Douglas. There is a “Can” underway in Willis and an upcoming opening in Conroe.
The menu is small and straight forward. The sliders are served on a toasted bun with American cheese, pickles and its signature Smauce. There’s an option to make it a double patty and add bacon. That’s pretty much it, besides a grilled cheese version and waffle fries on the side. There are milkshakes, too.
Truluck’s, 5350 Westheimer, will begin renovations July 1 with slightly modified hours for the summer. It will close briefly July 27 through August 6 to complete the upgrades. The restaurant, known for its Florida stone crabs, lobster dishes and prime steaks, has been a fixture in the Galleria for over thirty years. The Westheimer location was the first for the brand which now operates a dozen across the country.
The refreshed design will include a facelift to the exterior as well as new interior details such as black and white marble flooring, modern lighting and luxurious seating. The bar is getting a complete facelift that will anchor the space with a more contemporary presence.
Restaurants Reported Open: June 2025
Bar Madonna, 109 Stratford, opened June 28
Chocho Hot Pot, 22811 mercantile Parkway, opened June 21
Chupa’s Fajitas and Ritas To-Go, 2300 Westheimer, opened early June
Diversion Montrose, 1226 W. Clay, opened June 19
Endless Bummer, 4500 Montrose, opened July 2
Fuzzy’s Tacos and Margs, 1912 Westcott, opened June 16
Jeni’s Splendid Ice cream, 5511 Morningside, opened June 4
Kitchen Rumors, 2310 Decatur, opened June 27
Kura Revolving Sushi, 9300 Six Pines, opened June 19
Latuli, 8900 Gaylord, opened May 28
PJ’s Coffee, 1021 Lake Olympia, opened July 1
Soluna, 100 W. Cavalcade, opened May 28
TAGO, 1120 Dennis, opened early June
Uberrito, 2735 Town Center Boulevard, opened early June
Restaurants Reported Closed: June 2025
Artisans, 5745 Westheimer, closed May 29
Bistro Menil, 1513 W. Alabama, closed June 22
Eloise Nichols, 2400 Mid Lane, closed June 29
Mi Tierra Mexican Kitchen, 3327 Mangum, closed early June
MF Lobster & Ceviche, 3711 Autry Park, closed June 10
North Shepherd Brewing, 4816 N. Shepherd, closed June 29
Rudi Lechner’s, 2503 S. Gessner, closed late May
Thai Village, 2512 Times Boulevard, closed May 31
