Houston's culinary scene is gearing up for the arrival of Loro, an Asian smokehouse fusion from the combined expertise of Uchi founder Tyson Cole and Franklin Barbecue pitmaster Aaron Franklin. The James Beard Award-winning duo expects to open their latest location on September 28 in the Rice Village-Southampton area. This marks the fifth entry of the concept under the umbrella of Hai Hospitality group, as detailed by Eater Houston.
The new spot, according to the Houston Chronicle, will be situated at 5333 Kirby. Customers will be taken care of by Houston native Esai Negrete, who having worked at notable eateries like Yia Yia Mary’s Greek Kitchen and Kiran’s, is stepping in as the chef de cuisine to oversee the kitchen's day-to-day operations. The site was previously an autobody shop, but will now accommodate a dining space seating 120 indoors and an additional 70 outdoors on a patio that welcomes dogs as well as people.
Never one to shy away from a grand opening, Loro Heights is planning a series of events to celebrate. Their menu, which features Southeast Asian and Japanese-inspired sauces and dishes alongside smoked meats, will get a sneak peek on Uchiko’s happy hour menu prior to the official opening. Following this, they are collaborating with Fluff Bake Bar’s Rebecca Masson for a pop-up at nearby Tecovas in Rice Village on October 26. Fans of the franchise can expect the familiar rich flavors - including char siu pork belly and smoked beef brisket - alongside fresh additions like pork tostadas and smoked shishito queso unique to the new location.
As for Loro's specialty, the meat menu is where the establishment's BBQ roots really show, rounding off the array of savories with desserts such as the yuzu peach cobbler with five-spice mascarpone. Cocktails, including boozy slushies and classic drinks like margaritas, are also mainstays. Specially for the opening, Loro will serve up $5 frozen margaritas all day and the first 100 customers will leave with a branded Yeti cup.
The fusion cuisine that Loro offers is not just a hit with fans but also a culinary exploration that defines the third location at 1001 W 11th St., where they've adapted a former church space into their smokehouse sanctuary. The Loro team's innovative approach to dining appears to float seamlessly between the staple taste of Texas barbecue and the nuanced zest of Asian spices and techniques - a blend which seems poised to satisfy the diverse appetites of Houston's food lovers once more.
