After a stint spanning over four decades, the Houston eatery Backstreet Cafe is preparing for a revamp and relocation, staying true to its River Oaks roots. As reported by the Houston Chronicle, owners Tracy Vaught and Hugo Ortega, a dynamic culinary pair with a James Beard award to their name, are planning to move the restaurant just a stone's throw away from its current spot at 1103 South Shepherd to 1201 South Shepherd.
The current location, with a history dating back to the 1930s, not only served as a flourishing restaurant but also was once an antique store and print shop. Before Vaught pivoted from a career as a geologist to restaurateur, and before Ortega's journey from an undocumented dishwasher to an award-winning chef began, the place they now move away from, carries numerous transformations and a plethora of memories. "Over our 40-plus years in business, we have done renovations, repairs and reinforcements," Vaught shared in an email, "It is finally time to give this ‘old lady’ a new dress!", as detailed by Houston Chronicle. The planned move, which is still in the early stages with no set opening date, comes with anticipation and mixed feelings, as long-term patrons have helped shape the cafe's four decades of service.
Renderings and permits for the new spot detail a two-story, 6,600 square foot space that is set to outsize the charismatic yet confined current 4,500 square foot venue. With the architectural efforts supported by Colby Design, this move is considered an investment pegged at an estimated $2.25 million and is expected to be completed by November of the following year, per the records from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
The origin of Backstreet Cafe, as recounted by the Chron, echoes the personal journey of Vaught and Ortega. Vaught recalls initially renting the property for a modest $900 a month before purchasing it outright in 1996, eventually expanding the operations alongside Ortega, her future husband. Together they expanded their culinary reach, opening successful ventures such as Hugo's and Caracol.
Their enterprise grew, and now with a new generation stepping in— their daughter Sophia Ortega, a co-owner involved in several aspects of the business. "We want her to have an updated facility that she can put her stamp on and share with Houston for another 40 years and beyond," Vaught said, in a statement obtained by Houston Chronicle.
