After seven years serving Tex-Mex in the Heights, Superica is about to step aside for a new act. The restaurant will close on February 15 for a whirlwind, one-week transformation into Star Rover, a casual steakhouse from Ford Fry's Rocket Farm group, then reopen under the new banner on February 26.
A Pivot From Tex-Mex To Steaks
Rocket Farm, the Atlanta-based hospitality group behind La Lucha, Little Rey and State of Grace, is flipping its Heights Superica into Star Rover as part of a creative change of course. Ford Fry has described Star Rover as a "West Texas-inspired honky-tonk and everyday steakhouse," saying the rebrand lets him scratch a creative itch, according to the Houston Chronicle.
Menu And Local Additions
Culinary director Bobby Matos says the Houston menu will build on Rocket Farm's Star Rover Sound in Nashville, focusing on approachable steakhouse staples such as filet, ribeye, T-bone and skirt steaks, all served with a salad, onion rings, fries and dinner rolls. The Houston version will add local-leaning surf-and-turf options like redfish, crab cakes and lobster, plus desserts including pies and soft-serve, along with a weekend brunch that hangs on to Superica's signature pancakes, per CultureMap Houston.
The 76'er Challenge And Brunch Carryovers
Star Rover will also import the 76'er Challenge, a nearly five-pound (76-ounce) boneless rib roast served with a salad, rolls, fries and onion rings. Diners who finish it within an hour get the meal free, a T-shirt and their name on a winners wall, according to the Houston Chronicle. The challenge will not be available at brunch, which the team says will spotlight pies and soft-serve flavors Fry recalls from old local spots.
Same Team, New Room
The switch will keep the existing staff, including chef Bobby Matos, while giving the dining room a new personality with touches inspired by old-school dive bars, Texas-themed artwork and a few vintage Skee-Ball machines. Rocket Farm says the space will seat about 100 guests inside and roughly 40 on the patio, with the goal of creating a neighborhood steakhouse where families can order more affordable steaks, as outlined by CultureMap Houston.
Where To Find It And What Is Next
The transformation is happening at the same address Superica uses for its Heights location: 1801 N. Shepherd Drive, Houston, TX 77008, per Superica's website. Superica's final service is scheduled for February 15, and Star Rover is slated to debut on February 26, with the new menu and refreshed dining room expected when the doors reopen.
