Brassica, the Columbus-born fast-casual chain known for pita sandwiches and hummus bowls, has slipped into the Memorial-area dining mix with a new outpost in Houston's Hunters Creek neighborhood. The restaurant has been operating in soft-open mode this week and is set for a grand opening on March 31, 2026. Local diners will find the brand’s signature build-your-own pitas and a menu centered on seasonal vegetables and house-made sauces.
As reported by CultureMap Houston, the Memorial restaurant is Brassica's first location outside Ohio, built around customizable pitas, salads and hummus bowls. The outlet highlights protein options such as falafel, braised chicken shawarma and brisket, and notes that the Houston kitchen “bakes pita throughout the day.” CultureMap also reports that the company invested in custom walnut trays, leather booths and marble tabletops to encourage diners to linger rather than just grab and go.
What to order and when
Per the Brassica website, the Hunters Creek location is open daily from 11 am to 10 pm and offers both dine-in and curbside service. The chain emphasizes an organic whole-wheat pita baked on-site, house-made falafel and seasonal vegetable toppings carried over from its Ohio kitchens. A compact beer-and-wine list rounds things out alongside signature sides like Brassica fries and tahini chocolate-chip cookies.
Chipotle funding helped fuel expansion
Chipotle's Cultivate Next venture fund made a minority investment in Brassica in October 2024, a move the company said would help the brand scale, according to a Chipotle news release. Industry watchers have framed that backing as a growth accelerant, and Nation's Restaurant News tagged Brassica as a “Hot Concept” while documenting the chain’s slow-and-steady approach to entering new markets.
How it lands in a crowded local market
The Houston Chronicle noted the restaurant’s placement near the Shoppes at San Felipe and pointed out that nearby Mediterranean counters will make for a competitive stretch of fast-casual dining. For locals already accustomed to shawarma counters and pita-focused spots, Brassica’s build-your-own format and house-baked pita offer another option, paired with a somewhat more polished dining room than the average line-and-go setup.
“Opening our first restaurant outside of Ohio is a huge milestone for us,” founder and CEO Kevin Malhame said in a statement, per CultureMap Houston. He added that the company plans to keep growth deliberate and continue investing in food, people and spaces rather than chasing rapid scale.
The Hunters Creek location is already taking orders online and lists catering and delivery options on its site, and the restaurant page confirms daily hours and contact information. For full menu details, current hours and online ordering, visit Brassica.
