Michelin-honored Killen's in the Heights is packing up its smokers this summer, closing after roughly six years on Heights Boulevard. The comfort-food and barbecue spot at 101 Heights Boulevard opened in 2020 and quickly became a neighborhood fixture along the Washington Avenue corridor.
Deal details and timeline
In an exclusive interview with the Houston Chronicle, owner and chef Ronnie Killen said he is under contract to sell the land under the restaurant. According to the Chronicle, due diligence on the deal ends June 17 and, if the sale closes, the Heights outpost would likely begin winding down operations by July 17.
Who reported it
As reported by the Houston Business Journal, the Heights restaurant is slated to shutter after six years at 101 Heights Boulevard. The Business Journal credited Senior Reporter Jeff Jeffrey, who outlined the planned land sale as the primary factor behind the move.
Why Killen's is selling
"The deal was too good to pass up," Killen told the Houston Chronicle. The Chronicle also reported that the chef has been recovering from recent back surgery and that he and his team cited rising operating pressures along with a run of break-ins and vandalism at the site as part of the decision to sell.
Bib Gourmand badge and the Heights run
The MICHELIN Guide lists Killen's in the Heights as a Bib Gourmand, a nod to good cooking at a fair price, and highlights the restaurant's comfort-food-driven menu. Killen's official site lists the Heights address and current hours, and guests should consult it for updates on service and reservations.
What this might mean
The move fits a pattern. CultureMap reported in December 2025 that Killen sold his Woodlands barbecue location after receiving a lucrative offer, and observers say profitable real estate deals have already reshaped parts of the local dining map. For now, the Heights property remains under contract and conditional, so the restaurant's future still depends on whether the buyer completes the purchase and secures permits for any new use.
