A former Outback Steakhouse building near Deerbrook Mall in Humble is about to become the newest outpost of Mambo Seafood, the Houston-born chain known for its fusion menu of seafood boils, ceviche and fried seafood platters. The new restaurant is set to occupy the existing 5,900-square-foot building at 9753 FM 1960, Suite 9753, according to a Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation filing tied to the project.
The filing puts the estimated cost of the interior remodeling and finish-out work at $1.1 million, with design handled by Houston-based richardsdesign LLC, according to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. Property representative David Richards registered the project, filed July 28, under project number TABS2026026415. As Community Impact reports, construction on the site is expected to begin on Aug. 17 and wrap by Dec. 1, per the same TDLR filing.
A Familiar Building Along a Busy Corridor
The Humble address previously housed an Outback Steakhouse, which permanently closed on Nov. 17, 2025, according to Community Impact. The property sits in a stretch of FM 1960 packed with national retail development surrounding Deerbrook Mall, with commercial tracking data showing the building is owned by MS Deerbrook LLC, per Zabalist's project records.
Mambo Seafood already counts 14 locations across the greater Houston area, and the Humble build-out continues a pattern the chain has leaned on for its recent growth: taking over vacant second-generation casual-dining buildings along major suburban corridors. In February 2025, the company announced a similar move into Willowbrook, converting a former TGI Friday's at 7728 FM 1960 Road West into a new Mambo Seafood, according to WhatNow Houston.
Deep Houston Roots, Backed by Private Equity
Mambo Seafood traces its history to 1996, when founder Michael Ho launched the concept in Houston to blend American, Latin and Pacific seafood traditions, according to a release carried by PR Newswire. One of the chain's signature dishes, Mambo Rice, has its own local pedigree — the fried rice recipe originated at Connie's Seafood, another Houston-area chain founded by Ho's family, as TheStreet reported.
New York-based private equity firm Garnett Station Partners recapitalized and acquired Mambo Seafood in January 2022, providing capital to expand the brand across Texas, according to a Business Wire announcement. The chain now sits within Authentic Restaurant Brands, a Garnett Station Partners portfolio that also includes Primanti Bros. and Pollo Tropical, per Private Equity Insights.
That private equity-backed growth hasn't been without adjustments. Mambo Seafood closed its San Antonio Las Palmas location on Castroville Road in March, just six months after it opened, citing strategic optimization of its long-term store network, as Hoodline previously reported. That closure trimmed the chain's San Antonio footprint down to two active restaurants.
What Comes Next for the Humble Site
Once construction wraps, Texas Administrative Code Title 16 Section 68.52 requires commercial project owners to obtain a state accessibility inspection from a Registered Accessibility Specialist within one year of completing construction, with a written inspection request due within 30 days of completion, according to the TDLR filing. Community Impact, which based its reporting on the TDLR filing, says it plans to update its story as more information becomes available on the Humble opening.
