A Taste of Kansas City BBQ has parked a trailer in Cypress and is spotlighting rib tips and sauced pork ribs as it brings Kansas City smoke to northwest Houston.

Permit filings show Handies Douzo is planning a fifth Houston location at 1107 Hutchins in EaDo, with roughly $350,000 in renovations and a mid‑June to November 2026 work window.

Houston-based Airi Ramen has leased a Manor Crossing spot; filings show a mid‑June start and a roughly $400K build‑out. The chain lists multiple Houston locations.

Layne's Chicken Fingers is coming to Brownsville with a $400K renovation and a 12‑unit deal to seed a dozen Rio Grande Valley locations.

Sixteen Houston restaurants that opened in 2025 are squaring off in CultureMap’s reader-voted Best New Restaurant tournament; round one ends Monday and the winner is set for April 16.

Old Hickory Inn closed its Braeswood Meyerland dining room and will relocate about one mile to 9601 Hillcroft; permit records show renovations wrapping by May 30, 2026.

Pat’s Donuts will hold a May 5 groundbreaking at 23487 Hwy. 242 in New Caney. Builder BAZCON confirmed the ceremony; an opening timetable is still pending.

A French‑Laundry–trained chef and his wife opened Truffle & Rye at 107 S. 3rd St., serving schiacciata sandwiches, pastries, coffee and occasional evening events.

Crawfish Cafe and Pho Prime have combined into a 10,000‑sq‑ft Chinatown spot on Bellaire Boulevard, pairing Viet‑Cajun boils with pho, murals and a shared bar.

Bar Bludorn is heading to The Woodlands Waterway; crews start next Wednesday on a $2.5M renovation at 25 Waterway. The project targets a summer 2026 opening window.

Simone Biles opened Taste of Gold at Houston’s IAH Terminal A, a travel‑friendly spot serving shareable plates and a signature "Simone’s Skewers."

Turan Uyghur Kitchen opened a new Katy outpost at 402 W. Grand Parkway, bringing hand‑pulled noodles, kabobs and uyghur goshnaan closer to suburban diners.

Columbus-born Brassica has opened in Houston's Memorial neighborhood, serving build-your-own pitas baked on-site.