Some say the sequel is never as good as the original, but the revival of a 34-year-old Houston restaurant is proving the second act can be just as sweet as the first.
It’s been a little more than a year since Abdallah’s Lebanese Cafe opened its doors at 2795 Katy Freeway Service Rd., a revamped concept of the family-owned business that started out as a backyard operation. Though I went to Abdallah’s without memories of its original location, I left with a clear understanding of why so many were eager for the comeback of its same classic dishes even in a new reimagined space.
The local Lebanese restaurant’s roots go back to 1976, when brothers Elias and George Abdallah were whipping up fresh pita bread and deliciously baked goods for those in Houston—and eventually all cross the country, according to its website. They took their backyard operation to 3939 Hillcroft Ave. in 1990, priding themselves on opening the first Lebanese spot of its kind in the area.
The humble Hillcroft storefront served as Abdallah’s’ home for 35 years before closing in 2024 to relocate to the Heights, as The Houston Chronicle previously reported. Now, Susan Abdallah Hage, daughter of the original owner, and her husband are feeding Houston with a fresh chapter of her family’s legacy recipes.
Abdallah’s’ new space, about 10 miles away from its flagship restaurant, offers a quick-service vibe where you order at the counter and let the servers handle the rest. Despite sitting in a bustling shopping center, the cozy cafe carries a peaceful energy that invites you to sit and lose track of time with indoor and outdoor seating.
And just like the last location, Abdallah’s serves authentic dishes loaded with “timeless Lebanese flavors,” including hand-rolled grape leaves, falafel and kibbeh balls.
Its daily menu differs based on what fresh produce and ingredients are available, but the cafe caters to every appetite whether you’re starving for a plentiful specialty platter stacked with sides or stopping for a freshly-baked pastry.
But decades later, the very thing that started it all remains one of the best bites: the fluffy, fresh-fired pita bread that’s served as a side but stands out on its own.