Cabo Bob’s move marks a major milestone for the fast-casual burrito brand, which until now has kept its Houston-area footprint mostly outside the Loop, with locations in places like Katy, Northwest Houston and Meadows Place.
A Cabo Bob spokesperson told Chron the expansion is part of a steady Houston push, “Cabo Bob’s is always open to expanding as long as the location is right,” they said. “We currently have four locations in Houston, and the Kirby Location will be our 5th.”
And yes—for Austin transplants and University of Texas alumni, this is kind of a big deal.
Cabo Bob’s has built something close to cult status in Austin, where customers routinely line up for oversized burritos wrapped in tortillas pressed fresh to order right in front of them. Fans swear by menu staples like the crispy fish burrito, brisket and the chain’s famous “66 sauce,” while many diners compare the experience to a more flavorful, fresher version of Chipotle or Freebirds.
The tortilla situation is really what separates Cabo Bob’s from the pack. Employees press multiple tortilla flavors, including buttermilk, cilantro, ancho chile and smoky cheddar, on a rotating comal while customers move down the serving line selecting fillings. The result tastes much closer to a taco stand tortilla than the chewy, pre-made wraps associated with many fast-casual burrito chains.
The new restaurant also lands at one of Houston’s more recognizable fast-food corners. The former Taco Cabana near Kirby and 59 spent decades serving late-night tacos, drive-thru queso runs and post-bar crowds heading home from Upper Kirby and Montrose.
Now, the longtime Tex-Mex standby is being replaced by another Texas-born chain—one with a fiercely loyal following and a reputation for long lunch lines.
The opening appears to be moving forward quickly. Cabo Bob’s recently filed permits with the City of Houston for multiple construction and renovation jobs tied to the old Taco Cabana property at Kirby and 59, signaling work is ramping up on the transformation.