Months after a shooting left two people critically injured, Houston restaurant Confessions says enhanced security and a surge in social media popularity have helped it become one of the city’s busiest dining destinations.
Courtesy of Confessions
A popular Houston dining destination is drawing viral attention and high-profile guests while reassuring customers about safety after a shooting at the restaurant earlier this year.
Confessions, at 3200 Kirby Drive in an Upper Kirby shopping center, has become one of Houston’s most popular dining spots for its specials, brunch and extensive menu, including its signature strawberry wings.
Months after a shooting left two people critically injured, Houston restaurant Confessions says enhanced security and a surge in social media popularity have helped it become one of the city’s busiest dining destinations.
Courtesy of Confessions
Sterling Lewis, owner of Confessions, describes the restaurant as what he calls “vibe elevated dining.” It opened in April 2025. He said he created the space to give customers a unique experience, with the restaurant centering on three things: moments, experiences and “unreasonable hospitality.”
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As the restaurant continues to fill seats, it also found itself in the middle of controversy after a shooting in April left two people critically injured inside the establishment.
‘It was unforeseen, beyond our control’
Lewis said the shooting left him “shocked” and was something beyond the restaurant’s control.
“We never had a situation happen like that before,” Lewis said. “It was unforeseen, beyond our control. The only thing that I thought about was making sure my employees were safe and making sure customers were safe.”
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The altercation happened when a group attacked a man and tried to take his chains before he pulled out a pistol and started shooting, Houston Police Lt. R. Willkens said in an interview with OnScene TV, according to previous reporting.
Lewis said his next step after the incident was to develop a recovery plan and communicate to the community what Confessions stands for.
Since then, the Confessions owner said he has hired two full-time off-duty sheriff’s deputies, a doorman, and enforced a dress code limiting athletic wear, flip-flops and plain white T-shirts to help customers feel comfortable returning. Lewis added that the dress code is relatively light and not meant to discourage everyday customers.
“The support has been amazing,” Lewis said. “We’ve gotten even busier. We definitely went into a plan of attack, and I wanted to make sure everyone was safe so this could not happen ever again.”
Viral restaurant appeal
This summer, Confessions has become a dining destination as it continues to trend on social media, where it has nearly 65,000 Instagram followers.
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The Upper Kirby restaurant has become known for its happy hour, unique dishes and celebrity visitors, including Shaquille O’Neal, Summer Walker and Gunna. The restaurant offers a variety of dishes, cocktails and upscale seating.
“I wanted to open a restaurant where we solely focus on hospitality first and also create top-level culinary dishes that speak to you through the plate,” Lewis said.
Secret confession in the kitchen
As customers post Instagram-worthy photos of their dishes, Confessions executive chef Randi Easily continues to stand out for her creative menu items. Lewis said customers have referred to her as the queen of brunch.
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“One thing I love about our menu is how diverse it is,” Easily said. “There really is something for everyone.”
The menu features dishes such as lobster bites with French toast, strawberry wings, crab fried rice and lamb chop Rockefeller.
“Cooking has always been part of who I am,” Easily said in an email. “I learned firsthand from my mother, who worked in Michelin-starred restaurants, and she introduced me to the discipline and creativity of professional kitchens at a young age. My grandmother, the matriarch of our family, inspired all of us to cook and showed me how food brings people together.”
Strawberry wings are not the only standout item on the menu. Weekly specials have become a major draw from Monday through Thursday. Monday’s specials include $1 oysters; on Tuesdays, women eat free with the purchase of two drinks; Wednesdays feature all-you-can-eat steak night; and Thursdays offer $1 lychee martinis and $8 lamb tacos.
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“Social media has definitely influenced the way people discover food, and I enjoy keeping up with what’s trending while putting my own creative spin on it,” Easily said. “It’s important to stay current and continue evolving.”
Easily added that Lewis has done an exceptional job creating a space for an elevated dining experience while understanding that people want more than just great food.