Dozier’s BBQ at The Finn, 712 Main, opened December 1 in downtown Houston. Located at the Jones on Main, The Finn is a destination food hall which has reached capacity with the addition of the famous smokehouse and another new concept, Hot Peckers. Food & beverage director at The Finn, Terra Velasquez, says that each concept is chosen with intention and purpose. “Bringing in Dozier’s and Hot Peckers allows us to expand our offerings while maintaining the high standards and guest focused approach that define our vision for the space.” 

The arrival of Dozier’s at The Finn marks the second location for the Fulshear barbecue joint which was founded in 1957 by Ed Dozier. He went on to become a popular competitor in the early years of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo’s Bar-B-Que Contest. Not only did barbecue fanatics make the drive south to Fulshear for its Texas barbecue, but so did celebrities, international prime ministers and U.S. presidents. 

It’s a family affair at Dozier’s, with nearly seventy years of history. Credit: Dozier’s BBQ

The expansion to Houston is the first for the family-owned restaurant, now helmed by Ed’s great-grandson, Tyler Risinger, who takes a lot of pride in the history of his family and the nearly 70-year-old barbecue destination they founded. “Opening our first expansion at The Finn is a chance to bring the same barbecue, service, and hospitality that made Dozier’s a part of this community for generations to downtown Houston.” 

The menu at the new food hall spot will feature the same items as the Fulshear location with classic plates in which guests can choose one to three meats including brisket, turkey, chicken, sausage and ribs. Diners can also indulge in fully loaded potatoes, plus new items like chicken fried steak, smoked turkey BLT and brisket grilled cheese. Side offerings such as green beans, mac and cheese, baked beans and coleslaw round out the menu, along with Southern desserts like pecan pie and banana pudding. 

Dozier’s will also debut a breakfast service at The Finn with tacos and kolaches. 

Hot Peckers is crowing at The Finn. Credit: Westchase Hospitality Content

Hot Peckers joined The Finn December 1 as well, bringing bold hot chicken flavors to the food line-up. It comes from the team at Fire Noodz which opened at The Finn in February 2023. Owners Mark Tiu, Sonny Nguyen and Chris Nguyen say that the food hall already felt like home for them. Tiu said in a press release, “ Fire Noodz grew here because the guests, the energy and the community embraced our creativity. With Hot Peckers, we’re bringing the same spirit to a new category: fun, flavorful, a little cheeky and unmistakably Houston. 

The menu at the naughtily-named chicken concept includes tender plates, a signature hot chicken sandwich and a Hot Pecker Salad. There are classic sides like mac and cheese, tater tots and coleslaw, but also more loaded items like the Pecker Pile Up, crispy tots topped with a heap of chicken tenders, or the Mac Me, Pecker!, which gives mac and cheese the loaded treatment. 

The chicken is available in six spice levels, from mild to Reaper, and there are three house-made dipping sauces. 

Hypsi’s menu leans heavily Italian with stunning pastas and fresh seafood. Credit: Julie Soefer

The Hotel Daphne, 347 W. 20th, opened December 3, along with its all-day restaurant and lounge, Hypsi. Leading the kitchen is Terrence Gallivan, a local chef that has been nominated twice for a James Beard Award. Born in Virginia, Gallivan’s culinary journey has included several high-profile restaurants in New York City. In 2012, he opened The Pass & Provisions with Seth Siegel-Gardner. Unfortunately the acclaimed restaurant closed in 2019 as team members moved onto other projects. 

Chef Terrence Gallivan has opened Hypsi at Hotel Daphne. Credit: Julie Soefer

While the boutique hotel will offer 49 beautifully decorated rooms for out of town guests or Houston stay-cationers, the restaurant is sure to lure in Heights-area residents or destination diners for Italian-inspired dishes made with Gulf Coast ingredients. Starters like black truffle arancini and lamb meatballs take their place alongside pasta dishes such as squid ink radiatori and butternut squash tortellini. The entree list includes Duroc Pork Milanese and roasted snapper with salsa verde, while the dessert menu offers tempting treats such as tres leches tiramisu and frozen cannoli. 

Once you sit in front of the cozy fireplace, you may not want to leave. Credit: Julie Soefer

For cheese lovers, there’s a tableside mozzarella cart with accoutrements such as pickled fruits, aged vinegars, olive oil and focaccia. The restaurant will also serve breakfast, a weekend brunch and host a special happy hour. 

Bluefin tuna crudo with chili oil gets the appetite going at Casa Kenji. Credit: Becca Wright

Casa Kenji, 3201 Allen Parkway, is set to open in the former Andiron space December 9, according to CultureMap Houston. It comes from restaurateur Malachi DuPre, a former LSU player who had a brief career in the NFL as a wide receiver before venturing into the culinary world with New Orleans restaurant Kenji Omakase and the upcoming Kenji Kazoku in Metairie. For the new Houston restaurant, he has joined forces with former LSU teammate John “B-John” Ballis, along with chef Bigler Cruz, whose resume includes Uchi Austin and Christopher Haatuft’s now-shuttered Golfstrommen. 

John Ballis, Bigler Cruz and Malachi Dupre are bringing the fire. Credit: Becca Wright

As its name suggests, Casa Kenji will blend Latin and Japanese flavors and techniques. The use of live fire will be an important part of the culinary program, but there will also be fresh sushi and crudo, made with seafood flown in from Tokyo’s Toyosu fish market. Beautifully plated desserts make the finale as exciting as the beginning.

A lush terrace offers al fresco dining. Credit: Becca Wright

The restaurant will feature a six-seat omakase counter, modern dining room and an expansive, outdoor terrace filled with green plants and equipped with televisions and a music system.

Trill Burgers will thrill in Missouri City. Credit: Photo by Dylan McEwan

Trill Burgers, 20220 Fort Bend Parkway, will open in Missouri City very, very soon. We will have a definitive date for its public opening next week. It will be the third location of the smashburger concept, which currently operates in Houston and Spring. 

Brassica, 1413 S. Voss, has pushed back its opening date a wee bit. In August, we reported that the Ohio-based Mediterranean restaurant was slated to open in early 2026. We reached out for more information and were told that there is no definitive date but it is planned for the spring of next year. 

Caviar service is available for lunch, too, but only for a limited time. Credit: Kirsten Gilliam

Turner’s, 1800 Post Oak Boulevard, is launching a lunch service, but only for the month of December. While it’s known for being a glamorous hideaway for a romantic dinner or conversation over cocktails, it is debuting a lunch menu for the holidays. 

Meant to evoke the feel of a vintage holiday film, the limited-time only luxury will mean a menu of decadent winter dishes and delectable confections. From a luscious half-pound burger with truffle fries to a wallet-busting A5 wagyu filet mignon, Turner’s lunch is definitely on the high roller side. There’s even a caviar service for those trying to impress a date or potential in-laws. 

Turner’s has a burger big enough for two. Credit: Kirsten Gilliam

The starters menu offers some interesting bites like gnocchi batonnets in truffle lemon beurre blanc and beef carpaccio with black garlic and truffle aioli. The seafood cioppino is a perfect antidote for a chilly afternoon, chock-filled with octopus, scallops and shrimp. 

Trader Joe’s, 600 Kingwood, is debuting in Kingwood December 5, with a ribbon cutting prior to its 8 a.m. opening. For years, there were less than a handful of TJ’s in the city and surrounding areas. Now, it seems as if the California-born grocer is starting to make some serious headway into the burbs. 

In October 2024, Trader Joe’s opened its 6th Houston-area store in Sugar Land. The Kingwood grocery will make number 7 and there’s another in Cypress at Towne Lake that’s expected to open soon. 

Golden Chick, 6626 FM 1960, has opened inside the Walmart in Humble. It will offer the brand’s full menu, including breakfast. It’s operated by franchisee Ashley Alam, who also runs three other locations across the city. 

This article appears in Jan 1 – Dec 31, 2025.

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