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Traveler’s Cart closed in July in Houston.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Raquel Natalicchio\/Staff photographer<\/p>\n
At least 11 Houston food and beverage businesses closed in July, from longtime neighborhood restaurants to a Michelin-recognized destination.<\/p>\n
Owners cited rising costs, landlord disputes and other financial pressures as reasons for shutting their doors. Among the month’s most notable closures was Rice Village staple Istanbul Grill, which closed after more than two decades in business. Another beloved institution, Barbecue Inn,<\/a> announced its closure over the weekend and will be included in next month’s roundup.\u00a0<\/p>\n As summer \u2014 traditionally a slow season for restaurants \u2014 continues, Houston Restaurant Weeks<\/a> is encouraging diners to eat out with multi-course menus at participating restaurants across the city. A portion of the proceeds benefits the Houston Food Bank. Other restaurants are hosting their own deals and specials this month<\/a>, as well.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n MORE CLOSINGS: 10 Houston restaurants and bars that closed in June, including Blue Tuba and\u00a0Roswell’s Saloon<\/a><\/p>\n 7Leaves<\/p>\n 7Leaves closed in Asiatown at the end of July.<\/p>\n Sonia Garza \/ Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n The coffee and tea chain closed its\u00a0Asiatown location at the end of July. It was the last remaining 7Leaves<\/a> in Houston, after a location on Richmond closed a couple years ago. The chain started in Southern California in 2012. The remaining Texas locations are in the Dallas area.<\/p>\n City Acre Brewing<\/p>\n Urban Cowboy burger with Belgian fries at City Acre Brewing, which recently closed in Houston.<\/p>\n Alison Cook<\/p>\n City Acre Brewing closed after 10 years in North Houston, according to its Instagram page. It joins a growing list of breweries to close in the past year.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n The Dogwood<\/p>\n The Dogwood closed in Midtown in July.<\/p>\n Annie Mulligan \/ For The Houston<\/p>\n Midtown bar the Dogwood had one last party over Fourth of July weekend. The bar had been part of the neighborhood’s nightlife scene for more than 13 years. The owner told\u00a0Chron.com<\/a> the bar closed in part because of declining nightlife traffic in Midtown and falling sales. The business’s lease was also nearing its end.<\/p>\n Don\u00a0Jos\u00e9 Mexican Restaurant<\/p>\n After 52 years serving Tex-Mex, Don Jose Mexican Restaurant announced its closure on social media. The restaurant cited rising costs<\/a>, including rent, as the issue.\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Hiram Clarke BBQ<\/p>\n Pork ribs, sausage and cornbread at Hiram Clarke BBQ<\/p>\n J.C. Reid<\/p>\n Hiram Clarke BBQ closed in\u00a0Pearland on July 22 after six years serving Louisiana-inspired barbecue. In a social media post<\/a>, the owners wrote, “Despite our best efforts, the ongoing challenges of the economy, rising food costs and increasing operating expenses have it impossible for us to continue.” The restaurant started as\u00a0Jaco’s BBQ on Hiram Clark Road in South Houston. That location closed<\/a> in August 2025, also due to financial challenges.\u00a0<\/p>\n Kowbell Burger<\/p>\n Kowbell Burger, a Korean-infused burger joint, closed in Katy’s Asian Town. It was open for three years and served burgers with ingredients such as kimchi and shitake mushrooms.\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Istanbul Grill<\/p>\n A kabob platter from Istanbul Grill, which just announced it’s closing its doors in mid-July.<\/p>\n Bao Ong \/ Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n This longtime Rice Village restaurant closed<\/a> its doors after 27 years. The family-owned business pointed to “lease circumstances beyond our control.” They had been having issues with the landlord for the past three to four years, and said they had no choice but to close. Istanbul Grill opened in Rice Village in 1998 after two brothers moved from Turkey, bringing a slice of their home to Houston by serving a variety of Turkish food, from brick oven Turkish pizzas to grilled kebabs.\u00a0<\/p>\n Killen’s<\/p>\n Killen’s closed after six years in Houston.<\/p>\n Elizabeth Conley\/Staff photographer<\/p>\n Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant Killens closed mid-July<\/a> after hosting a farewell menu for the month with original items and fan favorites, including chicken-fried steak, pork chops, smothered and braised oxtails, chicken pot pie and German chocolate cake. Owner Ronnie Killen told Chron.com that he decided to sell the property after receiving a good offer on it; it is reportedly being turned into a gas station. The restaurant had been open for six years.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Rocambolesc<\/p>\n Rocambolesc Gelateria is closing after five years in Uptown.<\/p>\n Alison Cook<\/p>\n Uptown Park gelato shop Rocambolesc<\/a>, which created employment opportunities for neurodivergent Houstonians, closed after four-plus years in Houston. The business made the announcement on social media<\/a>, saying its lease had come to an end and the partnership with the Roca brothers of world-famous El Celler de Can Roca in Spain had concluded. It was an extension of the original location in Girona, Spain, and the only Rocambolesc in the United States.\u00a0“The financial challenges were never a reflection of inclusion or the extraordinary people behind Rocambolesc,” the post read.<\/p>\n Tavola<\/p>\n Italian dishes served at Tavola, a restaurant from the Bastion Collection.<\/p>\n Brian Kennedy<\/p>\n Italian restaurant Tavola<\/a> closed after three years in Uptown Park. Owned by hospitality group the Bastion Collection, a\u00a0representative told\u00a0CultureMap<\/a> the closing is part of a long-term strategy for the group in Houston, which also owns Le\u00a0Jardinier, Cafe Leonelli and Bar Moon. The Bastion Collection also hinted that it would bring something new to the same space.<\/p>\n Traveler’s Cart<\/p>\n Globally-inspired restaurant Traveler’s Cart is slated to serve its last meal in July.<\/p>\n Raquel Natalicchio\/Staff photographer<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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