Houston’s 5 Biggest Dining Stories of 2017

2017 was the definition of an up-and-down year for the city of Houston. After hosting the Super Bowl in February, Hurricane Harvey wreaked havoc across Space City and the Astros brought home a World Series trophy. Whew.

In the dining world, things were equally tumultuous, ranging from major closures to visits from Beyonce and plenty of teasing from In-N-Out Burger. Without further ado, scope out the five biggest Houston dining stories from 2017.

Embezzlement, Personal Drama, & Financial Woes Might Spell The End Of Treadsack Restaurants

Ellie Sharp/EHOU

January was the beginning of the end for Treadsack Restaurants, which formerly operated much-lauded eateries Bernadine’s, Hunky Dory, and Foreign Correspondents. Allegations of embezzlement, fraud, and a hefty dose of drama all but tanked the restaurant group.

Houston Chefs Are Cranking Out A Seriously Stunning Number Of Meals For Harvey Victims

Jennifer Caswell/Reef

In the days following Hurricane Harvey, the city’s restaurant scene sprung into action and served tens of thousands of meals every day to flood victims. DC Chef Jose Andres even got in on the action, flying down to Houston to assist industry professionals on the ground who were working around the clock to make sandwiches, prepare pasta, and otherwise ensure that people displaced by the tragic floods got enough to eat. It was seriously impressive.

Beyoncé Made a Frenchy’s Chicken Pitstop After Serving Meals to Hurricane Harvey Victims

Frenchy’s/Facebook

Perhaps not surprisingly, Houston’s native daughter Beyonce made her way back to Clutch City in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. After serving meals to more than 400 flood victims, Mrs. Knowles-Carter headed to Frenchy’s Chicken, where she ordered fried chicken, red beans and rice, french fries, greens, cornbread, and Ms. Sally’s famous lemon pound cake. God bless Queen Bey.

Anthony Bourdain Slams Houston Writer For ‘Race-Baiting’

Anthony Bourdain/Facebook

Everybody loves Anthony Bourdain, especially when a Twitter war is involved. In April, Bourdain slammed Paper City writer Chris Baldwin for “race-baiting” after the writer took issue with Bourdain’s self-described “no white people policy” imposed when he came to Houston to film his CNN show Parts Unknown.

It’s Official: In-N-Out Burger Snaps Up First Houston Location

In-N-Out/Facebook

SMH, In-N-Out. The California-based chain has been playing with Houston’s emotions all year long. In July, Eater reported that In-N-Out had purchased a plot of land in Briarmeadow at Westheimer and Dunvale, only to find out a few months later that the chain has “no immediate plans” to open in Houston. Not all hope is lost, though: more Houston outposts could be in the works.