It Looks Like a Casual Canadian Eatery Will Take Over Yauatcha’s Glitzy Galleria Space

Stalwart Canadian casual eatery Joey, which opened its first location in Calgary nearly three decades ago, is headed to Houston.

Joey Restaurants CEO Jeff Fuller confirmed the chain’s plans to expand to Texas (among other locales) to Canadian business news publication Biv on Wednesday. As for where it will end up? A tipster pointed Eater in the direction of construction permit applications filed in December that indicate that it will open in the Westheimer Road space that currently houses Yauatcha, the glitzy Galleria dim sum restaurant operated by the Hakkasan Group that’s set to close on February 16.

For those who are unfamiliar with Joey, the chain currently operates more than two dozen locations across Canada and the United States, including outposts in Seattle and Los Angeles. The menus for other Joey locations span a variety of influence, from Mediterranean hummus to sushi to Baja chicken tacos and “Bollywood” butter chicken.

No word yet on when Joey will make its Houston debut, but it’s apparently “close.” Stay tuned for more details on its arrival.

• Joey accelerates North American restaurant expansion [Biv]