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Welcome to AM Intel in the time of coronavirus, a round-up of the city’s newest bits of restaurant-related intel. Follow Eater on Facebook and Twitter for up-to-date details on how COVID-19 is impacting the city’s dining scene.
Passenger at Hobby Airport tried to smuggle meth inside a breakfast taco
A flyer at Hobby Airport was arrested earlier this month after trying to smuggle a bag of crystal meth inside a breakfast taco from Pappas BBQ. While the flyer was going through security, Transportation Security Administration agents noticed an odd lump in the taco, according to the Houston Chronicle. Upon further inspection, the agents found “black tape and dark wrapping around a large organic mass” that was later determined to be the illicit drug. The passenger was arrested by the Houston Police Department.
New ZZ Top-themed restaurant opens in the GOOF with approval from Billy Gibbons
Ken Bridge, the restaurateur behind eateries like Blackbird Izakaya, and Pink’s Pizza and recently shuttered Ritual, is opening a new restaurant in Garden Oaks/Oak Forest inspired by legendary rock band ZZ Top. Tres Amigos Cafe y Cantina will open at 3402 N Shepherd in what was previously Shepherd Park Draft House, also owned by Bridge. The idea for the restaurant came years ago when Bridge approached friend Stewart Skloss, founder of Pura Vida Tequila, about finding a place to showcase Bridges’ extensive collection of ZZ Top memorabilia. (Shepard Park Draught House was known for its walls covered in punk concert posters and other music memorabilia.)
The new restaurant will feature classic Tex Mex, like tacos, burritos and queso, as well as cocktails made exclusively with Pura Vida tequila. Gibbons, who is an investor in the tequila brand and a friend of Bridge’s, is expected to be a regular at the restaurant, according to a press release. Tres Amigos is now open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.
Canadian chain Joey set to bring eclectic menu to Galleria soon
Joey, a Calgary-based fast casual chain serving up everything from Szechuan chicken lettuce wraps to steak and lobster ravioli to sushi cones is set to open in the Galleria sometime later this summer. As previously reported, the chain will be taking over the spot previously occupied by dim sum restaurant Yauatcha, which closed in early 2020. The location will be the first in Texas. An exact opening date for Joey has yet to be announced.
Bravery Chef Hall Italian restaurant launching pizza-by-the-slice eatery
BOH Pasta & Pizza, the popular Italian booth at Downtown food Hall Bravery Chef, is opening a stand-alone pizza joint near memorial park later this summer. BOH Slice will serve Roman-style pizza al taglio out of soon-to-open food hall Railway Heights on west Washington Avenue, according to Culturemap.. The restaurant will also serve up whole pies with choose-your-own toppings. BOH owner Ben McPherson is partnering with chef Chris Zettlemoyer, formerly of Whiskey Cake, to open the new restaurant.