A New Destination for Fancy Po’ Boys Debuts at MidMain

Winnie’s, the late night bar and sandwich shop from a trio of Houston hospitality veterans, is now open at MidMain. The restaurant opened last week at 3622 Main Street, in the spot that was previously home to Natachee’s Supper and Punch.

The restaurant originally got its start at the same address almost a year ago as pop-up restaurant Peace Maker Po’Boys, which gained popularity for its fried seafood sandwiches and birria po’boys. The trio behind the restaurant, Johnny’s Gold Brick owner Benjy Mason, and chefs Graham Laborde and Chris Roy, first met while working at now-defunct Treadsack restaurant Bernadine’s, which closed in 2017.

For Winnie’s, the trio wanted to create a laid-back patio bar with approachable cocktails, while also paying homage to the historic Midtown neighborhood. The name Winnie’s comes from Winbern Street, which was purportedly named after the daughters — Winnifred and Bernadine — of the area’s developer. The building, a former drugstore, already had a large outdoor space overlooking the Main Street light rail line. For the interior, the trio used reclaimed materials to capture the character of the building, including rebuilding the storefront, and installed a bar created by Houston artist Patrick Renner, known for creating iconic Houston sculpture the Funnel Tunnel.

Winnie’s menu features 8 signature sandwiches, including a shrimp and oyster peace maker, a Mississippi beef debris po’boy with beer cheese and Cool Ranch Doritos, and katsu BLT made with braised bacon katsu, pickled green tomatoes, and serves on milk bread. The restaurant also serves raw and roasted oysters, a muffaletta salad, and sharable dishes like pimento queso, beef debris fries, and fried pickled okra.

The bar program focuses on classic Texas and Louisiana cocktails like the sazerac, hurricane, michelada, and a take on the Ranch Water made with White Claw. There are also icy drinks, like a frozen peach-bourbon iced tea and a frozen Irish coffee. The restaurant will offer a happy hour with $5 house drinks from noon to 5 p.m. daily.

Winnie’s, which is walking distance from entertainment hotspots like MATCH Theater and the Continental Club, is open Tuesday through Sunday from noon to midnight.

• Three Houston Culinary Pros Team Up for a Chill New Po’ Boy Spot in Midtown [EHOU]