Benjamin’s, 2424 Dunstan, is coming to Houston in spring 2027 and the force behind it is the team at Local Foods Hospitality Group. Owners Benjy Levit (the Benjamin) and Dylan Murray are transforming the space that is currently Local Foods Market into a modern steakhouse. However, Local Foods Rice Village and Local Foods market will still operate at the same address with a new enclosed, and climate-controlled, patio.
The opening of a fifth concept makes the Rice Village structure sort of a Local Foods Group compound, with its Italian trattoria Milton’s upstairs along with Lee’s, its companion bar. Milton’s and Lee’s are named after Levit’s parents and the space originally was the home of Benjy’s, the group’s first project, for 25 years. The upcoming Benjamin’s is a natural maturing for the hospitality group as it continues its success with other critically-acclaimed concepts such as the Michelin Bib Gourmand-rated Maximo, led by James Beard Award-winning chef Adrian Torres.
The Benjamin’s team is loaded with talent. Credit: Jessie Mann
Leading the kitchen at Benjamin’s will be executive chef Ryan Lachaine, known for his new American restaurant, Riel, which closed in August 2025. Soon after, Lachaine took over as executive chef at State of Grace in River Oaks. He’s leaving that role behind for Benjamin’s.
Lachaine’s playful culinary point of view will be combined with the live fire cooking skills of Local Foods culinary and creative director, Seth Siegel-Gardner. Joining the kitchen crew is sous chef Andy Thompson, whose resume includes Truth BBQ, Underbelly and the Four Seasons.Utilizing a Mill Scale Metalworks grill, Lachaine and his team will be turning out proteins like a 20-ounce huitlacoche-rubbed dry aged USDA prime ribeye from Flannery Beef. Labeled as steak au poivre, its sauce gets further flavor from truffle. Other peeks at the steak lineup include a Denver steak Milanese, served with uni and lobster bucatini for a decadent surf and turf meal.
The sides are just as luxurious with options such as smoked schmaltz French fries and creamed spinach gnudi with bone marrow vinaigrette. Samantha Mendoza, executive pastry chef for Local Foods Group, will showcase her global training in desserts such as heart-roasted chocolate souffle, accompanied by caramelized banana ice cream.
Other Local Food Group hospitality professionals will have a hand in the new venture including Peter Pearce, director of operations and Mark Sayre, wine and beverage director, both of whom are expertly-trained sommeliers. Gillian Malone, general manager at Milton’s and Lee’s, will eventually take over as GM at Benjamin’s, with bar manager Chad Matson taking up the mantle at the new steakhouse as well.
Owner Levit said in a press release, “With a space that’s held so much life in the past few years, and so much of the team having worked together over many months, Benjamin’s has the potential to feel like a very ‘lived-in’ new restaurant.”
Tony’s has all your Italian deli faves. Credit: Alex Montoya
Tony’s Italian Delicatessen, 1700 City Plaza, opened this week at City Place in Spring. It’s the third Houston-area location for the New York-style sandwich shop which first opened in 2014 in Montgomery, Texas. While its strip center location off of Highway 105 seems an odd spot for an East Coast sub shop, it became a social media favorite and was showcased on PBS’ The Daytripper. The brand was acquired by Lori Hutchison who opened a second location in Tomball in late 2020.
City Place has a new delicatessen. Credit: Alex Montoya
The menu features both hot and cold sandwiches termed “carnegies” with names that pay homage to Italian American celebrities. There are lighter, more elegant offerings like the Sophia, made with roasted turkey, basil pesto and mayo, or the knock-you-out Stallone, loaded with capicola, soppressata, ham and salami. Deniro comes in hot with pastrami and provolone while the Travolta is a chill mix of egg and tuna salad. Other sandwich and wrap options include meatball, muffuletta and chicken parm.
The menu also offers salads and deli sides like baked potato salad and pasta salad. In keeping with its Italian theme, there are treats like cannoli, tiramisu and limoncello cake.
The big Texas welcome starts at the entrance. Credit: Mark Hall
Nowhere But Texas, 14656 Grisby, opened November 12 in the Energy Corridor near Highway 6 and Interstate 10. The full-service restaurant brings the cowboy charm of Texas Hill Country with rustic decor, Southern hospitality and a laid-back atmosphere.
Any self-respecting Texas-themed eatery needs a good chicken fried steak. Credit: Mark Hall
The menu is what Texans expect of a local eatery with dishes like chicken fried steak, cowboy caviar and Gulf butter redfish. There’s even the Southern potluck favorite, chicken spaghetti. Brisket is king in Texas and it shows up in a number of delicious munchies like Texas Twinkies and Cattleman’s Queso, as well as the smoked brisket burger. There are also steaks including the Texas Ranch Ribeye, plus a selection of pies from Southern Dough Baking Company.
It’s a party on the patio. Credit: Mark Hall
The wine list is pretty straightforward but there is also a good selection of Texas whiskeys, along with ranch waters, spiked lemonades and cocktails like the Bluebonnet Margarita and Black Walnut Old Fashioned.
The interior of the wood building gives the vibes of a Texas barn hall while the outdoor patio has a lush courtyard feel, offering families and friend groups alike the chance to kick back and enjoy the warm hospitality, cold drinks and Texas-inspired cuisine.
Nile Palace, 7019 Barker Cypress, is having its grand opening November 13 in Cypress. It’s the sister restaurant to another Egyptian/Mediterranean restaurant, Pharaoh’s Kitchen, which opened on Cypress Creek Parkway in February 2025. While Pharaoh’s Kitchen is casual, Nile Palace offers guests an option of casual or fine dining with two separate spaces.
The menu is similar to Pharaoh’s, though more extensive. Appetizers start off the menu with a trio of hummus, dolmades, kibbeh and spicy cheese curds. There is a variety of pita gyros plus a Greek lamb burger and the Nile Palace steak sandwich, done Philly-style. Refreshing salads such as the Cairo Salad, a favorite of ours, and tabbouleh are healthy options but guests can also indulge in plates of shawarma, kebabs and lamb chops.
Sweet treats like kunafa, baklava and rice pudding round out the food menu. Like its sister restaurant, Nile Palace will serve Turkish coffee, soft drinks and a variety of teas but it will also offer beer, wine and cocktails.
Tornado Taco has landed in Houston after 24 years. Credit: Nicole Welk
Tornado Taco, 1806 S. Dairy Ashford, opened November 9. It’s the second location for the drive-thru/walk-up concept, which debuted in 2002 in Missouri City. Its breakfast lineup includes a variety of egg and protein tacos and burritos, with inexpensive breakfast combos to start the day off right. The lunch menu features a variety of tacos, tortas, quesadillas and nachos but it’s the birria that keeps many folks returning. And it’s is available in many ways including tacos, tortas, burritos and nachos.
The bacon and egg, with added cheese, is a top seller. Credit: Nicole Welk
There is no indoor seating but there are a few outdoor tables available. Breakfast and lunch are both served from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday.
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