Well let me dust off this blog! I have not posted anything on here this year, because like a lot of content creators I moved away from written content.  HOWEVER, the queen is back in town this weekend, and there is nothing like a good ole list of restaurants and events to attend while in Houston for Cowboy Carter Weekend.

Western Themed Restaurants

I know many of you are rolling to town decked out in western gear and it should be no surprise that we have quite a few restaurants in Houston that fit that vibe.   Keep in mind that most of these are not near NRG Stadium, so you would need to go very early before the concert or the day before.

  • Taste of Texas– a beloved local favorite, Taste of Texas is a steakhouse that really plays up the kitschy Texas western theme.  They have a great salad bar and give guests an opportunity to pick their steaks.  As kids in Houston, we would go there for field trips to learn about Texas agriculture.  It’s always a great stop.
  • Haywire – This Dallas concept opened in Houston fairly recently and honestly if it was closer to the city they would see me a lot more!  The space is beautiful, has many floors and I suspect can accommodate larger groups. They serve a reasonably priced menu with items that fit the theme well.
  • Armadillo Palace – A Goode Company concept, Armadillo Palace is the closet to NRG (right off of Kirby).  It offers kitschy vibe including a large Armadillo out front.
  • King Ranch Texas Kitchen –  They took over the old Willie G’s space near the Galleria and for some reason I have not made my way over there even though I have heard good things.

 

  • B&B Butchers – known to be one of Beyonce’s local favorites, B&B is a good traditional Texas steakhouse

 

  • Also most of our barbecue spots will give you the western feel.  Some of my favorites include Gatlin’s, Killens and Pinkertons.

Black Owned Restaurants 

I will always encourage out of towners to support our great Black owned restaurants.  This list is curated for those who are looking for great food from award winning chefs.  If you are looking for more of the vibe dining spots that you see all over social media, check out this list (it’s old but a lot of these places are still open).

  • ChopnBlock
  • Lucille’s
  • Davis Street
  • Late August
  • Frenchy’s (Because it’s Beyonce’s fave)
  • Gatlin’s Fins and Feathers
  • Winsome Prime (previously the Warwick) – they will have Beyonce themed cocktails throughout the weekend

Events

  • Magnolia Mercantile is my go to spot in Houston for personalized cowboy hats. This aesthetic is often credited to Aspen, Co, but it really popular in Houston come rodeo time.  For these hat bars, you pick your hat and then personalize it with feathers, brands, playing cards etc.  For Cowboy Carter weekend, Magnolia Mercantile and other great vendors will be hosting pop ups on Thursday 5-8pm and Friday 11-7pm.
  • Pur Noire will have a $40 Beyonce Inspired Wine Experience on Friday at their downtown location.  The event includes, wine, bites and Beyonce music.
  • Hotel ZaZa Museum District will have a pre-party before the concert.  Find the details here.
  • Traveler’s Table (one of the best brunch spots in Houston) will have SirDavis themed cocktails during Cowboy Carter weekend.

Finally, I’ve seen the commentary about Beyonce’s Juneteenth Buffalo Soldiers shirt.  I want to encourage you to consider visiting the Houston Buffalo Soldier Museum while you are in town to learn more about African American military history and more specifically the Buffalo Soldiers.  If you have other events, drop them in the comments!