I really wanted to like this place but I am disappointed. My boyfriend had reservations set a week in advance for Sunday night at 9:30pm. We arrived on time but were told our table wouldn't be ready for another 30 minutes, so we decided to sit at the bar. After 30 minutes, no one informed us about our table, so we asked and ended up waiting another 30 minutes. Finally, an hour later at 10:30pm, we were seated. I did not know this until I read some yelp reviews (afterwards) but they ask if you want still or sparking water. Not giving tap water an option since they try to upsell you for a bottle of still water being $11 fyi! Our server was kind, but I wished she checked on us more often instead of us having to wave her down, especially since there's an automatic 20% grat added to the bill (just so you know). The food was mediocre and not worth the price for the taste nor portion. After waiting an hour, my boyfriend's steak wasn't to his liking. He asked for it to be sent back, and although the server was nice about it, we expected a manager to apologize, which is the bare minimum in a fine dining restaurant. Not to expect anything out of it but just to know they care or even apologize for the one hour delay on our reservations. After finishing my own steak and sides, his finally came out by 11:30pm. We ordered 2 Margaritas (at the bar for $55), Hamachi appetizer ($26) Sweet Corn ($15), Truffle Mac & Cheese ($21), Two 8oz Center Cut Ribeye ($216 for 2) and Brown Butter Cake ($22), totaling $400 just for food. We don't mind spending money to experience hot spots, but for that price, it wasn't worth it. You can get a better-tasting steak elsewhere for a better price. My favorite dish of the night was the Hamachi appetizer. Just making sure everyone is aware of the mediocrity and price point, including the automatic grat. Overall, the ambiance was aesthetically pleasing, but I was not happy about the wait even with a reservation and the food. I hope they improve their reservation system, especially when they require a card on file for a $25 cancellation fee! read more

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Parking: Valet was the way to go here. Enter off of Allen Parkway. It was fairly reasonable at $10. I left my phone in the car and valet was kind enough to grab it for me. It was quite busy Saturday night so be prepared for a lengthy wait if you're coming during dinner hours. There is quite a lengthy walk from valet to the front doors of Toca, so for ladies in heels or those with accessibility needs, I definitely recommend getting dropped off right near the entrance. There's a friendly gentleman near the stairs that can help you get up and down as needed. Ambience: The first word that comes to mind is sexy, modern, and natural. I loved the use of the woods and the compliments of the natural grasses and plants. The dim lighting elevated the ambience, however it was still difficult to read the menus even with the aid of the table light. Also with all of the fiery drinks and dishes served, the smokiness of the air was a bit thick at times, so if you are sensitive to that I'd suggest sitting outside if it's available. Service: This was where most of the points were docked for me. Despite having a reservation and being on time for it, my party of 4 still waited over 40 minutes to be seated. It seems that although Toca has a 2 hour dining time, they do not enforce it. We were waiting on tables to be cleared who had patrons sitting there for 4+ hours. On top of that, we were not offered any additional accommodation to rectify this issue. As a first time patron, that stung, and was a sign that management still has some things to work through. Food: I loved the tacos!!! They were the best two bites ever, truly. The shells were crispy and and the lobster was seasoned and buttery. The Branzino was light and flaky, you could literally eat it with a spoon, that's how soft it was. If you're not that hungry, it's enough to share among two people. The cilantro rice was meh, Chipotle's is better in my opinion. But it complimented the Branzino nicely. My friends enjoyed some mocktails, cocktails are roughly $20, they deducted $2 which I thought was useless. However, they seemed to enjoy them. Overall, I would say Toca is a great vibe, however I left feeling like I didn't need to come back. The experience nor service was something overly exceptional for me personally. I'd be willing to try it again on someone else's dime. read more

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I am giving Toca Madera three stars for now. I'll revise my review down to two if whatever is going on with my stomach after eating there resolves itself poorly. The food, as my insides can attest, is a mixed bag. We had: a wedge salad (excellent); a steak; lobster enchiladas; and the hamachi crudo, which tasted fishy and was made with some of the lowest quality raw fish I've encountered in the city. As for the ambiance, hip and trendy now and destined to be hopelessly dated a decade from now. The customers were there to see and be seen. That was mostly fine other than the fact that I'm pretty certain that the folks at the table next to us were taking turns heading into the bathroom to do lines. Overall, I'd say not hopeless but definitely a bit off. We went there after a lovely night at the opera and will be picking someplace else for a post-theater meal in the future. read more

Went to Toca last night. Just save your money. This place is OVERPRICED. Food isn't great and drinks are horrible, very little alcohol at all, but they are Instagram pretty. The whole focus of the place is aesthetics. The service is mediocre. I knew all of this but made an appearance for a birthday. Go to Steak 48 or the endless great Mexican restaurants in Houston. read more

Finally had the opportunity to visit while in Houston. The drinks and ambiance were really delightful but the food was subpar compared to the price. The portions sizes didn't match the cost. I'm from New Orleans so I can get Bette food at a lower marginal price. I would recommend this place for a special occasion but that's about it. read more

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All flash no class, one visit is enough to know not to come back. Food and drink: 4 stars. Service: 1 star. read more

They need to improve their Customer service! Everything took so long: 1) to be seated even though we had a reservation, 2) to order drinks and appetizers, 3) for the food to arrive, 4) for the bill, etc! Hard to understand the reason with all the staff they had working! When you have been to restaurants with great service, you know the difference! Our waiter was more attentive to tables with "his people " than others. Other tables did not seem to have this problem. When it finally arrived, an hour later, the food was pretty good, except for the salmon which came to the table twice undercooked. The ambience is loud which some may like if that is your thing! The fire show was excellent and it was nice to see the flaming drinks go to other tables. However this is not enough for me to come back. The decor is beautiful but I will not return nor recommend until they get better customer service! read more

My boyfriend and I went here for my birthday dinner last night. We waited for 30 minutes to be seated? When he finally asked the front desk she said that they had been texting me, but that was false- we we're standing infront the whole time... anyways, I got my petite filet with Maine lobster which was my favorite; the crust outside, tender steak, and lobster tasted fresh. My boyfriend's NY strip was overloaded with butter, not sure what happened there. Their Winnie da Pooh cocktail was loaded with ice chips with 7 sips of? The kind gesture our waitress did that NO ONE has ever done was she brought out a flamming 'shot' for my bf but only with soda since he's doesn't do liquor. read more

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Elizabeth was great, we came in a little later than our reservation time and she was able to accommodate us and take our order despite it being closer to closing time. She was grea. read more

JAYVION!! he was an awesome server and the best we loved him! Was always there when we needed him and so sweet

Good food, annoying parking. BRUNCH 3.6 - Breakfast Sandwich, stuff on side. 3.0- Cappacino 3.7 - Chicken and waffles 4.2 - Potatoes DRINKS 3.3 - Margarita 2.5 - Margarita, watermelon 2.9 - Mimosa DESERT 4.5 - Brown Butter Cake 4.4 - Brownie read more

I'm so happy Houston now has a Toca Madera. I've been to the one in Scottsdale and the one in Houston is just as good, maybe even better. It's a sexy, classy establishment with carefully curated drinks, amazing food, good music, and beautiful people everywhere. I felt like me and my girlfriends were on vacation in Tulum. My girlfriends and I started off with the guacamole and truffle fries and for the entrees we had vegan tacos which were not on the menu but the chef accommodated my vegan friend and made her her own tacos, seared salmon and the chopped salad. Food was amazing. The salad portion was massive. Also Plenty of instagram worthy spots to take pictures. I can't wait to come back soon. read more

Toca Madera - Vegan tacos. Not on the menu. The chef was very accommodating for my vegan friend - Steakhouses Near Me - Houston, Texas

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Upon arriving to the restaurant lastnight the doorman denied my wife entry and stated she did not have on business casual attire (refer to picture) she indeed did. I called the restaurant to let them know we were denied entry; as they charge you if you do not show for your reservation. The manager I assume ;was shocked and stated she will meet me out front. She apologized and tried to explain that they are a new restaurant but what was concerning was the same doorman let others in before and after my wife that were indeed not in business casual. He stood there smirking while she apologized for him & he said nothing. As you guys can see from the many reviews they pick and choose when they want to provide good service. this concerns me being a lgbtq couple. I would hate to think that was the reason. After entering, It seemed as though the hostess was waiting on me to greet her. Weird. She had very low energy. As we waited for our table I noticed a male walking out with a shirt that read " thick as f*ck" but this is business casual? (& yes he was exactly what your wondering) Another male walked in after us with dirty vans on and white denim shorts and a wrinkled white top. (he too was what your thinking) First impressions are everything and the doorman & hostess missed the mark. The restaurant is beautiful. Ambiance is 10/10. Feels like a Tulum escape. My waiter was fun & def turned the night around. Food was 10/10 - ordered Hamachi, Prawns, Enchiladas, Mac & Cheese, & Veggies Music 10/10 Drinks 10/10 no skimping on alcohol Would come back however the doorman left a very bad taste in my mouth. read more

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This restaurant was way overpriced for the service we received. We were charged 44.00 for water...just regular water, we were charged for four bottles and I have no idea how much we drank but with our cocktail drinks I'm not sure how we could have drank four large bottle of water. Never eating there again with so many classy restaurants to eat in Houston this one didn't come close to any of those. read more

Beautiful, sleek space with good food, great cocktails and presentation. Nice for hosting any special events - birthday, business dinner, bach, anniversaries, etc. - or even just for a really nice night out in the H. Our service team Andre and Demo were very helpful in answering all our questions and giving us great menu & personal recs. read more

Wife and I decided to goto Toca for drinks, apps, and dessert. Grabbed a seat at the bar immediately despite the restaurant being busy. We went for the first a few months ago for our anniversary and enjoyed it so we decided to go again on a whim. Fernando the bartender was great. Very knowledgeable about wine and the menu. Service all the way around was A+ even as the bar. Overall the food was amazing. The only exception was the calamari. Tried it and didn't care for it, they took it away and didn't charge us. Thank you. We ordered the chicken Tostaditos (A+), hamachi (amazing), the wagyu bacon wedge is why we came back! My wife doesn't eat pork and can't experience the joys of a good wedge...until now. This is the best wedge I've ever had. We wrapped up with the butter cake, not quite Mastros', but an excellent #2 in my book. Toca didn't disappoint and we will be back! Great food, amazing service, and lively vibes & atmosphere. Highly recommend read more

Vibes are amazing. Want to feel like you are in NY, Chicago, LA or Vegas? This is the spot!

Food was served cold not that tasty, terrible service, terrible server she was rude it was loud as hell which is expected but the server was barely audible we were playing phone tag the entire time. Forgot my phone in the building and immediately remembered so I rushed back but the staff wouldn't open the doors for 15 minutes straight of knocking while walking past us clearly ignoring. Only plus is the ambience, the manager and the music the rest meh save your coin read more

Amazing service from Diggy, also came with great recommendations for drinks and food. Definitely recommend requesting diggy for your service at Toca Madera! read more

I finally visited and I was blown away at how beautiful this restaurant is. The food and service matched atmosphere. Very Tulum vibes. I actually felt like I was away on vacation somewhere. I had the Branzino, calamari, Tostaditas , street corn and Tres Leches and they were all cooked and seasoned ever so perfectly. I've actually been dreaming about the Tres Leches now for three days. The drinks were even better. I think we tried about six drinks and had a great time. I can't wait to taste more of the menu. The espresso martinis were actually made with tequila, which I've never had in a martini. Very good. I went around 5PM as the doors opened so I didn't get to see the fire dancers, I'm told they come out around 8 or 9. We were done with our meal by 7:30PM. read more

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Came here for a group brunch (13 of us) and honestly wish we'd gone elsewhere. I'd already heard mixed things, but the tacos were surprisingly good and the French toast was rich enough to share. That said, everything else about the experience was awful. Service was hands-down some of the worst I've had in Houston. Our server was checked out from the start -- water never refilled unless we got up to ask, multiple orders were forgotten (including the birthday girl's), and the check had items we never ordered. Took 30+ minutes just to pay. The place wasn't even busy, so there's no excuse. They also tried charging a per-person cake fee even though we brought our own cake and cut it ourselves. After nearly 40 minutes, the manager finally fixed it. For the prices they charge, you'd expect basic competence and decent hospitality. Food was fine, but the service completely ruined it. I wouldn't come back or recommend it. read more

Toca Madera - Tres Leches French toast 3.5/5 - Steakhouses Near Me - Houston, Texas

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INCREDIBLE experience! From the moment you walk up to the doors to the end of your dining experience the evening has been carefully curated for your enjoyment! It was a night we won't forget for our night out with dear friends! The night included dinner, drinks, entertainment all night long. As for the menu, wow wow wow!!!!! I am not sure there is anything that would disappoint from what we tried. Starters: TRUFFLE QUESADILLA- Definitely truffle based, due to having so many other dishes that were incredible I would pass on ordering this one again. It was good but not knock your socks off like some of these other options! CRISPY CALAMARI- Overall good fresh quality! Very tasty and the dip was delicious as well. However, if you have had other good fresh calamari it is on par with many others I have tried. Skip for something more adventurous in my opinion, but if you LOVE calamari and nothing else excites you on the starters menu then definitely order it. CRISPY WONTON TACOS (LOBSTER)- DELICIOUS! Two small tacos packing a HUGE flavor punch of delight! CEVICHE BLANCO- Incredible, fresh, and balanced HAMACHI- OUT OF THIS WORLD, you cannot skip on this dish. The flavors, experience, and presentation were mind blowing. I will get this any time I am at TM! Mains: PRIME (CREEKSTONE FARMS, MISSOURI) NY Strip 16oz- Great flavor and perfectly cooked to temp. JAPANESE WAGYU (STRIPLOIN) flight of 3- very small dish so be prepared to order more if you come hungry! scrumptious little nibbles or teasers for different steaks SEARED SALMON- My personal FAVORITE and the highlight of the evening! The mango salsa tied the juicy buttery flavor together for a full palate experience! Sides: STREET CORN - nice comfort food side that had a wonderful blend of flavors SEASONAL VEGETABLES- Asparagus, was expecting a mix of vegetables but was serves asparagus only, it was quite delicious with the sauce they paired it with but we were surprised by the dishing only one veggie, still fantastic! TRUFFLE MANCHEGO FRIES- curly fries seasoned with truffle, hot sauce and cheese...very good TRUFFLE MAC & CHEESE- very truffle but delightful! Drinks: COMO LA FLOR NO MAMES LOS MUERTOS CARAJILLO MI SERRANA WATERMELON MARGARITA TOCA (I believe was the name of their classic marg) **All were wonderful cocktails with a lot of time, thought, and energy put into their creation. The balance of each ingredient was perfect. Each drink will absolutely be based on an individuals palate... there were some I enjoyed more than another but others at the table preferred those over my favorites so to each their own! Explore and find your delight! The server was phenomenal, she took her time to explain everything on the menu, give recommendations, and guide us in directions she thought we might enjoy based on asking us questions and getting to know what our preferences were. She was wonderful, 5 star service and for a new spot... that is incredible that she was basically flawless through the evening! The environment was entertaining and beautiful. They had fire dancers, guitarists, a DJ, etc. A well put together and gorgeous spot to enjoy a night out. DO NOT MISS THIS SPOT!!!!! read more

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Toca Madera was a whole experience. The restaurant is a dimly lit romantic ambiance with beautiful trees throughout the restaurant and golden accent pieces. The outside patio was gorgeous with greenery hanging from the high ceiling. Dishes were delicious especially the Calamari that had fried jalapeños mixed in. The Enchiladas and street corn was a hit as well. The Mi Serrana and The Noble Margarita cocktails were spicy good. The fire performer was really talented and was one of the highlights of my birthday dinner. My only complaint is when I walked in the hostess seemed not interested to greet me. Stood there for a while for them to finish having a conversation and when one eventually had the time to assist me, I was interrupted and she started talking to a group of women behind me. When she seemed back interested in figuring out my reservation information I had to start back from the beginning. Made me feel not welcomed at first and made me nervous about what the rest of my experience would be. Our waiter was great and made me feel more at ease the moment he introduced himself. read more

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the food ... amazing. literally everything we got was a 12/10. The food was packed with so much flavor (personal favorites: ceaser salad, the salmon, and cilantro rice, and the mini wagu tacos!). I have never been to such a restaurant. The ambiance was fiery and fun. Our waitress- Amrie gave us outstanding and remarkable service. I am so glad she was able to make our anniversary dinner feel very special. read more

Toca Madera - Butter cake - Steakhouses Near Me - Houston, Texas

Amazing service by Rafael definitely would reccomend checking out toca madera ! 10/10 read more

Toca Madera - Food. Tacos al pastor & tacos aracherra - Steakhouses Near Me - Houston, Texas

This restaurant is absolutely Beautiful, the service is top tier, the food and the drinks are amazing. I can't wait to visit again. I booked brunch for my sister's birthday and she fell in love with this place. read more

Great food and service. Loved the decor and overall vibe of the restaurant. Depending on the food and drink you order, the presentation alone is quite an experience. read more

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My bartender Diggy made my first visit here the best! Gave great recommendations and customer service making it a 10/10 experience. read more

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This was my first time at Toda Madera and unfortunately the service from our server, Florence, was extremely disappointing. She was rude from the start, never checked on us, and when we weren't ready to order she actually snatched the menus right out of my hand. Throughout the meal she never came back to check on our table. Her attitude was unprofessional and really made the experience uncomfortable. On the other hand, the back server McKinley was wonderful. Even though she wasn't assigned to us, she made the effort to check on us, help with what we needed, and was genuinely kind. She honestly made up for the lack of service from Florence. The food and atmosphere were good, and I'll definitely come back but I will make sure I'm not seated with Florence again. read more

Fernando at the bar made our experience a 10/10 - the enchiladas verdes and filet were perfect. Hard to beat the ambiance and environment - unmatched in Houston. Music. Entertainment. Great food. read more

Toca Madera - Steakhouses Near Me - Houston, Texas

The ambiance was very modern chic with beautiful lighting. The service was exceptional. Our server was friendly, knowledgeable, and made great recommendations based on our tastes. Each dish was beautifully presented, and the portions were generous without being overwhelming. The cocktail menu is also impressive, and I highly recommend trying the signature margarita smooth, refreshing, and with the perfect amount of kick. While Toca Madera is definitely on the pricier side, but it is worth a try for a fun night out. read more

First the good: Our waiter was excellent and attentive and somewhat made up for some of the short falls with offering shots and an extra lamp for the table. The branzino entree is a must along with short rib enchiladas. The flat iron wasn't bad. The strawberry tres leches and butter cake are great as well and should be shared (until you try it and then don't want to share lol). The disappointment: We had a reservation and was seated at a round table in between the bar near the kitchen and the dining area... it was extremely dark. When we asked to move to a booth with lighting above, we were told that those were reserved for parties of 6 or more . When we left ,parties of 5 (similar to us) and a party of two were allowed to dine in that area. They were also out of ingredients (i.e. dry ice , garnish) that make the drinks so spectacular and there were no live entertainment beyond one guitarist. It's definitely a different experience from what you see on social media..if anything I'd go back just for the branzino. read more

Toca Madera - Branzino with cilantro rice. - Steakhouses Near Me - Houston, Texas

Ambiance is very sexy. However it can get loud and pricey for the food. It was just okay. And it's not somewhere I would have to visit again. But IG worthy pics for sure. read more

Great ambiance, not too loud. The food is outstanding!! Steaks are incredible. Easily one of the best restaurants in Houston. Service is amazing. Harrison was our lead server and he is incredible. His recommendations were spot on and his support staff was spot on with the service. As a side, wine menu was impressive! Do yourself a favor and treat yourself to Toca! read more

What out they charge for chips and salsa they bring out that you do not ask for. Also no tap water here. They also charge for still water. These are the reason I gave two stars, not good business practice. It is all about transparency. read more

I so very much wanted to give a better rating but the food was mediocre at best. My chicken al pastor was basic chicken and what tasted like cheap barbecue sauce. In no way does the pricing reflect the food quality. The atmosphere is beautiful and I loved that. I just wish I had more to say about the food. My other dislikes were the automatic fees added onto the check. I also was not expecting to pay money for water. I felt that should have been explained better. The service was great and the attention to the special occasion was appreciated. But I cannot return to an establishment with such high pricing for low quality food. read more

My sister and I planned for a brunch and decided on Toca. Both first timers so we were really excited. Upon arrival I would have to say the place is beautiful , the ambiance was very welcoming. So why 3 stars??? I'm sorry this is houston and we have tons!!! Of restaurants here that are delicious and not so pricy. Let's just say this is the most expensive 2 person brunch I have been to and I have been so many to count. Our bill was 250! We had guacamole as an app, my sis got the breakfast enchiladas and I got the chicken and waffles. Each 30 bux. She had two mock tails totaling 36 bux and I had 2 mimosas for ... drum rolll!!! 70 bux that's right 35 a piece. The waiter asked if I wanted prosecco or champagne. I said champagne but I believe I was charged for Prosecco. I guess my mistake was not asking the price but I would never think they would be anything more than 20 and that's my high number. There was an automatic $40 gratuity added to the bill as well. I just don't think the food was worth what we paid. I mean hell we paid more for drinks than food. I just don't see this place lasting here. This is more of LA and Miami scene. It will be just like Katsuya which also originated from LA and they are are gone! My opinion don't waste your time but if your like me and you just have to try it out, go ahead but try to keep the drinks to a minimum. Oh and lastly there is only valet which is fine but it's behind the restaurant so rain sleet or snow you have to walk around the building to get to the main entrance. read more

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Had an amazing time with Mitchell!!!!!!! Great service gave us amazing recommendations, I had the Winnie the Pooh mixed drink and the calamari I plan to come back soon. read more

Toca Madera - Free chips salsa and drinks - Steakhouses Near Me - Houston, Texas

GG & Xtina we're amazing servers! They made our experience extremely memorable from start to finish. We will definitely be back to see them!

Toca Madera Houston, the latest addition to Houston's dining scene, has debuted with an opulent ambiance reminiscent of the city's esteemed supper clubs such as Koya and Ciel. Boasting an extensive cocktail menu highlighted by signature margaritas and Mezcal, the venue aims to captivate patrons with its sophisticated offerings. Drawing inspiration from Latin cuisines, akin to its sister locations in Las Vegas, Scottsdale, and Los Angeles, Toca Madera sets out to deliver a culinary experience rich in flavor and flair. However, while Toca Madera excels in crafting a vibrant atmosphere and serving impressive cocktails, its culinary offerings have failed to resonate amidst Houston's celebrated Tex-Mex and steakhouse establishments. Despite featuring Wagyu A5 beef, a staple highlight, the market dominance of Hai Hospitality's renowned venues in this category overshadows Toca Madera's efforts. A recent visit highlighted the restaurant's culinary shortcomings. Starters like guacamole lacked essential seasoning, although the Hamachi offered a redeeming note with its quality. The Wagyu beef burger earned praise for its flavor profile, yet the Truffle Mac and Cheese arrived devoid of cheese, disappointingly dry and unsatisfactory. Regrettably, efforts to address these concerns with the waitstaff yielded no remedy, exposing lapses in service quality. Overall, Toca Madera Houston positions itself more as a destination for socializing and indulging in libations than a pinnacle of gastronomic excellence. Its allure lies in providing a chic setting where patrons can be seen, complemented by engaging musical performances. The establishment garners commendation for its posh ambiance, earning high accolades in this regard. However, discerning diners are advised to temper their culinary expectations, considering the middling food quality. Service, marked by rushed interactions and inadequate responses to dining concerns, warrants only a modest appraisal. As Houston's dining landscape continues to evolve with over 100 new concepts emerging this year, the longevity of Toca Madera's appeal remains uncertain, especially given the discerning tastes of Houston's diners. **Actually Patron, not a guest of staff or owner as you would see from a soft open** read more

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