Each day seems to bring highs and lows for the Texas economy. Natural disasters are destroying lives and insurance rates are skyrocketing. Affordable housing seems a thing of the past. Because of the lack of surety, consumers are cutting back on spending, which means less dining out. That's a death knell for local restaurants, already dealing with high equipment costs, rents and food prices.
While rising insurance rates and grocery prices affect many middle class Texans, it's even more drastic for the working poor and struggling families. Recently, executive decisions have been made that directly affect the availability of free meals for food insecure children during the summer. The two issues may seem independent of one another, but when restaurant owners are facing possible closures and employees risk losing their jobs due to the economy and children risk hunger due to inexplicable political agendas, a whole community suffers. When politicians won't do what's right by their constituents, it is sometimes up to regular folks to step up when they can.
Houston Restaurant Weeks was founded in 2003 by Cleverley Stone to help drum up business for local restaurants during the slowest time of the year and to also benefit Houston Food Bank, which serves not only Harris County but 17 other surrounding counties as well. Stone was a local media personality and proponent of Houston's food scene. Over the years, HRW blossomed into an annual summer event that became the biggest fundraiser for the non-profit. Unfortunately, Stone passed away in 2020 of cancer. Following her death, her daughter Katie Stone founded the Cleverley Stone Foundation to carry on her mission, even adding some new events and fundraisers along the way.
Kitchen Rumors just opened and it's already ready for Houston Restaurant Weeks 2025. Photo by Chris Furia" class="uk-display-block uk-position-relative uk-visible-toggle"> click to enlarge
Kitchen Rumors just opened and it's already ready for Houston Restaurant Weeks 2025.
Photo by Chris Furia
HRW typically lasts about a month in August, ending with Labor Day. This year Houston Restaurant Weeks runs August 1 through September 1. Last year, it was extended an extra month because of Hurricane Beryl and the derecho storm that did so much damage to local restaurants. As a consequence, HRW 2024 made a total of $2,013,318 for Houston Food Bank. To date, HRW has raised more than $22.5 million dollars which translates to 68 million meals for Texas communities in need. And with the possibility of government funding being cut for various assistance programs, every dollar, and meal, counts.
This year has seen a number of local restaurant closures, due to factors such as rising food and maintenance costs, as well as high rents and near-constant construction. The Cleverley Stone Foundation made the decision this year to lower the donation costs per each meal sold in order to help override the costs for participating restaurants while still creating revenue for Houston Food Bank.
Maison Pucha is a perennial favorite for HRW with dishes like shrimp ceviche. Photo by Lorretta Ruggiero" class="uk-display-block uk-position-relative uk-visible-toggle"> click to enlarge
Maison Pucha is a perennial favorite for HRW with dishes like shrimp ceviche.
Photo by Lorretta Ruggiero
For each HRW brunch or lunch ordered, $1 will be donated, while dinner specials will generate $5 or $7, depending on the menu. The brunch and lunch menus typically include two courses for $25. Dinner deals may include three courses for $39 or $55. The menus, times and prices vary at each participating business. Menus can be accessed at houstonrestaurantweeks.com. Occasionally, restaurants will also offer special cocktails and wine pairings for the month.
Though the list has debuted online of some of this year's eateries, there will be additions made over the next couple of weeks. Some of the top 2024 participants returning include B&B Butchers & Restaurant which raised $64,100 last year and Brennan's of Houston which donated $47,769. Other top earners on the list include Annabelle Brasserie, Trattoria Sofia, Traveler's Table, Etoile, Pappas Bros. Steakhouse, Marmo, MAD and BCN.
Cocody has a luxe three-course dinner menu for $55. Photo by Michael Zibi" class="uk-display-block uk-position-relative uk-visible-toggle">
Cocody has a luxe three-course dinner menu for $55.
Photo by Michael Zibi
The list of returning restaurants is a long one but foodies will be happy to see such establishments as a'Bouzy, Amrina, Bari, Bludorn, Coltivare, Federal American Grill, Maison Pucha, Pondicheri, Thai Cottage, The Lymbar, The Blind Goat, Ostia, Tavola, and many more favorites.
Some of the new faces joining the HRW family include Azumi, Barbacana, Chardon, Little Rey, Maven, Nobu, La Mex, Haii Keii, Kitchen Rumors, Perseid, Silk Road and Traveler's Cart. And it's not just restaurants in Houston proper that are joining in. Residents further out can enjoy the deals at Ale & Ivy, Derby, Nona's Italian Grill, Soto's Cantina, Perry's Steakhouse, Zanti Cucina Italiana and Kokoro Handroll Bar.