Convenience Big Store: 🌮 The return of a Houston icon

If this newsletter was forwarded to you, sign up here. Check out our other newsletters for daily news headlines, updates about sports, or breaking news.

For Starters

Kroger is closing two more locations in the Houston area.

Houston area losing 2 locations of major grocery chain

The business has seen many changes in the last year.

The cheese and deli sections inside the new H-E-B store, Monday, June 25, 2018, in Bellaire. It's the first two-story H-E-B to open in the Houston area. ( Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle ) (Photo by Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images)

H-E-B drops new line of sweet and savory Japanese sandos

"You can thank us later."

The brisket cheese curd taco from Richie's Cheese Curd Tacos, which will be featured at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

First look at the new deep-fried dishes at the Houston rodeo

Brisket is a star of this year's proceedings.

Paulie's, an Italian American restaurant along Westheimer Road in Houston, Texas on Oct. 27, 2025. Owner Paul Petronella announced the restaurant and its sibling Camareta Wine Bar would be closing by the end of the year, capping off a nearly 30-year run.

Iconic Houston Italian restaurant space to endure big changes

A longtime favorite had closed there in December 2025.

Wienerschnitzel is bringing its corn dogs to H-E-B.

California fast-food chain brings popular menu item to H-E-B

The Lone Star State is first to this product.

A growing restaurant chain is about to further invade the Houston area. Five locations of Eggs Up Grill are slated for Southeast Texas, according to an announcement.

East Coast breakfast chain to add 5 Houston area locations

The brand has made plenty of fans over a nearly 30-year lifespan.

Tacos de birria are all the rage these days, and are now on Spanish Village's menu.

Beloved Tex-Mex favorite to reopen at new Houston development

The eatery will be part of a big change in the neighborhood.

Last Bite

Well, it's Valentine's Day weekend, one of the busiest stretches for restaurants nationwide. Do whatever you want, but I'm probably eschewing fine-dining for a Japanese izakaya this year. Why argue about summer travel plans and discuss what's in those icky files over a $120 prix fixe meal when you can do it over karaage and cheap pints of Asahi Super Dry? Anyway, for what it's worth, I'm a fan of Toukei at Yun-Lu Center in Asiatown and Izakaya Wa on West Gray in River Oaks.

As for other stories in the food world you may have missed:

Folks up in Conroe may be upset to learn that The Icehouse has closed. It had only been open for a year and change before shuttering on Feb. 9.
But for every closing we should give you an opening, and that's the much ballyhooed unveiling of Tiny's Milk & Cookies in the Heights on Feb. 4.
Our Food Editor John-Henry Perera revisited one of the most underrated Houston spots for Peking duck. It's near a landfill.

Whether your Valentine's Day celebration takes place at home, inside a fancy restaurant or near a landfill, I hope it's filled with love.

— Timothy Malcolm, Chron Deputy Managing Editor of Texas Lifestyle