Once home to the original location of Houston Tex-Mex institution Spanish Flowers, its been home to several different businesses over the years, including a motel and, according to local legend, a brothel. Thomas had noticed the building over the years as he drove to and from White Oak.
Then he had a realization. The idea was to bring that to life. Take what was here and give it some life again. Mason approached Thomas about working together on the project. It has hippie roots, country roots, and Tejano roots. From there, the drink program took shape. The back bar will be heavy on whiskey and agave spirits. Beer drinkers will find a couple of drafts along with bottles from local craft brewers, meaning a beer and a shot is always an option. The bar plans to utilize food trucks.
Naturally, people have been approaching Thomas about whether Starduster will host live music. Maybe someday will get a songwriter in here every now and then or a duo. While it will certainly draw interest from the Heights and beyond, both men hope to build regulars from the immediate area.
For now, the bar will operate on the first floor and an expansive backyard. Even the most engaged Houston restaurant obsessives may have been surprised to see chef Tristen Epps listed as one of two Houstonians competing on the new season of Top Chef. Although Epps grew up in Houston and began his culinary career here, the bulk of his professional experience is in New York and Miami, where he led a restaurant to a Michelin Bib Gourmand award and earned a James Beard Award semifinalist nomination for Best Chef: South.
Having returned to the Bayou City in , Epps will take another step towards reintroducing himself to Houstonians in February.
