Houston’s acclaimed Thai eatery, Street to Kitchen, helmed by the prestigious James Beard Award-winning chef Benchawan “G” Jabthong Painter, is set to significantly expand its operations this fall. Known for its authentically bold and “unapologetically Thai” flavors, Street To Kitchen Houston is relocating from its intimate, 10-table establishment at a gas station to a much larger space within The Plant, a mixed-use development in the Second Ward. This move, slated for November, will place Street to Kitchen Houston alongside other popular venues such as Popston paleta shop, Little Red Box Grocery, The Re-Up Juice Bar, and Eden Plant Co. coffee shop, creating a vibrant culinary hub.
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The new Street to Kitchen Houston location, situated at 3401 Harrisburg Boulevard in the space formerly occupied by Cafe Louie and Louie’s, represents a substantial upgrade. The expansive 2,800-square-foot area will accommodate 100 diners, tripling the capacity of the current restaurant. Furthermore, patrons can anticipate an enhanced beverage menu featuring a curated selection of wines and expertly crafted cocktails, complementing the restaurant’s celebrated cuisine. Adding to the culinary offerings, Street to Kitchen Houston will introduce Thai omelets to its regular menu. This popular dish, currently available on Saturdays at the Urban Harvest Farmers Market, will also be conveniently accessible through a walk-up window at the new location.
Chef G and her co-owner husband, Graham Painter, are actively engaged in the renovation of the new Street to Kitchen Houston space. The design plans include an inviting outdoor patio, projected to be completed before the year concludes, further enhancing the dining experience.
“As a devoted admirer of my adopted city, the remarkable Houston, and with profound gratitude for the James Beard Foundation’s recognition as ‘Best Chef: Texas,’” Chef G expressed in a statement, highlighting her enthusiasm for this new chapter. “I am incredibly excited to expand Street to Kitchen Houston, enabling us to serve a greater number of Houstonians and share our unapologetically Thai food and joyful approach with the [Houston] gastronomic landscape.”
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Until the relocation is complete, Street to Kitchen Houston will continue to operate from its original East End spot. Securing a table at the current location has become increasingly challenging in recent months, particularly following Chef G’s prestigious James Beard Award win for Best Chef: Texas. The anticipation for the larger Street to Kitchen Houston promises to alleviate some of this demand and offer more opportunities for diners to experience Chef G’s celebrated Thai cuisine.
Interestingly, the space intended for Street to Kitchen Houston was initially earmarked for Angie’s Pizza, a New York-style pizzeria. However, Angelo Emiliani, the chef behind Angie’s Pizza, has since rebranded his establishment as Neighbors Pizza Bar and opened it nearby, in the former location of the wine bar How to Survive on Land and Sea, also on the same street. Angie’s Pizza, now Neighbors Pizza Bar, is already serving up large 18-inch New York-style pizzas, available by the slice or as whole pies, at The Plant. They utilize locally sourced ingredients and plan to expand their offerings to include Italian ice, along with a full-service bar featuring cocktails, wine, and beer. Currently open Thursday through Monday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Neighbors Pizza Bar intends to extend its hours to operate seven days a week.
Concept Neighborhood, the development and management company behind The Plant in Second Ward, announced plans for this mixed-use project in 2022. They envision The Plant as Houston’s pioneering “15-minute neighborhood,” fostering a compact and central community encompassing restaurants, retail stores, communal areas, public amenities, and future residential and office spaces. The addition of the expanded Street to Kitchen Houston will undoubtedly solidify The Plant as a premier destination in Houston’s evolving culinary scene.
