From July 5 through July 19, Latin Restaurant Weeks will celebrate and support Latin chefs and culinary businesses across Greater Houston. The largest celebration of its kind— with events now in Washington D.C., New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, and Atlanta— Latin Restaurant Weeks returns for its 6th year to Houston where the initiative began.
Local restaurants, cafes, coffee shops, food trucks, and bakers will showcase their unique offerings and share their stories with Houstonians. Diners can explore new flavors and cuisines with participants offering special menu items, limited-time deals, and pre-fixe menus that will highlight more than 10 Latin American countries represented in Houston.
Houston’s Latino population is the cornerstone of the city, with Hispanics in the majority at 44.8%. The impact of Hispanics on Houston’s economy is evident with the city boasting the highest concentration of Latino-owned businesses in the US, according to a Stanford University study.
Sponsored by Sysco and in partnership with the Feed The Soul Foundation, Latin Restaurant Weeks (LRW) has consistently provided a platform during the campaigns and throughout each year for Latin-owned culinary businesses to showcase their skills and cultures. What sets LRW apart from similar initiatives is that chefs and owners have complete control over what specials to offer diners, allowing them to create menus that speak to their traditions at an attractive price point.
Participants of LRW range from higher-end restaurants like The Lymbar and Churrascos Steakhouses to traditional and casual spots including Taqueria La Perla de Jalisco, Los Ranchitos, and Space City Birria. Beyond restaurants are coffee shops like Segundo Coffee Lab in EaDo, cocktail bars like Aero Cocktail Co, grocers like Henderson & Kane General Store and Guanajuato Supermarket, and healthy choices like Healthy Start Nutrition and Gaspachos Mexican Bites. While participants are primarily located in Greater Houston, residents from Katy to The Woodlands and beyond can discover new choices. LRW expects to reach a new record with more than 70 participants this year.
LRW aims to educate the community on the complexities and nuances of Latin cuisine and provide an opportunity for adventure. At Ema HTX, diners can experience ancestral cooking techniques like nixtamalization, a process that increases the nutritional value of corn and is one of the most sacred food practices in Mexican gastronomy. Traversing the Atlantic, Cafe Piquet Cuban Cuisine offers a taste of the Caribbean with favorites like Ropa Vieja. Peruvian representation shines through the likes of Peru Gourmet and Latin Bites where diners can taste staples like Lomo Saltado.
LRW also creates connections to resources through third-year sponsor Sysco who is helping chefs and restauranteurs bring incredible flavors to life while supporting the community. “We believe in the power of food to bring people together and create meaningful connections,” said April Love, Sysco’s Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer.
New to LRW this year are Aero Cocktail Co, Backstreet Cafe, Buena Vista Cuban Cafe, Echoes Cafe, Ema HTX, El Asador, Ferso’s, Gees Mini Pancakes, La Güerita Roasted Corn, Late August, Muerde la Burger, Monchy’s, The Original Ninfa’s Uptown, Peru Gourmet, Pochitos Mariscos y Mas, Urbe, and Teotihuacán.
Latin Restaurant Weeks is dedicated to assisting the culinary community by facilitating opportunities for participants with the Feed The Soul Foundation. Since partnering in 2020, LRW has connected several entrepreneurs within the industry to the nonprofit’s business development resources, scholarship opportunities, and emergency funding. In 2023, the nonprofit granted $40,000 total ( individual $10K grants) to LRW participants Andes Cafe, Henderson & Kane, Cranky Carrot, and Space City Birria Tacos to invest in a sector within their business.
Participants of Latin Restaurant Weeks are showcased on the initiative’s online platform to highlight the business’ stories, offerings, and unique flavors and techniques. Businesses interested in participating this year can choose to join free of charge or at a premium level of $250. LRW is accepting restaurant participants through July 1st.
Latin Restaurant Weeks is sponsored in part by U.S. Bank.
For a list of participants and menus, visit latinrestaurantweeks.com. For more information and updates, follow along on social media @LatinRestaurantWeeks on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.