Author Archives: dwightbrown

The highest and best use possible.

Posted on September 30, 2026 by dwightbrown

A former Houston Luby’s restaurant is swapping out its famous LuAnn Platters and square-shaped fish for spooky costumes and movie masks. Spirit Halloween has taken over the former Montrose-River Oaks cafeteria location at 1414 Waugh Drive.

Posted in Closed | Leave a comment

Obit watch: September 17, 2026.

Posted on September 17, 2026 by dwightbrown

Friend of everyone, and unindicted SDC co-conspirator (though it wasn’t for lack of trying), Andrew Wimsatt, was murdered on Labor Day. In addition to everything else about him, Andrew had been attending Saturday Dining Conspiracies almost as long as Lawrence … Continue reading →

Posted in obituary | Leave a comment

Take these broken wings and learn to fly again…

Posted on September 17, 2026 by dwightbrown

Every now and then, I see one of those food festivals advertised and think, “This sounds like fun. I wonder if I should go.” Then I remember why I don’t go to food festivals. The organizers behind the Houston Chicken … Continue reading →

Posted in Gripes, Media, Meta, News | Leave a comment

How to kill a restaurant.

Posted on August 24, 2026 by dwightbrown

The Saturday Dining Conspiracy ate at DonDon Japanese Fire Bowl by SOSU. Well, we planned to, anyway. DonDon is in one of those mixed use residential/retail on the first floor developments that replaced something more worthwhile on Burnet. I disremember … Continue reading →

Posted in Gripes, Japanese | 1 Comment

Get your biscuits in the oven…

Posted on July 22, 2026 by dwightbrown

Previously, I noted that Maple Street Biscuit Company was owned by Cracker Barrel. Not. Anymore. Cracker Barrel has sold its Maple Street Biscuit Company brand and 35 restaurants to Biscuit Belly, LLC and will close 16 locations of the fast … Continue reading →

Posted in Breakfast | Leave a comment

More random food notes.

Posted on June 22, 2026 by dwightbrown

1. On the Border is really most sincerely dead. (Previously.) OTB Hospitality, LLC filed for bankruptcy on Friday, effectively ending Pappas Restaurants’ efforts to revive On the Border brand after acquiring it out of bankruptcy last year. The news also … Continue reading →

Posted in Closed, Meta, Mexican | Leave a comment

Random notes.

Posted on June 18, 2026 by dwightbrown

1. Penske Media (the owners of Deadline and the Hollywood Reporter) have bought the Eater websites. Among others: Publishing brands, including food authority Eater, tech destination The Verge, sports network SB Nation, travel brand Thrillist, lifestyle site Popsugar, animal story-focused … Continue reading →

Posted in American, Barbecue, Media | Leave a comment

The last roundup.

Posted on June 11, 2026 by dwightbrown

Louisiana Longhorn in Round Rock is closing on June 20th. This is a darn shame. We had a couple of SDCs there, and I ate there from time to time when I worked closer to Round Rock. It was a … Continue reading →

Posted in Cajun, Closed, Mexican | 1 Comment

Leaving a vacuum.

Posted on March 20, 2026 by dwightbrown

Hoover’s Cooking, on Manor Road, is closing at the end of May. This stinks. I don’t eat at Hoover’s as much as I used to, since it’s a bit far away from me here in the hinterlands. But it is … Continue reading →

Posted in American, Closed, News, Southern | Leave a comment

Closing notice.

Posted on February 20, 2026 by dwightbrown

The League Kitchen & Tavern in Lakeway is closing on February 25th, according to a post on NextDoor. This is backed up with a photo of the sign on the door. This is not a great tragedy. There’s another League … Continue reading →

Posted in American, Burgers, Closed | Leave a comment