One of Houston’s most talked-about sandwich pop-ups is about to get a permanent home. Yuma, the Brazilian- and Cuban-inspired concept from chef Mike Hartley and co-owner Miriam Leek-Meira, will open its first brick-and-mortar restaurant this Friday, June 26 at 4219 Washington Avenue, taking over the former Ninja Ramen space.
Since launching as a pop-up, Yuma has built a loyal following for its creative take on the Cuban sandwich, blending Brazilian flavors and ingredients with Caribbean influences and plenty of Houston flair.
The concept is a reflection of both owners’ backgrounds. Hartley, who previously served as executive sous-chef at River Oaks staple Brasserie 19 and co-owned the catering and provisions company MMH Provisions, brings a chef-driven approach to the menu, emphasizing scratch-made ingredients and house-baked bread. Leek-Meira draws inspiration from her Brazilian upbringing, highlighting flavors and regional dishes that extend far beyond the churrascarias most Americans associate with the country’s cuisine.
Together, the husband-and-wife team have transformed the Cuban sandwich into a vehicle for exploring the culinary traditions of Brazil, the Caribbean and Houston. The new Washington Avenue restaurant will allow the team to expand beyond its popular sandwiches with a larger menu of bar bites, desserts, specialty cocktails, and rotating collaborations.
The 1,400-square-foot space has been reimagined with updated interiors and artwork created by family members, while preserving select design elements from Ninja Ramen.
“When people think of Brazilian cuisine, they think of the churrascarias that are just meat smorgasbords that have become synonymous with Brazil here in the United States,” said Leek-Meira. “We have so much more to offer. We have amazing fruits, incredible seafood, diverse regional dishes and even vegetables. I’m excited to introduce people to what I grew up eating in Brazil through the prism of the Cuban sandwich.”
The menu includes favorites from Yuma’s pop-up days, including the classic Cubano, El Penny Cubano banh mi and Sampa Gallo chicken sandwich, alongside new offerings such as a fish sando and an expanded lineup of Brazilian snacks and desserts.
Before digging into a sandwich, diners can start with pão de queijo, the beloved Brazilian cheese bread, along with beef-filled pastéis, ham-and-cheese croquetas, fried plantains, yuca fries, and coxinha de frango, a popular Brazilian street food featuring chicken, tomato sauce, and cheese wrapped in a crispy shell.
The sandwich lineup ranges from traditional to inventive. The Classic Cubano layers roasted pork, ham, gruyère, pickles, and mustard on house-baked bread, while the El Penny Cubano Banh Mi blends Cuban and Vietnamese influences. Other options include the Sampa Gallo Chicken Sandwich, A Caipira, a Brazilian-inspired cheesesteak, and El Jardin, a vegan creation built with tostones, sofrito, mustard greens, and black bean purée.
Desserts continue the restaurant’s cross-cultural approach. Offerings include a Basque cheesecake topped with mango gel, yogurt whip, and coconut crumb, rotating flavors of brigadeiros, and grilled banana pudding with vanilla cream and coconut wafers.
The beverage program was developed with input from Jamie Diaz of Nancy’s Hustle and centers on Brazilian and Cuban flavors. Cocktails spotlight cachaça and rum in drinks such as the Lime Caipirinha, Passionfruit Cloud, Crimson Coast, Rabo de Galo, and Toasted Caju. A robust lineup of spirit-free cocktails, including the Guava Aperol Spritz, Tropical Dreamsicle, Guanabana Caipi, and Sol de Kiwi, ensures non-drinkers have just as many options.
“This concept is one-of-a-kind but also approachable, much like this amazing city that we live in,” Hartley said. “Miriam and I have set out to create something completely unique, and we’re excited to share it with everyone. We love the location and want to strike a balance between something new and exciting while still feeling comforting and familiar.”
Yuma will initially operate Wednesday through Monday from 4 p.m. to midnight, with happy hour offerings and plans to add lunch service in the future. The restaurant also plans to launch a late-night to-go window and continue a tradition from the building’s former tenant with Monday karaoke and industry nights.
Yuma, 4219 Washington Ave., Houston, eatyuma.com
