If the packed dining rooms at restaurants like Hamsa, Okto, and Rumi’s Kitchen are any indication, it is that Mediterranean food is having a moment in Houston. And, the opening this week of the Butcher’s Grille, a Lebanese-American restaurant that hails from Michigan, gives Houstonians yet another fantastic option.
The restaurant, known for its modern take on classic Mediterranean fare, is new to Houston, but has been around since 2016, when it opened as a butcher shop in Dearborn, Michigan. In under two years, the concept was operating as a full-service restaurant, and its debut at 5740 San Felipe in Tanglewood marks its first expansion outside of the state.
Behind the scenes, it is very much a family affair at the Butcher’s Grille. Husband and wife team, Adel and Racha Saleh, are head of the restaurant’s culinary operations and recipe development, while their daughter, Rayan oversees the brand development, and son, Karim, focuses on day-to-day goings on.
“Our mission is to serve high-quality Lebanese staples and American-inspired favorites in a welcoming, upscale-casual environment,” said Rayan, the visionary behind the brand’s growth. “We are excited to bring our unique blend of flavors, hospitality, and community spirit to Texas for the very first time.”
As part of the process of building the menu, Adel and Racha put a great deal of effort in sourcing high quality protein for the Butcher’s Grille. The restaurant follows the “Eat the Butcher’s Way” ethos, with the couple dedicated to showcasing only premium halal meats that are prepared with ethical, humane, and hygienic standards. Their commitment is reflected in the menu, which features charcoal-grilled meat skewers, lamb chops, meat shawarmas plates, and meaty handhelds like the Lebanese-style burger with half-pound beef patty.
A large menu of Lebanese mezze, or starters, is just as much of a draw. Selections include hummus, with the choice of a shawarma meat topping; tomato kibbeh; baba ghanouj; hand-rolled stuffed grape leaves; fried crispy falafel; and soups like lentil, and chicken lemon rice.
Setting itself apart from other restaurants, the Butcher’s Grille’s beverage program was developed sans any boozy choices, making it inclusive and approachable to all. Mocktails like the Golden Hour mojito with passionfruit, mint, and lime; the Beirut Mule, made with ginger beer and fresh citrus; and the jalapeño margarita were created to serve as refreshing alternatives to classic cocktails.
With its all day menu dedicated to inclusivity, and relaxed atmosphere, complete with two patios and comfortable booth and table seating, the Butcher’s Grille’s first Texas locale has all the makings of becoming a trusted neighborhood gem.
The Butcher’s Grille is now open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The Butcher’s Grille, 5740 San Felipe St., Houston, thebutchersgrille.com
