Cherry Block Smokehouse

2022-09-14 - By Greg Morago STAFF WRITER greg.morago@chron.com

The concept

Rancher/butcher/chef Felix Florez, one of the pioneers of ranch-totable dining in Houston, has opened a new counter-service restaurant in the Stomping Grounds in Garden Oaks specializing in Texas and Louisiana fare with an emphasis on smoked and butcher shop meats.

The space

Gin Design Group has fashioned the 2,600square-foot space with Florez family photos. The restaurant, where guests can look into a working butcher room, also offers a retail shop that includes Texasmade foods and in October will begin selling butcher-cut meats.

The food

The menu from executive chef Jordan Economy, working with chef de cuisine Mellissa Hart, offers steakhouse choices (heritage pork chop, New York strip, rib-eye steak, filet mignon, blade steak) rounded out by po’boys, burgers, a Texas Cuban sandwich, jumbo hot dogs, brisket gumbo, brisket macaroni and cheese, tacos, house-made boudin and boudin balls, and smoked meats. Pecan-smoked barbecue comes from a 14-foot steel smoker created specifically for the restaurant.

The drinks

A full bar offers beer, wine and cocktails, including frozen options. Florez, a sommelier, brings his appreciation for boutique, familyowned wineries to the menu.

The word

“We are just getting started, there is so much more to come, like brunch and daily specials,” Florez said.

One more thing

The restaurant is a sister concept to Florez’s Cherry Block Craft Butcher & Texas Market butcher and retail shop in Katy at 5305 Highway Blvd.

The details

1223 W. 34th, 281-9402219; cherryblockbutcher.com. Open 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday.

?? Becca Wright ?? Cherry Block Smokehouse is a new restaurant from chef/butcher Felix Florez at the Stomping Grounds in Garden Oaks. — Becca Wright Cherry Block Smokehouse is a new restaurant from chef/butcher Felix Florez at the Stomping Grounds in Garden Oaks.

?? Becca Wright ?? Diners can expect to find a variety of po’boy sandwiches on the menu. — Becca Wright Diners can expect to find a variety of po’boy sandwiches on the menu.

?? Becca Wright ?? Florez says, “There is so much more to come, like brunch and daily specials.” — Becca Wright Florez says, “There is so much more to come, like brunch and daily specials.”

?? POP Studiios ?? The counter-service restaurant specializes is Texas and Louisiana fare. — POP Studiios The counter-service restaurant specializes is Texas and Louisiana fare.