Sonic the Hedgehog cafe to pop up in Katy
In the past month, a number of concepts founded in California have come to Houston — hot chicken, Indian-inspired pizzas and even a food festival modeled after Asia’s night markets.
Now Houston can add Trill Burgers co-founder Andy Nguyen’s cafe combining the classic video game “Sonic the Hedgehog” with fast-food favorites. Starting May 4, Sonic the Hedgehog Speed Cafe, 348 S. Mason, will operate as a pop-up as it takes over Craft Burger for three months.
The family-friendly space, a collaboration between game company Sega and Nguyen’s Secret Sauce Society, will be serving chili-topped hot dogs, chicken tenders, onion rings, fries, milkshakes and slushy drinks — just don’t expect any smashburgers.
The first Sonic the Hedgehog
Speed Cafe opened during the San Diego Comic-Con event in July. Nguyen, a restaurateur in Southern California, opened another pop-up last fall in Chino Hills, Calif.
This first location in Texas hopes to draw as many gamers as foodies, according to a spokesperson for the pop-up.
Craft Burger owner Shannen Tune is a chef some Houstonians may know from the Food Network show “Chopped.” He helped create Texas-specific dishes such as the Chaotix Hot Dog with chopped brisket, crispy onions and barbecue sauce. There’s also a hot dog topped with cheese, pepperoni and marinara sauce. The Zomom’s Hunger Buster Fries are topped with brisket, cheddar cheese and green onions.
Besides fast-food favorites, there will be Sonic-themed packaging and merch for sale, such as T-shirts, hoodies and hats.
The May 4 grand opening begins at 11 a.m. Its hours through Aug. 4 will be 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and
11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday through Sunday. The space will reopen as a Craft Burger after the popup.