Food Truck Turned Brick-and-Mortar Gourmet Leases in Understory

HOUSTON—Since 2016, there have been eight food halls either open or announce upcoming openings in Houston, according to Rand Stephens, principal and managing director with Avison Young. Most are located downtown, with others popping up in The Heights and Rice Village. This may be in part due to the greater metro area's reputation as a foodie town, receiving 11 semifinalist nominations for the 2019 James Beard Chef and Restaurant Awards.

“So, it is no surprise to see the food hall craze take Houston by storm. Just as we saw the food truck rage give aspiring chefs the opportunity to sell their innovative dishes without the burdensome overhead costs, we are now seeing some of the once-mobile artisan food vendors put it into 'park' inside commercial and residential buildings, and set up shop in food halls,” says Stephens. “With almost guaranteed foot traffic and short-term leases, it's no surprise that the concept appeals to chefs and restaurateurs.”

Within the food truck phenomenon, Flip 'n Patties is perhaps one of the most well-known of those in the Houston food scene. It, too, has abandoned its wandering ways with a second permanent home in Understory, the 35,000-square-foot community hub and culinary market at Capitol Tower. This opening marks the first inside Houston's Inner Loop, after the opening of its flagship restaurant in the Energy Corridor at 1809 Eldridge Pkwy. in December 2017.

Skanska says a long-term lease has been inked with Flip 'n Patties. The eatery will occupy 629 square feet of the 9,000-square-foot culinary market.

“We believe that Flip 'n Patties' one-of-a-kind menu and commitment to utilizing fresh locally sourced ingredients will have wide appeal for all who frequent downtown Houston, whether for business or leisure, and look forward to unveiling their new location to the public when Understory opens later this year,” said Matt Damborsky, executive vice president for Skanska USA Commercial Development in Houston.

Established in 2012 as a mobile food truck business, Flip 'n Patties is best known for Filipino-inspired street food and Akaushi burgers. Unlike its flagship outpost, Flip 'n Patties' Understory menu will focus exclusively on its signature burgers and double-fried French fries.

“Born and raised in Houston by Filipino immigrants, we wanted to share the flavors from our roots and marry it with the flavors we grew up with here in America. We are using the burger as a bridge between the American palate and Filipino cuisine,” said Michael Jante, co-owner of Flip 'n Patties. “We are truly grateful for the opportunity to expand into Understory at Capitol Tower and are looking forward to sharing what we have with another part of our city.”

Understory is now 68% leased, with two of seven restaurant stalls and the cocktail bar remaining. Flip 'n Patties joins East Hampton Sandwich Co., Boomtown Coffee, Mama Ninfa's Tacos y Tortas and MONA Fresh Italian Food as the first five tenants at Understory.

Designed by the Michael Hsu Office of Architecture, Understory will be an experience-based destination that brings the community together through culture, commerce and cuisine. In addition to a community space and a full-service restaurant, Understory will include a culinary market with seven chef-driven concepts and a cocktail bar.

A central feature of Understory is the open-air blending of the street and tunnel levels, facilitated by the “Great Steps,” a 30-foot-wide monumental staircase and gathering place that will create the first true street-level gateway to the tunnel network. This gateway will be highlighted by a large hanging art installation that will be visible from Capitol, Rusk and Milam streets.

With a distinctive design that was inspired by the craft of food, Understory will feature open cooking concepts with high-end finishes to create an inviting space with street views, tunnel entries and market hall. Kitchens will have a handcrafted look, with artist murals, copper-clad kitchen hoods, wood butcher-block counter tops and white marble.

“One of the most appealing aspects of Understory is its expansive open-air design that merged the street and tunnel life in a way not seen before in downtown Houston. For food truck turned brick-and-mortar concepts like Flip 'n Patties, Understory is a unique opportunity to expand into a space that offers approachable, open cooking concepts that are well-connected to the neighborhood's evolving and vibrant cultural life,” Damborsky tells GlobeSt.com. “Its prime location in the heart of the Central Business District creates a destination where Houstonians can gather for business or for leisure, and enjoy an eclectic mix of culture, commerce and cuisine. It will really represent the neighborhood's continued shift to a more 24/7 community.”

Nick Hernandez, Crystal Allen and Lacee Wilke from Transwestern represented Skanska in the transaction. Clint Hankla and Robert LaCoure from Lee & Associates represented Flip 'n Patties.

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Lisa Brown is an editor for the south and west regions of GlobeSt.com. She has 25-plus years of real estate experience, with a regional PR role at Grubb & Ellis and a national communications position at MMI. Brown also spent 10 years as executive director at NAIOP San Francisco Bay Area chapter, where she led the organization to achieving its first national award honors and recognition on Capitol Hill. She has written extensively on commercial real estate topics and edited numerous pieces on the subject.