erica cheng 鄭伊澄

Is Houston’s Chinatown Really ‘Asiatown’ Now? The story of a neighborhood built by Chinese families, transformed by Vietnamese migration, and renamed by everyone in between.

What do Houstonians call the stretch of Bellaire Boulevard between Beltway 8 and Southwest Freeway? Is it Chinatown, Asiatown, or something else? Very proud to pen this story for Houstonia! Bellaire Blvd means everything to me.
www.houstoniamag.com/news-and-cit...

totally valid lolol i personally make this distinction too!

Is Houston’s Chinatown Really ‘Asiatown’ Now? The story of a neighborhood built by Chinese families, transformed by Vietnamese migration, and renamed by everyone in between.

What do Houstonians call the stretch of Bellaire Boulevard between Beltway 8 and Southwest Freeway? Is it Chinatown, Asiatown, or something else? Very proud to pen this story for Houstonia! Bellaire Blvd means everything to me.
www.houstoniamag.com/news-and-cit...

The Cowbell That Reunited Katrina Survivors in Houston One sound meant family found.

NEW: It's been 20 years since Hurricane Katrina tore through Louisiana, driving over 200,000 evacuees towards Houston. One of the most memorable sounds in the Astrodome was a cowbell. For volunteer Janice Jucker, the cowbell was a signal of reunification. more:
www.houstoniamag.com/news-and-cit...

Tariffs Are Driving Up Houston’s Food Prices Tariffs on imports are forcing local spots to raise prices—or get creative.

NEW: Your favorite HEB sushi is being hit by Trump's tariffs. Houston's restauranteurs and caterers (like HEB supplier, Tokyo Gardens Catering) are really feeling the squeeze. Prices for local businesses have soared, while owners look for creative solutions.
www.houstoniamag.com/news-and-cit...

One Month After the Kerrville Floods, Texas Still Has Few Answers Local organizations have spearheaded volunteer efforts, while governments examine infrastructure.

NEW for Houstonia Magazine: It's been exactly one month since flash flooding devastated Central Texas. For the families of over 100 victims, everything has changed. Except policy.
www.houstoniamag.com/news-and-cit...

Has Houston’s Nightlife Scene Become a New Policy Battleground? Between Councilman Edward Pollard and Mayor John Whitmire, the club is a new policy arena.

NEW for Houstonia: Is Houston's club scene becoming the new policy battleground? From councilman Pollard's new dress code ordinance, to Mayor Whitmire's ongoing "tough on crime" initiatives, nightlife has definitely changed in the city.
www.houstoniamag.com/news-and-cit...

The park was one of the last bastions for works by local graffiti artist, DECK WGF, who passed last year. All that's left of the park are three bricks, which artist GONZO247 salvaged himself from the demolition site.

RIP, Graffiti Park: The Life and Death of a Houston icon Walls of brightly colored murals at Houston's street art haven were turned into dust after over a decade in existence.

NEW: for my first piece at Houstonia, i penned an obituary to EaDo's Graffiti Park, which was recently demolished in favor of I-45's expansion. Artists that built the park called it a "loss that speaks volumes" and are wondering where the community will go next.
www.houstoniamag.com/news-and-cit...

Houston-area chef wins 2025 James Beard award for Texas' best chef A major award for the Bayou City establishment.

NEW @chron.com: Houston has a new James Beard Award winning chef. Minutes ago, Spring chef Thomas Bille took home the James Beard medallion for Best Chef: Texas. Bille heads the highly lauded restaurant, Belly of the Beast.
www.chron.com/food/article...

One of Houston's most beloved pubs is plotting a comeback Rumors surrounding Cecil's Pub's return have been circulating for months. It will be taking over the former Elro Pizza and Crudo space in Montrose/Midtown area.

NEW: Last year, longtime Montrose bar Cecil's Pub closed its beloved West Gray location. Now, nearly 6 months after, the pub is back with a vengeance. Owner Jonas Herd hopes the bar will open ASAP, which could be as soon as this weekend. more @chron.com
www.chron.com/food/article...

for @chron.com, I also spoke with a legal expert to discuss the severity of the charges. Our legal expert says that we can expect Price to serve the full 20 year sentence, if successfuly convicted. "Government resources are limited, and they generally don't bring frivolous charges."

Locked-up Houston restaurateur speaks out while in federal custody Lynndell "Lynn" Price, the embattled Houston restaurateur, took to social media to assuage fans that he'll be back at it in no time. But the jury is still out.

NEW: Details have emerged in the FBI-led arrest of ex-Turkey Leg Hut frontman Lynn Price. Price allegedly paid collaborators $1400 for the arsons; the restauraunter also took to social media to provide a statement on his arrest.
www.chron.com/food/article...

my week is made 😭😭😭

impact update: apparently, a couple of Houston bakeries/dessert shops are DMing each other about the crazy prices they're seeing after reading this. It's a more widespread problem than we think!

"Globally, chocolate prices have skyrocketed and are projected to continue climbing this year. Similar issues have also plagued the coffee and matcha trades. Ongoing shortages, combined with the tariffs, have raised prices even higher."

omg just fangirled @texassignal.bsky.social i love y'all's work!

Houston's best dessert shops are seeing big problems on horizon Pudgy's Fine Cookies and Underground Creamery in the Heights are reporting price increases in a few key supply lines, including chocolate and, in turn, oreos.

NEW: Trump's tariffs are coming for your fav dessert. Staples like chocolate and vanilla are just a few staples affected by price hikes, according to two Houston dessert shops. Chocolate is subject to 20% tariffs, while Madagascar vanilla faces a 47% tariff. @chron.com
www.chron.com/food/article...

Controversial Houston restaurateur arrested on arson charges Oyster Hut owner Lyndell Price and two others are facing arson charges following a reported June 2020 explosion at Bar 5015 in Third Ward.

BREAKING: The FBI announced today that Turkey Leg Hut frontman Lynn Price was arrested on multiple charges of arson. The restauranteur is accused of paying accomplices to set fire to Third Ward's Bar 5015 in 2020. @chron.com
www.chron.com/food/article...

Though loved by celebrities, Burns Original BBQ still gives zero Fs Burns Original BBQ's half-century run in Acres Homes is long and a little hazy. But the family-owned business continues to stay true to itself despite the fame.

NEW: Beloved by culinary star Anthony Bourdain and a ton of celebs (Oprah, Mama Tina!!), Burns Original BBQ is an Acres Homes legend. For @chron.com, Marco and I went to the 44 to hear all about the restaurant's history.
www.chron.com/food/article...

Former Momofuku, Underbelly chef debuts first restaurant in Houston Known for his work in New York City and Houston's Underbelly Hospitality restaurants, chef Nick Wong is debuting Agnes and Sherman in mid-April.

NEW: The highly anticipated Heights Asian American diner, Agnes and Sherman, is opening tomorrow. Here's a first look from @chron.com

www.chron.com/food/article...

If its any consolation, its a fast moving line! And im so glad we are mourning mr. Wish together. I had $40 worth of rewards points there 😭😭😭

Boba fans queue up for award-winning chain's Houston debut Popular Taiwanese tea chain Chicha San Chen hosted its soft opening on Bellaire Blvd., bringing high quality boba to Houston.

NEW: Taiwanese boba chain Chi Cha San Chen finally opened its Bellaire Blvd location. The chain already boasts an Austin and Dallas location, which boasted a 2 hr wait at one point. For @chron.com I went by and got a first look (and waxed poetic about our tea scene)
www.chron.com/food/article...

Houston 'Neo-Texan' pizza joint sells out after review goes viral Following a shoutout from Houston food influencer Shawn Singh, Devan and Eddie Gernert can't keep up with the demand for their Napoletana pies.

ICYMI: Houston's Talespin Pizza has been riding a viral wave, but are the influencer reviews legit? Yes, but I'm here to tell you that you should order the other stuff that isn't on socials. fun fact: owners schooled me on the 80s cartoon TaleSpin. @chron.com
www.chron.com/food/article...

thinking about how uniqlo killed harajuku fashion

Dan Patrick's 'beef' with NY escalates as lawsuit threatened Delmonico's and War Room Tavern aren't thrilled with the lieutenant governor's plan to rename the New York strip steak. In fact, one is threatening a lawsuit.

Patrick introduced a resolution to rename the New York strip steak to the "Texas Strip", crediting the proposed change to Texas' thriving cattle industry. New York's restaurants have fired back, even resulting in a $1 million suit against the state of Texas.
www.chron.com/food/article...

"Bob’s Steak & Chop House has not made any changes to its menu – there is no brand-wide menu change. Our Austin location is independently owned and operated by a franchisee. The customized menu at our Austin location was a one-time accommodation for a private event."

Dallas steakhouse goes all-in on controversial 'Texas strip' Bob's Steak & Chop House went all-in on Patrick's controversial New York strip proposal, including a cheeky Gulf of America reference to President Trump.

ICYMI: Texas Lt. Gov Dan Patrick tweeted this week about a "historic" Texas Strip menu change at Bob's Steak & Chop House. Restaurant reps told @chron.com that the name change was actually from a customizable menu at a private party.
www.chron.com/food/article...

Hole-in-the-freeway burger joint is one of Houston's hidden gems The hole-in-the-freeway institution is decades removed from when its trailer was a key shop along Westheimer Road.

"It is who it is and it doesn't apologize": Hidden under a tangle of Houston highways, Bubba's Texas Burger shack still wows after all these years:

www.chron.com/food/article...

You’ve been eating this Houston spice master’s creations without knowing it For decades, the city has been enjoying the culinary prowess of John Henry Abercrombie without even knowing it.

NEW: "We don't want it to be a secret anymore." This week, I profiled the accomplished John Henry's Food Products, a historic Black-owned business behind some of your fav Houston restaurants. 10 year old Erica first met him at a Career Day event! @chron.com
www.chron.com/food/article...