Flip 'n Patties will occupy 629 square feet of the 9,000-square-foot culinary market within 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.