Iconic New Orleans Restaurant Acme Oyster House Is Coming to Houston

A seafood stalwart is en route to Space City | Acme Oyster House/Facebook

Permit applications indicate that it’s headed to Montrose

And now, finally, for some good news — iconic New Orleans restaurant Acme Oyster House is officially headed to Houston.

Permit applications filed with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission indicate that the restaurant is headed to 1201 Westheimer Road, likely in the space once occupied by now-shuttered Tex-Mex restaurant El Real. The permit application was filed on April 17, which means that despite the coronavirus chaos, plans are still in motion for the Houston outpost of Acme Oyster House.

For the unfamiliar, Acme Oyster House has been a staple in New Orleans since 1910, serving an extensive menu of Cajun and Creole favorites like gumbo, red beans and rice, po’ boys, and of course, oysters. Oysters are shucked to order and served raw, char-grilled, or in a boozy oyster shooter.

The restaurant has evolved into a chain over the years, and now operates multiple Louisiana outposts and restaurants in Florida and Alabama, but its New Orleans outpost, located in the French Quarter, continues to attract tourists in droves. In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, the chain has closed some restaurants while offering takeout at others, according to its website.

Eater has reached out to Lee & Associates, the real estate firm that’s brokering the deal, for more details on Acme Oyster House’s Texas debut. Stay tuned.