After 85 years in Houston’s Montrose neighborhood, Lankford Grocery and Market is opening a second location in Bellaire. The new restaurant, however, will simply be called Lankford’s and will be located at 5208 Bissonnet Street in the former Brisket BBQ building in front of Bissonnet Center. According to Lankford’s owner, Paul Prior, the new restaurant is expected to open around September 2022.
The original Lankford Grocery and Market at 88 Dennis Street in Houston will remain open as well. It’s a local favorite known for over-sized hamburgers such as the Texan, the Houston, the Frito Pie Burger and the Pimento Cheese Burger. The restaurant has been featured on Food Network’s Dinners Drive-ins and Dives twice, is on the Texas Bucket List, and is one of the oldest restaurants in Houston.
“We’ve been there for 85 years,” Prior told What Now. “It’s original, and we got a great brand name. In Houston, we’re known for having the best burgers.”
The new Bellaire restaurant is just the first step in a larger expansion across the Greater Houston Area. “We were originally looking in the Heights, and we just couldn’t find anything, and then this one in Bellaire came available,” Prior said. “We continued to look in the Heights, and I got an eye on a spot in the East End, and then we’re also talking up in the Katy and Fulshear area as well. Ultimately, I’m hoping to add a few more locations in the next three to five years.”
The Bellaire location is expected to be open for lunch and dinner until 10:00 pm each night. Unlike the Montrose location, Bellaire will feature entrée items and a full bar. However, the main focus will continue be the hamburgers and lunch specials.
Prior’s Grandfather first opened Lankford Grocery and Market as a fruit stand and grocery store in 1937. In the 70’s and 80’s Prior’s mother took over and the business became known more for it’s burgers. The market aspect was eventually put away and Prior and his wife took over the business in May 2021.
