Adair Concepts – the family-owned-and-operated restaurant group behind concepts including Adair Kitchen, Bebidas, Skeeter’s Mesquite Grill, Eloise Nichols Grill & Liquors and Betsy’s at Evelyn’s Park – is further expanding its longtime Houston presence with the sixth location of its Tex-Mex staple, Los Tios. Slated to debut on June 5, the restaurant will make its home in an expansive, 6,000-square-foot anchor space at 5192 Buffalo Speedway in the newly refreshed Plaza in the Park shopping center, just steps from a recently opened Adair Kitchen.
Acquired by the Adair family in 2000, the Los Tios brand remains rooted in its vibrant, family-friendly atmosphere and has been serving Houstonians for over 50 years with the same classic Tex-Mex dishes highlighting four generations of family recipes.
“Our clients in West U and adjoining neighborhoods like Upper Kirby, Greenway Plaza and River Oaks have long been asking us to open here, and we’re thrilled to finally be part of this wonderful community,” said Adair Concepts Co-founder and Creative Director, Katie Barnhart in a statement. “We’re especially eager to reveal the interiors to guests. The design reflects our family’s love of Mexican art and culture and incorporates numerous finds from San Miguel de Allende, a colonial-era city brimming with creativity.”
Inspired by the look and feel of authentic Mexican design, and with reverence to the 1970s when the brand was born, the spirited West U location showcases vintage, found and commissioned elements such as the original iron front door handles from the very first Los Tios, hand-carved hostess stand, Saltillo floors, eye- catching Talavera wall tile, hand-painted sconces and agave plates, as well as Mexican oil cloths, utilized unconventionally as a design feature. Each room offers a distinctive feel with imported wallpaper, furnishings, accessories and lighting, including a star-studded entry chandelier designed by Gary Adair and fabricated just outside of San Miguel. Native plants and cactuses, plus ornamental breeze blocks, add to the ambiance.
Outside, a bubbling fountain sets the tone for what’s to come. Channeling a traditional mercado, an elevated bar area seating 40 is the focal point of the interior entry and incorporates carved French oak paneling and soapstone countertops. The area is complemented by an expansive, arched brick ceiling, display alcoves and wall lanterns. The main dining room incorporates a color palette of mossy greens, rich blues and mustard
yellows. Seating 150, it continues the indoor-outdoor feel with large skylight, awning and 14-foot-tall central tree adorned with cafe lights and lanterns. The multi-level space features booths decked in a colorful, striped Peter Dunham textile, and accenting, patched Aztec wallpaper. A large private dining room seating 60 is wrapped in glass barn doors and a floral wallpaper that adds to the homey, rustic feel.
Known for their Original Puffy Queso, frozen margaritas and combination plates, Los Tios West University will provide diners the same food and beverage offerings that are served at sister restaurants. Menu items include Katie’s T-Sip Dip – homemade chile con queso topped with house guacamole and ground taco beef; Golden Tacos – puffy taco shells made fresh daily, topped with taco meat, shredded lettuce, shredded cheese, and diced tomatoes; The Los Tios Puffy Queso stuffed with fajita chicken or beef, refried beans, shredded lettuce, guacamole and topped with crispy tortilla strips plus chile con queso; and the Tex Mex Platos Especial – tacos al carbon topped with chile con queso, crispy beef taco and a cheese enchilada.
Additional Los Tios locations include Memorial, Beechnut, Sugar Land, Westheimer and San Felipe, the flagship. The restaurants all share the same hours and are open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Breakfast is served on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. A lunch special combo menu is offered Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and priced at $10.95. Happy hour is available Monday through Friday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., featuring $5 house margaritas, $6 gold margaritas and $1 off beers.
