New Pearland Restaurants to Visit During Summer 2023

May 21, 2023

Fried Chicken Sandwiches from The Gripper Kitchen.

Sponsored by Visit Pearland

Over the past few years, Pearland has evolved into an up-and-coming culinary destination. The past few months especially has seen an influx of new restaurant openings, including brunch spots, izakayas and nationally acclaimed fried chicken sandwich eateries. New coffee shops have opened in Pearland, too. So, whether you’re looking for a casual bite, coffee and pastries or serious Japanese fare, there's a new Pearland dining hotspot worth checking out. Below are some of the latest entries in the food scene.

The Gripper Kitchen, 9517 Broadway: After growing a cult-following in Detroit, chef Tony Durden set his sights on Pearland for the brick-and-mortar outpost of his beloved chicken sandwich destination. The chicken sandwiches are monstrous and went viral on social media for good reason. Try the Yung Gripper — Southern fried chicken with chipotle honey, pepper jack cheese, spicy coleslaw, pickles and big bang sauce, all on a toasted brioche bun. The menu also offers seafood baskets of Fried Catfish and mild or spicy Fried Shrimp. Stop by on Tuesdays to snag one of the Taco and Nacho combo platters with your choice of ground beef, chicken, catfish, shrimp or lobster. Cap off any meal with an order of the Banana Pudding.

Hotaka Ramen & Izakaya, 1930 Pearland Parkway: Escape to the streets of Tokyo at this newly opened ramen and izakaya lounge. The menu is divided up into two main sections: yakitori and ramen. Yakitori selections include charcoal-kissed skewers of quail, ribeye and whole squid, as well as chicken, pork, beef, seafood and vegetable options. Ramens include Wagyu Tonkotsu, traditional Tonkotsu Shoyu and regional specialties like Nagoya Tonkotsu. Poke bowls and appetizers like crispy Chicken Karaage and Takoyaki are also offered. This is prime Japanese drinking food, so grab a Sake Bomb (or two) and get the bites going.

Ong Jas Viet Kitchen, 11930 Broadway: Tucked away in an unassuming strip mall location, this Vietnamese hotspot is churning out hearty bowls of pho alongside fusion bites. The Pho Filet Mignon is a highlight among the soups, as it is full of filet mignon in a rich, soothing broth. The Pho Hot Stone is another specialty of the restaurant and features a healthy portion of brisket, filet mignon, beef balls, tendons and rice noodles swimming in a beef bone broth. The Spring Rolls and Egg Rolls are the perfect vehicle to dip and dunk into any of the broths, and the Fried Green Tomatoes showcase the kitchen's Southern influences. Be sure to order the Ca Phe Phin drink to pair with your meal — it's a drip-brewed Vietnamese coffee beverage with condensed milk.

The Rooster, 7129 Broadway St: This newly-opened Broadway Street breakfast and lunch destination is aiming to be your next go-to brunch spot. With dishes such as Fried Green Tomatoes, Shrimp and Grits, Smoked Salmon Salad and other classic brunch fare, expect homey food in a casual setting. Brunch purists look no further— you can get your Avocado Toast and Chicken and Waffles fix here as well.

Stella's Brunch, 3115 Dixie Farm Road: For a refreshing take on brunch fare, head to this new, buzzy spot. The menu contains all the tried-and-true brunch favorites, such as benedicts, omelets, French toast, pancakes and Mexican breakfast platters like migas. You really can't go wrong with anything on the menu, but the Crab Cake Benedict — complete with lump crab on a toasted English muffin and topped with a poached egg and hollandaise — is a great place to start. The Quiche of the Day showcases seasonal produce and the kitchen's spin on this comfort food classic. Mimosas are available in the drinks department, a more adventurous choice is the Boozy Cereal Milk cocktail with rum, fruity cereal milk, vanilla and simple syrup.

ThaiCoon, 11930 Broadway: Get all of your favorite Thai specialties like pad thai and papaya salad at this newly-opened restaurant and pub. Start with an order of ThaiCoon's Flying Fish Cake — fried fish cake marinated with chili paste, Thai herbs, and spices with a side of cucumber relish — or grab a refreshing Lobster Papaya Salad loaded with lobster tail and shrimp along with shredded green papaya, green bean, crushed peanuts, dried shrimp, carrots, and tomatoes in a house lime dressing. Chef's specialties include the Crying Tiger, thinly sliced and grilled filet mignon served with spicy cucumber salad, and Cranky Crab Fried Rice, stir-fried rice with lump crab, egg, garlic and green onion. Save room for Mango Sticky Rice or Traditional Che Tai desserts that showcase tropical fruits of Thailand like lychee and mango.

The Dolly Llama, 3569 Business Center: Founded by self-proclaimed "Waffle Master," this eccentric national hotspot is now open in Pearland and dishing out its signature Liege waffles. You can go with the OG Liege waffle served with topping combinations such as Dolly's Dream — Ultimate Cookie Monster ice cream, fresh strawberries, brownies and nutella sauce, or the Party Animal with salted caramel ice cream, a Kinder chocolate bar, circus animal cookies and chocolate sauce. The main attractions are bubble waffles like the Llama Gone Nuts, Dolly Lama's signature waffle topped with vanilla ice cream, bananas, almond and peanut butter sauce. No matter what route you go, expect a soft, golden waffle topped with a good helping of decadent ingredients. Milkshakes and ice cream sandwiches are also offered, as well as a build-your-own waffle option.

Sweet Cherry Cafeteria, 3419 Broadway: Visit this café and pastry shop for Mexican-inspired coffee drinks, waffles, muffins and breakfast tacos. Whether stopping by for breakfast or looking for an afternoon pick-me-up, there are great options to choose from such as the Mazapan Latte, a classic latte infused with traditional Mexican candy. Crepes are among the highlights of the breakfast offerings and drizzled with your choice of Nutella, dulce de leche or jellies, and topping choices include bananas and Oreos, just to name a few. The cafeteria's mini pancakes are a surefire way to kick off your day on a sweet note and the perfect portion to leave you feeling spry instead of stuffed.

Waygood Coffee, 2715 Old Max Court: For a serious jolt of energy, head to this coffee shop serving up inventive coffee, matcha and plant-based energy drinks. Signature drinks include the Waygood Latte, a caramel vanilla latte with its house Waygood Cloud mixture. With the temps warming up, a cold brew is always a good way to cool off, and the shop features a few nitro-infused options including a Blue Jasmine oat milk blue pea latte. Breakfast tacos, croissants and pastries like the Cinnamon Pull-Apart are available and sourced from local purveyors. The shop is likely to grow into a favored Pearland coffee pitstop.

Yonutz, 11200 Broadway: This sinful donut sensation has staked its flag in Pearland as the only Texas outpost. Smash Donuts are the big draw here; monstrous, double-decker donuts with creative flavors such as the Birthday Bash with birthday cake ice cream, blue vanilla drizzle and confetti sprinkles. (It draws inspiration from the classic Little Debbie birthday cake.) The shop also serves up milkshakes, coffee and ice cream, and, dare way we say, subtler donuts of the glazed and chocolate varieties (also available in mini sizes).

Check out the Pearland Convention & Visitors Bureau dining website and social media for the latest updates, and follow on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. There is even a YouTube channel with videos that features the people and places that make Pearland a great food and drink destination!