The company behind several well-known restaurants including Velvet Taco, Sixty Vines and Whiskey Cake is planning to open a new concept with a Texas-inspired menu in the Memorial area.

MetroNational, the Houston-based real estate development company, announced that Haywire, described as “elevated southern fare” will make its home in summer 2024 at Gateway Memorial City. The restaurant from Dallas-based FB Society will be installed in the space of the former Vallone’s, 947 Gessner, the late Tony Vallone’s posh steakhouse that closed in 2018.

“We are excited to introduce Houstonians to this elevated southern experience,” said Danna Diamond, vice president of leasing at MetroNational. “Gateway Memorial City is the ideal location for Haywire’s Houston debut.” 

The menu, offering lunch, dinner, and brunch includes Texas favorites such as Gulf ceviche, pork belly burnt ends, fried oysters, charcuterie (game sausages and local cheeses), burgers, chicken-fried steak, Texas redfish with lump crab, blackened catfish and Gulf shrimp, barbecue ribs, grilled meatloaf, oxtail stroganoff, and a variety of Texas-raised beef (Angus filets, cowboy ribeye, prime rib, strip steaks, and wagyu tomahawk ribeye). Brunch dishes include chorizo migas, pecan brown butter pancakes, smoked fried chicken and waffles, Texas biscuits and gravy, and steak and eggs.

Haywire has locations in Dallas and Plano. The Memorial City location will be Haywire’s first location in Houston.

“As a Texas-inspired restaurant with the mission to inspire the spirit of a true Texan in everyone, we wanted to find the perfect market within the state to expand the Haywire brand,” said Judd Fruia, vice president of operations at Haywire. “Memorial City has everything we’re looking for in a development partner – high foot traffic, accessibility, shopping, hotels, etc. We’re excited to become part of the community and introduce our larger-than-life concept and elevated farm-to-fork menu to Memorial City.” 

MetroNational has been busy signing new concepts to Memorial City. In December it announced Pincho, a burger restaurant, and Via 313, serving Detroit-style pizza, will make new homes in Memorial City this year.