From coffee shops and barbecue to pizza and Mexico City cuisine, check out six dining updates in the Greater Houston area, as reported by Community Impact.
Impacts of the week
Ojo de Agua opens 2nd Houston location
Known for its modern approach to traditional Mexico City cuisine, Ojo de Agua celebrated the grand opening of its second location on June 18 in The Woodlands, officials confirmed.
Featured Mexican cuisine entrees include its Ceviche Acapulco, Tacos Mar y Tierra, a birria sandwich and chilaquiles. Some of Ojo’s most popular classic juice flavors are papaya, apple, carrot, blackberry and blueberry, per its website.
Smokin J’s Homemade Burgers & BBQ serves barbecue like pulled pork, brisket, chicken, sausage and boudin. (Courtesy Smokin J’s Homemade Burgers & BBQ)Smokin J’s Homemade Burgers & BBQ now open in Texas City
Smokin J’s Homemade Burgers & BBQ had its soft opening in June in Texas City and is planning a grand opening celebration at a later date, staff said.
The restaurant serves signature and gourmet burgers and wings, as well as barbecue, such as brisket, pulled pork, boudin, ribs and sausage, according to the restaurant’s menu.
Vocelli Pizza has over 80 locations across the country. (Courtesy Vocelli Pizza)Vocelli Pizza opens 1st Greater Houston location in Katy
Vocelli Pizza has opened its first Greater Houston area restaurant in Katy, owner Summiya Rafiq confirmed. The eatery has a wide selection of artisan pizzas, hand-tossed “vocelli rolls,” sandwiches, salads and desserts, according to its website.
A-Latte Val is now offering a variety of handmade coffees in New Caney. (Courtesy A-Latte Val)A-Latte Val now open in New Caney
A-Latte Val owner Valerie Salas said the local coffee shop is now serving homemade lattes in New Caney. The business operates through pickup services, and orders can be made via Instagram.
Per the business’s Facebook page, a few signature lattes offered include banana iced coffee, Duvalin iced coffee, lavender iced coffee and Oreo iced coffee.
- Opened April 1
- Pick up available in New Caney
- Instagram: alatteval
La La Land Cafe serves sweet and savory toast options, according to their online menu. (Courtesy La La Land Cafe)La La Land Cafe opens 4th Greater Houston location in Towne Lake
The yellow and white colored coffee shop chain La La Land Cafe opens their first Cypress location on June 27 at The Boardwalk at Towne Lake, per a social media announcement.
La La Land offers espresso drinks, matcha and toast. The Cypress La La Land will be the fourth stand-alone location in the Houston area, per the website, and will include a drive-thru option.
Dining spotlight
Nicholas Salazar, a Marine Corps veteran and professional sailor, founded Below Deck Bar on June 28, 2025. (Jovanna Aguilar/Community Impact)Below Deck Bar brings sailor-themed bar/restaurant to Tomball
Shaped by life at sea, after operating for a year, Below Deck Bar has become a gathering place for families and locals in Tomball.
Founded on June 28, 2025, by Nicholas Salazar, a Marine Corps veteran and professional sailor, and his wife, Christine Salazar, the bar offers a family-friendly atmosphere, centered on affordable, quality drinks and elevated bar food cooked in beef tallow, a method Nicholas Salazar said adds a health-conscious twist to bar food.