Wanna feel old? These Houston restaurants have been around 10 years.

Believe it or not, these local haunts opened their doors while Barack Obama and Mitt Romney were battling it out for the presidency.

June 21, 2022Updated: June 22, 2022 11:14 a.m.

Lucille's hosted pop-ups on its patio for bars that were closed during the pandemic.
Godofredo A. Vásquez, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

Remember 2012? President Barack Obama was battling Mitt Romney for reelection, we were all learning the choreography to "Gangnam Style," and it was ... 10 years ago?! Time flies by when you're having fun, and Houston diners were no exception.

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"Has there ever been such a year for the opening of significant Houston restaurants?" asked Houston Chronicle restaurant critic Alison Cook in a round-up of best new restaurants that year. "In my decades of reviewing here, I can't remember one with the excitement of 2012."

Believe it or not, these Houston restaurants that feel like they've just joined the city's food scene have actually been around for a full decade. You're welcome.

Cuchara

A restaurant in Montrose inspired by Mexico City, Cuchara has been slinging enchiladas, tacos and complex mole dishes since August 2012.

Find it: 214 Fairview St Suite #1, Houston, TX 77006; (713) 942-0000
Hours: Tuesday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

The risotto aux fruits de mer at Etoile.
Etoile

Etoile Cuisine Et Bar

Classic French cuisine may have gone out of style, but there's still much to love at Etoile in the Tanglewood-Uptown area, such as onion soup and coq au vin.

Find it: 1101-11 Uptown Park Blvd, Houston, TX 77056; (832) 668-5808
Hours: Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and 5-9 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and 5-10 p.m.

Lucille's

Much has happened in chef Chris Williams' life in 10 years, like starting a nonprofit during the pandemic, but Southern restaurant Lucille's was his first venture enriching Houston's food scene.

Find it: 5512 La Branch St, Houston, TX 77004; (713) 568-2505
Hours: Tuesday-Thursday ,11 a.m.-3 p.m. and 4-9 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and 5-10 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. and 5-10 p.m.; Sunday,10 a.m.-3 p.m.

MF Sushi

The original Galleria-area restaurant of this sushi favorite opened in 2012, then moved to the Museum District a few years later, where it still wows diners with its rolls and nigiri.

Mia's Table

Part of the Carrabba family empire, comfort food joint Mia's Table unveiled a first location in 2012 in Upper Kirby, and now has five other locations in the Houston suburbs.

Find locations and hours here.

The Waffle Bus

This Waffle-centric eatery began as a food truck in 2012, but went on to open its first brick and mortar in 2019 in the Heights, and another one in Montrose that debuted last year.

Find locations and hours here.

Uchi

Yes, the Houston location of this legendary Austin-based sushi restaurant opened a full 10 years ago on Westheimer Road; its "little sister" Uchiko opened last month.

Find it: 904 Westheimer Rd Suite A, Houston, TX 77006; (713) 522-4808
Hours: Sunday-Thursday, 4-10 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 4-11 p.m.

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