Rico’s Morning + Noon + Night — the new 400-square-foot kiosk opening in Midtown’s Babgy Park — was set to debut today, but due to some printing snafus (we feel you, Rico’s) the burger and hot dog joint will open to the public this Thursday (Sept. 24) instead.
Rico’s is the newest concept from the squad behind Cyclone Anaya’s Mexican Kitchen, and they’ve decided to keep family close, as the kiosk is directly across Bagby Street from Cyclone Anaya’s in Midtown’s revitalized green space. Cyclone Anaya’s corporate chef Jason Gould has created a menu of burgers, hot dogs, salads, breakfast items and late-night snacks.
Gould’s cooking philosophy has a strong focus on locality — all of the burgers and hot dogs are made with 44 Farms beef on Slow Dough buns; the lettuce is from Sustainable Harvesters; produce from Atkinson Farms; tortillas from La Ranchera; beer from 8th Wonder, Karbach and Saint Arnold breweries; doggie treats from Fluff Bake Bar; and Katz Coffee’s Houston Arboretum Early Bird Blend (which benefits the Houston Arboretum).
As the full name suggests, Rico’s will be open throughout the day and evening. Pick up breakfast tacos, homemade granola and a cup of Katz hot or cold-brew coffee as early as 7 am on weekdays. On Friday and Saturday night after your Midtown pub crawl, grab a hand-blended milkshake with a chili cheese dog and fries as late as 3 am. Or stop by for lunch, as we did this Monday, and enjoy the shaded patio seating equipped with plenty of rotating fans.
We tried the H-Town bacon-wrapped dog, which is served on a pretzel bun with onion jam and ketchup ($3.75, photo above), and the Tex-Mex burger with chile con queso, guacamole, jalapeños and salsa ($6.75). If you miss Mama Cafe’s Texas bean burger like we do, this Tex-Mex burger might just bring to mind those same flavors. A bonus: The queso that drips from the burger can serve as a dipping sauce for your side of shoe-string French fries. Speaking of which, the four options include regular, spicy, truffle and chili cheese.
They have simpler options, too, like the Park burger with lettuce, tomato, onions, pickles, ketcup and mustard ($6, photo above) and the Park dog with ketchup and mustard ($3.50). Looking for a meatless dish? Ask for a portobello burger — just as thick and cheesy as its meaty counterparts. Wanting something a bit lighter? Try the burger salad ($6.25). And they even have some options for the kids, too.
Rico’s Morning + Noon + Night, 401 Gray, 713-750-0050, ricosmnn.com