Escalante’s is continuing to expand its footprint in Houston with a new opening at 621 Waverly St. According to Culture Map, Houston real estate developers Radom Capital and Triten Real Estate Partners recently announced that the Tex-Mex eatery is one of the first two restaurants coming to The Swift BLDG, their new mixed-use project in the historic Swift & Company Packing Plant that’s located near the Heights Hike & Bike Trail.
What Now Houston confirmed via a recent lease comps report that the lease for Escalante’s on Waverly Street was signed in October and will start in September 2026.
Described as “real Tex-Mex,” the growing food chain was first opened in 1993 by Pat Torres and Kopi Vogiatzis in honor of the recipes Pat’s grandmother, Barbara Escalante, cooked up. Since then, Escalante’s has helped define the Tex-Mex dining tradition and experience in Houston.
Escalante’s describes that tradition on its website as scratch cooking with skilled chefs, warm hospitality, and fresh produce. The eatery has not only stood the test of time but has become a staple in the Houston community and the bedrock of Tex-Mex throughout the country.
Operated by parent company, Más Mex, there are now seven Escalante’s in the area. This eighth location is expected to feature the beloved items the Mex-Tex dining option has become known for, including their surf and turf fajitas, brisket quesdo fundido, and churro cheesecake, to name a few. Escalante’s offers lunch, brunch, dinner, happy hour, and even a “little amigos” menu. The Tex-Mex fine dining experience serves up a variety of cocktails to go along with its authentic dishes.
This new location is expected to be bigger and better. At Swift, Escalante’s will occupy a 4,500-square-foot space with two patios.
What Now Houston reached out to the CEO of Max Mex, John Iannucci, for comment on the opening, but did not hear back by the time of publication.
If all goes well with construction, you can expect to see Escalante’s up and running at 621 Waverly Street at the new mixed-use Swift building by September 2026.
