LaTrelle’s Management Corporation, the Houston-based firm specializing in owning and operating franchised and licensed restaurants across the country – announced the opening of The Rustic at Houston’s Hobby Airport. A prominent dining and live entertainment venue, The Rustic is located inside the central concourse and debuted to the public on February 1st, 2025.
LaTrelle’s is proud to wholly own and operate The Rustic’s Houston Hobby location, marking a significant milestone in the company’s ongoing evolution. Over the past 40 years, this family-run business has expanded its restaurant operations from local to regional to national levels. The company’s deep ties with Hobby Airport began in 1985 when restaurateurs W.A. James Sr. and his wife, Gladys LaTrelle, opened a small bakery inside the airport. Since then, LaTrelle’s has bolstered its continued presence inside Hobby with a prime contract introducing new concepts like The Rustic.
The licensing agreement between LaTrelle’s and The Rustic brings a vibrant new concept to one of Houston’s two major airports. The Rustic, part of hospitality group FreeRange Concepts, boasts locations in Dallas and downtown Houston, where it launched in 2018 near the George R. Brown Convention Center; a second Houston Rustic opened in Uptown Park in early 2020. Designed to serve as an idyllic setting for guests to relax and enjoy themselves pre- or post-flight, the nearly 4,000-square-foot Hobby Airport Rustic offers home-style meals made with farm-to-table ingredients in a casual atmosphere steeped in the sounds of both local and national music artists.
Featuring a menu inspired by the flavors of Texas, the lively venue also offers an extensive selection of creative cocktails, wine options, and beers on tap. Popular selections across its F&B offerings include the Steak Laredo, a beef tenderloin stuffed with white cheddar cheese topped with chile rojo sauce and paired with a grilled broccolini; Cedar Plank Salmon served with ancho-lime butter and fresh steamed green beans; The Drunk Chick, a beer-can roasted game hen complemented with jalapeño spoon bread and ancho-lime butter; and the irresistible Texas Hot Chicken & Cheese sandwich. Exclusive to the Hobby location, LaTrelle’s has also created a breakfast menu, offering air travelers the perfect stop before or after their flight. Guests can enjoy morning favorites like Steak & Eggs, Breakfast Burritos, and Brisket Breakfast Tacos to kickstart their day.
“The opening of The Rustic at Hobby Airport is the culmination of years of dedication, collaboration, and a shared vision of the James Family. Working alongside the incredible team at FreeRange Concepts, we have brought this concept into the airport space, creating a destination where travelers can experience the heart of Texas hospitality. From our first locations at Hobby airport back in 1985, this significant milestone reflects our family’s 40-year commitment to delivering exceptional dining experiences, and we’re thrilled to welcome the traveling public,” stated Cindy James, VP of Corporate Affairs at LaTrelle’s Management in a statement.
The grand opening of The Rustic at Hobby Airport marks a key milestone in the prime contract between LaTrelle’s Management and the City of Houston, announced in January of 2023. As part of this this agreement, LaTrelle’s has successfully opened Phase One and Phase Two of the four-phase project, bringing a dynamic range of dining options to travelers that also includes Velvet Taco, Starbucks, Dunkin’ and Fat Cat Creamery.
The launch of The Rustic kicks off an exciting 2025 for LaTrelle’s, setting the stage for multiple new airport openings and the debut of newly renovated neighborhood restaurants. This year holds particular significance as LaTrelle’s celebrates an incredible 40 years of success and innovation in the restaurant industry.
