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Some Houston restaurants still require masks; others say no mask needed

The majority of local restaurants will continue to ask customers to mask up, despite Gov. Greg Abbott's decision to lift the statewide mask mandate.

HOUSTON — While some Texans cheered when Governor Greg Abbott announced he was lifting the statewide mask mandate and capacity restrictions, others complained it's too soon. 

Businesses still have the right to require masks and limit capacity and that's what a lot of restaurants are doing when the statewide restrictions end on March 10.

About 70 percent of Houston restaurants say they'll continue to ask customers and employees to mask up when not seated, according to the Texas Restaurant Association.

We've compiled a list of some of the H-Town spots where you still need to mask up and others where you don't.

If your favorite restaurant isn't on this list, you might want to check their website or social media or call ahead to ask.

A'Bouzy

Masks still required

Ambrosia

Maintaining existing COVID-19 safety protocols

Axlerad

 "For the safety of our staff and customers, our team has decided to continue to limit capacity and require masks inside and while ordering."

Backstreet Cafe

"We have come so far and just need to hang in there a bit longer. Let’s keep everyone safe!" The H-Town Restaurant Group says. Masks required for staff and unseated guests; 50% capacity; large groups limited.

Bagel Shop Bakery/New York Deli & Coffee Shop

Mask requirement and social distancing policy stay the same.

Better Luck Tomorrow

Mask needed unless you're at your table; 50% capacity continues

BCN Taste & Tradition

"As much as we miss Houston’s beautiful shining faces, we will continue to enforce previous guidelines - including masks for guests and staff - for the health and safety of everyone. We are in this together, Houston!"

Blacksmith

Masks still required with limited capacity

Bohemeo’s

Patio dining only and masks must stay on when you're not at your table.

Bori

"The team at Bori still plans to maintain all health and safety protocols, such as wearing masks, washing hands often, and sanitizing regularly once Texas is back to 100% next week. We request that all guests do the same whenever possible to ensure a safe and enjoyable dining experience for everyone!"

Brasil Houston

"We feel that we need to uphold current mask and social distancing guidelines in order to keep our staff, guests and community safe. To be clear, masks and social distancing are still required in our establishment."

Brasserie 1895

They will keep their safety protocols in place, including requiring masks for customers who aren't seated. They are operating at a limited dine-in schedule so check their website before you go.

Bravery Chef Hall

"Bravery staff will continue to wear masks while working. We ask that our guests please wear masks when walking through the hall, and practice social distancing."

Brennan's 

They "strongly encourage" masks for customers who aren't at their tables and will continue to require them for employees and vendors.

Brisket House

They will continue to limit capacity and require masks.

Burger Joint

They will continue to follow COVID protocols, including masks.

Cafe TH

Still Operating at 25 percent capacity; masks required 

Cajun Kitchen

"We are not rescinding the safety practices that we established at the onset of the pandemic," the Viet-Cajun restaurant posted on Facebook. "Until most Americans are vaccinated, we will continue to require masks to enter our restaurant. ... We will continue to take all reasonable steps to safeguard the health and lives of our staff and our customers."

Caracol

"We've come so far and just need to hang in there a little bit longer," they posted on Facebook. "We continue to operate at 50% capacity; limit large groups; and require face masks for staff and for guests when entering or moving about the dining rooms.

Catbird's 

Guests will still need to wear masks when not seated and when restaurant staff come to your table. 

Christie’s Seafood & Steaks 

Continuing existing COVID-19 safety protocols

City Cellars HTX

"Out of the interest of safety for our team members and customers and out of respect for our hardworking first responders, we will continue to require staff and guests to wear a mask while in the restaurant except for when seated at a table."

Coltivare

"We have made the decision to continue on as we have for the last year out of an abundance of caution for our staff and our customers. Thank you for respecting this decision and for all of your support throughout the last year. It has meant everything to us!"

Common Bond

The bakery/cafes will continue to require staff to wear masks and receive daily temperature checks. Customers will be required to wear a mask unless seated. Seating capacity will remain limited.

Costa Brava Bistro

The Bellaire restaurant will continue to follow CDC and federal health guidelines about masking and distancing until all of their employees are vaccinated. 

Dandelion Café 

This Bellaire spot will also require masks and continue social distancing requirements.

Dessert Gallery Bakery & Cafe

They're still closed for dine-in but you can order online and pick it up.

Divino

The Italian restaurant still stay at 50% capacity and continue to require masks.

Eculent

Masks and social distancing still required and you'll need a reservation for Thursday through Saturday

Eighth Wonder Brewery

The EaDo beer garden will keep its current mask and social distancing policies.

Eight Row Flint

Mask up for limited capacity seating.

El Topo

They'll continue to require masks and enforce social distancing guidelines.

Etoile Cuisine et Bar

Masks are required for employees and guests who are not seated. The restaurants will operated at about 50% capacity to keep tables socially distanced.

Eugene's Gulf Coast Cuisine

"While we are also ready to not have to wear a mask everyday, we will be requiring all staff to wear their masks during shifts. In order to continue to protect our team and guests, we would greatly appreciate guests wearing masks when not seated."

Feges BBQ

“Nothing changes. We’re not even going to consider changing our mask policy until everyone on our team is eligible for the vaccine,” posted pitmaster Patrick Feges and his wife, chef Erin Smith. While they wait for their new Spring Branch location to open, they’re selling serious 'cue and inventive sides across the counter curbside at their Greenway Plaza shop. You wear your mask; they’ll wear theirs.

Flower & Cream

Will continue to operate at 50 percent capacity and require masks.

Fluff Bake Bar

They are only offering outdoor seating and masks are required.

401 Table and Tap

The Bellaire spot will continue to operate at reduced capacity and require masks for all guests unless seated.

Flying Fish

 Will require masks and social distancing 

Flying Saucer Draught Emporium

The downtown restaurant will stay below 50% capacity and require masks.

Georgia James 

Masks are still required at Chris Shepherd's restaurants as they continue to  operate at 50 percent capacity. 

Giacomo's Cibo e Vino

"Seating will remain at 50% for social distancing and masks will be mandatory for staff and customers. We will not resume pre-pandemic operations until our entire staff, customers, vendors, delivery, and service personnel have received their vaccines."

Good Dog Houston

Customers required to wear masks while not at their tables, and staff is masked at all times. Socially distanced inside and out.

Goode Company 

"While masks aren’t required for our guests, they are encouraged. Let’s all be safe, and have a goode time!," Goode Company said in a statement. Employees at all Goode Company restaurants will continue to wear masks.

Goodnight Hospitality

Masks required, indoor capacity remains at 50 percent

Good Vibes Burgers

The Pearland burger joint Good Vibes will no longer require masks for their staff or customers.

Grand Prize Bar

They are requiring guests and staff to mask up and social distance as they operate at reduced capacity. “If that’s not your vibe, that’s ok. There are other bars that might be.”

Hay Merchant 

Masks are still required at Chris Shepherd's restaurants as they continue to  operate at 50 percent capacity.

Helen Greek Food and Wine  

Will continue to require masks and operate at limited capacity.

Hidden Omakase  

Will continue to observe COVID-19 safety protocols and require masks.

Hugo's

"We have come so far and just need to hang in there a bit longer. Let’s keep everyone safe!" Masks required for staff and unseated guests; 50% capacity; large groups limited.

Indianola 

Will continue to require masks and operate at limited capacity.

Jax Grill 

“We are going to continue to uphold our safety and sanitation protocols as we slowly but surely move into this new phase of our business."

Kao Ba

"While we are happy to see your smiling faces, we kindly ask you to wear your masks when visiting us. For everyone's safety, we will continue to operate as we have in the past year. Our staff will remain masked and temperatures will be taken at the door."

Kenny & Ziggy’s

Will continue to require masks and operate at limited capacity.

Koffeteria

Patio dining only; masks required inside

La Fisheria

Mask up when not seated; limited capacity dining continues

Lucille’s

The restaurant posted their “No Mask, No Service” message on Facebook

McDonalds

McDonalds isn’t planning at this time to open any additional dining rooms at Texas locations. They also don’t plan to change any of their current COVID-19 safety protocols. The company will continue to monitor case trends and make adjustments as necessary.  

Miss Carousel

Masks required 

Nancy’s Hustle

Masks mandatory for staff and unseated guests; reduced indoor seating capacity

Neil’s Bahr

 Will continue to require masks “until further notice.”

Nobie’s

Masks will be required

Picos Restaurant

Masks are still mandatory for unseated guests. "We ask our community to respect our decision to continue with the status quo. We feel it is important for our own Picos family and so many of our guests that we proceed with the utmost caution."

Ramen Tatsu-Ya 

Masks required; takeout and delivery only

Red Dessert Dive

The bakery-cafe will remain to-go only with masks required inside.

Revival Market 

Masks required; limited capacity

Riel

Masks required when not seated

Rodeo Goat 

Masks and social distancing required

Roots Wine Bar 

Will continue to require masks and operate at limited capacity

Rosewater

Bay Area bar will continue to follow COVID protocols: 50% capacity; and masks for staff and guests who aren’t seated.

Rosie Cannonball

Masks mandatory for staff and unseated guests; 50% capacity

Saint Arnold Brewing Company

Masks are still a must at the popular craft brewery. They're still closed for indoor dining and tours but the outdoor beer garden is open. 

Shabu Zone

They will continue to require masks inside the restaurant.

Southern Yankee Beer Co

"We still require mask wearing for customers and employees when not seated, as we have in recent months. And bonus, we will continue providing table service!"

Starbucks

Starbucks will continue to require masks for employees and guests inside its locations

Sticky’s Chicken 

"Will continue to practice COVID precautions."

Tea + Victory

"Tea + Victory will continue to REQUIRE masks be worn while inside the building anytime you are not actively eating or drinking. We will be kindly turning away folks who do not wish to wear masks in our establishment. 

We will also continue to operate at a 50% capacity to maintain social distancing for the safety of all of our patrons."

Teotihuacan Mexican Cafe  

"Every guest will be required to have a mask for both pick up and dine in. All employees will still be wearing a mask."

Tiny Champions

"Might sound weird but we really like and care about our team and community so until there’s open access to vaccines for all our homies we’re still operating at 50% capacity and enforcing our mask policy."

Toasted Coconuts

Masks a must for unseated guests

Tobiuo

The Katy sushi restaurant will require masks for staff and guests who aren't at their table and will remain at 50% capacity.

Tongue-Cut Sparrow

Mask required for staff and guests of the cocktail bar; reduced seating capacity

Tres 

The Mexican-Arabic fusion restaurant asks customers to continue to wear a mask when not seated. They will continue to have "appropriate space" between tables.

UB Preserv

 Chris Shepherd's restaurants will continue to require masks and operate at 50 percent capacity. "We love our staff. We love our guests. Let's mask up, and get through this together."

Uchi

The sushi hot spot will continue to require masks and follow social distancing guidelines.

Underbelly Hospitality

Maintaining existing COVID-19 safety protocols

Union Kitchen

 “We are going to continue to uphold our safety and sanitation protocols as we slowly but surely move into this new phase of our business."

Urban Eats

"Masks, social distancing, and 50% occupancy will continue at our restaurant. We have a ways to go before vaccines are made available in our community and we hope you’ll continue to safely join us your way: dine-in, curbside, or to-go."

Urban South Brewery 

Will continue to operate at limited capacity and require customers and staff to wear masks.

Verandah

Will continue adhering to CDC guidelines, according to their website.

Vinny’s 

Will continue to require masks

Whataburger

“The health and safety of our customers and employees has always been our top priority. Whataburger will not be making any changes to our current safety protocols or social distancing practices. Face coverings will continue to be required by all Whataburger employees and we encourage our customers to wear them when visiting our restaurants.”

Xin Chao

"Our staff will continue to adhere to stringent health and safety protocols that include wearing masks, washing hands frequently, and sanitizing surfaces regularly. We ask that our guests please wear masks when not seated, wash their hands, and utilize our hand sanitizer stations when possible."

Xochi

"We have come so far and just need to hang in there a bit longer. Let’s keep everyone safe!"Masks required for staff and unseated guests; 50% capacity; large groups limited.

This list will be updated if we hear from more restaurants so check back.

If your restaurant is requiring masks, you can be added to the list by emailing web@khou.com.

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