Houston car mogul Mac Haik to debut new upscale Energy Corridor restaurant
- Mac Haik Enterprises
- May 9
- 2 min read
Kirkwood is the latest addition to the former Houston Oilers star's hospitality portfolio.
By Erica Cheng,Food Reporter May 8, 2025
You may know Mac Haik for his chain of car dealerships. You may even remember Haik's time with the Houston Oilers. But you probably didn't know he's a prolific restaurateur. The prominent Houstonian is now revealing more information about Kirkwood, the latest addition to his sizeable hospitality portfolio.
Kirkwood, located at 11720 Katy Freeway, is the latest development under the Mac Haik Restaurant Group (MHRG). According to a press release, the restaurant plans to serve "elevated American classics seen through a Houston lens" and is scheduled to open in fall 2025. Stephen Chiang will lead the restaurant as its executive chef. Kirkwood, located at 11720 Katy Freeway, is the latest development under the Mac Haik Restaurant Group (MHRG). According to a press release, the restaurant plans to serve "elevated American classics seen through a Houston lens" and is scheduled to open in fall 2025. Stephen Chiang will lead the restaurant as its executive chef. A specific menu has not been released, but Kirkwood's guests can expect seafood platters, salads and steak frites (of course). The restaurant will also have a selection of wines, cocktails and beers. Kirkwood can seat up to 154 guests and boasts a 16-seat private room and a 72-seater sunroom. The restaurant is expected to open sometime in 2025.
Kirkwood will be inside Energy Plaza, an office campus owned by Haik. The restaurant originally began as an amenity for tenants in the plaza, but eventually transitioned to full-service. According to Culture Map Houston, the restaurant's name comes from the Energy Corridor's major street, Kirkwood Drive, which is also where Haik's early real estate investments began. Haik is known for his vast investment portfolio, which includes his iconic name-bearing car dealerships and restaurants.
And Kirkwood isn't Haik's first venture into the restaurant business. MHRG was an investor and operator of The Egg & I restaurant chain in Houston. The restaurants later converted to First Watch Daytime Cafe after the latter acquired the Colorado-based company in 2015. Haik's group also operates locations of The Original ChopShop, a fast-casual bowl restaurant chain, and Due' Cucina, a fast-casual Italian restaurant chain. They own and operate the Slapfish, a seafood bowl restaurant with locations across the U.S.
