The new location of the The Shack features burgers from the original, including the Fireman, made with bacon and fried pickles.[/caption]

After much anticipation, the second location of popular Cypress burger joint The Shack opened July 11 on Telge Road.

Owner Joe Duong said although opening the second location took longer than expected, he is excited to move forward.

“Just like with the original Shack [on Cypress Rosehill Road], I’m always going to be working to add stuff and make it better,” he said. “It’s a labor of love for me.”

The new restaurant—located at the venues formerly housing P.O.s Burgers and the Cypress Saloon—is similar to the original on Cypress Rosehill Road, with an outdoor play area for children, fire pit and menu consisting of craft burgers and beers. New features include a fire truck for children to explore, ample outdoor seating on a newly constructed front porch area and a battalion of on-site food trucks.

Large crowds came to the highly anticipated July opening of the Telge Road location to show support for the Cypress eatery.[/caption]

The food trucks are operated by The Shack staff and are considered additional pieces to the restaurant. Brought out mainly for special events, each one offers a different type of cuisine, Duong said.

“One of our food trucks will be serving pizza, and another is going to have carnival-type foods,” Duong said. “The Shack is known mainly for the burgers. The food trucks give us a chance to explore new territory.”

Diners who stopped by for the restaurant’s opening cited the good food and family-friendly atmosphere as big parts of the appeal. Future plans include hosting beer and burger festivals on site, with live music and water slides, Duong said. He said he is also considering hosting disc jockeys karaoke nights and farmers markets.

“I want to turn Cypress into a place where people come out from all over to hang out on the weekend,” Duong said. “The support we have been getting from the

Duong said he wants his restaurant to become a gathering place where neighbors and families can relax and have fun.[/caption]

community throughout this process has been unreal.”

The Shack 12710 Telge Road, Cypress 281-256-1575 www.facebook.com/theshackburgerresort Hours: Tue.-Sun. 11 a.m.-9 p.m.