Snappy’s Cafe and Grill Co-owners Bobby Katsabas (left) and Alex Tsounakas opened Snappy’s 13 years ago.[/caption]

Since Alex Tsounakas and Bobby Katsabas opened Snappy’s Cafe and Grill 13 years ago in Old Town Katy, the restaurant has remained a hub for small-town chitchat and homestyle fixings.

“We have a large buffet every day, homemade,” Tsounakas said.

The menu on the Katy eatery’s buffet changes from day to day, but one item is served all week long: chicken-fried steak.

Along with the food, Snappy’s is known for its small-town attributes—a place where community elders come for coffee every day to discuss the news and maybe Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt.

“The old-timers, they’re all here every morning,” Katsabas said.

Operating with the values of safety and trust, Tsounakas said he and Katsabas do not even open their own restaurant.

“A customer opens our restaurant. He’s got the key, and he comes every morning at 4 or 5, makes some coffee and they’ll sit here until we get here,” he said.

In another nod to old-time dining, Snappy’s still allows smoking, but only until Jan. 1, after which they will  allow smoking from 6-8 a.m.

Tsounakas said the restaurant is not required to make the change but wants to accommodate customers who want a smoke-free environment.

“We’ve got a lot of families coming in with little kids so we have to respect that,” Katsabas said.

Snappy’s supports its local schools and sports: it lists information about Katy ISD on its menu and displays Katy High School Tigers apparel.

“We’re kind of headquarters for the Katy Tigers here,” Tsounakas said.

The restaurant even has a menu item geared toward Katy’s hungry high school football players. The Katy Nation Tiger Mania serves four eggs with chicken breast, bacon, sausage, pancakes and choice of hash browns, grits or home fries.

When Katsabas and Tsounakas opened Snappy’s in 2002, Tsounakas said it seemed like a good business decision because of the growing Katy community. Now, the restaurant boosts  hometown pride with its Katy memorabilia and sponsorships.

“It’s where everybody gathers to get together,” Tsounakas said. “Everybody knows everybody.”

Lunch buffet 


Snappy’s Cafe and Grill The restaurant offers lunch menu items as well as a buffet.[/caption]

The lunch buffet includes a choice of one meat and three veggies or two veggies and a cup of soup ($7.75).

Monday: baked chicken, chickenfried steak and fried pork steaks

Tuesday: beef tips, enchiladas and chicken-fried steak

Wednesday: chicken and dumplings, fried catfish and chicken-fried steak

Thursday: meatloaf and either sausage with cabbage or chicken with rice, chicken-fried steak (variable)

Friday: fried catfish, liver and onions chicken-fried steak

Weekends: menu varies

Breakfast fit for Tigers


Snappy’s Cafe and Grill has several breakfast menu items named after the Katy High School Tigers.