Brothers Paul and Grant Ho channeled a slice of their English heritage into the menu and experience breeding golden retrievers into the name of their second bar and restaurant in Magnolia. The two were inspired to follow in the steps of their mentor and former boss at Molly’s Pub in Spring where they got their start in the bar and restaurant industry.
“Being in the bar business for so long, [opening a pub] was always what I wanted to do,” Grant said. “I started as a bar-back, and my brother [Paul] started as a doorman and bar-back. We worked our way up until we decided to take the leap and go do our own thing, which was a very hard, hard thing.”
Since opening three years ago, The Golden Retriever Pub has seen a steady flow of both new and returning customers seeking to enjoy the location’s laid-back yet upscale English-themed ambience, Grant said.
“We really try to provide a good atmosphere that makes people talk and want to come back,” he said.
Instead of offering traditional bar fried food fare, the restaurant and pub serves fresh sandwiches, salads and finger foods with an English twist, Grant said. The sandwiches are made in-house with meat from Metro Deli, which uses all-natural ingredients without nitrates, nitrites or additives.
In addition to its dishes, the restaurant and pub offers a number of red and white wines as well as beer varieties from area breweries, including Lone Pint Brewery and Karbach Brewing Co.
“We try to stay up on the craft beer scene here—we offer 25 beers on tap,” Grant said. “We try to offer a better wine selection than most out here. We do live music Fridays and Saturdays, karaoke on Thursdays, steak night on Wednesdays and open mic nights on Tuesdays. We really try to give something every day of the week.”
For nearly six years, Paul and Grant have also owned and operated The Yellow Retriever Pub & Grill at 19743 FM 1488 in Magnolia. The brothers have more than 25 years of experience in the bar and restaurant business.
Grant said he is unsure whether he and his brother will open another pub in the future, but they continue to experience success at their two locations.
“My mentor always told me, ‘Don’t worry about anything, just do what you know you can do, and [the customers] will come,’” Grant said. “He always told me to just strictly be on top of your game, be a good business owner and everything should fall into place.”
Brews on tap
The Golden Retriever Pub offers 25 beers on tap, including several Greater Houston area craft beer varieties.
- Gentleman’s Relish (Lone Pint Brewery)
- Bombshell Blonde (Southern Star Brewing Co.)
- Buried Hatchet Stout (Southern Star Brewing Co.)
- Seasonal varieties (Saint Arnold Brewing Co.)
- Hopadillo (Karbach Brewing Co.)
- Rodeo Clown Double IPA (Karbach Brewing Co.)
- Seasonal varieties (Karbach Brewing Co.)
