“We bought [the golf facility] in 2009 with the idea that it would be an awesome golf practice facility, and one of our main investors asked if we’d thought about adding a place where you can get a sandwich, so we put in a little restaurant,” Joan said.
But all that changed between 2013 and 2015.
“We realized that people were loving bringing their kids here, and we got rid of the putting greens, and that was when we went from being a ‘golf facility with a little restaurant’ to a restaurant with a golf facility,” Joan said.
They added outdoor picnic tables with umbrellas, a sand volleyball pit, cornhole boards and a fenced-in children’s area with a play structure. The outdoor dining area got a permanent roof, and multiple TVs were installed for sports viewing.
Several menu items are named for family members and longtime patrons, such as “Evie’s Smothered Steak” and “Matt’s Nacho Wrap.” Also on the menu are burgers, sandwiches and wraps alongside salads, seafood dishes, skillet desserts and sundaes. A kid’s menu rounds out Swanny’s family-friendly atmosphere along with its dog-friendly patio.
The property is big, with plenty of outdoor space for family celebrations or company outings. There’s even a large stage for hosting live music on Fridays and Saturdays.
“We do ticketed concerts—The Fab Five was our biggest crowd,” Joan said. “We have a bar and concessions out there, so it doesn’t put any pressure on our other kitchen.”
The property is so large, in fact, that patrons can work up an appetite at Swanny’s Toptracer golf range just behind the restaurant.
A separate outdoor deck is poised on the opposite side of the restaurant, The Sunset Deck, which is better suited for adults. With 22 primarily Texas craft brews on tap, Joan noted it’s a perfect spot to watch the sun go down.
Swanny’s Grill
6224 Theall Road, Houston
281-440-0350
www.swannysgrill.com
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Sat.-Sun. 9 a.m.-10 p.m.
