Downsizing to one Red Oak Grill in Missouri City allowed owner Marita Abuata to focus on her customers first.

“I love people,” Abuata said. “And whoever comes into this restaurant, ... we let them feel welcome, happy and satisfied.”

Previously operating in Katy and Sugar Land since 2000 and 2009, respectively, Abuata said she felt she and her husband were being pulled in too many directions.

With the closure of the Katy eatery in 2008 and Sugar Land in 2020, Abuata is now closer to home and can enjoy creating an atmosphere for families to enjoy, she said.
Owner Marita Abuata enjoys being able to connect with people who come to the Missouri City restaurant. (Asia Armour/Community Impact)
Owner Marita Abuata enjoys being able to connect with people who come to the Missouri City restaurant. (Asia Armour/Community Impact)
A family affair

The Missouri City Red Oak Grill was established in December 2011, serving Mediterranean and American fare. Abuata said the menu has been adjusted many times over the last 14 years, most recently in 2024 when they removed items that weren’t selling as well.


But one element that remains the same is her commitment to serving her mother’s recipes, from whom she learned to always be consistent, she said.
Chicken kebab plates ($17.89) includes two skewers of grilled, marinated meat, rice and a Mediterranean salad. (Asia Armour/Community Impact)
Chicken kebab plates ($17.89) includes two skewers of grilled, marinated meat, rice and a Mediterranean salad. (Asia Armour/Community Impact)
“If you were to come to my house, you’re going to see the same recipes,” Abuata said.

Staff at Red Oak Grill work to curate a space for families, through both diverse offerings and the restaurant’s atmosphere, Abuata said.

“Most of the people that come here, they feel at home,” she said. “We have many, many repeat customers. That means that you're successful. When people come back, that means they like the food.”

What it offers
Red Oak Grill's motto is, 'Where healthy is delicious,' Abuata said. (Asia Armour/Community Impact)
Red Oak Grill's motto is, 'Where healthy is delicious,' Abuata said. (Asia Armour/Community Impact)
Mediterranean cuisine is characterized by its vibrant colors and flavors, as well as its freshness, Abuata said. She said most of Red Oak Grill’s menu items are homemade.


“It's not all oily and buttery. You’ll feel like you’re full, but you’re eating something healthy,” Abuata said.

Some of the restaurant’s most popular orders include its gyro sandwiches, hummus, kebabs and chicken shawarma, Abuata said.
Gyro plates ($17.59) and hummus ($7.29) are among the most popular items at Red Oak Grill, said owner Marita Abuata. (Asia Armour/Community Impact)
Gyro plates ($17.59) and hummus ($7.29) are among the most popular items at Red Oak Grill, owner Marita Abuata said. (Asia Armour/Community Impact)
In addition to pita wraps, burgers, soups and salads, Red Oak Grill offers a Mediterranean feast for two to three people to share.

“We have so many restaurants in Missouri City and Sugar Land, but you feel rushed [to eat]," Abuata said. “Here, you feel like you can stay, you can talk to the owner, it's like you are welcome.”