The inaugural events are hosted by the city’s Small Business Advisory Committee, which was founded by council member Lynn Clouser in March 2021 after she said she saw multiple local businesses close during the COVID-19 pandemic. The committee, composed of 15 members including small business owners, aims to provide resources and support to Missouri City businesses.
“This is really an opportunity to also shine a light on our mom-and-pops that struggle and try so hard to get the word out about their great food,” Clouser said. “We have restaurants that are on the brink of closing, and so we've invited everybody so that hopefully this gives them a platform to really showcase their offerings and shine.”
Zooming in
The week of festivities will kick off June 14 with the Taste of Missouri City event from 4-8 p.m. at the City Hall Complex, located at 1522 Texas Parkway, event chair Christopher Cerda said.
The free, family-friendly event will bring together selected restaurants, food trucks and catering companies who will offer tastings to event patrons, Cerda said. Guests will also be able to make additional food purchases from vendors.
Following the tasting event, the city’s first-ever restaurant week will run from June 15-21, where participating eateries will offer special menus at $15, $25 or $35, said Eli Washington, economic development manager for Missouri City. The specific menus will vary depending on the restaurant.
Applications for the Taste of Missouri City event closed April 25, but businesses can still sign up to participate in the city’ restaurant week. Applications for restaurant week will remain open up until the event to ensure the city can support all restaurants who wish to participate, Washington said.
Looking ahead
Missouri City officials will announce participating restaurants on its dedicated webpage and social media after vendors are finalized, Clouser said.
“Our hope is that this becomes an annual event that not just Missouri City residents look forward to but other neighboring cities look forward to coming to enjoy [and] to experience,” she said. “We want to be put on the map for that.”
