When Kelly Burmaster decided to renovate a home—left abandoned for 18 years—into a restaurant, he said it needed to embrace the history of the Township of New Kentucky.

“The history of this land hooked us,” Kelly said. “That’s where the real work began.”

In August, Kelly and his wife, Christel, opened 2920 Roadhouse in the heart of the former Township of New Kentucky, located along FM 2920 between Waller and Tomball. The township was established in 1831, five years before Texas gained its independence, and served as a major trade center before Houston began to lure away travelers, who abandoned the township around 1840, Kelly said.

“We wanted to keep the focal point on Texas,” Kelly said.

2920 Roadhouse serves Texas favorites, such as smoked meatloaf, pulled pork tacos and chicken-fried steak. The eatery also offers a cigar humidor, gift shop and a bar with Texas-owned wines and whiskeys.

The couple said opening their first restaurant has been a challenging journey. The week after 2920 Roadhouse opened, Hurricane Harvey hit Houston.

“We did not flood, but everything around us did,” Christel said. “No one could get to us, and we could not get out.”

As the community has welcomed the new restaurant in Hockley, Kelly said he and Christel extended the business hours, changed the wait staff and added new items to the menu in mid-March.

The couple also has plans to improve the 23 acres 2920 Roadhouse sits on. Plans include adding an open-air pavilion for weddings and other gatherings—which will be completed by spring 2019—converting an old stable into bedrooms for overnight guests, constructing outdoor bathrooms, adding recreational vehicle parking, creating a walking path around the on-site pond and adding cabins throughout the lot for guests to enjoy, Christel said.

“This is a long-term investment for us,” Kelly said.

2920 Roadhouse
21835 FM 2920, Hockley
281-909-4199
www.2920roadhouse.com
Hours: Tue.-Thu. 4-9 p.m.,Fri-Sat. 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Sun. 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m.