With Pappas Likely Leaving Hobby Airport, New Restaurants That Could Open Include Killen’s, Velvet Taco

Feb. 22—Travelers passing through Hobby Airport are in for a shake-up when they look for something to eat and drink.

City Council is expected to approve new concessions contracts that would introduce a new line-up of bars, restaurants and coffee shops at the city's southern airport. One of those contracts already has been approved, and another is under consideration this month.

GOODBYE, PAPPAS: With Pappas set to lose its place in Hobby Airport, CEO questions 'flawed' concessions contract process

If that second contract is approved, Pappas Restaurants would lose its foothold on the airport. City Council tagged the contract Wednesday, delaying a vote until at least next week.

Chris Pappas, the company's CEO, has complained about the contracting process at City Hall that resulted in that possibility. The city has been asking for airport proposals for three years, including three separate rounds of bidding for the contract.

Airport concessions contracts, among the most lucrative available at City Hall, often inspire controversy and debate. Here are the different line-ups under consideration.

What restaurants currently are in Houston's Hobby Airport?

The airport's current line-up is dominated by Pappas Restaurants. It includes:

— Baskin Robbins/Dunkin'

— Buffalo Wild Wings

— Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen

— Pappas Bar-B-Q

— Pappas Burger

— Pappasito's Cantina (full service)

— Pappasito's Cantina (food court)

— Pappasito's Cantina (bar)

— Peet's Coffee

— Peet's Coffee (international terminal)

— Starbucks

— Subway

— Wendy's

What restaurants are coming to Hobby?

The following are headed to Hobby in the next two years, under a contract approved in January:

— Common Bond

— Pinks Pizza

— Velvet Taco

— Dish Society

— Fat Cat Creamery/Dunkin'

— The Rustic

— Jersey Mike's

— Wendy's

— Peet's

What new restaurants may open at Hobby?

If council approves the contract on the agenda this month, these eateries would replace the Pappas concepts over the next two years:

— The Spot

— The Spot Bar

— Pei Wei Asian Kitchen

— Killen's Barbecue

— Longhorn Steakhouse

— Yard House

— Spindletap Brewery

— Starbucks

— Throughgood

— Clutch City Coffee

What did Pappas want to introduce?

In addition to keeping its own concepts, the Pappas group proposed the following restaurants in its unsuccessful bid for the contract:

— Chick-fil-A

— Hunan

— Delta Blues Barbeque

— The Original Kolache Shoppe

— The Hangar Kitchen

— Zeppelin Coffee Kiosk

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