Independence HeightsIf you live in Houston, we’re sure you know of Greg Gatlin by now. He’s the proud owner of one of the greatest bbq joints in America—which is no small feat—but he’s now venturing into the world of feather (and fins) at his new (opening soon) fried chicken and seafood shack. Paying homage to the historic neighborhood and stepping into the shoes of former fixture Herrera’s Mexicatessen Restaurant, y’all better come here hungry, as you will get your hands messy with Gatlin’s and chef Michelle Wallace’s crisp AF, juice-dripping fried chicken and biscuits, plus all the fried treasures of the Gulf.How to book: Stop by for first come, first served seating (coming soon).

If there’s one food you simply cannot skip when visiting Houston, it’s barbecue. Options are plentiful in the Heights, and my pick is Truth Barbeque, which makes a cheesy Tater Tot casserole. Next I got my fix of the Texas trinity (brisket, ribs, and sausage) at the Black- and family-owned Gatlin’s BBQ. I also stopped by the family’s newest venture, Gatlin’s Fin & Feathers, an ode to Houston’s Gulf Coast that serves fried shrimp, gumbo, crab nachos, and blackened catfish, plus fried chicken.

As fabulous as the dinner at Gatlin’s Fins & Feathers in the Garden Oaks neighborhood might be, the down-home Southern brunch is the real heavy-hitter. Stepping into this retro diner means having all of the best dishes offered during dinner service (think loaded gumbo with a mountain of seafood) while having more brunch classics. Get golden fried catfish with fluffy grits, crispy chicken wings with cornmeal pancakes, and the same pillowy biscuits with tart seasonal jams.

The Gatlin's BBQ family has firmly established itself in the Houston dining scene with its friendly, engaging and downright delicious barbecue. So, when owner-pitmaster Greg Gatlin announced his intentions for a second concept celebrating some of Texas’ most treasured foodways, Houston diners melted like sausage fat. The menu at Gatlin’s Fins & Feathers is written with Gulf Coast love and plenty of Houston soul: oysters on the half shell and char-grilled oysters; New Orleans barbecue shrimp; shrimp and crab campechana; gumbo; fried chicken; fried shrimp and catfish; po’boys, grilled catch of the day; and smoked chicken enchiladas.

Gatlin’s Fins & Feathers – Louisiana Gulf Coast – As you might expect with the name, this a sibling to the acclaimed Gatlin’s barbecue joint, which is just a couple of miles away. Similarly, this is very friendly and even homey, and family run, providing Southern-rooted comfort fare that goes a little beyond. The “Fins & Feathers” following the surname is quite descriptive, too, though shellfish is another theme here with oysters served grilled, fried and raw to start and crab and shrimp found in things like New Orleans style barbecue shrimp and additionally straight from the fryer, of course.

After more than a decade of delectable ‘que from Gatlin’s BBQ in the Heights, Greg Gatlin followed it up with Gulf Coast comfort food in Houston’s historic Independence Heights. Gatlin’s Fins & Feathers serves up splurge-worthy dishes including gumbo and oysters, but the fried chicken is a staple plate for brunch, lunch and dinner. Pull through for brunch offerings like the Wings & Hoecakes, fluffy cornmeal cakes served with wings tossed in maple chipotle glaze, or pick up shareable lunch plates of Sweet ‘n’ Spicy Miso Wings, or jumbo whole wings served with your choice of side.

At new Historic Independence Heights restaurant Gaitlin’s Fins & Feathers, chef-owner Greg Gatlin and executive Chef Michelle Wallace, of Gatlin’s BBQ fame, are shifting their sights to classic comfort fare. The menu at the restaurant features dishes that you’ll surely recognize (not to mention crave), but with a special Bayou City spin. Take, for example, Gatlin’s chicken enchiladas, which fold carefully smoked pulled chicken beneath layers of salsa verde, crema, and cotija cheese.

As the name suggests, this restaurant by chef Greg Gatlin, also of Gatlin’s BBQ, specializes in fried seafood and chicken presented as platters or po’boys. Located in the historic Independence Heights neighborhood, the restaurant pays homage to the fish fries of the area’s Black community along with other Southern comfort foods. Gatlin’s pièce de résistance is a catfish fillet fried in a crispy cornmeal crust or blackened with tomato-garlic beurre blanc.

From the Gatlin’s BBQ family, Gatlin’s Fins and Feathers is a sit down restaurant concept near Independence Heights. As the name implies, you can get fried catfish and fried chicken here, neither will disappoint!. Yes, it has soul food items as many places on this list do, however you will find some different menu items here and that’s a big win to me.

Tucked in the Independence Heights neighborhood, this Houston restaurant specializes in classic Southern fried chicken and seafood led by pitmaster Greg Gatlin, who has created several other Houston eateries of note.