The Rustic Opens at Hobby Airport, Bringing Live Music and Texas Flavors to Travelers

Travelers at William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) can now enjoy The Rustic, a Texas restaurant and live music venue known for its farm-to-table cuisine and relaxed atmosphere. The restaurant near Gate 44 offers sit-down dining and to-go options and is part of an ongoing multi-phase concessions improvement project at Hobby Airport. 

"The transformation of Hobby Airport’s concessions program is about more than just adding new restaurants—it’s about creating a dynamic, world-class experience for our passengers," said Jim Szczesniak, director of aviation for Houston Airports. "Introducing local favorites like The Rustic gives travelers a true taste of Houston while elevating the overall airport journey. These investments strengthen Houston’s position as a global gateway, enhance customer satisfaction and drive economic benefits for the region. When the full concessions overhaul is complete, passengers at Hobby Airport will enjoy a more seamless, engaging and distinctly Houston travel experience." 

Operated by LaTrelle’s Management, The Rustic features live music provided by local musicians and is one of several new dining options coming to Hobby Airport in 2025. In 2023, the Houston City Council approved a pair of food and beverage contracts that launched Houston Airports on a trajectory to redefine the airport dining experience with an eclectic and thoughtful mix of iconic local favorites and trusted national brands. 

"Passengers have voted Hobby Airport the Best Regional Airport in North America for three consecutive years because they trust us to deliver ‘Houston-friendly’ service and a world-class travel experience," said Francisco Cuellar, chief commercial development officer for Houston Airports. "Houston Airports is relentless in our quest to exceed passenger expectations, and our concessions transformation is a key part of that mission. By curating an all-star lineup of uniquely Houston dining options, we ensure that our culinary offerings reflect the standards of North America’s only 5-star airport." 

Phase 1 (Completed in 2024) 

• The Spot 

• The Spot Bar 

• Velvet Taco 

• Fat Cat Creamery 

• Dunkin Donuts 

Phase 2  

• Starbucks at Gate 1 (Opened 2024) 

• Starbucks in Ticketing Lobby (Opened 2024) 

• The Rustic (Opened February 3, 2025) 

• Throughgood Bistro (Opening February 2025) 

• Chick-fil-A (Opening February 2025) 

• Pei Wei (Opening February 2025) 

Phase 3 will commence this month and includes Common Bond Café, Yard House, SpindleTap Brewery and Killen’s Barbecue. 

Phase 4: Dish Society, Landry’s Seafood Kitchen, Pink’s Pizza, Jersey Mikes and Wendy’s.       

More on The Rustic | Founded in 2013 by Houston native Kyle Noonan, The Rustic has two locations in Houston. The menu features Texas-sourced ingredients, including Gulf seafood, local dairy and produce. The bar offers a curated selection of Texas craft beer, spirits, wine and non-alcoholic beverages.