Texans can thank their lucky stars for an influx of outstanding pizza over the last several years. Our cities and suburbs have been blessed recently with crispy-edge Detroit-style pies, beautifully greasy New York-style rounds and even delectable tavern-style squares.
Surrounded by all this pizza perfection, one Houston business has found a way to stand apart. The Gypsy Poet may be the absolute best pizza place in all of Southeast Texas, and at least some folks agree because the business is expanding with a third location.
The Gypsy Poet Studio is the name of a project currently registered with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation and set for 2512 Times Blvd. in Rice Village. That’s the former Thai Village space. Ivan Favreau, one of three Gypsy Poet co-founders, confirmed to the Houston Business Journal on Tuesday that the third Gypsy Poet will in fact take over that Times Boulevard property.
“The owners of Thai Village were looking to retire after 30 years or so, so the space suddenly became available,” Favreau told the HBJ. The TDLR filing shows that they hope to complete the renovation of Thai Village by the end of 2025.
Sicilian Journey, a ricotta, fior de latte and mozzarella white pie with sausage, shallots, olive oil and arugula at The Gypsy Poet in Houston, Texas. (Timothy Malcolm/Chron)
The 4,640-square-foot space will have a kids’ area, Favreau told the HBJ. Otherwise, folks can likely expect what Gypsy Poet does best: pizza made with long-fermented crust and topped with well-sourced ingredients. It also offers salads, desserts and beverages, including beer and wine. Chron has reached out to the owners for more information.
Gypsy Poet launched on Austin Street in Midtown in 2019. Three years later, the pizzeria co-founded by Favreau, his cousin and pizzaiolo Vanessa Fernandez and her husband Cesar Izaguirre, expanded to the Heights.
It’s not often when pizzerias expand, at least in Texas. The most recent high-profile expansion by a Houston spot came when Detroit-style pie slinger Gold Tooth Tony’s fanned out to the Bellaire Triangle area in 2024. Meanwhile, Austin-based (and fellow Detroit-style maker) Via 313 Pizza came to Memorial City in 2024, then quickly after that, branched out to Webster and the Heights.
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