Made in House: Houston is presented by The Speke Originals Network (https://www.spekepodcasting.com/spekeoriginals)

Nousha Nowamooz traces Hungry’s from its 1975 beginnings as a Montrose sandwich shop to a Houston institution. She discusses family legacy, plant-based innovation, neighborhood loyalty, longtime favorites, and the responsibility of helping a multigenerational restaurant continue to grow with the city.

Learn more about Hungry's: https://hungryscafe.com/

Key takeaways

1. Hungry’s was founded in 1975 by Fred Sharifi as a small, affordable international sandwich shop in Montrose.

2. Family leadership expanded the concept with entrees, brunch, catering, and multiple locations.

3. Nousha’s mother helped evolve the menu through her culinary training and kitchen leadership.

4. Hungry’s plant-based menu began as a series of specials and grew into a defining strength.

5. Nousha describes the experience of carrying the family business forward as “pressure is a privilege.”

6. Her family encouraged her to explore other interests, but school and career lessons kept leading her back to the business.

7. Hungry’s longevity comes from neighborhood trust, menu evolution, scratch-made food, and consistent hospitality.

Made in House: Houston is presented by The Speke Originals Network (<a href="https://www.spekepodcasting.com/spekeoriginals">https://www.spekepodcasting.com/spekeoriginals</a>)
Nousha Nowamooz traces Hungry&rsquo;s from its 1975 beginnings as a Montrose sandwich shop to a Houston institution. She discusses family legacy, plant-based innovation, neighborhood loyalty, longtime favorites, and the responsibility of helping a multigenerational restaurant continue to grow with the city.
Learn more about Hungry's: https://hungryscafe.com/
Key takeaways
1. Hungry&rsquo;s was founded in 1975 by Fred Sharifi as a small, affordable international sandwich shop in Montrose.
2. Family leadership expanded the concept with entrees, brunch, catering, and multiple locations.
3. Nousha&rsquo;s mother helped evolve the menu through her culinary training and kitchen leadership.
4. Hungry&rsquo;s plant-based menu began as a series of specials and grew into a defining strength.
5. Nousha describes the experience of carrying the family business forward as &ldquo;pressure is a privilege.&rdquo;
6. Her family encouraged her to explore other interests, but school and career lessons kept leading her back to the business.
7. Hungry&rsquo;s longevity comes from neighborhood trust, menu evolution, scratch-made food, and consistent hospitality.

Food writer Megha McSwain goes beyond Houston’s headlines and hot lists to meet the chefs, owners, and neighborhood kitchens shaping the city’s food culture.

Made in House: Houston explores the stories, sacrifice, and pride behind every plate.

Food writer Megha McSwain goes beyond Houston&rsquo;s headlines and hot lists to meet the chefs, owners, and neighborhood kitchens shaping the city&rsquo;s food culture.
Made in House: Houston explores the stories, sacrifice, and pride behind every plate.

Made in House: Houston

Houston is made in its kitchens, dining rooms, bakeries, markets, and the people bold enough to build something of their own.

Hosted by food journalist and storyteller Megha McSwain, Made in House: Houston takes you inside the city’s most compelling food stories, from beloved neighborhood institutions and rising chefs to restaurateurs, makers, and the communities that shape how Houston eats.

This is a show about flavor, culture, creativity, and the business of bringing people together around a table. Whether you are a lifelong Houstonian, a devoted diner, or simply curious about the people behind the plate, pull up a chair.

Houston is made in its kitchens, dining rooms, bakeries, markets, and the people bold enough to build something of their own.
Hosted by food journalist and storyteller Megha McSwain, Made in House: Houston takes you inside the city&rsquo;s most compelling food stories, from beloved neighborhood institutions and rising chefs to restaurateurs, makers, and the communities that shape how Houston eats.
This is a show about flavor, culture, creativity, and the business of bringing people together around a table. Whether you are a lifelong Houstonian, a devoted diner, or simply curious about the people behind the plate, pull up a chair.