Jessie Katz and Andy Means are bringing Hank’s, a new family-focused eatery and coffee shop, to Windsor Park.
By Saba Ghaffari, Photos by Wynn Myers.
Whether you’re on the hunt for a quick coffee and bite of pastry, a meet-up spot for happy hour with friends or an intimate private-party venue, Hank’s may be just what you’re looking for. It is the newest restaurant on the block to offer guests a diverse array of dining options under one roof. Set to open in early March, the all-day eatery, which also has a drive-thru, features a menu rich with comfort food such as sandwiches, pastas, burgers, salads and bowls.
The menu includes many vegetarian-based dishes, like the crispy rice bowl with pink sushi rice dressed with lemon-ginger-infused juice and served with cucumbers, herbs and a fried egg on top, as well as gluten-free options and a wide drink selection ranging from beers on tap and wine to frozen cocktails.
Husband-and-wife duo Andy Means and Jessie Katz own the new establishment, located in the Windsor Park neighborhood. While Means has 18 years of experience in the restaurant business, Katz started her career in a different industry, working as a freelance costume designer for films, including notable flicks such as Spy Kids and Predators, and styling for commercials and photo shoots in between. Katz gradually made her exit from the film industry due to the tough nature of the business.
“Honestly, it was because it’s such a male-dominated industry,” Katz explains. “So, I wasn’t comfortable anymore.”
Katz’s relationship with Means ultimately lured her into the restaurant business. Means would ask for her help with various tasks at Henri’s Cheese and Wine Shop until Katz eventually found herself working at the restaurant full time. Henri’s, a gourmet cheese, charcuterie and wine shop located on South Lamar Boulevard, closed after a fire in April 2016. Henri’s was named after Means’ grandfather, and the same tradition continues with Hank’s, as Hank was Means’ grandfather’s nickname.
Hank’s certainly has more room to offer its guests, with 325 seats. The interior space, designed by Claire Zinnecker, carries an airy and relaxed feel, with elevated ceilings and ample natural light seeping in through oversized windows. Bench seating throughout the restaurant remains consistent with the casual vibe Katz and Means desired.
“I love it,” Katz says of the restaurant. “It’s kind of a dream building.”