Happy Tuesday, Katy 🤠
I need to talk to you about tacos. Specifically, FREE tacos. This Saturday and Sunday are your last chance to grab them, and honestly, that alone would be worth opening this email. But we've also got a Venezuelan immigrant success story that'll make you proud to live here, a community that showed up big for small business owners who got blindsided, and a whole calendar of events to fill your week. And, happy Cinco De Mayo today, and happy Mother’s Day this weekend!
Let's get into it.
Now, in today's edition:
🌮 Tacodeli's Katy debut - and your last chance at free breakfast tacos
🇻🇪 From $800 to 6 locations: the Pastel Pizza story
🛍️ Katy rallies for displaced Painted Tree vendors
🌸 Mother's Day brunch picks (book now!)
30+ events & more
– Grant Hamilton
Taco News
Tacodeli Is Coming to Katy — And the Free Tacos Are Almost Gone
If you haven't been to one of Tacodeli's free taco giveaways yet, this is one of your LAST weekends to fix that. The beloved Austin-born taco chain is giving away free breakfast tacos this Saturday and Sunday (May 9 & 10) before their official Katy grand opening on May 18 — and then the giveaway window closes for good.
Here's what to know:
Last free taco weekend: Saturday and Sunday, May 9–10. Approximately 200 tacos go out starting at 7 a.m. — limit two per person, first come first served. Get there early; these go fast.
Grand opening day (May 18): The first 25 people in line get free tacos for a YEAR — that's two free tacos per week at any Tacodeli location. Worth setting that alarm.
The menu: About 40 items including the Cowboy Taco (dry-rubbed beef tenderloin, grilled corn, caramelized onion, roasted tomato), the Tikin Xic (achiote-marinated grilled salmon with salsa negra), and the signature Otto (refried black beans, bacon, potato, Jack cheese). If you haven’t been to one of their other existing Houston locations (or even if you have) you are going to love having this new location.
The backstory: Founded by Roberto Espinosa in Austin back in 1999, Tacodeli is now in the middle of its 27th year of operation. Katy is their furthest-west Houston-area location yet.
Whether you hit the free taco giveaway this weekend or show up for opening day on May 18, your breakfast game is about to level up.
P.S. Share this with your taco-loving friends — especially the ones who'll actually get up at 6:45 a.m. on a Saturday for free food. 🌮
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City Updates
Katy Rallies for Displaced Painted Tree Vendors
When Painted Tree Boutiques abruptly shut down its Cinco Ranch location - along with 60+ other stores nationwide - on April 13, local vendors were left scrambling. Staff and vendors found out by email the morning after. The company is filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.
But Katy being Katy, the community stepped up fast.
Here's what to know:
The pop-ups: Andrew and Sie Nurcahya, owners of The Dryer at the historic Cardiff Rice Dryer site, opened their doors for vendor pop-up markets - the first on April 26 and another on May 3. Both were free to attend with space for 30 vendors.
More support: Turquoise Acres Ranch on Schlipf Road opened weekend market days, and "The Katy Hustle" Facebook group became a clearinghouse for displaced vendors looking for new selling opportunities.
What you can do: Keep supporting these small business owners by shopping at local pop-ups, farmers markets, and following The Katy Hustle group on Facebook to find out where your favorite vendors land next.
It's a tough situation, but the speed at which this community rallied says everything about Katy.
Local Restaurant Spotlight 🍽️
From $800 to 6 Locations: The Pastel Pizza Story
This one is the kind of story that makes you proud to live in Katy. I’m sorry for two food stories this week (are you feeling hungry yet?) but when I read this one I just couldn’t help but share. Juan Rosales and Rosa Revilla arrived here from Venezuela in 2016 with $800 between them. They started selling tequeños – fried dough sticks stuffed with queso blanco – out of their apartment. By 2018, they had a food trailer. By 2022, they opened their flagship brick-and-mortar on Mason Road. Today? Six locations across Houston and Katy.
Here's what to know:
The empire: Four brick-and-mortar restaurants plus two food trucks, with the newest location on FM 1463 opening last year. A 20,000-sq.-ft. warehouse for take-and-bake products is in the works.
What to order: Pastelitos (baked puff pastries with delicious fillings) come in potato/cheese, ground beef, chicken, and a "pizza-style" with pepperoni and mozzarella. Don't skip the mandocas (deep-fried corn fritter rings) or their secret-recipe green sauce.
The reviews speak: 4.7 stars across 1500+ Google reviews. That's not a fluke.
In Rosa's words: "American people know tacos, and they know kolaches; we want to introduce them to Venezuelan culture."
If you haven't tried Pastel Pizza yet, the flagship is right here in Katy. Fair warning: you have a serious risk of becoming a regular.
Events coming up this week:
This section includes only the major events happening soon. For a complete list of all events, you'll have to wait for future editions!
💐 Mother's Day - Sunday, May 10
Planning a Mother's Day brunch? Here are a couple of standout options:
Local Table Mother's Day Brunch | Sunday, May 10 | Details
Location: Multiple locations including Cinco Ranch, Cypress, and Fulshear
Description: Brunch with the family, and all moms get a complimentary mimosa. That's it - that's the pitch. Locations across the area include Cinco Ranch, Cypress, Fulshear, Garden Oaks, The Woodlands, and Missouri City.
Perry's Steakhouse Mother's Day | Opens 11 AM, Sunday, May 10 | Details
Location: Perry's Steakhouse & Grille, Katy
Description: Special Mother's Day menu plus their full dinner menu, including a new Filet Stuffed Roast. Reservations are strongly recommended - this one books up.
More options: Pearl & Vine, Whiskey Cake, Harvest Kitchen & Bakery, Astor's Table, Postino Cinco Ranch, The Rouxpour, Federal American Grill, and Dish Society all offer Mother's Day brunch as well. Reservations are strongly recommended across the board - menus and pricing vary, so call ahead and verify hours. Several restaurants switch to prix-fixe menus for the holiday.
🐣 Family Fun
The Katy Exchange | 10 AM – 2 PM, Saturday, May 9 | (Free) Details
Location: Historic Town Square, 904 Avenue C, Katy
Description: Local artisans, kids' attractions, food trucks, and live music right on the square. Net proceeds benefit Her Well. This is the big Saturday outing this week.
Friends of Maud Marks Library Book Sale | 10 AM – 4 PM, Saturday, May 9 | Details
Location: Maud Smith Marks Library, 1815 Westgreen Blvd, Katy
Description: Members get first dibs on the book presale on Friday. Pro tip: $10 at the door gets you a membership and early access to the good stuff. On Saturday, big public sale of books and more. Come early for the best selection.
Katy Community Lions Club Picnic | 1–5 PM, Saturday, May 9 | Details
Location: Katy City Park Arboretum Pavilion, 2046 Katy City Park Rd., Katy
Description: Family picnic in the park with a nice perk - kids who bring a book (elementary through 6th grade level) get a free popcorn or snow cone. Bring the kids and a paperback.
Downtown Disney on the Square | 6–9 PM, Saturday, May 16 | (Free) Details
Location: Historic Town Square, Katy
Description: A Disney-themed evening right on the square. Details are still light, but mark it on the calendar - if it's anything like past editions, the kids will love it.
🎸 Live Music & Entertainment
Earth, Wind & Fire | 8 PM, Tuesday, May 5 | Tickets
Location: Smart Financial Centre, Sugar Land
Description: Legends. Icons. The guys who made September a national holiday. If you've ever wanted to hear "Boogie Wonderland" live, this is your shot — and it's right down the road in Sugar Land.
Alejandro Sanz | 8 PM, Friday, May 8 | Tickets
Location: Smart Financial Centre, Sugar Land
Description: One of the biggest names in Latin music brings his tour to Sugar Land. A perfect Cinco de Mayo week outing if you're still in a celebratory mood.
Gary Hobbs at Texas Rodeo Saloon | 8 PM, Friday, May 8 | Details
Location: Texas Rodeo Saloon, 531 S Mason Rd, Katy
Description: Tejano legend Gary Hobbs live and free? Yes please. Tables are limited so get there early. 21+ only.
Katy Vibes Katy Idol | 4:00 PM, Saturdays May 9 | Details
Location: Katy Vibes Restaurant & Bar, 24757 Katy Freeway, Katy
Description: Audition rounds for a $1,000 grand prize singing competition. Free to watch even if you're just there for the food and entertainment. This is the last day for auditions so don’t miss out!
La Sombra de Tony Guerrero & FAMA | 8 PM, Friday, May 15 | (Free) Details
Location: Texas Rodeo Saloon, 531 S. Mason Rd., Katy
Description: Another free Friday night at Texas Rodeo Saloon. The Tejano lineup keeps rolling.
Them Dirty Roses | 8 PM, Friday, May 15 | Tickets
Location: The Wildcatter Saloon, 26913 Katy Fwy., Katy
Description: Red-dirt country rock for the 15-and-up crowd. Great date night or friends' night out on the west side.
Eli Young Band | Doors 7:30 PM, Show 9:30 PM, Saturday, May 16 | Details
Location: Mo's Place, 21940 Kingsland Blvd., Katy
Description: You know "Crazy Girl." You know "Even If It Breaks Your Heart." Now see them live at one of Katy's most iconic honky-tonks.
An Evening with Jeff Foxworthy | 8 PM, Sunday, May 17 | Details
Location: Smart Financial Centre, Sugar Land
Description: If you've ever laughed at a "you might be a redneck" joke — and let's be honest, you have — Jeff Foxworthy is bringing the laughs to Sugar Land.
🎓 Katy ISD Graduations
Katy ISD 2026 Graduation Ceremonies | 8 PM nightly, May 13–19 | Details
Location: Legacy Stadium, Katy
Description: Graduation week is HERE, Katy. The full schedule:
Wed., May 13 — Seven Lakes
Thu., May 14 — Tompkins
Fri., May 15 — Jordan
Sat., May 16 — Paetow
Sun., May 17 — Katy
Mon., May 18 — Taylor
Tue., May 19 — Mayde Creek
Wed., May 20 — Cinco Ranch
Thu., May 21 — Morton Ranch
Parking gates open at 6 PM, doors at 7 PM. Clear-bag policy in effect. Each ceremony ends with a 45-second pyrotechnic display around 9:30 PM. If there's bad weather, reschedule is 9 AM the following day at the same venue. Congratulations to the Class of 2026! 🎉
🏃 Fitness & Wellness
Get Fit May | Various Fridays in May | (Free) Details
Location: Various Katy parks — May 1: Thomas Park; May 8: Katy City Park
Description: Free fitness classes all month long at parks across Katy. No registration needed — just show up and move. A different workout style each week.
Fri., May 8 — Boot Camp, Katy City Park (Champion Fitness Center Texas)
Wed., May 13 — Zumba, Woodland Park (Fitness Journey)
Fri., May 22 — HIIT, Thomas Park (Body20)
🔁 Recurring Weekly Events
Little Sprouts Baby Story Time – Tuesdays, 10:15 AM - 11:15 AM | Details
Yoga on the Green — Wednesdays & Fridays, ~8 AM | Details
Totally Toddler Time | Thursdays, 10:15 AM - 10:45 AM and 11:15 AM - 11:45 AM | (Free) Details
Adult Watercolor Art Club | Every Other Thursday, Next is May 14 | (Free) Details
Tai Chi on the Green — Saturdays, 8:30 AM | Details
Farmers Market at The Dryer — Saturdays, 9 AM – 1 PM | Details
Fulshear Farmers Market — Saturdays, 9 AM – 1 PM | Details
Adult Guitar Café | Every Other Saturday 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM, Next is May 16 | Details
Farmers Market at LaCenterra — Sundays, 11 AM - 3 PM | Details
That's it for today!
Thanks for reading The Katy Dispatch this week! See you next Tuesday!
P.S. Want to get your business in front of thousands of Katy locals? Email us at [email protected].