Happy Tuesday, Katy 🤠
April in Katy means one thing: it's officially too nice to stay inside. The bluebonnets are popping, the evenings are warming up, and Central Green's concert season is in full swing. It's one of those weeks where the hardest decision is which event to hit first.
Here's what we've got for you this week:
Now, in today's edition:
Katy Launches TravelKaty.com — And Sets Its Sights on NCAA Events
The City's Building a Reclaimed Water System Starting at Katy Mills
A spotlight on a local restaurant with an amazing backstory
Tons of events this week & more
— Grant Hamilton
What’s News
Katy Launches TravelKaty.com — And Sets Its Sights on NCAA Events
Katy is making a serious play to put itself on the tourism map. The city just launched a fully refreshed TravelKaty.com — a sleek new hub with sections covering dining, attractions, events, shopping, and lodging. And that's not all: the Travel and Tourism Advisory Board is actively pursuing bids to bring NCAA sporting events to town.
Here's what to know:
TravelKaty.com is live now — browse events, find restaurants, and discover things to do. Have a suggestion for something that should be listed? Email [email protected].
The Advisory Board is working on formal proposals for future NCAA events. The Merrell Center has already hosted the Southland Conference Basketball Tournament in the past, so the infrastructure and track record are there.
Board member J.R. Richardson said there's "a lot of exciting momentum" between the website launch, the restoration of the historic Katy Heritage Society Mess Hall, and preparations for major sporting events.
Whether you're a longtime local or new to the area, it's cool to see Katy thinking bigger about what it can offer.
A Message from Winnow Technologies!
60% of your daily tasks could already be handled by AI.
That's not a guess — it's from McKinsey research. Email, scheduling, research, writing, organizing — stuff that eats up your day that AI tools can already handle.
The problem isn't that the tools don't exist. It's that nobody shows you how to actually use them.
Winnow Technologies is based right here in Katy and they do exactly that. They'll sit down with you — in person if you want — look at how you spend your time, and set up the AI tools that'll give you hours back every week.
No tech skills required. Great for individuals or businesses.
Book a free call today and find out what you could stop doing yourself.
City Updates
Katy Is Building a Reclaimed Water System — Starting at Katy Mills
Here's a sentence you probably never expected to read: the water keeping Katy Mills' landscaping green could soon come from, well, you. The City of Katy is building a reclaimed water system that will treat wastewater and pipe it back to irrigate the mall and Boardwalk District — saving the city's overstressed aquifer in the process.
What you need to know:
Phase 1 delivers 300,000 gallons per day; full buildout reaches 885,000 gallons daily
Construction begins this spring with a ~$4 million investment in treatment and pipeline infrastructure
The system includes 18,350 feet of new water lines running from the wastewater treatment plant
Reuse water costs about $1 per 1,000 gallons vs. $5 for potable water — and each new well costs $3.5M
City Engineer David Kasper put it simply: "There's so many straws in the aquifer." This project pulls one out. Katy has been on 100% groundwater and hit its first-ever water restrictions during the 2022-23 drought. This system is the city's first step toward long-term water resilience.
Bottom line: Smart infrastructure that saves money and protects our water supply. More of this, please.
Local Restaurant Spotlight 🍽️
From 17 Seats by a Gas Station to Yelp's #12 Restaurant in America
If you haven't been to Pappa Gyros on Franz Road yet, you're missing one of Katy's best stories - and one of its best meals. The Batsios family has been cooking for five generations, going all the way back to a fishing village in northern Greece. Chris Batsios's father George immigrated to Michigan in the late '60s and ran a family diner in Flint. Chris moved to Texas around 2011 and opened Pappa Gyros in 2017 in a 900-square-foot space next to a Shell gas station with 17 seats and a drive-thru. The recipes? Never written down. Chris learned his grandmother's tzatziki by watching and tasting.
Here's what to know:
The must-orders: The Original Lamb Gyro Sandwich - spit-roasted lamb on hand-stretched pita with that legendary tzatziki - is the foundation. Upgrade it "Athens style" with fries and feta stuffed inside. The Chicago Italian Beef Sandwich (slow-roasted sirloin dipped in beef drippings with giardiniera) is a nod to the family's Midwest roots, and they claim to be the first in Katy to serve one. The OMG Fries have a cult following for a reason.
The Yelp moment: In 2019, Yelp ranked Pappa Gyros the #12 Restaurant in the entire United States and #1 in Houston. They served over 1,000 customers in a single day. That kind of thing doesn't happen by accident - it happens because a family has been perfecting the same recipes for five decades.
The glow-up: They've since moved into a purpose-built 3,000-square-foot standalone restaurant with a covered patio and drive-thru. Chris also lost 175 pounds on his own health journey - a story featured on The Texas Bucket List TV show. The family also runs Sapore Detroit Pizzeria nearby.
Next time you're driving down Franz Road, skip the chain and pull in. This is a five-generation immigrant family cooking food that literally ranked among the best in the country — and it's right here in Katy. 🙌
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!
Family Fun 🐣
Katy Car Showdown | 10 AM–2 PM, Sat April 18 | (Free) Details
Location: Historic Town Square, Second St & Ave C, Katy
Description: Classics, modern muscle, exotics, trucks, and Jeeps. Awards for Top 3, Mayor's Choice, People's Choice, and Best in Show. Live music from Eddie Morgan & The Brazos County Line Band 12–2 PM, plus food trucks and kids' activities.
YMCA Healthy Kids Day | 10 AM–1 PM, Saturday, April 18 | (Free) Details
Location: Mark A. Chapman YMCA at Katy Main Street (also at Monty Ballard YMCA at Cinco Ranch)
Description: Free community event with activities, interactive booths, games, vendors, and food trucks. Open to everyone — you don't need a Y membership.
Independent Bookstore Day - Mockingbird Books | All day, Sat April 25 | (Free) Details
Location(s): Mockingbird Books, 24210 Westheimer Pkwy, Ste 600, Katy
Description: Both Prizes and fun all day at Katy's beloved indie bookstore. The 13th annual national celebration.
Independent Bookstore Day - Katy Budget Books | 8 PM - 10 PM, Sat April 25 | (Free) Details
Location(s): Katy Budget Books, 870 S. Mason #101, Katy
Description: Celebrate the individuality of indie bookstores with a unique event playing laser tag in the store! All ages are welcome with parental supervision. We’ll play in rounds of ten players. Snacks and drinks included!
Dewberry Farm Spring Fest | Weekends through April 26 | Tickets
Location: 7705 FM 362, Brookshire, TX
Description: 40+ attractions including a Ferris wheel, Gold Rush coaster, barnyard animals, and more. Use code SAVE6 for $6 off admission.
Live Music & Entertainment 🎸
Rock the Night with The Urbans | ~7 PM, Fri April 17 | (Free) Details
Location: Central Green Park, LaCenterra
Description: Latin rock under the lights at Central Green. Another great free Friday night out.
Adrian’s Fault | ~7 PM, Saturday, April 18 | (Free) Details
Location: Central Green Park, LaCenterra
Description: An energetic evening of versatile sounds, Adrian’s Fault is a high-energy group spanning multiple genres. Should be a great night for the whole family.
Foraging at Katy Prairie | 9 AM–Noon, Sunday, April 19 | Tickets
Location: Katy Prairie Welcome Center, 31975 Hebert Rd, Waller
Description: Hands-on workshop with Dr. Mark "Merriwether" Vorderbruggen on identifying edible and medicinal plants. Perfect for the outdoorsy-curious.
David Byrne: "Who Is The Sky?" Tour | 8 PM, Fri April 24 | Tickets
Location: Smart Financial Centre, 18111 Lexington Blvd, Sugar Land
Description: The Talking Heads legend brings his latest tour to Sugar Land.
Katy Idol Audition Rounds | 4 PM, Every Saturday in April | Details
Location: Katy Vibes Restaurant & Bar, 24757 Katy Fwy, Katy
Description: Think you've got what it takes? Auditions run through May 9, with semi-finals May 16 & 23 and a $1,000 Grand Prize Finale on May 30. Email [email protected] to compete.
Community & Culture 🏛️
Cinco Ranch II Community Garage Sale | 8 AM–2 PM, Saturday, April 18 | (Free) Details
Location: Throughout Cinco Ranch II neighborhood
Description: Garage sales happening across the Cinco Ranch II community. Map available here.
Katy Sip N Stroll (31st Annual) | 6–9 PM, Saturday, April 25 | Tickets
Location: The ARK by Norris Event Center, 21402 Merchants Way, Katy
Description: 300+ beverages, 35+ restaurants competing for Premier Culinary Awards, live music, and artisan vendors. Benefits Christ Clinic, a non-profit that provides the uninsured, underinsured, and their families with access to primary care and mental health counseling.
🔁 Recurring Weekly Events
Fleet Feet Tuesday Run — Tuesdays, 6 PM | Details
Yoga on the Green — Wednesdays & Fridays, ~8 AM | 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
Farmers Market at LaCenterra — Sundays, 11 AM - 3 PM | Details
Have an event in Katy coming up, something you enjoyed in this issue, or a topic you’d like to hear more about? Hit ‘reply’ and let us know, we read every email!
Thanks for reading The Katy Dispatch this week! See you next Tuesday!
P.S. Want to get your business in front of 1000+ Katy locals? Email us at [email protected].