Alex Au-Yeung, owner of Phat Eatery in Katy, was a talented chef with bold ambitions for the future. With the knowledge that he was a semi-finalist in the coveted James Beard Awards, he sadly lost his battle with cancer in March 2024.
Following his passing, it was up to his two friends and collaborators to make his dreams of a second restaurant a reality. In their great friend’s memory, Kevin Lee and Marvin He took on the roles as Directors of Operations with a deep determination to make Alex’s visions of a restaurant in The Woodlands come to life.
Late Owner, Alex Au-Yeung | Photo by Jenn Duncan
The first Phat Eatery opened in Katy in 2018, offering Malaysian flavors and south Asian street food to the north Houston community. Six years after opening their first location, the second location in The Woodlands opened in late June at the Grogan’s Mill Village Center.
“Over the years, we progressively saw an upwards count of people coming in from The Woodlands area,” Lee shared with Visit The Woodlands. “Once we found the location at Grogan’s Mill, we knew it was exactly what we wished for”.
Phat Eatery Co-Directors of Operations, Kevin Lee and Marvin He
Almost triple the size, the second spot is an ambitious renovation of a 40-year-old building. It can seat almost 200 guests and it has an open-concept kitchen inspired by restaurants in Hong Kong. After overcoming several trials and tribulations, including a 35-foot tree falling onto the roof, the project slowly started to take shape for Marvin and Kevin.
With Malaysian-inspired décor, bright colors, and tall ceilings allowing for abundant natural light, the restaurant creates a unique and relaxing dining experience. The first thing you might notice is a neon sign, designed by the trio, defining the meaning of Phat as “highly attractive and gratifying”.
“Once we finally opened in The Woodlands, we had people crowding the doors and waiting to support us. People were excited to try a different kind of cuisine,” said Lee.
Phat Eatery's Roti Canai | Photo by Kimberly Park
Phat Eatery's Satay Skewers | Photo by Jenn Duncan
There are some new dishes coming soon to The Woodlands’ location, too.
Inspired by his culinary training in Hong Kong, you will notice several dishes that Alex was passionate about perfecting. Keep an eye out for the Cantonese-style barbecue and the Peking duck. There’s also a cocktail menu featuring classic drinks with a southeast Asian twist.
When asked what Au-Yeung would say about how everything turned out, Lee answered, “I think he would be relieved and very proud of us and how far we’ve come.” Marvin He added: “If Alex were still with us, he’d say, ‘Finally. We got it open. Dreams really do come true.’”
Visit Phat Eatery at 2290 Buckthorne Place, The Woodlands, Texas, 77380. You can make a make a reservation or order online for delivery and pick up.