College Station Fried Chicken Chain Layne’s Will Open a Houston-Area Location | Eater Houston

"I'm excited that Layne’s, a College Station chicken-strip restaurant with a cult following among Texas A&M graduates, is opening its first Houston-area outpost sometime this summer at 23703 Cinco Ranch Road in Katy. A stalwart since 1994, the chain is known for crispy fried chicken tenders that are cut, battered, and freshly cooked at the restaurant, served with a variety of dipping sauces or tucked into a sandwich on Texas toast (with or without bacon and cheddar) alongside sides like fries and potato salad. Layne’s also boasts its own secret sauce, the recipe for which is a frequent topic of discussion for Aggies who've moved away; the chain has been expanding beyond College Station in recent years (opening three Dallas‑Fort Worth locations) and fans famously drove upwards of two hours for those openings — “I can’t imagine what Houston will do,” partner Matt O’Reilly said. The Houston restaurant will be operated by Masroor Fatany, a Texas A&M alum who runs five Halal Guys locations in Houston and said, “We have wanted a Layne’s in Houston for years” and is thrilled to reconnect fellow Aggies with some food from home." - Amy McCarthy