Photos by Nick RamaFood & Drink
Local Eats: Yard House opens in The Woodlands
Yard House, celebrated for its world-class beer selection, diverse food menu, and classic rock vibes, opened its newest location in The Woodlands in February 2025. Learn more about Yard House The Woodlands in our interview with General Manager Jimmy Craighead.
THE STORY:
The first Yard House opened in 1996 in Long Beach, California and quickly became one of Southern California’s most popular gathering places, cementing their position at the forefront of the craft beer revolution. Back then Yard House set out to create the largest beer system on the planet, and while it was no easy feat, they made it happen. Their proprietary draft beer system features miles of beer lines that stretch from the keg room to the center island bar, ensuring the beer stays cold its entire journey so every pour is consistently fresh and perfectly chilled.
Today, Yard House has over 90 restaurants across 27 states, offering an extensive selection of over 100 taps featuring a mix of classic American mainstream beers, craft brews, and imports. The glass-enclosed keg room continues to be a staple of the brand at every location, along with their commitment to serving the perfect pint chilled to 36 degrees, every time. While they continue to expand across the country, each of their restaurants source inspiration locally. The Yard House beer experts carefully curate a selection of local beers, ensuring that no two locations have the same beer list.
THE NAME:
The name Yard House is inspired by our signature half yards of beer, which holds 32 ounces. Yard House has many choices on tap, and the company is very passionate about beer!
THE VIBE:
General Manager Jimmy Craighead: “The atmosphere at Yard House is always energetic, highly social, and fun. It’s where our guests come together to enjoy all their favorite brews – perfectly chilled – as they cheer on their home team, wind down for a happy hour, or catch up with friends. Our unique circular bar serves as the heart of the restaurant – literally positioned in the center of it all. Our extensive playlist of classic rock and modern favorites adds to the energy and fun of each dining experience.”
THE INSPIRATION:
We asked Jimmy why the company decided The Woodlands was chosen to open a location here, and he responded that “The Woodlands is a vibrant, lively community, and Yard House is a natural fit for the area. This marks our third location in the greater Houston area and the 9th in Texas, making it a meaningful milestone for our presence in the region. We’re excited to be part of such a dynamic community and to bring our diverse selection of beers—from local Texas brews to favorites from around the globe—to The Woodlands.”
THE GOODS:
If you’re looking for the best variety of beer, look no further than the Yard House in The Woodlands, Texas. Located in front of The Woodlands Mall, guests can enjoy American-style dishes, and the world’s largest selection of draft beer with 90+ taps. There’s something for everyone to enjoy for lunch, dinner, happy hour, and late-night dining. Experience great food, classic rock, and the world’s largest selection of draft beer. For the non-beer drinkers, wine and cocktails, and even mocktails are available.
Yard House appetizers that you can’t go wrong with the Wings, Chicken Nachos, Ahi Poke Nachos, and Sliders. If you’re looking for something that makes a statement, the Onion Ring Tower and Jumbo Bavarian Pretzel are definite crowd-pleasers! Pair any of the above with an ice-cold yard of your favorite beer.
Burgers are 100% USDA Prime Beef, and our Classic Cheeseburger and BBQ Bacon Burger are top picks
Pizzas are also popular; Pepperoni, Carnivore, and Margherita pizzas are the fan favorites—perfect for sharing (or not!).
Mains: From bold flavors to comfort food, Jambalaya, Whiskey Glazed Salmon, Bone-In Ribeye, and Lobster Garlic Noodles are among our most-loved entrées. Other standouts? Our Nashville Hot Chicken & Pancakes and Thai Pork Chop—both packed with flavor!
Sandwiches: The House Cheesesteak, Chicken & Avocado Sandwich, and Nashville Hot Chicken sandwich all also hold their own.
THE BAR:
Yard House is always on the lookout for new, trending, and innovative beer styles to round out their lineup. The managers listen to their guests, brewing partners, and team members to find out what beers people are excited about, and they connect with local breweries to discover their most popular styles. The result is a carefully curated beer list that showcases a diverse mix of brewers and flavors—once the kegs roll in, they are bringing and serving you the very best in beer.
Yard House also takes pride in collaborating with world-renowned breweries to craft their own unique House Beers. Together with brewers, they have created everything from classic styles with a Yard House twist to innovative brews with bold, complex flavors, designed to complement the food menu perfectly.
(James) “That’s why we invest in our team’s beer expertise through the Cicerone® Certification Program. This industry-leading program ensures our team members have the knowledge and skills to guide guests through our extensive beer selection, offering expert recommendations and pairing suggestions. Whether you’re a casual beer drinker or a craft enthusiast, our certified beer experts are here to elevate your experience, helping you discover new favorites with every visit.”
The bar program is massive. Yard House is known for having one of the largest selections of draft beer, with over 100 taps at each location. Inside, hundreds of steel barrels store up to 3,000 gallons of beer, which flows through miles of overhead lines to the tap handles encircling the bar, ensuring every pour is fresh and perfectly chilled.
The vast selection of beer at the bar includes a dynamic mix of local craft breweries, international favorites, seasonal offerings, and rotating taps, bringing guests a diverse and ever-evolving lineup.
Beyond beer, Yard House offers a full bar featuring premium spirits, expertly crafted cocktails, and a thoughtfully curated wine selection, including red, white, rosé, and sparkling wines.
Guests can also enjoy our unbeatable Happy Hour, available Monday through Friday from 3–6 p.m., featuring half-price appetizers and $1–$4 off beer, wine, and cocktails.
COMMUNITY:
Yard House is proud to give back to the community through their Harvest program, where they donate high-quality surplus food to a local food bank each week. This initiative helps ensure that fresh, wholesome food reaches those in need rather than going to waste.
THE GENERAL MANAGER’S FAVORITE MEAL:
(James) I’d start with the Ahi Poke Nachos. The crispy wontons, fresh ahi, and creamy avocado with a little heat make for the perfect bite. For a drink, I’d go with the Smoked Old Fashioned or the Lone Pint Yellow Rose IPA, depending on my mood. For the entrée, the Lobster Garlic Noodles are my go-to. Finally, no meal is complete without something sweet, so I’d wrap it up with the Brookie.
WHAT THE LOCALS ARE ORDERING:
(James Craighead, explains all the guest favorites by each category of the menu)
Appetizers: Yard House offers many appetizer options, including nachos, wings, fried foods, and dips. Our Poke Nachos are a guest favorite and bring together bold flavors and textures. They have—crispy wontons, fresh marinated ahi, and a perfect mix of creamy, spicy, and savory sauces. Every bite delivers the perfect balance of crunch, heat, and umami.
Handhelds & Burgers: At Yard House, our handhelds bring big flavor to every bite, from stacked sandwiches to juicy burgers. The Two Pepper Jack burger is a favorite—our signature Prime blend patty topped with roasted jalapeños and poblanos, melty pepper jack cheese, and a kick of chipotle ranch for the perfect balance of spice and savory.
Sandwiches: Our Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich brings the heat with crispy, fiery-hot chicken, cooled down by a sweet slaw, melty white cheddar, and smooth garlic aïoli—all on a soft brioche bun. It’s bold, flavorful, and downright irresistible.
Tacos: Yard House offers an extensive taco menu with something for every palate, but the Vampire Taco is a standout. With a crispy cheese-crusted tortilla, savory carnitas, smoky bacon, and roasted garlic, balanced by creamy avocado, tangy salsa roja, and a touch of sour cream, it’s a must-try for any taco lover.
Pizza: Yard House serves up a variety of pizzas, from classic pepperoni to fresh Margherita, but the Three Cheese Pizza is a timeless favorite. It’s a perfect blend of mozzarella, provolone, and romano melted over rich tomato sauce on a crispy, golden crust, it’s simple, cheesy perfection in every bite.
Mains: If you want a full meal, guests can enjoy some of our main dishes like grilled salmon, mac & cheese, and steak. These meals come with sides like mashed potatoes or vegetables, making them filling and satisfying.
Steak & Chops: One of our favorites is the Korean Ribeye—marinated in sweet soy ginger for the perfect balance of savory and caramelized goodness, paired with crispy chili garlic fries and finished with parmesan and green onions. It’s a feast for the senses.
Chicken: We have a variety of chicken dishes, including orange chicken, cilantro lime chicken, our chicken bowl, and more. Our Orange Chicken is the perfect mix of sweet, tangy, and savory and is—crispy chicken coated in a bright orange glaze, served with tender bok choy, baby corn, and fluffy jasmine rice for a flavorful, well-balanced dish.
Seafood: We also offer a variety of seafood dishes, from fresh salmon to flavorful shrimp and ahi tuna. Our Lobster Garlic Noodles are pure indulgence and feature tender Maine lobster and shrimp tossed with umami-packed shiitake mushrooms, fresh spinach, and a savory garlic sauce, finished with parmesan for the perfect touch of richness.
Salads: Our Ahi Tuna Crunchy salad is a great option and offers a balance of freshness and texture. It is a —seared rare, blackened ahi tuna atop crisp field greens, crunchy wontons, and a light, tangy soy vinaigrette for a refreshing and satisfying bite.
Dessert: Yard House serves up classic American desserts. Our Oreo Brookie is the ultimate indulgence—it is cookie dough fudge brownie and Oreo crumbles, drizzled with rich chocolate and caramel sauces, and topped with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream.
Cocktails: Yard House has something for everyone, from Margaritas and Mules to refreshing Mocktails and more. Whatever your vibe, we’ve got the perfect drink to match.
Beer: There are over 100 unique taps featuring American craft and imported beers, including a handful of taps reserved for local and regional brewers from the Houston area. A glass-enclosed keg room showcases hundreds of steel barrels containing as much as 4,000 gallons of beer that flow to the center-island bar through an extensive network of tubing positioned overhead, pouring each beer at a perfect 36 degrees.
Apps (Under 700 calories): One of our appetizers that are under 700 is our Blackened Ahi Sashimi, which is a flavorful dish—seared rare for the perfect texture, paired with a savory soy vinaigrette, fiery wasabi, and bright pickled ginger to enhance every bite.
Starters (Under 700 calories): Our Chicken Tortilla Soup delivers bold, comforting flavors with creamy white cheddar, roasted pasilla peppers, and crunchy tortilla strips—all while staying under 700 calories, so you can enjoy every spoonful guilt-free.
Mains (Under 700 calories): Our Thai Grilled Pork Chop delivers bold flavors and is—tender, smoky pork paired with vibrant basil cilantro cauliflower ‘fried rice’ and a touch of spicy honey sauce, all under 700 calories.
Yard House offers Gardein, a delicious, high-protein, plant-based alternative, giving guests the option to enjoy a veggie-forward spin on signature dishes. YardHouse also has a gluten-sensitive menu that offers a variety of options, from appetizers and salads to sandwiches, street tacos, steaks, seafood, and even beer—all modified to be made without gluten-containing ingredients.
WRAPPING IT ALL UP:
According to James, their success so far is attributed to having an incredible team of passionate, hard working people excited to share the Yard House experience with The Woodlands community. “The area has been extremely welcoming, and we are excited to continue building relationships in the area.”
The team effort is what James loves the most of The Woodlands location, “Huge shout-out to the entire team. They’ve been working hard to keep up with the energy of our new restaurant, delivering amazing food with every order. I truly couldn’t do it without them, and I’m very grateful for everything they do behind the scenes to make each meal memorable!”
Yard House at home? Place an order for a variety of Takeout Platters perfect for game days, casual get-togethers, or office events. Expertly designed to serve 6-8 people, and guests can choose from their appetizers, salads, sandwiches, or mains, such as a Mac + Cheese Platter or Nashville Hot Chicken Platter.
The Woodlands Yard House definitely has something for just about every palate, a great place to hang out with friends and family for great food, beer and cocktails any day of the week.
5 WORDS TO DESCRIBE YARD HOUSE?
“Where Beer and Food Lovers Unite”
Yard House The Woodlands:
- Address: 1105 Lake Woodlands Dr The Woodlands, TX 77380
- Hours of operation
- Sun-Thu 11:00AM-12:00AM
- Fri-Sat 11:00AM-2:00AM
Website: https://www.yardhouse.com/home
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YardHouse
Nick Rama is a food writer, contributor to Hello Woodlands, and shares his restaurant experiences on Nick’s Local Eats at NicksLocalEats.com and on the TX BBQ, Burgers, and Brew Facebook page. Nick enjoys helping small business owners, supporting his community by fundraising for food banks, and plans tasting events with locally owned mom and pop restaurants.
