Texas A&M Student Favorite Opens First Houston-Area Restaurant In Katy

closeup of fried chicken sandwich on Texas Toast

Layne’s Chicken Fingers has opened in Katy, giving locals a taste of the “soon to be famous” tenders that earned an initial following in College Station. The brand’s first Houston-area outpost opened on June 26 at 23703 Cinco Ranch Boulevard, complete with a drive-thru.

Customers will find signature dishes such as crisp chicken fingers, sandwiches, fries, savory dipping sauces and milkshakes. Additional menu items include The Sandwich, which includes three fried chicken fingers smothered in Layne’s Sauce that are tucked between thick pieces of Texas toast, a cheerful, bright yellow mustard potato salad spiked with vegetables and herbs, and hand spun milkshakes in chocolate, vanilla, strawberry and salted caramel. 

Founder and former owner Mike Layne opened the original location in College Station in 1994, and he befriended many Texas A&M students during its first year in business. One of those students was Mike Garratt, who worked alongside Layne for a time and would later become the company’s sole owner. The Aggie theme continues in the restaurant’s progression to Houston.

During his time as a student at Texas A&M, Houston native Masroor Fatany, who is now CEO of AYG Food Services, LLC, also became a Layne’s fan as it provided a fun, casual and inexpensive spot for post-study refreshment. Fatany was determined to bring the concept to Space City, and his persistence eventually paid off. He chose Katy because, according to Fatany, it has the largest community of Texas A&M graduates in the state. (If Fatany’s name sounds familiar, it’s thanks to another out-of-town restaurant that he introduced to Houston: The Halal Guys, which started in New York City.)

“The grand opening of the first and only Layne’s Chicken Fingers in the Greater Houston area exceeded all our expectations. Unlike most fried chicken restaurants, Layne’s Chicken Fingers serves all its food made-to-order,” explains Fatany. “There are no heat lamps, which preserves the quality of the menu items we are serving to our friends and neighbors.” 

overhead view of fried chicken dishes

Choose from chicken fingers, sandwiches, fries, milkshakes and more at Layne’s Chicken Fingers in Katy. Photo by Becca Wright.Plans are for Layne’s Chicken Fingers to expand across the Lone Star State, with franchises already popping up in north Texas, and additional locations expected in the Houston area. “In the next five years, you can expect to see a Layne’s location in every major Texas city,” said Fatany with confidence.

Layne’s Chicken Fingers is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

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