Following a few months of permit angst and the placement of a red pig in the parking lot, the N. Shepherd location of Dallas-import pizza join Cane Rosso says it will open this evening at 5pm. Cane Rosso’s other planned Houston spot is still getting worked over on Yoakum St. at Richmond Ave.
Just beating it to the punch this afternoon is the even-longer-delayed 4th location of  Niko Niko’s Greek & American Bakery & Cafe, opening at 3pm in the former Chili’s building across the parking lot from Houston Community College’s Spring Branch campus:
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The fast-casual chain also operates out of the Business Center Dr. H-E-B plus! in Pearland and a standalone kiosk in Market Square, in addition to its original Montrose Blvd. location north of Missouri St.
Previously on Swamplot: What’s Getting Wrapped Up on the Corners of 19th and N. Shepherd; All Is Chill at the Shuttered I-10 and Beltway 8 Chili’s, Where a Niko Niko’s Has Been Promised
Photos: Cane Rosso The Heights (top, )Niko Niko’s (bottom)
Why do they have a statue of a red pig out front when their name means “red dog” in Italian?
OK, I’m confused. So, cane is dog in Italian and rosso is red in Italian, and there’s the red pig in front of the restaurant instead of an armadillo.
Owner doesn’t want people to think there is anything canine in the pizzas? Chain founder has a dog rescue operation called Cane Rosso, according to their web site.
Maybe they just didn’t want for there to be any confusion as to what’s on the menu? The dog statues were back ordered and they didn’t want another delay? Maybe a running gag and they’ll periodically cycle through different red animal statues? Cuz Merica?
It’s just marketing. People are used to seeing pigs & cows as symbols of slaughter for a feast and start salivating. Which is a shame as there’s actually some rather good dog breeds.
Joel, as in ‘good’ tasty or ‘good’ friendly?