A little over a year after its debut, Terrence Gallivan has shared the sad news that he’s shutting down his cozy Montrose-Midtown pizzeria. Elro Pizza & Crudo’s last day of service will be Dec. 31.
Elro was a hotly anticipated affair when it first opened in June 2023 at 2405 Genesee St. The charming restaurant and bungalow, named after Gallivan’s children, was his first solo effort following the closure of the critically acclaimed restaurant Pass & Provisions in 2019.
Elro’s menu was in its name: pizza and crudo. In a 2023 press release, Gallivan acknowledged the undeniable popularity of pizza. In a hot city like Houston, he said at the time, it just made sense to pair pizza with “lighter, more refreshing” seafood served cold.
“I am so grateful for the dedication of our staff and the support of our guests over the last year and a half,” read a post on Elro’s Instagram account on Tuesday.
A restaurant closing is always unfortunate, but a big part of why this one is especially tragic is the fact that people genuinely liked Elro. During its 18-month run, Gallivan’s pizzeria had steadily accrued impressive recognition during its 18-month run, including a spot on the Chronicle’s Top 100 and other exclusive lists around town. But all that glitters isn’t gold; in an interview with CultureMap, Gallivan candidly revealed that the restaurant had seen a steady drop in business over several months, and they just couldn’t turn things around.
Perhaps the other factor adding to the sadness is the specter of Pass & Provisions that continues to linger above Gallivan, co-owner Seth Siegel-Gardner, and pretty much anyone else who pays attention to food in Houston. The dual-restaurant concept at 807 Taft St. was part of a vanguard of new, high-profile restaurants that attracted national and international attention and acclaim. Pass & Provisions closed in 2019, and its address has since been taken over by the hit restaurant Bludorn, but its impact on the local food scene has never been forgotten.