The Woodlands Edition | March 2024

Dining

BY JOVANNA AGUILAR

The Crispy Fried Chicken ($14.99) platter includes a choice of side dish.

COURTESY SOUTHERN ICE CO.

The Nuts and Berries salad ($13.99) includes mixed greens, pecans, blueberries and feta.

The Southern burger ($16.99) includes bacon, fried pickles, pimento cheese, lettuce and tomato.

JOVANNA AGUILARCOMMUNITY IMPACT

Father and daughter team up to open sports bar

Father and daughter Autumn and Mark Zientek brought Southern Ice Co., a family-friendly sports bar, to The Woodlands area Nov. 30 with years of experience in the industry and the community. About the owners Among his 37 years of experience in the restau- rant industry, Mark Zientek owned and operated The Refuge Bar & Bistro in The Woodlands. The bar has since closed as he switched gears to focus on The Refuge Steakhouse & Bourbon Bar. “I have worked every position in the restaurant business for 27 of those 37 years in The Wood- lands,” Mark Zientek said. His experience in The Woodlands community stems from 50 years as a resident as well as his time working for The Woodlands Development Company. Mark Zientek said he managed hospitality opera- tions for The Woodlands Development Company, now Howard Hughes. After selling The Refuge Bar & Bistro, Mark Zientek decided to open a bar with a dierent approach alongside his daughter, Autumn Zientek. Autumn Zientek said her desire to join the indus- try came during her time serving and bartending for her father at The Refuge Bar & Bistro. She is now the general manager of Southern Ice Co. “It’s just a place of comfort. You know, you get good food and friendly service,” Autumn Zientek said.

What’s special about it? Mark Zientek said they established the concept of the Southern Ice Co. to oer the community a family-centered sports bar. “I think the area needed a family friendly, casual, everyday restaurant to go to,” Mark Zientek said. “We wanted to oer somewhere to come as you are. Watch a game and bring the whole family.” Southern Ice Co. oers a Southern-style cuisine menu with a Cajun air and full bar. The Southern twist to bar food includes fried chicken, fried catsh and its Southern burger. It’s 5 o’clock somewhere With liquor sourced from local liquor store Twin Liquors, Southern Ice Co. oers draft beer, wine and a selection of craft cocktails. A few craft cocktails include the spicy margarita with jalapeno tequila, cucumber, pineapple, lime and Tajin seasoning on the rim; and Backyard Lemonade made with Crown Peach and lemonade. Along with the bar, the location oers 19 at- screen televisions for patrons to kick back and enjoy sports paired with Cajun-style cuisine. “I’ve built my career on hospitality and taking care of people, and that’s what we oer; we have a great sta, and that’s what they do,” Mark Zientek said.

Father and daughter duo Autumn and Mark Zientek brought Southern Ice Co. to The Woodlands in late 2023.

JOVANNA AGUILARCOMMUNITY IMPACT

Bartender Marwan Redmon prepares a spicy margarita with a Tajin-coated rim.

JOVANNA AGUILARCOMMUNITY IMPACT

E S

KUYKENDAHL RD.

8510 Creekside Forest Drive, Ste. E-200, Tomball www.southernicecotx.com

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