TRA 2018

Tracy Vaught

H Town Restaurant Group


In 1983, geologist-turned-restaurateur Tracy Vaught opened her first restaurant, Backstreet Cafe, in an old house on the edge of Houston’s River Oaks. It was the turning point of her career and life. She met and married Hugo Ortega, whom she has hired as dishwasher, and together they have opened Hugo’s, Caracol and Xochi, and published two cookbooks: “Hugo Ortega’s Street Food of Mexico” and “Backstreet Kitchen: Seasonal Recipes from Our Neighborhood Cafe”. The Houston native has been recognized for her accomplishments by Houston Business Journal and Wine Enthusiast; is a two-time semi-finalist for Outstanding Restaurateur for the James Beard Foundation Awards; and named Outstanding Restaurateur of the Year by Texas Restaurant Association. Tracy is currently a board member of the Texas Restaurant Association. She is co-operator of Third Coast Restaurant located in Texas Medical Center, and part owner of Prego restaurant in Rice Village and Origen restaurant in Oaxaca, Mexico.

Sessions :