Houston pizza bar owner says he was arrested after dispute over health permit

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- The owner of a popular Washington Avenue restaurant says he was arrested after a dispute with city health inspectors over whether his business had a valid permit to operate.

Surveillance video recorded May 6 inside Betelgeuse Betelgeuse shows owner Chris Cusack speaking with Houston Health Department officials before he was taken into custody.

"I was pretty dazed, and all I could do is comply until it all got figured out," Cusack said.

Cusack was charged with failure to comply with local health and sanitary laws after authorities accused the restaurant of operating without a food dealer's permit.

The Houston Health Department says food dealer permits are valid for one year and must be renewed annually.

Cusack disputes the allegation, saying he has paperwork he believes proves the business had renewed its permit in March.

"I pulled it off the wall and showed it to him," Cusack said. "He said it wasn't the right business. I said it has my business' name and address on it."

Cusack said inspectors questioned whether the permit was tied to the correct business identification number.

"(The inspector) saw the first ID and said, 'Ah ha, that's the one you're working under, so therefore this isn't valid,'" Cusack said.

ABC13 reached out to the Houston Health Department with questions about the arrest. The department referred questions to the Houston Police Department.

According to HPD, the health department ordered the business closed in October 2025 for operating without a permit, though officials did not specify which type of permit was involved.

Police said the business was instructed to remain closed until it complied with health regulations. On May 4, inspectors learned the restaurant was open, according to HPD. Inspectors returned two days later, when Cusack was arrested.

Cusack said he was never told to shut down the business and questioned why inspectors waited months before returning.

The restaurant, known for pizza and drinks, reopened following the arrest and was serving customers again on Wednesday.

Cusack also expressed concern about what he described as aggressive enforcement targeting Washington Avenue businesses.

The entertainment district has faced increased law enforcement scrutiny in recent years as city leaders attempted to curb reckless behavior and nightlife-related crime.

"Washington Avenue business owners are just being confused by these intense raids on businesses for what are typically really basic scenarios," Cusack said.

Court records show Cusack is scheduled to appear in court on Thursday on the charge.