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    Introducing Grit Grocery

    Fresh food truck rolls out new healthy way for Houstonians to shop for their meals

    Eric Sandler
    Apr 19, 2018 | 1:25 pm

    By any measure, the grocery business is in a period of major changes. Amazon’s acquisition of Whole Foods, meal delivery kits like Blue Apron, and even H-E-B’s purchase of the Favor delivery app are all signs that the way people purchase food for their homes will be different in the future.

    At the same time, the farm to table movement has made diners more aware than ever of where their food comes from. Home cooks can acquire local produce at places like the weekly Urban Harvest farmers market or through Community Supported Agriculture programs from local farms like Loam Agronomics.

    A new business aims to put its own spin on all these trends. Grit Grocery is a food truck that sells fresh produce, meat, seafood, dry goods, and more. Founded by two men with Rice MBAs, Dustin Windham and Jamal Ansari, and a third, Michael Powell, who has a Ph.D. in Cultural Anthropology and has done extensive research into the way people shop for groceries, Grit aims to be a convenient way for people to purchase fresh, healthy food.

    “We often like to say it’s a farmers market on wheels,” Powell tells CultureMap. “It’s mostly local product. We don’t do processed food. It’s everything you need to put together a whole meal.”

    The truck operates on a set schedule (shared on social media) that takes it to a different neighborhood each weekday from 3 pm to 9 pm. Shoppers can either purchase raw ingredients to create their own recipes or “meal bundles” that offer all the ingredients needed to prepare a specific dish.

    “On a day like today, I’ve studied this food stuff, shopping patterns and things like that, most people don’t know what’s for dinner tonight,” Powell says. “One of the things we really want to focus on is delivering that meal solution: something fresh, easy to cook, with really good ingredients . . . It’s really a more friendly and community-based experience versus the typical grocery store experience.”

    Part of that experience comes from the Grit staff, who are trained to offer advice about where the ingredients come from and how to prepare them. Farmers market shoppers will recognize many of the purveyors, which include local farms like Gundermann Acres, Galveston’s Katie’s Seafood Market, Brazos Valley Cheese, and others. Prices are similar to Whole Foods, but Powell expects them to decrease as Grit’s buying power grows.

    “Another thing is the typical grocery store has 30,000 products. We have about 300,” Powell says. “You can step up and see everything we have to offer. Simplifying the process, I think that’s where we have something to offer.”

    The truck has been operating full-time for a couple of weeks. Customers have responded so favorably that Grit leased a 3,000-square-foot warehouse to store more product and has begun construction on a second truck that will allow it to reach more people.

    Whereas a grocery store takes millions of dollars and years to build, Grit can spec out a new truck for about $50,000, which gives the business the flexibility to grow quickly. Ultimately, Powell says the partners would like to work with community organizations to find opportunities to bring Grit to food deserts that lack options to purchase the sort of fresh ingredients the truck sells. Grocery stores and mail order meal kits aren’t going away, but the partners feel bullish that Grit can establish its own niche.

    “Food retail has always been evolving. I don’t think there’s any one solution,” Powell says. “Even grocery stores it seemed like they had it figured out and then a decade ago Whole Foods comes along, Trader Joes comes along . . . I’ve seen this happen in my work. I’ve seen the history of it. I feel like Grit is one more evolution of what’s going on out there.”

    The Grit Grocery truck at Market Square.

    Grit Grocery Truck
      
    Photo by Philip Emerson
    The Grit Grocery truck at Market Square.
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    Where to Eat Brunch Now

    10 Houston restaurants spicing up brunch with fresh new flavors

    Brianna Griff
    May 16, 2025 | 10:14 am
    Smoked Salmon Latke Kirsten Gilliam Okto Brunch
    Photo by Kirsten Gilliam
    Okto's newly launched brunch features fresh dishes like this smoked salmon latke.

    Houston’s weekend routine just got a jolt of new flavors. From a Peruvian-Vietnamese mash-up to a Mediterranean feast in Montrose and a seafood-driven spread in Autry Park, a wave of both new and established Houston restaurants are rolling out fresh takes on everyone's favorite weekend indulgence. Whether it’s four riffs on eggs Benedict or savoring a foie-gras macaron while being serenaded by a violin, these 10 new options are delivering bold brunches with global influences and tipsy tinctures.

    Alora Restaurant and Bar
    Located in the former Kau Ba space in Montrose, this restaurant touts itself as Houston's only Peruvian-Vietnamese restaurant. For brunch, chefs and married couple Diego Ponce and Makala Ponce have created a menu that fuses the two cuisines — think Lima Hot Chicken and Pandan French Toast ($19) with aji limo pepper balanced by the sweetness of pandan. The Bò Né ($28) is a Vietnamese twist on steak and eggs alongside Comté cheese, pate, and tomatoes, while the salmon on crispy toast ($22) is crowned with guacamole, pickled vegetables, and a passion fruit vinaigrette. Beverages include the Alora Bloody Mary ($15) with pickled quail eggs and green mango. Alora serves brunch 11 am-3 pm on weekends.

    Smoked Salmon Latke Kirsten Gilliam Okto Brunch
      

    Photo by Kirsten Gilliam

    Okto's newly launched brunch features fresh dishes like this smoked salmon latke.

    Chardon
    The Thompson Hotel's fine dining restaurant launched in February, transporting both guests and diners to France with its fare. Chardon has become a destination in its own right, and the addition of weekend brunch makes it even more appealing. Classics like Quiche Lorraine ($18) and Croque Monsieur ($32) sit on the menu alongside creations of delicate Lox et Crêpe with dill crème fraîche ($26) and the Avocado and Haricot Vert Tartine topped with a jammy soft-boiled egg ($17). The Bisous Tower ($23/person) proffers a selection of savory pastries and small bites like foie gras macarons and Texas cornbread madeleines. A violinist sets a soft soundtrack while patrons dine. Brunch is 11 am–3 pm on weekends.

    il Bracco
    The Galleria-area Italian spot just upgraded its weekend offerings with several new bites. Housemade pastries include zeppole with orange marmalade ($10), blueberry focaccia ($9), and an artichoke and arugula scone ($12). The weekend-only bucatini carbonara is now joined by shakshuka alla verde, the restaurant's riffs on eggs in purgatory ($19); frittata with with asparagus, goat cheese, tomatoes, and arugula ($17); and a mortadela sandwich on focaccia ($16). Pair them with a mimosa, espresso martini, or a breakfast martini with a little orange marmalade. Brunch is served Saturday and Sunday from 11 am-3 pm.

    Maximo
    The West U. restaurant's weekend brunch offers a range of masa-based dishes. Consider egg Benedict that swaps the traditional English muffin for masa cornbread or cinnamon-sugar coated masa waffles that are topped with cheesecake whipped cream, Japanese peanuts, and agave syrup. Huevos ahogados, drowned in green tomatillo salsa, are served with a side of corn tortillas to soak up every bite of the mushrooms, greens, and Oaxacan cheese. Pair them with cocktails such as the Java-Horchata Flip (sake, coffee liqueur, horchata, whole egg, peanut chili crisp) and the Sangria Tango (tomatillo, cucumber, coriander, green chili, with the guest’s choice of agave or Mexican gin). Brunch is served on Saturday and Sunday from 11 am-3 pm.

    Melrose
    Created by CultureMap Tastemaker Awards Chef of the Year Emmanuel Chavez, the Montrose lounge serves clever riffs on enduring brunch favorites. Options include charred tomatillo chilaquiles with poached eggs, an acai bowl served in a half coconut, hanger steak with eggs and chimichurri, and a breakfast sandwich made with scrambled eggs, cheese, and brown sugar-roasted “billionaire’s bacon” on a brioche bun. The Melrose Tower channels New York's iconic Sadelle's restaurant with its house-cured lox, mini bagels, chive cream cheese, and accoutrements. Drink options include a spritz, Bloody Mary, and a michelada verde made with tomatillo juice. Brunch is served on Sunday from 11 am-3 pm.

    MF Lobster and Seafood
    The weekend spread at this Autry Park destination aims to elevate Houston’s brunch offerings. Think Benedicts made with silky hollandaise cascading over lobster, braised bacon, pork belly, or classic Canadian bacon (yes, that’s four varieties of the dish). The indulgence continues with wagyu steak and eggs, buttery Maine lobster popovers, and bagels and lox featuring Ora King salmon and roe. For the sweet tooth, choose a brioche pain perdu with caramelized apples and whipped maple mascarpone, or end the meal with a dark chocolate pot de crème. MF Lobster and Seafood serves brunch on Saturday and Sunday from 11 am-2:30 pm.

    Okto
    Sof Hospitality’s Mediterranean restaurant kicks off Sunday with a late-morning feast of fresh flavors such as pan con tomate salad with grilled sourdough and bruleed burrata ($20) and the rich notes of the beet-cured lox atop a potato apple latke ($22). Other highlights include an omelet with blue crab and mascarpone ($24) and a crepe Suzette ($16) accentuated with Grand Marnier, candied orange, and whipped ricotta. Okto’s spot at the trendy Montrose Collective boasts a spacious patio and ample underground parking (or valet). Brunch is served Sunday from 11 am-4 pm at Okto.

    Relish Restaurant and Bar
    The second outpost of this River Oaks staple opened in Memorial’s Town and Country Village at the end of 2024, but only added brunch to its repertoire at the end of April. Flaky herb biscuits ($9), buttermilk pancakes topped with brandied pecans ($15), and a salmon citrus salad with champagne vinaigrette ($24) are just a few of the dishes available. The Italian baked eggs ($18) in a pomodoro sauce with Italian sausage and grilled sourdough is a highlight of the menu. Diners can take advantage of all-day happy hour deals on select cocktails, beer, and wine, with a full espresso bar for those abstaining or still recovering from the previous night’s festivities. Relish serves brunch from 10 am-3 pm on weekends.

    Santé Lounge
    The Upper Kirby lounge’s patio is sure to be a destination for the posh set this summer. Santé's Sunday Funday Brunch features an elevated twist on classics like Dubai chocolate croissants, the grilled-to-order Santé burger with brioche, and a platter laden with five chilled seafood preparations. Patrons can listen as a live DJ spins tunes while relaxing on the patio with its cabanas, chandeliers, and greenery. Order the deviled egg trio (Nashville hot chicken, Tobiko caviar, and ramen egg) and sangria (with white or red wine) for the table. Brunch at Santé is from 12 pm-4 pm on Sunday, with a required dress code.

    Traveler’s Cart
    The Street Market Brunch is an international affair with cinnamon-dusted Morning Churros ($8), Chinese breakfast dumplings ($12) paired with a sambal-oyster-soy sauce, and charming fish-shaped Japanese taiyaki waffles ($9) with yuzu custard filling. Or dig into Turkish cilibir eggs ($15) seasoned with Aleppo pepper, smoked paprika, and za’atar oil. The global tour continues at the bar with "around-the-world" mimosas, a build-your-own Bloody Mary cart, and Don’t Stop the Carnival ($13), a punchy Brazilian coffee cocktail of rum, sweetened condensed milk, and toasted coconut. Traveler’s Cart serves brunch from 10 am-3 pm on Saturday and Sunday.

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