Going to Garden Oak

Common Bond bakes up exciting drive-thru concept in Garden Oaks

Common Bond is coming to Garden Oaks.

Courtesy of Common Bond

Common Bond On The Go is on the move. CEO George Joseph has already signed a lease for a second location of the bakery-cafe’s recently introduced drive-thru concept in Garden Oaks at 3210 N. Shepherd Dr.

“I think it’s an up-and-coming area,” Joseph tells CultureMap. “A lot of nice homes, a lot of families. I think it’ll be a great place for the neighborhood.”

Working with Craig Garcia of Gage Architecture, Inc., Common Bond will convert the former Kim’s Service Station into a drive-thru cafe. One of the bays will become the ordering area, and customers will then drive around back to pick up their coffee and croissants, Joseph says. It should open in early 2021.

"In a time of such uncertainty, what hasn’t changed is our commitment to thoughtfully curating our communities by responding to consumer demand," Monica Danna, leasing and marketing director for Re:Vive Development, tells CultureMap in an email. "While those demands may look different these days, Revive has increased our focus on partnering with insightful operators, like Common Bond, who share our vision of identifying key areas proven to help businesses continue to operate. Having a drive-through operation on busy North Shepherd in Garden Oaks was something we always envisioned for this property, underscored now by current restaurant challenges. We are thrilled to welcome Common Bond to the Garden Oaks and Oak Forest neighborhoods."

Common Bond introduced the On The Go concept in May when it opened the first location in the former Sam’s Fried Chicken and Donuts space in The Heights. It features a greatest hits menu of the cafe's popular items such as cookies, pastries, and croissants, plus savory items such as sandwiches, salads, and a few unique dishes created by executive chef Jason Gould. Beer and wine are also available.

Joseph adds that the success of the Heights location’s first six weeks has inspired him to move quickly to secure additional On The Go locations. Part of this spot’s appeal is that it’s on the delivery route between the company’s full service cafe in the Heights and its soon-to-open outpost at CityPlace in Springwoods Village. With drive-thru locations becoming even more important for people looking to practice social distancing, Joseph sees On The Go as a key component of Common Bond’s future.

“Hopefully we can find good locations. That’s the biggest concern,” Joseph says. “You want it to be convenient for people. Hopefully on the right side of the road for where people are going to work, so they can get their coffee and pastry on their way.”

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News about Common Bond On The Go Garden Oaks was first reported by The Leader.

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What's Eric Eating Episodes 518 and 519

Meet the men behind River Oaks' new destination for bowls and broth

Photo by Becca Wright

Find Honest Mary's in the River Oaks Shopping Center.

On this week’s episode of “What’s Eric Eating,” Honest Mary’s founder Nelson Monteith and COO Andrew Wiseman joined CultureMap editor Eric Sandler to discuss the Austin-based restaurant that just opened its first Houston location in the River Oaks Shopping Center (2047-A West Gray St).

Monteith shares that he started the restaurant in 2017 in order to fulfill his vision of a restaurant which could serve food that’s fast, fresh, and affordable. A trained chef who operated pioneering Austin restaurant Contigo, Wiseman joined the group to bring both culinary expertise and operational acumen to the grouping company.

Part of what sets Honest Mary’s apart is that diners can add cooked vegetables to the rice and proteins at the heart of every bowl. The “Market Sides” section includes an array of roasted vegetables — including sweet potatoes, cauliflower, broccoli, beets, and Brussels sprouts — as well as black beans, maple-glazed carrots, and green lentils. Bowls can be further enhanced with toppings such as Texas pecans, crispy chickpeas, goat cheese, avocado, and apples as well as sauces such as creamy poblano, cashew lime crema, sesame vinaigrette, spicy peanut, chimichurri and apple cider vinaigrette

Monteith explains that looking at the ingredients on display usually inspires him when he’s deciding what to eat at Honest Mary’s.

“I will almost always look at the line and see what looks fresh and good,” Monteith says. “Today, I got the salted kale with white rice. Then, I got garlic-pepper steak. I added on lentils — they’re my go-to in the winter. They blend everything together, and I love it Then Brussels sprouts looked green. I got some jalapenos. Avocados, cause that’s healthy. Then I got the chimichurri sauce.”

Honest Mary’s is also known for its hearty broths, a classic chicken and a vegetarian option made with seaweed and mushroom. Sandler raves about the chicken broth to Wiseheart, who shares how it’s made.

“We spent six or seven months testing recipes and drinking it ourselves to see if it’s a good idea,” Wiseman says. “I talk about it as a great complement to the menu. It’s healthy. It’s really simple. Most of the kitchens I came up with were rooted in French cuisine. This is just chicken stock with salt in it.”

Listen to the full episode to hear more about Honest Mary’s plans for additional locations in Houston and Dallas. Then Monteith asks a Sandler a few questions about the Houston dining scene.

In this week’s other episode, Sandler and co-host Mary Clarkson discuss the news of the week. Their topics include Home Slice Pizza opening a new location in the Heights; the closures of Brett’s BBQ Shop in Katy and Killen’s Barbecue in The Woodlands; and Esquire including ChòpnBlok on its list of America’s best new restaurants.

In the restaurant of the week segment, the two friends discuss their recent meal at Hypsi, the Italian restaurant in the newly-opened Hotel Daphne. Listen to the episode to hear their favorite dishes and other thoughts on the meal.

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Subscribe to "What's Eric Eating" on Apple podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Hear it Sunday at 9 am on ESPN 97.5.

Photo by Becca Wright

Find Honest Mary's in the River Oaks Shopping Center.

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