Fighting Hunger Too

Locavores rejoice: Restaurants team up to Go Texan and offer truly localingredients

The Go Texas Restaurant Round-Up is afoot this week, with scores ofparticipating restaurants across the Houston area.
Texas agricultural commissioner Todd Staples talks locally-sourced food withBreakfast Klub owner Marcus Davis.

The Breakfast Klub was hopping when Texas Department of Agriculture commissioner Todd Staples joined a group of area leaders and reporters to celebrate the fifth annual Go Texan Restaurant Round-Up — a week long event devoted to restaurants using ingredients from Texas farms, ranches and wineries.

Through Sunday, participating restaurants throughout the state will contribute a portion of their proceeds to local food banks, providing more than 100,000 meals for hungry Texans. This year, Harris County diners will be helping Houston Food Bank.

"It's always been very important for us to have close working relationships with our suppliers," Mel Davis said.

"This is an initiative of the Texas Department of Agriculture to recognize and showcase the quality foods and beverages coming from producers in the state," Staples, a Republican running for Texas lieutenant governor in 2014, told CultureMap.

"With the Restaurant Round-Up, we discovered that there's no better advertisement than a well-satisfied consumer. This has become the premier marketing campaign for us to highlight all things Texas."

Representatives from Houston Food Bank and agricultural lender Farm Credit, which is sponsoring the Round-Up, enjoyed an early morning meal from the Breakfast Klub's regular lineup of regional food providers — sausage from the Chappell Hill Sausage Company, Texas toast from Ashcraft Bakery, local bacon from Jake's Finer Foods and coffee from Geva Premium.

"It's always been very important for us to have close working relationships with our suppliers," explained Mel Davis of the Breakfast Klub. "For example, a guy named Dustin has been bringing us fresh eggs ever since we opened 11 years ago. Once a month, he drops off a hand-written invoice.

"It's a wonderful, friendly business arrangement that's been essential to maintaining the quality of our food here."

Across the city, the Go Texan Round-Up has rustled up favorite foodie hotspots like Mark's American Cuisine, Plonk Bistro and Kiran's, many of which will be offering exclusive dishes and promotions. Haven is featuring an special three-course meal for $35 a person while Brennan's is using the week to highlight its increasingly local menu.

Visit the Texas Department of Agriculture's Go Texan website for a full list of restaurant participants.

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Bowling over Houston

Gluten-free Austin restaurant picks River Oaks for first Houston store

Rendering of Honest Mary's in River Oaks

Rendering by Mark Odom Studio

Honest Mary's, an Austin-based eatery, is expanding with a new location in Houston's River Oaks in fall 2025.

It will be a Houston homecoming for restauranteur Nelson Monteith with the fall 2025 debut of Honest Mary’s in River Oaks.

“It’s a joy and honor to bring a brand we’ve worked hard to create in Austin and finally be able to share that concept with friends and family in Houston,” Monteith said in a statement. “There’s a bit of built-in comfort in knowing there are folks here who are already fans of Honest Mary’s. They’ve been asking us for years to open a location in Houston, and now it’s happening.”

Located at 2047-A West Gray St., Honest Mary's will occupy the current La Madeleine space. It is not known at this time when La Madeleine will close, but construction on Honest Mary's is expected to begin in May 2025.

Monteith and his wife, Mary, launched Honest Mary’s in 2017 after embracing mindful eating to improve their health. Since then, the Austin-based eatery that describes itself as serving "life-giving fast food" has expanded to four locations, with the upcoming River Oaks spot marking its arrival in Houston.

“There’s healthy food, fresh food, and fast food,” he said. “We wanted to create something that fits into that sweet spot without sacrificing quality or convenience. The trend towards healthy eating and the reality of busy lifestyles aren’t slowing down. We offer a place that caters to both.”

At the center of Honest Mary’s menu are five signature bowls ranging from poke to vegetarian, including the smoky poblano ($10.25) that features a basmati rice base with fresh vegetables of wild arugula, sweet corn, and pickled onions in a creamy poblano sauce. Co-partner and chef Andrew Wiseheart, known for Austin’s Contigo and Ladybird Taco, leads the kitchen.

Honest Mary's menu features healthy, gluten-free bowls. Guests can choose from five signature bowls at Honest Mary's, or create their own.Courtesy of Honest Mary's

Diners can build their own bowls by selecting a base like quinoa, proteins including grilled chicken and tuna, and vegetables such as sweet potatoes. Pickled onions, cucumber salad, and avocado are among the topping selections, with sauces like lemon garlic and cashew-lime crema.

Scratch-made sipping broths round out the menu, with the chicken bone broth packed with celery, carrots, onions and parsley, or an umami-rich seaweed and mushroom broth.

A selection of house-made aguas frescas and teas, local craft beer, wine, kombucha, and organic cold-pressed juices will be available, as will Honest Mary’s popular almond butter cookies sweetened with maple syrup and topped with a sprinkle of Maldon salt.

Rendering by Mark Odom Studio

Honest Mary's, an Austin-based eatery, is expanding with a new location in Houston's River Oaks in fall 2025.

With its fully gluten-free menu, Honest Mary’s caters to a range of dietary preferences, including vegetarian, vegan, and dairy-free. To align with Monteith’s dedication to nutrition, Honest Mary’s uses seed oils sparingly and prioritizes local and organic ingredients when possible.

“River Oaks Shopping Center has a unique blend of history and vibrant new concepts, making it the ideal home for us,” Monteith said. “We aim to be a neighborhood spot where people can enjoy delicious, healthy food.”

Lunden McGill and John Frazier of Baker Katz brokered the deal for the 2,200-square-foot space and additional patio with seating for 38 inside and 44 outside. Mark Odom Studio is responsible for architecture and design.

Honest Mary’s signature elements of terra cotta and blue tilework will be incorporated to provide consistency between all five locations, while Art Deco-inspired decor of lush greenery, warm wood tones and natural light will align the space with the River Oaks Shopping Center’s structure.

Takeaway, delivery, and dine-in will be provided daily from 11 am to 9 pm.

news-you-can-eat openings honest mary's