a welcome yankee

Montrose's newest craft beer spot serves up choice lagers, IPAs, and pub bites

Southern Yankee Crafthouse is now open in Montrose.

Courtesy of Southern Yankee Crafthouse

A new brewpub recently opened in Montrose. Southern Yankee Crafthouse began serving pizza and beer in the former Good Dog Houston space (1312 West Alabama St.) last month.

Known for beers such as the ¿Qué Pablo? (Mexican Lager) and Paramount Pilsner (Czech Pilsner), Southern Yankee has been winning fans since 2018. Expanding to Montrose allows the growing company to expand its reach while building on elements that have been successful at the original location.

“We knew we wanted our second location to have a comfortable atmosphere and 1312 West Alabama was a great fit," managing owner Alex Porter said in a statement.

Renovations to the space are extensive. Southern Yankee installed a 3,000-pound, 6-foot brick oven to fuel its kitchen. In addition, the interior has been opened up, reclaimed wood floors have been installed, and the patio features a new cover.

Chef Matt Baum’s (Common Bond, Grace’s) menu begins with pizzas that are similar to those served at the original location, but the Crafthouse features a more extensive menu of shareables and entrees. Options include beer battered fish and chips, a half-pound cheeseburger, and wood-fired beer can chicken. Crispy smoked pork belly bites, truffle fries, and the spicy goat pizza (prosciutto, goat cheese, arugula, mango-habanero glaze) are providing to be early customer favorites, according to a representative.

As for the drinks, the Crafthouse offers 11 taps of Southern Yankees brews as well as cocktails and wine. Drinkers can expect a range of styles that range from a Berliner Weisse to a porter and several different IPAs. New barrel-aged beers will be released in the near future.

“We brew a combination of traditional and creative style beers,” head brewer Sydney Porter Bradley said. “Our goal is a high-quality, variety of beers to suit many different tastes. We want to find a beer for every person that walks through our doors."

Currently, the Crafthouse is open for lunch and dinner Wednesday through Sunday from 11 am-10 pm. The brewpub will expand to daily service in the coming weeks.

craft-beer openings news-you-can-eat

Best dining hall ever

Boutique Houston market brings stellar sandwiches to Rice University

Photo by Julie Soefer

Local Foods Market is opening its second location on the Rice University campus.

A new chapter in Houston’s dining scene unfolds as Local Foods Market opens its doors at Rice University’s Brochstein Pavilion on Wednesday, November 20. Building upon the success of the Rice Village market, which opened in 2021, the new eatery offers an expansive menu and beverage program alongside artisan goods.

“This feels like a homecoming for me. I’ve spent a lot of time at Rice with my family, enjoying the tree-lined pathways, attending football games, and even taking some special courses there as a middle schooler,” Benjy Levit, Local Foods Group founder, said in a statement. “I hope Local Foods Market at Rice University will serve as a backdrop for others to make great memories.”

This newest concept, open to the public as well as Rice students, faculty, and staff, will feature Local Foods’ signature dishes, such as the 'crunchy' chicken sandwich ($16.25), made with oven-roasted chicken breast, nut-seed crumble, and crushed chips on a pretzel bun. Staying true to its ethos, the restaurant sources ingredients from local purveyors like Atkinson Farms, Swift Hill Farms, and Blue Horizon Seafood, while also catering to diners with gluten-free and vegan options.

Fellow Local Foods Group restaurants will also contribute to the expanded menu, including fresh pasta from the newly-opened Milton’s and breakfast tacos from Maximo — made with tortillas that use nixtamalized heirloom corn. The culinary team is led by chef-partner Dylan Murray and executive chef Geoff Hundt, with guidance from culinary and creative director Seth Siegel-Gardner.

“When selecting a food vendor to rejuvenate the Brochstein Pavilion, we sought one that values thoughtful ingredient sourcing, sustainable practices, and awareness of the varied dietary needs of our students and employees,” said Beth Leaver, Rice's senior executive director and chief hospitality officer.

No campus eatery would be complete without espresso, and the restaurant continues its partnership with Greenway Coffee to craft espresso-based drinks including Local Foods’ signature Honey Iced Coffee.

The market will also boast a curated beer and wine list, including offerings from Saint Arnold Brewing Company, helmed by Rice alum Brock Wagner. Guests will be able to sip on a custom Cabernet-forward blend, a Local Foods Group and William Chris Vineyards collaboration, before it expands to the hospitality group’s other concepts.

Photo by Julie Soefer

Local Foods Market is opening its second location on the Rice University campus.

Ben Rosenblum Studio reimagined the 6,000-square-foot space while honoring the original structure by Thomas Phifer and Partners. Floor-to-ceiling windows showcase freshly landscaped grounds, while museum-inspired lighting and a striking black quartzite order counter create a cozier, more inviting atmosphere. Garnish Design advised on the renovation and contributed furniture selections to complete the space.

Local Foods Market at Rice University will operate Monday through Friday from 8 am to 6 pm and on weekends from 9 am to 5 pm. The venue, which can host private events for up to 300 guests, is now accepting bookings.