Veggie Tales

Houston declared one of America's most vegetarian-friendly cities

A diverse array of vegetarian options, like this citrus beet salad at Dish Society, helped boost Houston's ranking.

Photo by Kimberly Park

In meat-and-potatoes America, it’s not always easy to follow a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle. Of course, some cities make it easier than others. A new WalletHub survey looked at the 100 biggest cities in the U.S. to determine the best and most economical places for vegetarians and vegans to live. Two Texas cities made the top 25: Austin at No. 13 and Houston at No. 17.

The criteria used included highest percentage or restaurants serving vegan and vegetarian options, farmers markets and community-supported agriculture programs per capita, local access to vegetarian food production, vegetable nurseries per capita, plus the number of juice/smoothie bars and salad shops. Affordability was looked at, too, as were general vegetable and fruit consumption and the percentage of vegetarian and vegan meals ordered through food delivery platform Grubhub.

The diversity of Houston’s culinary scene played into its rankings for the percentage of restaurants serving vegetarian and vegan options (both 11). Houston also fared well on affordability, ranking third on overall cost of groceries. However, the rankings suggest that the locavore movement isn’t as strong here as in many major metropolitan areas. The city ranked in the middle (56) when it comes to farmers markets and CSA programs; just don't tell the crowds that pack Urban Harvest's Eastside farmers market every Saturday that Houston is subpar.

That Austin did not make the top 10 (Scottsdale, Arizona and Madison, Wisconsin both fared better on the list) might shock those who stereotype it as the land of tree-hugging hippies. The Capital City did well on several indicators — cost of plant-based groceries (5), farmers markets and CSA programs (7), and vegetable nurseries (10) — but only placed in the upper middle range for both percentage of restaurants serving vegetarian options (43) and vegan options (27).

Perhaps unsurprisingly in a state with a thriving beef industry, most Texas cities were in the lower half of the survey. Only two other cities, Dallas (37) and Plano (49), made it to the top 50.

where there's smoke

Houston's only Michelin-recognized Tex-Mex restaurant now open in Bellaire

Photo by Duc Hoang

Don't miss the brisket nachos at Candente.

It didn’t take Sambrook Hospitality Group long to turn Mandito’s into Candente. First announced in September, the restaurant’s second location officially opens today, Monday, December 22, at 5101 Bellaire Blvd.

Speaking on a November episode of CultureMap’s “What’s Eric Eating” podcast, Sambrooks Hospitality founder Michael Sambrooks explained that, as a Bellaire resident, he saw an opportunity to open a restaurant close to home.

“It was a combination of, this location became available, and we liked the market. I think Bellaire is underserved. As far as Tex-Mex options, I think it’s limited,” he says. “We always struggle with where’s somewhere we can grab a bite that’s five minutes away as opposed to driving to another part of town. I think Candente is that solution. I think it’s going to be pretty well received.”

In terms of design, the restaurant replicates many of the same elements as the original Montrose location that opened in 2019, such as its copper-topped tables and yellow, orange, and maroon accents. Diners will note a mural by local artist Franky Cardona along one wall. Overall, the restaurant seats 125 in its dining room, 10 at its bar, and 24 on an outdoor patio.

While the location is new, the menu is the same. That means the same wood-fired fajitas, brisket enchiladas, nachos, birria tacos, and other fare that helped it achieve a “Recommended” designation in the Michelin Guide for Texas — the only Tex-Mex restaurant in Houston to make the prestigious guide. Pair them with margaritas (both shaken and frozen), as well as agave-based cocktails such as the paloma and ranch water, beers, and non-alcoholic options.

Sambrooks Hospitality also operates The Pit Room, the barbecue joint with locations in Montrose and Memorial City that earned a Bib Gourmand designation.

“It’s a privilege to open in Bellaire and get to know and serve a new clientele,” Sambrooks said in a statement. “We’re excited to introduce our style of authentic, handcrafted Tex-Mex that has made us a Houston dining staple.”

Candente will be open for lunch and dinner during the week beginning at 11 am. Brunch is served Saturday and Sunday beginning at 10 am.

Don't miss the brisket nachos at Candente.

Photo by Duc Hoang

Don't miss the brisket nachos at Candente.

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