Fajitas a gone gone

Popular fajitas to-go restaurant relocates to Greenway Plaza ghost kitchen

Fajitas A Go Go will soon have a new home.

Photo by Kirsten Gilliam

A Houston fajitas favorite will soon have a new home. Fajitas A Go Go will give up its brick and mortar location on Kirby Drive and transition into a ghost kitchen that will operate out of the new Tacos A Go Go that's coming soon to Greenway Plaza.

Becoming a to-go only ghost kitchen reflects the reality of Fajitas A Go Go's operations. As its name implies, 95 percent of its business is already to-go, making it easy to give up the dine-in space at 5404 Kirby Dr. it has occupied since 2016. Integrating into the new Tacos A Go Go at 3773 Richmond Ave will streamline operations and achieve other benefits.

"With our new Tacos A Go Go location opening a few blocks away, this move just made sense," co-founder Sharon Haynes said in a statement. "The new location is perfect since it is in the same area as our original location with more parking, easier access, and allows us to take advantage of our new ordering technology and expand our delivery area.”

Known primarily for its fajitas made with beef sirloin and rotisserie chicken, Fajitas A Go Go also offers salads, chips and salsa, and enchiladas. As co-founder Mallory Buford told CultureMap's "What's Eric Eating" podcast, using sirloin flap steak instead of the traditional skirt steak has major benefits.

"Skirt steak, we understand why it was originally used, but to make it palatable you have to use marinades or tenderizers," Buford said. "We didn't want to do that. We knew that there are better cuts of meat out there that taste like steak. That's what we use flap meat. We think it tastes more like beef instead of pineapple or soy sauce."

Fajitas A Go Go's last day at the Kirby location will be December 24. It will reopen a few days later on Richmond, according to a release. An opening date for the new Tacos A Go Go will be announced soon.

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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.

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