While Texas is often known for its rich and cheesy Mexican dishes and heaping plates of barbeque, the diverse cosmopolitan of Houston restaurants offers plenty of options to balance out heavier dishes. Located in the River Oaks neighborhood of Houston, Local Foods has a delightfully healthy menu packed with super-foods that will leave you feeling guilt-free no matter how much you eat–even the cocktails! They offer a selection of sandwiches and salads prepared with, you guessed it, local ingredients that change seasonally.
The décor is chic and modern, and the atmosphere is relaxed and approachable. Local Foods is fairly casual in the sense that you order at the counter, get a number, and seat yourself. Soul Cycle survivors often pop in for a quick bite after a sweat sesh next door. Local Food’s patio lined with vibrant blue umbrellas, cozy fairy lights, and bright white patio furniture is one of the best in the city and makes for an ideal spot to grab happy hour or brunch.
For a refreshing and healthy bite grab the Garden Sammie, a sandwich made with Brussels sprouts, avocado, hummus, picked onions on ciabatta. To satisfy your southern comfort food cravings order the Pulled Pork sandwich made with fennel slaw, fried okra and Carolina barbeque sauce. In addition to being super vegetarian and vegan friendly, Local Foods has plenty of gluten-free options as any sandwich can be made with gluten-free bread or prepared as a salad.
If you’re looking to take the edge off, try the Upper Kirby Sweet Tea made with Deep Eddy’s Sweet Tea (a Texas favorite) and hibiscus liquor. If beer or wine is more your style, the drink menu boasts plenty of “neighborhood favorites” from exclusively Texas breweries and wineries, including Houston’s own Saint Arnolds, Karbach and Buffalo Bayou.
Local brews, local foods, and Texas patio weather, what more could you want?