Veg Out and Go Green: Summer’s Foodie-Fab Trend

Nuray Taylor
7.24 Eblast
7.24 Eblast

Summer in H-Town is always a good time to veg out — and this year, it’s easier than ever, with the addition of delicious new vegetable-centric dishes, menus and restaurants all across town.


Salad-bowl-serving national chain Sweetgreen celebrated the grand-opening of its first Houston restaurant in Rice Village yesterday, spotlighting its relationship with local farmers and two only-in-Houston menu items: the garlic-chili shrimp salad, and a warm “superfood” bowl. The light and bright space is a stone’s throw from Mendocino Farms’ new outpost, a similarly fast-casual farm-to-table chain that opens soon.

Meanwhile, at UB Preserv, chef Nick Wong recently released a new menu featuring vegetarian-friendly takes on guest favorites, alongside new veggie-centric items. Try the duck-egg curry with basil, or the seasonal summer squash with yogurt, papadam, almonds and chickpeas.

And chef Stephanie Hoban, chef-owner of Heights hot spot and vegan restaurant Verdine, recently announced she is shuttering her longtime food truck, Ripe Cuisine, in order to focus on expanding offerings at the brick-and-mortar. Catch Ripe in its final days at the Urban Harvest Farmer’s Market this weekend.

AT TOP: "The Best Part of Rice" at UB Preserv

Dispatches

Boozy slushees and the double smashburger, exclusive to Loro's new Kirby location

JUST IN TIME for patio season, a brother location to Houston’s original Loro Heights from Hai Hospitality and Franklin BBQ will bow Sept. 28. Loro is an approachable concept in the Hai Hospitality family that is also home to the award-winning restaurants Uchi, Uchiko, Uchibā and Oheya.

Keep Reading Show less
Food

Kat Pressly and Reagan Bregman

FORMER ASTROS PITCHER and current coach Joe Smith, along with his sportscaster wife Allie LaForce, hosted a gala at Minute Maid Park's Union Station in an effort to raise funds and awareness of Huntington’s Disease, which took the life of Smith’s mother in 2020.

Keep Reading Show less
People + Places