Introduction to Honest Mary’s
On this week’s episode of “What’s Eric Eating,” Honest Mary’s founder Nelson Monteith and COO Andrew Wiseheart joined CultureMap editor Eric Sandler to discuss the Austin-based restaurant that just opened its first Houston location in the River Oaks Shopping Center.
The Concept Behind Honest Mary’s
Monteith shares that he started the restaurant in 2017 to fulfill his vision of a restaurant which could serve food that’s fast, fresh, and affordable. A trained chef who operated pioneering Austin restaurant Contigo, Wiseheart joined the group to bring both culinary expertise and operational acumen to the company.
What Sets Honest Mary’s Apart
Part of what sets Honest Mary’s apart is that diners can add cooked vegetables to the rice and proteins at the heart of every bowl. The “Market Sides” section includes an array of roasted vegetables — including sweet potatoes, cauliflower, broccoli, beets, and Brussels sprouts — as well as black beans, maple-glazed carrots, and green lentils. Bowls can be further enhanced with toppings such as Texas pecans, crispy chickpeas, goat cheese, avocado, and apples as well as sauces such as creamy poblano, cashew lime crema, sesame vinaigrette, spicy peanut, chimichurri and apple cider vinaigrette.
A Typical Meal at Honest Mary’s
Monteith explains that looking at the ingredients on display usually inspires him when he’s deciding what to eat at Honest Mary’s. He often looks at the line and sees what looks fresh and good. For example, he might get the salted kale with white rice, garlic-pepper steak, lentils, Brussels sprouts, jalapenos, avocados, and chimichurri sauce.
Hearty Broths at Honest Mary’s
Honest Mary’s is also known for its hearty broths, a classic chicken and a vegetarian option made with seaweed and mushroom. Sandler raves about the chicken broth to Wiseheart, who shares how it’s made. Wiseheart spent six or seven months testing recipes and drinking it himself to see if it’s a good idea. He talks about it as a great complement to the menu, healthy and really simple.
Future Plans and Expansion
Listen to the full episode to hear more about Honest Mary’s plans for additional locations in Houston and Dallas. Then Monteith asks Sandler a few questions about the Houston dining scene.
Other Episodes and Discussions
In this week’s other episode, Sandler and co-host Mary Clarkson discuss the news of the week. Their topics include Home Slice Pizza opening a new location in the Heights; the closures of Brett’s BBQ Shop in Katy and Killen’s Barbecue in The Woodlands; and Esquire including ChòpnBlok on its list of America’s best new restaurants. In the restaurant of the week segment, the two friends discuss their recent meal at Hypsi, the Italian restaurant in the newly-opened Hotel Daphne.
Conclusion
Overall, Honest Mary’s offers a unique dining experience with its fast, fresh, and affordable food options. With its array of roasted vegetables, toppings, and sauces, customers can create their own bowls to suit their tastes. The restaurant’s hearty broths and plans for expansion make it an exciting addition to the Houston dining scene. To stay up-to-date with the latest episodes and discussions, subscribe to "What’s Eric Eating" on Apple podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts, and hear it Sunday at 9 am on ESPN 97.5.
