Raw Food in Houston

[kwiley]

I am new the Raw Food lifestyle (extremely new) but I wanted to know if anyone knew of any raw food restaurants in Houston. I have searched the net, but only found one and I thought there would be a few more. I know this is cattle country, but I hope they haven't totally taken over the range!:) Does anyone know of any? My parents and I were talking about trying one out and I don't have a lot of choices to give them. Help please.

[rawontheroad]

I travel to Houston often for work. Traveling and staying raw is really hard. I haven't learned those skills quite yet, but I'm trying my darndest. I would also love to learn of any raw restaurants in Houston for my next trip. Thanks!

[Faithfullyfit]

Hello form Houston....Well actually up north a bit in the Woodlands:D

I found 2 listed on www.therawtable.com and could never find them when I drove into Houston a couple of times....I think they are located inside other business's! Anyway, We have a RAW vegan group that is starting a potluck meetup in the Woodlands, Tomball, Magnolia area.

Please join us if you would like: http://vegan.meetup.com/409/

I am Melissa and my close Friend Traci is the organizer. I am a newly certifed Living on Live Foods Chef- so I may have to start doing some catering- hmmmm?;)

Have a GREAT day!

[MendhiGrl]

The only one I know of is south of the University of Houston. There's a raw potluck that meets twice a month at the Taft Street Coffee house (2115 Taft St.) at 6:30. The next one is Thursday, March 29th. I've been to the pot luck once, have been intending to go back - it just hasn't happened yet.

The one raw restaurant is indeed inside a small health food store.

[portiz]

Any updates on there being a restaurant in Houston?

[Bechtel]

The one I know is indeed
Raw Truth
3815 Live Oak @ Alabama
Houston , Texas 77004
(713) 523-9755

I was not impressed. I eat out in the Sweet Tomatoes and Sandy's.
Hey, remember we are in Houston - the fattest city in the country ,-))).

[jeannieh99]

Hey, I just noticed there were two threads going around with people that are in Houston. I wonder how many rawbies there are here that we don't know. Wouldn't it be great to know everyone? I think it is so cool. :-)
Jeannie

[Mothergoose]

Raw foodist here in Houston as well. I have just started though. I have to go to the grocery for raw food and even fresh squeezed juices are in Whole Foods and Central Market. However, with restaurants I have to go the salad route....:)

[ChaiLife]

I live near Houston! I am also a frequent visitor of Sweet Tomatoes. :)

[2 husky girl]

I stopped by Sun Fired Foods (inside a health food store) a few weeks ago and tried some of their salads. They were quite good; I got a 5 salad combo, 5 different types of salad, for about $10. I noticed they do demonstrations on the weekends. This weekend, Saturday 8/11, they are doing a (free!) demonstration on preparing raw food for 4 days. It’s from 11-12. I was planning on going and checking it out. Their location is perhaps not in the most desirable of areas, but everyone at the store was really friendly. They're located at
4915 MLK Blvd.
Houston, TX 77021
(713) 643-2884
www.sunfiredhealthfoods.com

[jeannieh99]

I stopped by Sun Fired Foods (inside a health food store) a few weeks ago and tried some of their salads. They were quite good; I got a 5 salad combo, 5 different types of salad, for about $10. I noticed they do demonstrations on the weekends. This weekend, Saturday 8/11, they are doing a (free!) demonstration on preparing raw food for 4 days. It’s from 11-12. I was planning on going and checking it out. Their location is perhaps not in the most desirable of areas, but everyone at the store was really friendly. They're located at
4915 MLK Blvd.
Houston, TX 77021
(713) 643-2884
www.sunfiredhealthfoods.com

I had noticed that place listed. I hadn't thought of going just because of the location. Do you think it is safe for a woman to go alone? I'd love to go to see the demo's and learn. I'm just a scardy cat. Maybe a bunch of us can decide to meet there? I wish there were more places, you would think in a big metropolitan place like Houston there would be.

Jeannie

[Rawtruth713]

Funny you all mention Sun fired food. That is my favorite place to go. I go everyday and I live down the street from it. Yes, it is a safe place for a woman to go alone and the staff is mainly women as well. I learn so much by just going and talking to everyone. It looks intimidating at first and yes the area is in third ward, but don't let that stop you.

If you go, ask for a green smoothie, they are delicious! Also, gaze at the natural products they have as well.


By the way, The Raw Truth in Houston has been closed for four months now.:eek:

[2 husky girl]

I agree with Rawtruth713, I feel it's safe for a woman. I have been going there by myself every Saturday since I first stopped in, I just wish I could go there everyday! :D Ohhh, I have not yet tried the green smoothie, thanks for the suggestion.
I will be there for sure on Saturday by 11, if anyone wanted to meet up, that would great!

[RawkinRobyn]

Wow, I would love to meet some of my fellow raw Houstonians on Saturday. Unfortunately, my Saturdays will be full for the next couple of months (9 yo ds playing football). Maybe we could all plan to meet on another day somewhere central? Or maybe we could start our own potluck somewhere. It would be so great to have some local support. Is there anyone close to Pearland?

Robyn

[jkamholz1]

Robyn, I'm in La Porte. That's not too far from you. If you guys want to do a 'get together' or 'potluck', I'd love to be included.

Jackie

[jeannieh99]

I agree with Rawtruth713, I feel it's safe for a woman. I have been going there by myself every Saturday since I first stopped in, I just wish I could go there everyday! :D Ohhh, I have not yet tried the green smoothie, thanks for the suggestion.
I will be there for sure on Saturday by 11, if anyone wanted to meet up, that would great!


It is quite a ways from where I live. I am happy to see good reviews from that place! I will definately go this saturday and check it out. I REALLY hope to see you there. Is it very expensive?
I'm really excited. It will be my first time ever in a real raw place!! :D

oh, btw....can you give me directions? Would I take 610 to MLK?? Do you know the actual address?
Jeannie

[2 husky girl]

Great Jeannie, I'll see you there! Will I be able to recgonize you based on your picture? :) I didn't find it too expensive. When I have gone, I usually get a combo of 5 different types of prepared food (I have usually selected the salads because they looked so good, but I've seen they have hummus, egg-less egg salad, etc). This combo fills up a typical square take out container plus an extra bowl. It was around $10.

As far as the directions go, I've gone the same way each time. I take 610 to the Long Drive exit (the only reason is because my husband's business is on that road and I usually stop by there first). To get the the store if you take the Long Drive exit, as you come off the ramp, turn Left onto Long Drive. Continue straight and travel over the train tracks. Long Drive will turn into Griggs Road. The entire strech that you're on Long/Griggs is only about 1 mile. Turn right onto MLK (there is a stoplight) and continue for about 1/2 mile and you will see the store on the right. The address is 4915 MLK Blvd. I'm sure that you can get there directly from the MLK exit, but I've just never tried that one. I hope this helps! Let me know if you need anything else.

[Thick]

If anyone lives near Clear Lake/Friendswood/webster..there is an excellent chinese buffet place called "Oriental Gourmet" that has so, so much raw food to choose from. It is located on El Camino Real near bay area boulevard (across from Mr Gattis)

The reason is that you can choose your own saute from a large bar of ingredients--presumably for the chef to saute for you. They have=

raw cabbage
cherry tomatoes
scallions
snow peas
fresh basil and cilantro
mung bean sprouts
fresh jalapenos
shredded carrots
diced and sliced cucumbers
mushrooms
onion
watermelon
honeydew
cantelope
oranges
lemons
large romaine leaves to make wraps with (imperial rolls)
green bell peppers
shredded carrots
and much more!

I highly recomend this place. It is a bargain, for $8.99 I can eat a lot of produce!!=)

[crawmommy]

thanks for that Thick!!

[HolyGuacamole]

Bummer that there's not something more in a city the size of Houston.
I miss Portland. :-(


Is there a good place to buy raw groceries, like, say, raw tahini and cacao nibs and unpasteurized almonds and the like?
My Whole Foods on Bellaire has woefully little.
Does Sandy's have a better selection? I hate to drive outside 610 :rolleyes: but if that's what I gotta do...

[natieya]

Awesome! I live in Clear Lake. This makes me happy to know this place is near me. Also, since it's a buffet, and my hubby is not a raw eater, he'll have options that he can enjoy, too. :)


If anyone lives near Clear Lake/Friendswood/webster..there is an excellent chinese buffet place called "Oriental Gourmet" that has so, so much raw food to choose from. It is located on El Camino Real near bay area boulevard (across from Mr Gattis)

The reason is that you can choose your own saute from a large bar of ingredients--presumably for the chef to saute for you. They have=

raw cabbage
cherry tomatoes
scallions
snow peas
fresh basil and cilantro
mung bean sprouts
fresh jalapenos
shredded carrots
diced and sliced cucumbers
mushrooms
onion
watermelon
honeydew
cantelope
oranges
lemons
large romaine leaves to make wraps with (imperial rolls)
green bell peppers
shredded carrots
and much more!

I highly recomend this place. It is a bargain, for $8.99 I can eat a lot of produce!!=)

[Jamie_D]

It looks like it's been a bit since anyone has posted. I am from the katy/cypress area, but i work downtown and I have a few suggestions...

For groceries - The HEB located at 290 and Barker Cypress is AMAZING, they have almost everything I need and a lot of their food is local. They have a magnificent bulk bin section and even a section to make your own granola that has a lot of raw options even including chopped dates.

There's also a little health food store on hwy 6 near 529, I forget the name right now, but if you're interested email me and let me know. They have flax oil and a few selections of raw crackers. They also supposedly have a co-op, I have not tried it yet though.

T'afia is close to downtown on travis street and they have a farmers market on Saturdays for sure, and wednesdays I believe? But saturdays there is a table where the girl makes all sorts of raw food - they have these "cheese" crackers that are great.

Pat Greer's Kitchen - I believe this is where that girl was from at the farmers market, not quite sure. She gave me a flyer but I haven't made it there yet, it should be close to down town and i believe the restaurant is only open tuesdays - fridays. They are suppose to have cooking classes as well, kind of expensive but they provide all the food, so probably worth it. They have a website - www.patgreerskitchen.com

My Fit Foods - they have a small selection of raw dishes, BUT you can order as much as you want and they will have them for you the next day. Kind of expensive but worth the lazy points. They have quite a few locations, www.myfitfoods.com

Salata - This is where I eat downtown for lunch pretty often. It's 6.99 for a salad and they have a lot of raw options. I've also seen another one at I10 and hwy 6. They have a whole arrangement of ingredients to pick out for a salad that they prepare for you. Not a buffet, but they certainly give you enough that there is no need for seconds.

The whole foods located at kirby and westheimer has a much better selection than any of the others, in my opinion. I found everything from coconut oil to raw cacao nibs. Don't get the thai coconuts there though, two out of the three i bought were spoiled.

I also shop at costco to get a lot of my veggies and greens for juicing. They even have quite a few snacking options. A lot more than I ever imagined. They have some granola bite things that are wonderful. I can also get massive bags of organic spinach and other greens for very little money. There is one bagged salad that has a lot of sprouts and stuff. They include bacon bits and dressing, but i just toss those.

If anyone is still checking this board out from Houston, especially towards the katy area, I would lovvvve to start a raw get together.

[natieya]

I got an email this week stating:

Sunshine's Health Food Store Announces

Houston, Texas - Thursday April 23,2009

Grand re-opening of Sunshine's Health Food Store & Vegetarian Deli. Damaged by Hurricane IKE Sunshine's serves the community of UH, TSU, Midtown, Medical Center Area and patrons from all over the City and surrounding areas. Our Ribbon Cutting Ceremony will be held at 10:00 a.m. on April 22nd.

http://www.veganarga.com/

=========

I didn't know they were closed until the unfortunate day I went to try out their food and their store was all dark and boarded up. I even called before hand and their message didn't say anything about being closed. (I was so bummed because I had driven all the way from Clear Lake...anyway)...I'm glad to hear it'll be back open soon. I want to try it out sometime. :)

[natieya]

Here's some info on Pat Greer's Kitchen in Houston. A raw food restaurant in Houston. http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/showpost.php?p=542390&postcount=12

[Blissed]

As a Raw trained Chef and Instructor, it is sad to say that Houston has no raw restaurants - with funding, I'd do it if I could find a partner.

I teach gourmet raw food and Alissa's Raw Chef Certification classes. As resources for my students, what I recommend are the following for eating out in Houston [the Raw Truth is no longer in business]:

1) the Raw Food Potluck 2nd Wed and 4th Thursday each month, located at 2115 Taft St.; starts at 6:45 pm - bring something raw to share, even if it's just some fresh fruit or greens, and $1 or more donation to help with the space

2) Sunfired, the deli at Sunshine Health Food Store (MLK @ Old Spanish Trail) has a few items that are raw - you have to really talk to them about which ones since the glass noodles are heated over 118 degrees, and they boil the potatoes for the potato salad, etc.

3) at the 'My Fit Foods' locations in town, Pat Greer has a few raw food items available, and then you can also get her items at the Farmers Mkt on Sat from 8 -12, and directly by going to her kitchen in the Montrose area [she has a website - Google Ya-Ya's Raw Houston]

4) Jason's Deli - multiple locations; they have some organics on their salad bars too

5) Cafe Express - mulitple locations; their Veggie Chef salad, with several items removed [croutons, dressing, parmesean, and roasted pistachios] works for me - I go to the side board for basil olive oil, a few sprinkles of red pepper flakes and some sundried tomatoes

6) some of the sushi bars at Japanese restaurants will make a no rice, vegetable only Nori roll, and add the marinated sea weed salad for a meal - this one is a marginal choice

7) if you're willing to juice feast, a 32 oz fresh squeezed OJ from any Jamba Juice location can work too

That's about it for the Houston raw food offerings at this point.

To your best health, Chef Allie K
www.rawmmgood.com :)