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Local Foods
Category: Restaurants Canadian (New) Canadian (New) [Edit]
2424 Dunstan RdHouston, TX 77005
Neighbourhood: West University
(713) 521-7800
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 10 am - 8 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Trendy, Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
77 reviews for Local Foods
77 reviews in English
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Review from Nickie T.
Houston, TX
5/15/2012 1 Check-in Here
My sister found this place on yelp and we went in for a late lunch. The place is really nice and open area. I went in and first off said we've never been here before. The guy was really nice and offered us huge samples of the sides and gave us some tips on what was popular.
The portions are pretty big; a sandwich and two sides. So we split a delicious truffle egg salad sandwich with a side of kale with golden raisins and a vegetable ratatouille. They were really nice to split it for us since we were sharing. My favorite part is the pretzel bun, it was crunchy with some sweetness. My sister is going back for more later this week.
Afterwards, we got two good pop popsicles. He recommended the hibiscus mint for me and my sister got the watermelon. We sat outside and it was great! -
Review from Lisa R.
5/11/2012 1 Check-in Here
Impressive lunch spot with challenging parking!
My mom wielded me over here at noon for a simple but gourmet lunch. I looked at yelp reviews and the menu on the drive over and narrowed my choices down to 2. Upon seeing the line and crowd, I made a quick decision and have no regrets!
First, I must mention I do not usually do any chicken/tuna/egg salads anywhere because I dislike condiments (mayo, mustard, ketchup) and LOATHE celery. I took a chance though on the truffled egg salad because I love truffle, I love eggs, and I definitely love pretzel rolls! Yelpers did not do me wrong. It was mouthful after mouthful of heaven. On the side, I got the cucumber-hominy-jicama-cilantro and the beets with wheatberries. My mom got the crispy chicken sandwich with kale (amazing!) and the cabbage slaw.
I could not help but notice the mint-kaffir lime vinaigrette mentioned on the tofu salad (my other option under consideration) so I got it on the side to try and ended up dousing the beets in it. Overall, the atmosphere is bright and nice, the food different but delicious, and the prices decent. Many tables are communal but we were around other ladies lunching and felt fine having our own conversation at the table. Definitely get the egg salad, because it has truffle essence and NO CELERY! Halleluyah!Listed in: There's No Place Like Home, Veggie Heaven, Sandwich-ed
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Review from Bryce K.
5/7/2012 1 photo
I came here just before 11 am on a Sunday. By 11:30, things had picked up considerably as a mix of younger folks and families with little kids ordered.
The space is gorgeous, in that stripped-down hip way. The open sandwich-making space is neat.
I had the crispy chicken sandwich and sides of ratatouille and potato salad.
The potato salad was good and not too much mayo, with a nice, subtle vinegar kick.
The ratatouille is really pasta/orzo salad with veggies, but tasty.
The sandwich is awesome - it's heaping with chicken so it's hard to know where to bite first. The ranch dressing was delicious without being overwhelming, and the chicken wasn't dry at all.
The one criticism I have would be to turn down the music - loud pulsating indie rock is fun, but a little much for a Sunday morning. -
Review from Annie T.
5/2/2012
I love sandwiches and this place has got to have some of the best sandwiches in town!
I had the crunchy chicken on a pretzel bun. Pretzel bun was delicious. Crunchy on the outside and soft in the center. Chicken was not dry....it was amazing. Bf had the truffled egg salad also on a pretzel bun and it was also delicious. Truffle flavor was not overwhelming which is good.
For the sides:
Kale -- yummy. Tastes like the kale salad at Central Market but the dressing is much lighter (a plus!)
Potatoes -- light, summery flavor as well. Not as great as the potato salad at Onion Creek but still pretty darn good.
Ratatouille -- good for being a squash dish (i hate squash)
Olives with quinoa -- Saltiness of the olives complements the bland flavor of the quinoa. Wasn't my favorite but the bf loved it.
Tips:
1) Its in Rice Village right next to Benjy's (where Antone's used to be)
2) Parking is a b**** even though there is a lot in front of it
3) Lunch is extremely busy. We were lucky and arrived at 11 a.m. but in 30 min, there was a line going towards the door.
4) Try the desserts. They gave us samples of the 7-layer brownie and I was so mad we didn't order it with our food. I'll be back to try this! -
Review from Kristine H.
Houston, TX
5/3/2012
A swanky simple. Just like David N said, it's soups, sandwiches, and salads. This is location of the deli formerly known as Antone's.
I love benjy's and Local Foods is just behind it. Stand in line, browse the menu, order at the counter, and take your number to the sustainable (and expensive) furniture.
Smoked salmon sandwich ($11) - YUM. Smoked salmon on a toasted bagel with some greens, cream cheese, onion "jam". The thing I like about all the sandwiches is that it comes with TWO sides (or a cup of soup)!! I had a share of kale and ratatouille.
Tomato basil soup is oily. The crunchy chicken sandwich is tasty. And from what I could tell, they limited the amount of salt in the food. My salt-sensitive limbs did not react after the meal.
We topped off our meal with a $2 hibiscus mint popsicle - refreshing.
It gets pretty crowded right at noon and shortly there after. Try to go early but the place doesn't get so crowded such that you're left without a seat.
I found humor in people watching here. Weekday lunch = the women who shop at Nordstrom, Anthro, Lululemon, and Restoration Hardware.
side note, I really loved the long dining tables there. They looked like an unfinished pine that was waxed. They're from a local boutique furniture place that sells something comparable for like $6000! O_O -
Review from Matthew C.
Houston, TX
4/26/2012 3 Check-ins Here
The Egg Salad Sandwich is incredible, the rest, can't say I am a fan....
Benjy's little brother Local Foods is a good concept. Actually, I have seen this a lot in New Orleans where you have a fancy sandwich shop right next to your main restaurant. Makes a lot of sense. It's ashamed that the food is a little disappointing. I have actually been to Local Foods a couple of times to attempt to find something I like. My first trip, I went with the Gulf Shrimp and Blue Crab Sandwich with Green Goddess dressing. The seafood itself was decent and they do give you an ample amount of crab/shrimp. However, the ciabatta bread really took away from the experience. I understand that the bread was meant to be crunchy, but the crust on this bread took it to the extreme. It made it very difficult to eat.
May next visit, I went with the Roast Beef. This time the bread wasn't the problem, although it was a lackluster simple wheat bread. There was more kale and marinated vegetables (which was strange) than there was roast beef. Honestly, the flavor just missed the mark for me and the roast beef that was on the sandwich was not all that tender.
Finally, Local knocked it out of the park! The Egg Salad was pretty much incredible! They add truffle oil and it adds a unique and delicious flavor. Also, the pretzel bun is just the right texture for this sandwich. I think that this will be the only item I will order from this place from here on out.
I have only really found one side that I liked which was the green olive salad. I have tried the slaw with edamame - the first time I had it, there was an overpowering sesame oil flavor. I tried it again, and that was not the case. The white bean salad is dense and in my opinion, needs salt. Even the chips were too greasy.... They are house made, but that doesn't mean that they are good.
My suggestion, get the Egg Salad and pass on everything else... -
Review from Nupur L.
4/17/2012
Local Foods is yummy and (I think) reasonably priced for what it is. A sandwich and two medium-ish sides goes for $10. I ordered a truffled egg sandwich (on a pretzel roll-more on this in a bit), the white bean salad and the kale with golden raisins, which probably had something the "deliciousness" fairy sprinkled on it when the workers weren't looking. How does kale taste so gooood otherwise?
Pretzel rolls fall into my category of "Why the hype, yo?" foods. They're often too salty, too dense and too bready. Well, color me wrong on this one. This was the height of pretzel roll perfection. The outside was that of a crispy pretzel, shattering beneath my teeth to reveal its yeasty soft interior. Pardon the florid aside there as it was unavoidable.
I'm one of the very few people who openly admit to liking egg salad. I lump it with foods like jello salad and squirt cheese, where people will always feign disgust when you admit to liking them-but they're mysteriously finished or empty when you go to get some? Hmmm. This is not an egg salad that anyone will be embarrassed to openly love. It was very tasty.
I wolfed down the kale salad as well. I would just order a tub of this on days when I'm feeling "healthy." The only disappointment was the white bean salad. It was not only too salty but was missing something, I'm not sure what. I'll forgive the salad as I'll be trying everything else on the menu instead.Listed in: The Yelp 100 Challenge!
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Review from Samantha Y.
Houston, TX
5/20/2012
I love the atmosphere of this place, and the food was good as well, however I did have a slight 'snafu':
I ordered the 'Banh mi' with chips and slaw. On the menu, the description says 'pork, cucumber, jalapeno, French baguette.' I like my sandwiches plain so I asked for the jalapeno to be left off. The women behind the register mentioned that the sandwich also had a spicy Sambal sauce, so I asked to leave that off as well. I am a picky eater, so I made sure to specifically ask if there was anything else on the sandwich that wasn't listed on the menu and she said no. Well the sandwich came out with pickled onions, mayo, and carrots, none of which were listed in the description. I ate my sides, which were delicious, while contemplating whether to send it back because I know my pickiness is not normal. My friend convinced me to ask for another sandwich, and I'm really glad that I did. The pork was a bit fatty but very delicious and juicy. The only recommendations I would make would be for them to pickle their carrots and cucumbers to give a little more tang to the sandwich.
I'm definitely coming back here, but I'll be more explicit when ordering my food! -
Review from Mallory G.
Houston, TX
4/21/2012 5 Check-ins Here
I am obsessed with Local Foods! I am always scared the parking is going to be an issue with it being right next to is buddy Benjy's but I haven't had a problem yet. I was having issues getting to Local Foods before they closed but they have extended their hours till 8 so I can always get there after work now! I'm so excited!!!
I have cravings for their egg salad sandwich and potato avocado soup. The egg sandwich is on the most delicious pretzel roll that I could eat everyday. The poato avocado soup is the beautiful creamy soup that is light but filling at the same time. I love it. I have also had the falafal sandwich which was very tasty but was a little too oily for me. I have been looking at the smoked salmon sandwich for a while but they are either out or I am craving egg salad. But I will get it one day soon. They also have delicious looking desserts that I have to use all my willpower not to order since you get so much food already with all the sandwiches. I normally eat half the sandwich and the soup then take the other half home for the next day.
I have only been at dinner time and there is no line whatsoever. But I bet at lunch time this place is packed to the brime! And if it isn't it should be. The restaurant it's self is so cute. I love the decorations. I am in love with this place! -
Review from Cameron B.
Houston, TX
I truly enjoyed this lunch spot. A friend and I came here and ordered 2 different sandwiches and shared halves so we could get a good idea of what this place had to offer. The chicken sandwich was my favorite. The pecan crusted chicken was light and flavorful, not deep fried as I had imagined it would be. The bahn mi was similar to others I've had, but this French bread was especially hard and tough to bite into.
For sides I ordered the kale and the beet salad. Sadly, the beet salad was pretty flavorless. The kale salad was delicious. The raisins added a nice sweet touch to the bitter greens.
Another great addition to the meal was the root beer on tap. Frothy and delicious!
Can't wait to go back and try more menu items. -
Review from Linh N.
3/28/2012 1 Check-in Here
Everything I've eaten here has been stellar.
These are some of the best sandwiches I've ever had. Fresh, quality, local ingredients and creative assemblage.
Recently, I decided I don't really care for crab. The seafood salad sandwich here has just about changed my mind. I, at least, love the crab meat in this salad, which is also brimming with large, fresh shrimp. The truffle egg salad sandwich is to die for. I can't wait to try the salmon sandwich and the falafel sandwich. I'm in love with the potato leek soup. Are you getting the picture here?
I need to make time to actually dine there. I love the Czech Era chairs they've incorporated into their decor. The ambiance is spacious and cool. Easy enough to hang out on your own, but just as nice with friends too. -
Review from Matthew C.
Houston, TX
4/8/2012
IMPORTANT NOTE: Last time I was at Local Foods they had a sign saying they're open until 8pm now (rather than 7pm). I guess they've been reading these reviews!
I've always thought that fresh ingredients are the key to a delicious dish--and Local Foods really takes this mantra to heart. All of the sandwiches and sides are thoughtfully crafted using locally-sourced produce, meats, and breads. This combination of care and quality makes for some superb dishes. I don't think you can go wrong with any of them! That being said, some of my favorites are the Truffled Egg Salad Sandwich (definitely NOT your typical egg salad) and the Smoked Salmon Sandwich--the onion jam and awesome salmon are the key to this sandwich. For the sides, go with the Tuscan Kale. So good! And they definitely don't skimp on the golden raisins or pine nuts. The portions are also good-sized so you feel like you're getting your money's worth.
Given all this positive feedback, why not five stars, you ask? Well, the last time I was there, I got the Truffled Egg Salad Sandwich, and they forgot to put the greens and tomato on it. Probably just a mental lapse, but it calls into question to care and thoughtfulness I've always taken for granted. Regardless, I'll definitely be back--this is one of my favorite restaurants in Houston. -
Review from Fred L.
Newton, NH
5/12/2012
The egg salad sandwich is off the charts. I never thought I would be raving about an egg salad sandwich! BTW, the sandwich is on a delicious pretzel roll.
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Review from Megan M.
4/2/2012 1 Check-in Here
Whenever my husband and I venture to the "big city" we enjoy taking the opportunity to sample one of the many eateries available to Houstonians. When you live in the "sticks" and the only things available are BBQ, chains, and Mexican it is a welcome change to experience a wider variety of tasty options.
I decided to take the opportunity to try Local Foods since it fit the bill for a quick lunch spot in the area we were visiting. Neither of us had ever been to Rice Village, so it was surprising to see the density of eateries available. After 3 hours at the doctor's office we wanted no fussy lunch ordeals. Sandwiches made with fresh local ingredients at the time sounded more appealing than a whole lot of pomp and waiting elsewhere.
Be aware that it can be tough to park, the spaces and the entire lot are small. You also have to watch out for meter maids!!!! Don't be tempted to park on street! I saw people getting tickets. Bummer that this is a target rich environment during the lunch rush so bad for biz!!! So typical of local gov.
It gets crowded at lunch time but LF has relatively quick turn over.
Now to the food -everyone has their subjective opinion and here is mine.
3 stars for - eclectic gourmet menu items that are surprisingly tasty
3.5 stars for - great ambience - really like the clean, modern, shabby, warehouse chic
2.5 stars for - overhyped egg salad - the flavor and texture is just meh. The bread however is delish!
2.75 for the crispy chicken it's really nothing amazing. We can do better at home.
3.5 stars for the yummy Kale side salad - this along with the bread were the best things about our meal!!!
2.5 stars mushy white bean side - this is just bland and boring
2.5 stars for - a sad lemon grass soup that just doesn't have enough going on while it may be fresh with delicate flavor, it's really watery, they skimp on chicken, and rather uninteresting. I think the other soups here sound better.
Not a go to spot, but love the local foods concept. Houston has way too many other options to try when I am lucky enough to visit.
Also kinda pricey at $30 plus tip just for sandwiches however tasty they may be. -
Review from Alexander W.
Houston, TX
Truffled Egg Salad sandwich is probably one of the top 3 sandwiches I've ever had in my life. If you want a blinding white atomic explosion of flavor in your mouth ;) HEYOOO, Local Foods has the bomb of a sandwich to execute that mission. Like Oppenheimer and the Manhattan project, the chefs at this modern shop have created products that will change the Houston sandwich scene. I've also tried the Duck Confit, whose sweet cranberry preserves the succulent flavor of the fowl.
However, I haven't been too impressed with the sides. Although they're healthy and farm to market fresh, most of them are a little too bland for my palate. I suggest substituting the sides with a nice cup of soup. The clean atmosphere and happy workers also makes Local Foods a great afternoon hangout. -
Review from Adam B.
Houston, TX
5/10/2012
I love a great sandwich/salad place with awesome sides and Local Foodsis my go to. To me, this place is the best of both worlds: the efficiency, great value, and awesome service that comes with being part of a successful local chain combined with the uniqueness and dedication of an owner-operated restaurant.
I have had the arugula/shrimp/texas pecan salad as well as the truffled egg sandwich and you really can't go wrong. The salad was huge and the dressing and ingredients were amazingly fresh. The pretzel bread is definitely a highlight, as are the potato chips and ratatouille.
The also have really good iced tea and a fantastic tart lemonade that is made with grapefruit and mint. The ambiance--lighthearted, modern industrial can't be beat, and this is a great place to meet friends.
I'm really struggling to find sources of potential improvement--I will say this--would be great if the menu was slightly larger. They have recently added the banh mi sandwich, so maybe they are a step ahead of me there! -
Review from Robert S.
Houston, TX
4/16/2012
I just ate here for the first time. Firstly, I will say that the place is very pleasant. It has one of those Austin alternative vibes that I enjoy, compared to the ho hum chain restaurant look that so many places have now. Secondly, the menu: the foods are all sourced from local farms which I like. The choices for lunch were mostly salads and sandwiches. I ordered a Capered Tuna Sandwich that came with 2 sides...I ordered a white bean and bacon salad, and a kale salad. The sandwich came out relatively quickly and was (a) very attractive on the plate and (b) tasted delicious. It was on a fresh ciabatta style roll, a layer of a pesto type dressing, tuna, tomatoes, bacon, and a whole boiled egg. It was really one of the best tuna sandwiches I've had in a long time. The salads were both very fresh and tasty.
I also could only eat half of the sandwich. I'm 6'4 and no one would say I'm a light eater, but I was full after 1/2 of the sandwich and the sides.
I can't wait to go back to try more. -
Review from Ann L.
Let's skip the applause for the farm-to-market concept and go straight to why we're all really yelping about this place: the food. After arriving just at closing time yesterday, Local Foods was on my brain so I made a mad dash to grab a bite to eat before I headed to work.
I ordered: truffled egg salad with green olive and beets on the side. And coffee, of course.
Omg. As soon as my teeth sunk into the soft pretzel bun, there was a truffle flavor explosion in my mouth. And let's not forget what keeps the sandwich together. The pretzel bun was toasted to perfection so the light crust gave way to the pillowy inside. I was hesitant about pretzel buns after eating the bland ones at Bar Munich but these, with the faintest hint of coarse salt, have me back on the pretzel bun bandwagon.
As for the sides, I'm an eater but not a lover of beets so the beets didn't wow me. They were slightly sweet and good. On the other hand, I'm notoriously known for eating olives while intoxicated at bars so I was all over the green olive side. As for the coffee, I believe they use the Katz's blend for benjy's. It's decent but I wasn't in love.
To sum up, this place isn't just hype. I totally get the rave reviews and will be back soon to try the duck confit! -
Review from Khoi L.
3/31/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Crunchy Chicken Sandwich: 5/5
Gulf Shrimp & Blue Crab Sandwich: 4/5
Avocado Soup: 4/5
Cabbage Slaw: 3/5
Red Skin Potato: 4/5
Housemade Potato Chips: 4/5
Service: 5/5 - The staff is super friendly & helpful.
Ambiance: 4/5 -
Review from Jess R.
3/12/2012 2 Check-ins Here
This place was EXACTLY what we needed after a long, stressful arrival day in Houston.
My mother and I just wanted a delicious soup and sandwich, but of course in a special place, and Yelp brought us to Local.
The ambiance is fantastic. Lots of window light, long wooden tables, just the right amount of bright colors to make the space lively...
We wandered up to the counter and admitted it was our first time there. The girl working the register explained the menu to us and highlighted some favorites. She was really friendly and really helpful.
We ended up with the truffle egg salad sandwich and the crispy chicken sandwich, and we both went with potato leek soup in lieu of sides.
Both sandwiches were a 5/5. The pretzel bread that they were on was REALLY phenomenal as well. The edges of the bread were crispy and salty and just oh-so-good. The soup came with potato chips on top which is such a clever idea, I can't believe my inner fat kid never thought of it sooner! The soup was piping hot, not lukewarm, which matters. On a cold, rainy day where you spent half of it pushing a car out of a flooded street, you want HOT soup!!!
To drink, I had their draft IPA. It's delicious, but it is strong. I only drank half. If you prefer a lighter beer, their canned Blonde Bombshell is really fantastic.
I really highly recommend it here. We only tried two of their sandwiches from a long list of things that look REALLY amazing. Everything about the experience was fantastic.
We parked on the street right across, free 2 hour parking.
Next time I'm in Houston, this is on my list!!!Listed in: Houston
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Review from Brett H.
4/29/2012 1 Check-in Here
Great place and great atmosphere. Its a been awhile since I was here so I don't have specific details other than the sides were just as good as the sandwiches. So fresh. Enjoy.
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Review from Erica M.
Los Angeles, CA
4/1/2012
Oh yum. This restaurant has ALL my favorite qualities: fresh fresh vegetables, lots of vegetarian options, locally grown everything, fresh brewed iced tea, locally made baked goods, clean, spare, fancy-European-farmhouse decor, communal tables, waiters with moustaches.... Don't laugh at me; I was in heaven.
I had the spicy Szechuan tofu salad and my bf had the falafel sandwich with sides of kale and beets. Both were delicious. The salad was easily big enough for 3 portions but was delicious, healthy, and really high in fiber. The falafel, beets, and kale were also delicious. Food presentation was lovely. The iced tea was wonderful.
The lunch crowd was generally a tidy West U bunch. I'd like to see what it's like at dinner. I plan to come back many times; I liked it that much. -
Review from Tuan L.
I'm a sucker for great concepts, especially when it involves the term "local". But with most concepts some can be can be gimmicky or based on the new hottest thing. Bridging the concept and the expectations can be difficult, but when it's a success the skies the limit.
Local foods is touted as a gourmet sandwich place using local ingredients. Typically, gourmet means added value which equates to added cost. Throw in the word local, you can add another 5% added costs. In other words, take the price of your normal subway sandwich and Multiply it by 2.
Okay.. It's not fair comparing subway to a gourmet sandwich, and I completely understand. Gourmet sandwiches with local ingredients are supposed to taste and be better for you. I completely agree, however with Local Foods they fell short with that respect.
Onto the food. My friend and I decided on two different sanwiches so that we could each share. I ordered the egg salad and he ordered the duck. The egg sandwich was by far better than the duck. The egg sandwich had your normal ingredients, mayonnaise, a hint of mustard, relish, farm fresh egg, on a pretzel bun. The pretzel bun was the shinning star.
The duck confet sandwich was a complete mess. The texture of the duck was just mushy. I just couldn't get pass the mushiness. I just don't understand what the purpose of confet a duck and then turning the meet into a pate.
With each sandwich you have a choice of two sides or bowl of soup. The sides comprise of a healthy selection such as white bean with tomatoes, potato salad, or chips. The chips are very light and airy.
The decor is bright and welcoming with a modern touch. There's outdoor community seating -
Review from April C.
3/9/2012 4 Check-ins Here
Arugula shrimp, cranberries, Texas honey pecans, pecorino,
lemon-thyme vinaigrette: 5/5 - DELICIOUS. Plentiful of shrimp. I love the peppery flavor of arugula and it complimented the lemon-thyme vinaigrette nicely. The dressing was so perfect. It's whipped, so thicker than just olive oil dressings and not too acidic in flavor. I don't usually order salads when I dine, but this is an exception.
Crunchy Chicken: 4/5 - The chicken was very moist. The buttermilk ranch dressing was perfect. The sandwich held together nicely and didn't fall apart as I was eating it.
Gulf Shrimp and Blue Crap: 4/5 - This is a cold filling sandwich with warm bread. I really liked it but was expecting it to be completely warm.
Avocado, Potato, Leek Soup: 3/5 - It was good, but not great.
Tuscan Kale: 5/5 - The kale was tender and not bitter. The raisins and pine nuts went perfectly with it.
White Bean: 5/5 - it's got the consistency of potato salad. The bacon, grape tomatoes and dill all complimented this side dish.
House made potato chips: 4/5
The prices aren't too bad considering you get two sides with the sandwiches. You can tell the quality of the ingredients is also what you pay for.
Service: 5/5 - We order from here regularly for business lunches and the orders are labeled and always correct.
Ambiance: 5/5 - nice open, urban floor plan (with the exposed brick, air ducts). -
Review from Helen S.
Dallas, TX
3/24/2012
I need to thank my luck that it was past 3 pm and Thai Spice had just closed. Otherwise, I would have never tried this amazing restaurant.
Usually I'm not a huge fan of sandwichy lunch places. But Oh. My. God. Local Foods just shot to the top of my favorite Houston restaurants list.
My boyfriend once said to me that I always order the weirdest thing on the menu. Geez, I wouldn't classify it as weirdest. I just have an adventurous palate. And it seems that Local Foods is the perfect place for me to satisfy that palate.
I had the duck confit sandwich with brie, arugula, and cranberry preserves. Heaven. It's stacked between two slices of delicious crusty wheat bread.
My two sides were white beans with bacon, grape tomato, and dill, and cabbage slaw with bean sprouts, edamame and lemongrass vinaigrette. Just thinking about them makes me so happy.
I also had a cup of the lemongrass chicken/ginger/rice soup. It had an amazing coconut curry flavor.
The waiter told me that Local Foods is affiliated with benjy's. Of course, I thought, it makes sense now. Another Houston favorite.
Overall, it was an unexpectedly fantastic lunch experience.
I wish I could give this place more than 5 stars. Can't wait to be back. -
Review from Debs C.
And I thought the salmon and chicken sandwiches were good..
Stepped out of my comfort zone today and tried the truffled egg salad sandwich after reading Gretchen P.'s review. Amazing.
Egg salad sandwich, you made my day.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/2/2012
Local Foods is located right next to my gym. There's a wall of windows on the 2nd floor of 24hr… Read more »
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Review from Mary P.
3/4/2012 1 Check-in Here
I'm not obsessed with eating local. I'm just obsessed with eating delicious.
When i ventured to local foods with their recycled feel I knew I was going to be getting something delicious. For some reason these localtarian places just make better food. Maybe its the pressure to perform. You have fresh ingredients and your store is made from old trash, you'd better perform!
I got the truffled egg salad. I simply love egg salad and I do love truffle oil although there should be a disclaimer here. You die-hard localtarians are going to have a heart attack and not because of the cholesterol in the egg you're eating (Truffle oil is a synthetic concoction made in a laboratory). There I said it. And I don't care cuz this sandwich is delicious. The marriage of pretzel flavored bread, truffle oil, and egg salad is an awesome combination. Good job chef!
The potato leek soup is delish too. -
Review from Leslie K.
4/20/2012
where the upper crust dine in their lululemon. haha just kidding...love the place. down to earth, fresh, and healthy!
i was lucky enough to be able to try the duck confit sandwich before it went out of season. traded out the whole wheat bread for a pretzel bun. delicious (4/5)! none of the sides really called out to me...kale was delicious, slaw was slaw.
capered tuna sandwich (2/5) - disappointing. jimmy john's does a better job for the tuna...but there's always a trade off between taste/healthiness.
definitely want to come back for the truffled egg salad sandwich. and salads. -
Review from Lauren K.
4/18/2012
5 stars for service. 5 stars for concept. 3.5-4 stars for food.
The crunchy chicken sandwich was good, but not as crispy as I had hoped. The potato/avocado soup was also good, but the weather's too warm out already to enjoy a hot soup.
The truffled egg sandwich was definitely truffle-y. It was good, but the in-your-face truffle flavor was a little too much. The kale salad was also enjoyable, but didn't compare to the potato salad.
The mint-ade was a super refreshing drink full of strong citrus flavors. Their great service was evident when the tap from the root beer wasn't working; one of the employees offered to either give us a refund or another drink. We asked for bottled Dr. Pepper, which he brought back with the full refund as well.
Despite feeling a little underwhelmed by some of the dishes, I'll still be back to try other sandwiches on the menu that caught my eye. I definitely like that all the food is sourced from Texas, including the drinks. -
Review from Sneha R.
Houston, TX
Well rounded menu with unique items, all made with fresh ingredients -- flavors were a little off on some items though. I love that all the sides contain no meat. This place is VERY vegetarian friendly!
Smoked salmon sandwich -- get this, it was so delicious! The bagel was perfectly toasted so that it was still soft enough to be a sandwich but toasted enough to be the frame to the other ingredients. It's simple but fresh.
Duck Confit -- The cranberry preserves were put on too generously. It made the bread soggy and in general overpowered the flavors of the entire sandwich. I didn't even taste the brie. This was really sweet!
Sides -- The red skin potatoes have almost no flavor. Tuscan kale is unique, I loved the raisins in it. Green olives quinoa was the best side, the slight saltiness from the olives was just perfect. The cabbage slaw was alright.
Basically, two of the four sides were good and one of the two sandwiches were good.
They close super early -- 7pm. -
Review from Nhi H.
Houston, TX
4/12/2012
Local Foods, why must you be so far from me?!
I've been meaning to try this spot for a while, but I rarely am in this area, or when I am, Local Foods is closed. (Glad to hear they are open 'til 8pm now!) I finally was able to stop by 2-3 weeks ago to pick something up from a friend. To be honest, I had no intentions of eating here since I had to attend a birthday dinner in less than an hour. Well, that decision obviously changed. After a long debate on what to get (everything sounds so good on the menu), I finally decided on the Duck Confit Sandwich. Best decision ever. All the ingredients perfectly complemented each other. I was afraid the duck confit would be dry, but it wasn't. The bread was perfectly toasted. When I ordered my sandwich, I told myself that I would only eat half (I even asked for it to go so I can take the other half home since I had that birthday dinner that I previously mentioned)...welllll, that didn't happen. I couldn't control myself! Within minutes, I had devoured the whole thing! GAHHHHH why must I think with my stomach?! Who eats TWO meals within 30 minutes of each other? THIS GIRL. Ever since that day, I have been daydreaming about that sandwich. I cannot wait to go back and order the sandwich, again. This time, I'll make sure to not have any lunch or dinner plans right after.
'Til I meet you again, Duck Confit Sandwich, I will be thinking of you. -
Review from Christine C.
Houston, TX
2/17/2012 7 Check-ins Here
I love this place. I can not recommend it enough. In fact, not a single person I've recommended it to has been disappointed. Go. Now. I dare you to prove me wrong. (And I do love being right.)
Beautiful decor, fresh ingredients, familiar yet innovative recipes, Local is without a doubt one of my all time favorite eats in Houston. And it's only a sandwich shop! Prices for a huge sandwich and two gourmet sides (or a soup) average around $11.
Shrimp and Crab Sandwich + Green Goddess Dressing:
The crispness of the fresh shrimp and the slight citrusy tang of the sauce, it's like you're eating a lobster roll. Take THAT, east coast! And there's no skimping on the good stuff. No. Not at Local. Every bite is chock full of meaty crab and juicy shrimp. I do love a sandwich that's evenly distributed. (and yes, I do typically open up my sandwiches and re-arrange ingredients.)
Crunchy Chicken Sandwich + Buttermilk Ranch Dressing:
mmmmm... so much more than just a sandwich. Perfect crunch to chicken ratio. Not a bit greasy. Succulent juicy chicken. LOVE. I hear it's a favorite among customers.
Duck Confit Panini, Brie, Arugula, Cranberry Preserve:
Holy Moley. Gourmet sandwich to the max. Soft buttery brie? Duck poached in its own fat? You, too, can be fancy. And it does taste good as leftovers out of the fridge. Rather Thanksgiving-y. But probably better than your grandma's turkey. Again, perfect example of how Local takes classic flavors and amps them up a notch.
I've had a couple other sandwiches, but I dont want to ruin all the fun. Pick something that calls to you. The menu changes every so often to keep you coming back.
Last but not least: Sides.
I recommend the shredded butternut squash, kale salad, potatoes w dijon aioli, and the white bean + bacon and dill.
Happy eating! -
Review from Kate W.
Houston, TX
4/22/2012 1 photo
The food was very good and well priced. I had the shrimp & crab sandwich, which was very good. The Tuscan kale and 4 bean salad were both well prepared and have good flavor. The desserts are really "mom's originals," made in mom's kitchen right around the corner. Personally not a fan of the butterscotch brownie but the 7 layer brownie is killer. Must try!
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Review from Grace Z.
2/28/2012 1 Check-in Here
Amazing, amazing place. Except for the closing at 7pm thing. I hightailed out of work to make it here on time to pick up dinner for two. Parking is a pain and a half here, I ended up parking along the street a few blocks away.
This eatery has sandwiches, sides and salads featuring ingredients from local farms. Sandwiches comes with two sides, bringing your meal to $10-$12 per person. I think this is really reasonable, they don't skimp on what goes inside your sandwich, and all the ingredients are high quality. So far, we have tried the duck confit, smoked salmon, crunchy chicken, and gulf shrimp and blue crab. I don't think you can go wrong with anything on the menu, though I highly recommend the duck confit. It's sort of like a duck salad sandwich with cranberry preserve...it was really innovative and well executed. It's the perfect combination of savory and sweet. Most of the sides are not highly imaginative, but they are good and compliment the sandwiches well. I quite like the red potato salad.
I seriously cannot wait to try everything else on their menu. I was out of the country for two weeks, and Local Foods topped my list of the things I missed most in Houston! -
Review from Brittany K.
Houston, TX
3/8/2012
I really enjoyed everything that we ordered here. The reuban was literally the best I've ever had. The potato salad - wow!
Highly recommended. Will be back. Very interested in trying this egg sandwich everyone is talking about! -
Review from mindy c.
Houston, TX
2/13/2012
I'm in love with everything but the name. They're completely selling themselves short with the generic "Local Foods" nod - but don't let it fool you. This is something so special that you'll want to tell everyone about it but then you'll be upset because you want it to remain your own little secret.
My boyfriend convinced me to strike out of our usual rut a few Friday's ago. We were hungry at an unusually early hour and he suggested this spot - he's a total sandwich guy and me, notsomuch. So it took a little convincing but I'm glad he was persistant. We parked along the street at 24 hour fitness & made the short walk over. It was love at first sight. The space is brilliant - open and airy, modern but not cold. Like walking into a beautiful market.
When we got there, there weren't many customers (who eats sandwiches for dinner on a Friday night at 5pm? We do, I guess). The guy who helped us at the deli counter was really kind. He let us sample some of the local beers & made some great menu recommendations. I ended up with the egg salad sandwich w/truffle oil on a pretzel bun (OH.MY.GOD.). I don't even really like egg salad, but this sandwich was one the most amazing things I've even in months. The truffle oil was subtle but added layers of interest to the flavor profile. The kale & raisins peaked my interest - though I don't usually go for kale I was again surprised at how much I loved them. So many surprises all around - I was in 5pm dinner heaven.
I'm excited to go back during the lunch hour to try out more of the menu & see how they might make some seasonal changes to reflect their local focus. -
Review from karen c.
Houston, TX
2/13/2012
Great ambience. Good food.
Highly recommend the duck confit sandwich... with brie, arugula, and a cranberry spread, it's melt-in-your-mouth delicious!
For sides, kale and butternut squash slaw are both very good.
Definitely will be back for more. -
Review from Grace L.
Plano, TX
2/27/2012
I feel like once I get the truffled egg sammie, this review will be locked down at 5 stars. I got the shrimp and blue crab sandwich with sides of kale and potato salad for $13 which was the priciest thing on the menu. Most sandwiches fall around $11 which is appropriate considering the quality of ingredients. Some of my bites had small shards of shell from the crab which didnt bother me because it just confirmed that the crab meat was indeed real and not overly processed. I also tried my friend's sides of beets and white bean salad, and of the four, I'd say the white bean salad had the most flavor.
Love the vibe of the place! It reminds me so much of Austin! (and really, who doesnt love that city?!) -
Review from Victor C.
Houston, TX
Updated - 5/9/2012
Good food, wonderful space. Will be interested to see how they develop the menu over time. We've been a handful of times and everything has been, at the very least, satisfying. Obviously trendy? Perhaps, but that is a dickish and reductionary thing to say Imaginary Strawman; high quality ingredients served interestingly in a pretty building is a solid concept not beholden to fashion. Wish this place all the best, though it wouldn't kill them to try heating some of the stuff up.
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Review from Gretchen P.
Houston, TX
1/3/2012
I've been on a egg salad sandwich tear as of late. I used to hate the stuff unless my friend Liz made it. Deli salads were her thing (potato, tuna, chicken, egg), and I was always partial to the potato, but the egg salad was a close second...not that the chicken or tuna was paltry by any means.
I prefer a healthy dose of dill mixed in, and I'm okay with experimentation with ingredients (Liz used to add sliced green olives to the potato salad), but I was a bit put off by the word "Truffled" preceding Egg Salad on the menu at Local. What no bacon, chopped up cupcakes , or any other manner of trendy foods? How dull. It was made with trusted farmer's market vendors' items, so I ordered away. Hatterman's eggs! and Slow Dough's pretzel roll! (Crap. I don't sound like a snobbish hipster foodie, do I? Listen, I don't wear plastic framed glasses, t-shirts with dumb phrases and birds on them, and/or have an ugly hipster 1970s geek haircut...dyed black. I'm just a FM junkie.)
The sandwich was pretty wonderful. The truffle "essence" or whatever just gave the egg salad an earthy tinge. Not unpleasantly, either. It was dressed with some greens. With a sandwich, you get two sides. I got the grated beets that were doused in olive oil and lemon juice and also quinoa overpowered by sliced green olives. Pimentos still intact. Eh.
It is refreshing to see so many vendors represented in their ingredient's list. Some of my favorites, too! Bee Wilde Honey, Hatterman's, Texas Hill Country Olive Oil, Slow Dough, to name a few. The space is industrial, but refined. It's open and bright. Oh, and they have a counter full of salads and a menu of soups, salads, and sandwiches. It's the perfect lunch spot.Listed in: Lunch Bunch, What's up, Tiger LIly?, Beets to the Rhyme
