A big part of the decades long success at Local Foods has been their commitment to consistency. Their casual setting with excellent service is one thing, but quality executed food that is simple and seasonal will always go a long way. Before their recent expansions to Austin, it all began here in Rice Village exactly 15 years ago. The vibes are contemporary and casual, with the kind of space that fits for just about any scenario. Whether it's a solo meal, a lunch date, or a group led affair, the experience is almost always an excellent one. Start by ordering at the counter and find a seat where the food will brought directly to the table. So much of their variety caters to all sorts of dietary restrictions from vegan to gluten free to nut free. Their spicy crispy brussels sprouts ($10) are a nice starter, as is the squash "onion" rings ($12). The local power bowl ($16) is a classic and I've always enjoyed the brown rice and quinoa combo. Their chicken "posolé" is solid, and I love the large hominy bits along with the clear but green tint of a broth. The chicken shawarma bowl ($20) is an interesting mix that includes pickled beets and strawberries, along with their market cheddar burger ($17) and fabulous twice cooked fries. The carrot cupcake is strangely addicting, and I think their gluten free brownie is a bit of a sleeper. Some of their items didn't jive with me previously, such as an underwhelming cashew queso ($9), a semi-laughable Vietnamese steak bowl ($22), and their semi-gringo version of a banh mi ($15). It's not that these items are bad per se, but they definitely don't live up to the same standard that I feel their other dishes do best. Where they hit the biggest home run is their customer service. Everyone working behind the counter does their best to deliver and they almost always do by staying on top of refills, cleanups, and customer greets. I've always enjoyed my experiences here and look forward to every visit. read more

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Fabulous!! I was told by my colleague friends that this place was awesome and perfect for someone like me who is now both dairy free and (mostly) gluten free. After meetings we met and had a long lunch sitting outside on one of the two lovely patios. It was comfortable on a beautiful day. The person who took the order was very friendly and so was the manager who came around to check on our meal. One friend had the Thai steak salad and I had the veggie burger made with quinoa, beets and other vegetables. Wow...is what I will say!!! It was so flavorful and the focaccia bun (not gluten free) was incredible! Plus the double cooked fries were delicious! Oh, the side potato salad and kale salad were also delicious! I look forward to being back there next time I'm in Houston!! read more

Local Foods - Sandwiches Near Me - Houston, Texas

We came here yesterday (Tuesday) early afternoon. The restaurant was casual, seating area well-designed and comfortable. The woman cashier who took our orders at cashier 1 was impatient and indifferent, possessing an unpleasant demeanor to interact with. We ordered crispy chicken sandwich, brussels sprouts, squash quinoa soup and gulf seafood sandwich. Every dish was generous. The brussels sprouts, soup and chicken sandwich were hearty and flavorful, but the crab/shrimp in the seafood sandwich tasted fishy/grassy and not well-thought out. It would be great the chefs who create any dish taste it themselves before putting out on the menu. Based on the attitude of the rude cashier, I would go to a different location next time. read more

Visited for the caesar salad wrap and it did not disappoint. I love how my meal was very filling without feeling too heavy or unhealthy. Outdoor seating is really nice when weather allows and I'd definitely revisit read more

My first time at any Local Foods was the Rice Village restaurant. The menu has unique Brunch options all of which will make a great impression. I really enjoyed walking through market place before going to the counter to order my food and find my table. There is a spacious patio with lots of fans circulating air to keep you cool. My dish was the Gulf Shrimp Smashed Pita served as a pair is a hearty healthy meal. The slaw and dried pineapple added flavor not often found on any sandwich. My pitas were accompanied by a delicious Chicken Posole soup with a surprising amount of protein. After my first visit, I'm a big fan and look forward to checking out other locations. read more

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Came for a coworking lunch with a friend! I had the twice cooked fries and the spring harvest salad with salmon as my protein. The food was phenomenal! Service was great, very kind and informative staff! The ambiance was perfect! They have indoor and outdoor seating, perfect to enjoy the nice Houston weather! I definitely enjoyed my time and will be back to this location or others read more

Don't let the "healthy" aesthetic fool ya.. everything dish is super packed with flavor (trust me) .. It took me a while to choose something on the menu and I was verrrrry pleased with my dish! Everything was amazing - Pick up a Menu and order ahead, grab a table number, find your seat and wait for your food to come out. Place gets pretty busy for lunch time, pretty empty around 3PM The aesthetic is so nice - great for grabbing a quick lunch, friend dates and family outings read more

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It's a solid choice, but doesn't blow me out of the water. I got the Asian chicken salad and I really liked the dressing and the peanut sauce, but at the end of the day I paid $19 for a salad. It was big and hearty, don't get me wrong, but just not my thing for that price. read more

Local Foods - Asian Chicken Salad - Sandwiches Near Me - Houston, Texas

I really love this local foods location! It's clean, comfortable, and the staff is friendly. The harvest salad is an excellent go to - it changed with the seasons but is always delicious. Lots of veggies and packed full of fiber but the flavors are excellent. I love the textures from all the different raw and cooked vegetables. Also love the blood orange lemonade, so tasty! read more

Local Foods - Fall Harvest Salad - Sandwiches Near Me - Houston, Texas

We enjoy Local Foods. We visit the Westheimer location and the Rice Village location. Note that their menus vary a bit. Everything is good, & fresh with with a clean environment. Order at the counter, get you drink and they bring you your food. read more

Absolutely fabulous food, and environment! For two people who don't eat a lot of sandwiches, they were great! read more

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Such fresh and quality food every single time. Everything is fresh and made daily. The truffled egg salad sandwich is my favorite. The homemade chips are also da bomb, but when I'm being good, the kale salad hits the spot. I like to get a vegan carrot cake cupcake to-go to eat later. Sometimes I put it in the freezer so I can portion it out over a couple of days. I love going to the dentist because Local Foods is right across the street for me to pick up an order to take home! Each location is different from one another. All are clean and very inviting to dine in or take out. The ordering process is simple and friendly. You have time to review the menu as there is always a line which moves swiftly. I never miss a chance to visit Local Foods, whether I'm in Rice Village, Upper Kirby, or the Heights. It's definitely a tried and true go-to for me. read more

The best part about this place was the service. Our order was messed up twice (once on our part, once on theirs), and they worked so hard to correct both issues and didn't even charge us for one of the items. The place is cute with its own little vibe, but you're definitely paying a premium for that vibe. The food was okay, not really worth the cost, but with so many other options in the neighborhood, I'm surprised it lasts. Maybe the takeout helps overall. read more

Went here for lunch because I had heard so much about it, and it definitely lived up to the hype! I got the chicken sandwich and banana bread muffin, both of which I LOVED. The sandwich was packed with chicken and the pretzel bun was SO GOOD. The banana bread had also just been baked so it was so fresh and delicious. Overall vibe was casual yet nice. Service was great and quick as well! read more

Local Foods - Crunchy Chicken* - Sandwiches Near Me - Houston, Texas

Pellet weekend breakfast/brunch. Fast service at the counter when ordering. Fresh interiors with great music. Love the breakfast plate - pick your items from a long list of seasonal options. read more

I just visited this Local Foods- Rice Village with my friends and family and my children & I have very specific allergies that ultimately require us to eat Vegan. The manager Matthew went ABOVE and beyond to make sure that our food was specific for our needs and he served us with true compassion and care! He took the time to understand our needs and educated us on safe menu items. This was the BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE I have ever had in my life. Additionally, the food was AMAZING!!!! The Taco Salad was so yummy and the Vegan Breakfast Burrito was so flavorful! We are no stranger to Local Foods' other locations, but we've only been to this location once or twice, but we will definitely be back because The atmosphere was very welcoming and the food and service was immaculate! Please know that Matthew's service should be the standard For ALL RESTAURANTS. I truly felt that he loves what he does and does it from the heart. He is a Gem that the Local Foods corporation should definitely treasure! read more

Local Foods - Taco salad (vegan) - Sandwiches Near Me - Houston, Texas

Regular check-in today ! This location in West University/Rice feels like a neighborhood restaurant. ( Compared to their other locations on Kirby or in the heights). They own the whole plaza! In this one, they also have a mini market. They also own the bar next door (the Owl or Lee's Den? Can't recall the difference). They used to have a French inspired restaurant behind it but now in remodeling into an Italian twist. Anyways, that parking lot is theirs! It's been a go-to spot for me. It's local, they partner with local businesses (bread, fish, meat, etc.). Their recipes are unique. Nothing like the Italian sandwich you'll get at the chains. It has flavor (savory, sweet, or mustardy), texture (crunches), cooked ingredients paired with pickled onions?! And they have fresh seasonal fruits ! Watermelon today! Don't like sandwich? Make it a salad. Same stuffs in a bowl, without the bread. Got pasta, steak and fun healthy bowls too! My faves: - Power bowl - crunchy chicken sandwich - garden sammie - posole soup - potato salad - quinoa salad My least fave sandwich: Banh mi, which is way way wayyyy too salty. :( I could give all the negatives maybe. - Bathroom? Need more than 1 per gender, 2 total. - That parking lot I just mentioned ? I'm sure someone misread that dimension and chose European car sizes instead. It's tight. But it's an opportunity to show off your parking skills. Stay within those lanes. - Can they make those "unavailable during brunch time" available during brunch time ? I have the Chick-fil-A cravings on Sunday only disorder. - Slow down on the price increases please ? A crunchy chicken is 16.25, garden sammie is 13, a fun drink from the fridge is 3. Yikes. But have you tried their soap in their bathroom?!? It smells so good. Someone tells me where to source it pleaaase ! And the staff, always cool and suggesting ideas. Love their drinks options, always something new to try (like a market!) I really really like this business. Sending support ! read more

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Got my favorite vegetarian sandwich and Tuscan kale sandwich and a side of these 'chocolate' French toast. (They were strawberry but I'm not mad). Delicious!! read more

Local Foods - Sandwiches Near Me - Houston, Texas

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I just realized that this Local Foods has a duplicate Yelp listing. I visited a second time last Sunday, but here's a condensed version of my original review from 10/9/24: As someone who has walked through Rice Village many times, I'm surprised I haven't come across this place earlier. The Local Foods Market finds a way to hit a lot of the attractive qualities of a health conscious restaurant (locally sourced ingredients, tasty food, aesthetically pleasing building design, adequate parking/walking accessibility) without sacrificing portion size or fair prices. Chicken Shawarma Bowl: this is nothing like your local gyro restaurant. Its ingredients have been modified into a healthier theme, and comparing it to authentic chicken shawarma would be apples to oranges. Nevertheless, the dill yogurt and feta made the chicken very tasty. It also made the greens easy to eat. My favorite part of this dish was the brussels sprouts; crispy, well-seasoned, and a cheat code for fiber. If the weather permits it, I recommend sitting outside. The indoor seating is pretty too, but doesn't capture the urbanistic Houston vibe as well as outdoors. Service is over the counter and you pick up the food yourself when it's ready. Support your local growers and give this place a try! 12/29/24 update: I tried the crunchy chicken sandwich this time and thoroughly enjoyed it. The crunchy title is given to the bread, not the chicken, so no need for a cheat diet to order it. From its presentation to its amalgamation of tasty flavors, "well put-together gourmet craft" describes it better than a sandwich. I chose Tuscan kale and red potato salad for my 2 sides; the kale tasted decent and the red potato salad tasted better than any potato salad I've ever had. The chicken posolé soup serves as a terrific light snack for anyone merely tagging along with their group. The ingredient list seemed bizarre to me (e.g. hominy, pumpkin seed garnish), but my mom decided to give it a try. I'm glad she did because I tasted two spoonfuls and loved it. It's unlike any conventional American chicken soup that I'm used to. Local Foods continues to impress me with their breadth of culinary skills. I hope to be back soon! read more

Local Foods is one of the few places you can easily find vegetables in the wild and I really wanted a salad. This location was clean, with modern decor and with soft but adequate lighting. It was moderately busy but the staff was quick to clean tables to make sure people can quickly seat themselves. A lot of reusable and biodegradable packaging. I enjoyed my salad but the warm apples were off putting. They might be better served cold. Definitely stop by! read more

Local Foods - Sandwiches Near Me - Houston, Texas

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Love this place! Ingredients are clean and don't feel too heavy on your stomach so I can leave this place feeling healthy. The service is top notch and very organized. It does get quit busy during the lunch rush!! I will definitely be back to explore their other gluten free options! read more

Local Foods - Crunchy Chicken sandwich on gluten free bread - Sandwiches Near Me - Houston, Texas

Local foods has been a favorite of mine for years, they are consistently delicious. My go to is the crunchy chicken sandwich with the pozole soup, so good!! Other good options are the truffled egg sandwich, garden sammie and the gulf shrimp sandwich. Portions are very solidly sized, the sandwich can sometimes serve as two meals for me. Service is always fast and friendly and their outdoor seating is cute. Love to bring my friends who visit from out of town here! read more

Local Foods - Truffled Egg Salad sandwich - Sandwiches Near Me - Houston, Texas

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I hadn't been to Local Foods in a long time. I was around the corner from this location. You order at the counter. I had an egg salad sandwich and two sides. I wasn't particularly fond of the kale salad. But who likes kale anyway? The red potato salad was good. The sandwich was hearty. I could only eat half. The mint lemonade was refreshing and tangy. Staff were friendly. There is a small grocery store next door. read more

Local Foods - Egg salad sandwich - Sandwiches Near Me - Houston, Texas

Everything from food to service was great. There were menus at the entrance, and there was a choice of a beverage everywhere. We ordered on the side of the kitchen and were given a number. Then, you can grab utensils and choose a seat anywhere. Ambience is very comfortable. The portions are huge, and the food was delicious. read more

So so good! I've been here a couple of times and you can tell everything is made fresh with fresh ingredients. The space is bright and there's plenty of seating. I had the chicken pozole and the chicken sandwich and finished everything! read more

Local Foods - Sandwiches Near Me - Houston, Texas

I will forever and always love Local Foods. The food is FRESH and there is a great variety. If you want a hearty salad, this is the place to go. The vibes are good, whoever did the layout really knew what they were doing. There is also plenty of outdoor seating with fans. Also what's cute is the LF market next door, highly recommend checking that out too! Lastly the service is great. It's the kind of place where you order and get a number, then someone comes to your table with your dish. I find this really efficient! read more

Local Foods - Fall Harvest - Sandwiches Near Me - Houston, Texas

Great food and service. I particularly enjoyed the bowls with creative fillings like shawarma, and the muffins were excellent too.

I had a delivered order and everything was packed well and delicious. We ordered so many things and almost everything gets 5 stars from us. The pretzel bun blt - perfect. The bahn mi salad - spectacular, cashew queso surprisingly good! The hummus was great and I like the pickled carrots. The only thing I don't like was the Greek olives. They had a surprisingly ouzo flavor and I did not expect or enjoy that. We definitely will be eating here again. read more

Food-4 Service-4 Atmosphere-4 Local foods on a nice Saturday evening after shopping was a conscious healthy dinner option to end the day. Plenty of parking options. Plenty of seating options on the inside of the restaurant & outside. A Delicious & Healthy Culinary Gem in Houston! Local Foods in Houston is a true Healthy Culinary gem that hits the marker more times that not. From the moment you step in, the inviting atmosphere sets the stage for an exceptional & relaxing dining experience. The menu boasts a diverse selection of fresh, locally-sourced ingredients crafted into mouthwatering dishes that cater to various tastes and pallets. The staff at Local Foods were friendly even though we had to ask them (on 2 different occasions) to make sure the chicken on the Crunchy Chicken Sandwich came out hot & not cold for my wife. It was delicious to her as always. (She got modifications as well- Sourdough bread & Sub Vinaigrette instead of ranch) The manager on duty Korina made sure our order was right. She genuinely cared about ensuring that our food was prepared the way it's normally made. Their recommendations are spot-on, and the service is consistently prompt and attentive nonetheless. IMO the standout feature of Local Foods, however, is undoubtedly the food. As you look upon the menu each dish is a variety of well thought out of flavors and textures, showcasing the chef's dedication to quality. Whether you're a fan of salads, sandwiches, or heartier entrees, Local Foods has something to satisfy every palate. I got the Local Mushroom Fusilli Pasta ($22) which consisted of Oyster & Porcini Mushrooms, Cream, Tarragon, Lemon. Fried Capers. Pautaleo Cheese. I took off Fried Capers because Capers don't belong in Lunden's Pasta. Absolutely delicious. Pasta was cooked Al dente & the cream sauce was a great supporting cast that tied the whole dish together. The commitment to using locally-sourced ingredients not only supports the community but also enhances the overall dining experience. It's evident that the chefs take pride in creating dishes that highlight the richness of Houston's local produce. Whether you're a local or just passing through, Local Foods is a must-visit destination for food enthusiasts seeking a delightful blend of creativity and local flair. Your taste buds will thank you! read more

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A cute place with great energy. We ordered a "Crunchy" chicken sandwich and Truffled egg salad sandwich for lunch. The crunchy chicken was very tasty. I loved the crunch of the pickles in every bite and the pretzel bun was wonderfully thin and crispy on the edges. I did take some of the chicken out as it was a bit meat heavy for my taste. I think a little sweetness (maybe sweet pickles?) would make it even better. The apple beet salad side was very good but the chips were quite greasy and had no seasoning on them, not even salt. I think they forgot to dust them with old bay as described in the menu. My husband loved the egg salad sandwich. We moved into Rice village a few days ago and he's had it 3 times already! We live steps away from Local Foods and look forward to becoming "regulars". read more

Local Foods - "Crunchy" chicken sandwich and Truffled egg salad sandwich - Sandwiches Near Me - Houston, Texas

their pickles taste weird. they do not accept cash. the pineapple juice was very good. the sandwich was kinda messy. read more

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Came for a late lunch on a Thursday. Wasn't busy. Order at the counter and sit wherever you'd like. I had the power bowl and added chicken. My friend had the burger. Really enjoyed the flavors in the power bowl. And portion size was good for price. The burger maybe less worth price wise but enjoyable. We also split some pickle wedges which were good. The patio is nice on a cooler day. read more

Local Foods - Power bowl - Sandwiches Near Me - Houston, Texas

We took away some Local Foods tonight after receiving multiple recommendations from friends. The restaurant is cozy with plenty of seating and a cute retail section. The menu has plenty of appealing options with creative twists. Our order arrived quickly & the food transported well home. I tried the Bahn Mi sandwich with sides of Tuscan kale and quinoa salad - it was flavorful and fresh! Overall, we loved it and will likely return to dine inside in the future. read more

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Delicious food, handmade in house pasta. Very fresh. Understanding of dietary restrictions. Our server gladly put the cheese on the side and double checked the menu to make sure there was no dairy. The quinoa salad was very refreshing. The portions are large so one large bowl was more than enough for 2 along with a small side. Nice ambiance, they have an attached wine store/ groceries a which was nice to explore. read more

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Always such good food. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner it's always good. Very refreshing and healthy food. Good seating and ambiance indoor and outdoor. Service is very quick and accurate. Service staff are friendly and know what they are doing. read more

Local Foods - Sandwiches Near Me - Houston, Texas

Local Foods is consistently delicious!! Can't go wrong with anything on the menu really, and I've tried pretty much everything. I wish they'd open up a location in Katy, it's too bad all their spots are only inside 610. read more

Local Foods - Crunchy Chicken sandwich! - Sandwiches Near Me - Houston, Texas

Good Lord, this was good food!!! Wife had Omelette (Wild Mushroom & Spinach) with delicious diced new potato fries, crisp on the outside and a multiple herbed flavored inside. We split 4 mini buttery corn muffins, which we've only found that good before at one place in Atlanta! I had the Pastrami Smoked Salmon Seasonal Sandwich with wonderful, in-house cooked potato chips & dill pickle sides & watermelon lemonade! We couldn't finish either plate!! Service was very courteous, and the place ran like a clock. If you know the Rice Village shopping area, this is just a couple of blocks away! We will definitely be back, and we cannot recommend this eatery highly enough!! read more

Located in the Rice Village complex, Local Foods is a place to pick up small gourmet groceries, high end alcohol and freshly prepared food near Rice University. A place like this will not survive unless it is able to attract repeat customers with good, flavorful food at reasonable prices. It was a bit busy inside, but our host remarked that it would normally be a lot busier than this. One orders/pays at the counter and the food is brought out to you. We ordered two burger plates ($19), that came with fries. One of them was asked to be deconstructed, which they did, but I guess that meant there was no space for the fries on the plate so didn't get any. The fries were excellent: clearly double fried, hot and delicious. The burger meat and bread was of good quality, and the toppings were fresh. I got a bowl of the soup du jour, which was a corn bisque ($8), topped with toasted cashews. It was good, with lemongrass providing a very strong, fragrant flavor, giving it a yellow curry taste. There was varied seating throughout, and a variety of people (students, familties, professionals) hanging out on a Sunday morning. read more

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I like this place. It's a great spot for healthy yummy eats. I have tried their chicken sandwich, their gulf shrimp and blue crab sandwich, their chicken schwarma quinoa bowl. Chicken Schwarma Quinoa Bowl: I am typically not a huge fan of quinoa, but I liked their bowl. The dressing was also so flavorful, and it was so much food, I made two meals out of it. It was a tiny bit spicy, but not over the top. It was still edible for someone who cannot tolerate much heat. 8.5/10 Chicken Sandwich: Their chicken sandwich is a classic. You get two sides with it, and I usually get the pickles and some kind of side salad. The pickles are a bit different as they have a sort of curry taste to them, and they are yellow. They are a bit spicy, but still so crunchy and yummy. The sandwich is great. It's pretty packed and definitely fills you up. I like it with the pretzel bun! Good flavor. 9/10 Gulf Shrimp and Blue Crab Sandwich: I was looking forward to trying this sandwich for the longest time, but unfortunately, I did not end up liking it very much. The seafood had a weird taste, and I wouldn't get it again. 4/10 Overall, Local Foods is a solid place for good sandwiches or a quick and healthy meal. 8/10 read more

Local Foods - Chicken schwarma quinoa bowl - Sandwiches Near Me - Houston, Texas

Been here a few times over the years and it always delivers a great fresh meal that makes you feel good after you eat it. There is plenty of parking out front and food comes out quickly. ATMOSPHERE: Just like the food, the ambiance here just feels fresh and clean. There is a lot of greenery on the inside and the wood tables make it a place you feel great to sit in and eat in. FOOD: My go-to here is the Crunchy Chicken with Kale Salad sides. The sandwich is so good. The ingredients are stacked high and portioned really well. The kale salad is a nice light balance to the sandwich, is more mild in flavor, and adds some good fiber. SERVICE: Always have had kind servers who have helped with the menu and recommendations. PRICE/VALUE: On par with brunch/lunch places in the area. Considering the sandwich is so filling and you get 2 small sides with the sandwich, the price is reasonable ($14 for the crunchy chicken). Overall, I always get a great meal here and will be back for sure. read more

Local Foods - Crunchy chicken - Sandwiches Near Me - Houston, Texas