Opening Honest Mary’s restaurant solved a dilemma for Nelson Monteith and his wife, Mary.

The couple loves eating healthfully but didn’t always have time to make something at home and couldn’t find healthy and affordable options when eating out, Nelson said. At home, they would make grain bowls with whatever proteins and veggies they had on hand.

So the couple opened the fast-casual eatery Oct. 3 at 9828 Great Hills Trail, Ste. 300, Austin, near Pier 1 Imports. Besides focusing on healthier food choices, Nelson said the couple aimed to have a decor that has a homier feel.

“We wanted to create a place that is truly life-giving in every aspect, from the food to the environment,” he said.

Honest Mary’s offers five signature grain bowls. Each quarter, Honest Mary's partners with area fitness companies, such as CorePower Yoga, to offer a rotating seasonal bowl.

Bowls include a base of rice, quinoa or soba noodles and are topped with proteins, veggies and sauces that are organic and free of hormones and genetically modified organisms.

One of the more popular bowls is the Aloha Poke with ahi tuna, basmati lime rice, edamame, pickled onions, avocado, green onions, cilantro and black sesame seeds.

The Arboretum also provided the ideal spot for the concept, having a mix nearby neighborhoods and businesses as well as ample parking, Nelson said.

In the coming weeks, Honest Mary’s will offer catering and eventually family-size meals.

The restaurant is also cash-less, which Nelson said eliminates customers having to wait on employees to ring up transactions. Customers can also place and pay for to-go orders on their phones and simply walk in and pick up orders without having to check out, he said.

Although Monteith didn’t have previous restaurant experience, he said earning his MBA from the Acton School of Business in Austin was instrumental in learning how to operate a business. He also sought help on the menu from chef Jason Donoho from Verts and Joel Fried, who previously worked at Tacodeli and opened Eldorado Cafe in North Austin in August with his wife, Joanna.

“We want to be a safe, revitalizing place to come and have a meal and connect with people,” Nelson said.

For more information, call 512-953-8427 or visit www.honestmarys.com.