Nelson Monteith had a goal of providing people with easy healthy meals when he opened Honest Mary’s in September.
“The number of people who walked in and said, ‘I’m so glad you’re here. We’ve needed a place like this.’ That’s been surprising,” he said.
The restaurant serves grain bowls with rice, soba noodles or quinoa topped with various proteins and vegetables. Customers can also order and pay for food online and pick it up in-store without having to check out through an employee.
The most popular bowl is the Sedona Lime with basmati rice, sweet potatoes, black beans and a cashew lime crema sauce. Monteith said the Aloha Poke with ahi tuna, rice and edamame also sells well.
“Our lunches here are really awesome,” Monteith said. “We’ve packed out [the restaurant at] every lunch, and the line can get to the door.”
The restaurant is also family-friendly and offers customizable children’s bowls as well as high chairs and coloring sheets. Monteith said he is planning to offer family-sized meals.
Honest Mary’s also serves two beers on draft, wine, four agua frescas and kombucha—a fermented tea drink.
Honest Mary’s
9828 Great Hills Trail, Ste. 300, Austin
512-953-8427
www.honestmarys.com
Hours: daily 11 a.m.-9 p.m.