Restaurant Review: Onion Creek Coffee House

When choosing a lunch option, Houstonist usually listens to our food cravings. However, the weather has been in fine form recently so we headed to the great outdoors….err, at least as al fresco as we could get in Houston. So off to Onion Creek Coffee House we went. Located on White Oak Drive between Heights Boulevard and Studewood, this neighborhood café offers some laid-back personality to fit in with the personable Heights neighborhood. If you’re looking for big flavors and great service, this isn’t the place for you. If you’re looking for amiable atmosphere, especially on a nice spring day, come on out and set up camp at one of the picnic tables on the deck.

Ordering is not as intuitive as it may seem at this café. Head towards the bar to place your order. There may be a line, or some people hovering randomly, or others scratching their heads in confusion. Just get in the general vicinity and, like security lines at the airport, you’ll eventually get through. The menu is simple - salads, sandwiches, burgers and pizza. What you see is what you get and there are no pretenses here. We opted for a hummus appetizer, turkey sandwich, and the “Bad Ass Hot Dog” with chili and cheese. We’re always a sucker for anything on a menu prefaced by “bad ass,” especially if it involves processed meat.

The hummus was good but not memorable; the sandwich was big enough for both lunch and dinner; and the hot dog lived up to its name. However, our favorite was the potato salad that came with the sandwich – rich, creamy, tangy dressing with big hunks of fresh potatoes. But the best part of our lunch was the great conversation that comes with an order of stellar weather with outdoor seating and a side of relaxed atmosphere.

Onion Creek hosts a farmers market every Saturday morning so stop by for fresh produce and brunch. They also serve great coffee and have an impressive beer menu. Happy hours tend to get busy and the service is notoriously slow, but Houstonians continue to flock to this neighborhood gem.

The verdict: when you need a break from air conditioning and artificial lights, get in touch with the inner bohemian in you. Bring along a good book or an interesting friend and stay a while.