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    Cafe Express

    3.1 (185 reviews)
    ModerateSandwiches, Cafes, Salad
    Open 10:30 am - 10:00 pm

    Order Cafe Express Takeout or Delivery

    Cafe Express Photos

    Business Info

    CAFE EXPRESS ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Cafe Express

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    Mark W.

    One of the better fast casual concept that started in Houston, the food here is Mediterranean flavor. You order at the front and they will bring the food out to you, you will get your own drink and the free olives, garlics, and pickle, and your silverwares. The food comes out pretty fast. The price for the quality of the food is on point, I usually get the Cafe Duo combo, you choose a sandwiches and a soup or a salad. Creamy Potato Soup and Half Chicken Pesto on Ciabatta are my favorites so far here. The cafe feels like you are at a coastal town in the Mediterranean Sea.

    Tania M.

    So I got hungry after a morning of running errands and stumbled upon this place. I had such a good experience. A quiet delicious lunch. Simple but great. I had a BLT and let me tell ya. The bacon was a thick girl!!! The orzo soup portion was perfect enough. The wait staff was so good they anticipated patrons needs from what I observed. Great experience with a smile and a gentle greeting. Definitely my new soup and sandwich spot. Though a little on the pricier for that selection.

    Mediterranean Salmon
    Joseph M.

    I come here after my workout at least twice a week and haven't had an issue until I tried their new salmon item. I was served a slab of salmon that was still raw in the middle, and only realized after I had already eaten some. I brought it up to the staff and they solely recooked the plate and served it back to me. Unsanitary and unsafe for those with sensitive stomachs. I should not have to worry about my food being half prepared with how high their prices are. Additionally, their salmon had many bones inside which made it annoying to manage. Unfortunately, I do not wish to comeback solely due to their quality of food. Two stars.

    Jando S.

    My initial experiences with Cafe Express were not great, mainly due to lackluster food and service. However, I'm all for second (#1) chances and wanted to give them another shot for their seasonal menu, family style packages, and slightly renovated interior. The good news is that the food has improved but the bad news is the service is still a total crapshoot. The casual format is still the same: order in the front, get a number assigned, and someone will eventually bring over the food. The parking is a shared lot with ample spaces and the interior is clean with plenty of natural lighting. There's a lot of room to stretch since it's so spacious, there's a lot of room for all parties from solo diners to large groups. While the food is still very much of the cafeteria style quality that others have noted, it is at least improved as compared to the stuff I had before. Their sandwiches are basic, but the toasted turkey club ($11) i a solid pick as is their classic tuna sandwich ($9). The salads have fared better for me personally, as I've enjoyed their shrimp + avocado ($16) and triple deli ($16) which combines tuna salad, chicken salad, and pesto pasta in one single bowl. Many of their entrees have chicken and salmon, so for anyone looking for something different might enjoy their angus cheddar burger ($14), which comes with fries. The staff is usually very young and not the most personable group. I've been served someone else's order several times and the cashiers are usually a bit disconnected with the interaction. This varies from day to day of course, but I think this is their biggest area of improvement. Overall, I've been here for WiFi work lunches as well as easy meetings over food when in River Oaks. It's still a solid casual option where the buck doesn't break the bank, but hoping the service will kick it up a notch. __________ (#1) Or in this case, fifths*.

    New Mediterranean Chicken Bowl
    Lucía B.

    So delicious! The seating area was nicely decorated; I loved the natural lighting coming from all the windows. We received our food fast and the Mediterranean bowl was really refreshing.

    Triple deli salad
    Rebecca B.

    Clean, fresh, delicious! Open and airy atmosphere with friendly and laid back staff. My new go to spot since Zoe's Kitchens closed down. Will be a new regular at this classic and redefined casual yet classy establishment.

    Basil Pesto Chicken
    Noah H.

    Great experience. Walked in, guy at the register was ready to help, I asked him some of his favorites, ended up with the basil pesto chicken with garlic mashed potatoes and spinach. Well priced. Food came out in about 5 minutes. Super tasty. They also had a sort of bar for extra flavors so I grabbed some olives and giardiniera. Was in and out in 15-20 minutes. The place itself was busy as well as this was peak lunch hour. Really impressed w just how fast everything was but still great quality. Ambiance was bright, open design. Cant complain about anything, 5/5.

    Edward E.

    A few weeks ago, I took my residents from The Landing at Augusta Woods (a Frontier Senior Living community in Spring) to this location, before a show at Stages. I was VERY hesitant to take them here, as I know how busy the shopping center gets - and taking a bus full of seniors doesn't sound like the easiest thing to do, especially around 5pm!! However, I was COMPLETELY wrong! EVERY team member there went ABOVE AND BEYOND with all of us - holding the door for us, escorting residents in wheelchairs, cracking jokes, etc. My residents truly felt spoiled and part of the family. The team definitely provided AMAZING service! "What did we do to deserve all this attention?" One of my residents asked me. Thank you Cafe Express for providing such a joyous and memorable evening

    Inside Cafe Express
    Kerry C.

    I love what the remodeling folks at the Cafe Express on West Gray in Houston did to the old place. It's new, bright, spacious, and very user friendly. Condiments are great, the salad bar even better but what really stands out most of all is the Manager, Josh and the customer service by attendants Diago, and Samuel. Beautiful outdoor/indoor seating! Power outlets! Only downside is -- no coffee! But they are working on that! I love going to this place now. It puts Panera Bakery, Corner Bakery to shame. You'll thank so too.

    What order looked like on their website

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    5 years ago

    Avia at the front is incredible! We were so sad to hear the turkey burger is no longer there. PLEASE BRING the TURKEY BURGER back!!!!

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    Cafe E.

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    Awesome atmosphere and even better food.Caesar Salad and Shrimp and Avocado Salad and the chicken Alfredo was terrific!!!!!

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    4 years ago

    Service was great. Food was even better. Our salads were amazing. Definitely reccommend the shrimp avocado salad.

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    Page 2 of 5

    Ask the Community - Cafe Express

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    Local Foods

    Local Foods

    4.5
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    2.1 mi
    $$

    Came here for brunch on a Sunday. I am a huge fan of Farm…read more44 beef got the steak and eggs! Potatoes and fried hard eggs plus sautéed spinach was delicious. Spoke with Bobby about the char being a little much he accommodated me with a steak cooked on flat top rather then open flame. Absolutely fantastic!!! I will be back service was amazing line moved fast. This place is busy on the weekends! Strawberry lemonade was delicious!! Amazing ambiance and super customer service. Once again Bobby was such a kind soul and made sure everything came out perfectly!!! Thank you local foods

    This is a top favorite of mine,I've been a regular for over a year and they never disappoint I…read morebring my friends and family and they've all loved it, I love that they use local and fresh ingredients and you can tell in the quality of the flavor and the richness. The drinks are also good coffee and the bar section is solid. I used to finish my running (walking trail right in front) and stop by for a coffee or full breakfast. The patio area is my favorite if Houston's weather is blessing us I'm always sitting outside I usually get the CRUNCHY" CHICKEN sandwich with either side of Pozole or the chips so crispy and made in the moment. I've had other items the burger the salad the salmon they've always been fees and flavorful, I cannot recommend one thing because everything tastes great! Best place for a cute date or get together with friends family this place has it all! Check out their seasonal items they're always changing and they absolutely worth trying ****** GREEN POZOLE!!' I was surprised on how good it was sorry for doubting it's now my too favorite pozole in Houston ****** (approved by a Mexican ajuaaa )

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    My fave, crunchy chicken with potato chips & kale salad
    My fave, crunchy chicken with potato chips & kale salad
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    Flower Child

    Flower Child

    4.4
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    3.2 mi
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    Healthy dining
    Gluten-free friendly

    I'm doing the Daniel Fast and wanted to go to a restaurant that serves vegan and vegetarian food…read moreand I've found the best one. The servers are very kind and professionally answers questions to explain the food. The inside and outside looks very clean and nice place to sit and eat delicious food. I got Mother Earth bowl and it is so good that I'm already ready to go back soon to get it again. I also saw other entrees that I would like to try. My friend got Forbidden Rice and almost every time she ate it she said " this is so good and tasteful" and I totally agree. She got the chocolate pudding that is vegan she liked it. If you are healthy eating go here!

    The different dishes were good. You place your order up front, they give you a table sign, and you…read moreseat yourself. They'll bring the food out once it's done. The place felt like a breakfast joint since they had the breakfast nook seating or like banquette seating. I got calm comforting vibes here. Salad The salad was fresh and was filled with kale. The Volume of the salad was pretty loaded. Stir-Fry Noodles with Chicken It had veggies, chicken, mushrooms, peppers, and cashews. The bowls flavors were balanced and it did not taste like a Chinese stir fry more like a healthier version of it. I will say the portion size was normal it wasn't overly huge or too small. For the price I did wish it had a little more.

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    Dish Society

    Dish Society

    4.3
    (1.2k reviews)
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    Really delicious brunch spot with several locations in Houston. I loved the Brisket & Eggs plate…read morethat came with cheese grits. I also had a cup of decaf coffee with oat milk. My friend had a sausage, egg, and potato skillet that he said he was already craving to eat again a few hours later. You order at a counter, get a number for your table & our food came out within 5-10 minutes, so pretty fast service. The servers were all very polite. The place may have needed a little more AC because of the wall to wall windows, but I would still go back for the great food, and would recommend it to others. Free parking behind the building.

    I found this gem on Yelp while I was just passing through, and it turned out to be a fantastic spot…read morefor a late breakfast or brunch. The staff were super friendly, taking the time to explain the menu, which I really appreciated. They offered fresh-squeezed orange or grapefruit juice, and I went with the orange. it was crisp, refreshing, and definitely hit the spot. I ordered the brisket breakfast with two sunny-side eggs, and it was absolutely delicious. The atmosphere was modern, hip, and full of good energy. I loved the vibe, and it felt like a great place to just relax and enjoy. As I was leaving, I noticed a long line forming, and I realized how lucky I was to get in so quickly. The freshness of the food was epic and every bite was tasty and vibrant. The restroom was clean as well, which is always a plus. I'm giving this a full five stars and definitely a place I'll keep in mind next time I'm in town!

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    Mendocino Farms

    Mendocino Farms

    4.2
    (119 reviews)
    2.0 mi
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    Came here for a quick little meal and was reminded why I love this place so much! First off, the…read morearea itself is such a cute little spot--perfect for a casual dinner or quick bite with friends or family. Tonight we got the seasonal GOAT with pink lady apple, the "Not So Fried" Chicken Sandwich, and a large side of basil pesto salad shells. The seasonal salad was light, fresh, and full of flavor--definitely a hit--but I wasn't the biggest fan of the balsamic dressing it comes with. I swapped it for the Baja Green Goddess dressing, and that combo was perfect. The Not So Fried Chicken Sandwich was a winner as always--never a miss, especially with that mustard marmalade that ties it all together. And honestly, the basil pesto shells might've been the best part of the whole meal--so flavorful and comforting. The staff were super sweet and helpful, and the environment was very family-friendly. Overall, a great experience all around!

    I've been meaning to check this place out as I love coming to MKT area!!…read more We went for a bike ride, and decided to stop to get lunch. I ordered the "Not So Fried" Chicken and shared with my husband. It was very good and reminds me of the Local Foods Chicken Sandwich, but a little better to be honest. I don't feel so lethargic after eating it. It comes with the mustard pickle remoulade and it's delish! They have both indoor and outdoor seating, all covered which makes it nice. We sat on the patio, and after ordering, just scanned the table to let them know where we were seating. Service is efficient and all the workers are very kind and welcoming. A very chill vibe!

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    Mendocino Farms
    Mendocino Farms
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    Field & Tides

    Field & Tides

    4.2
    (711 reviews)
    2.7 mi
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    Went here for my birthday and had a wonderful experience. The restaurant is quiet and intimate, set…read moreinside a cute house that makes it feel very special and personal. We brought a group of 8 and everyone had a great time. The staff was incredibly personable and accommodating...they even kept my cake stored in the cooler for us! The food and drinks came out quickly and everything was delicious. I highly recommend the scallops...they were a standout dish. Our table ordered a variety of appetizers and entrées, and everything was excellent. Overall, a perfect spot for a celebration or special occasion.

    I've had field and tides bookmarked on my yelp for quite some time. So I was very excited to visit…read morelast weekend for brunch! The restaurant feels very cozy. There's two homes converted into a restaurant with plenty of outdoor seating as well. It was a beautiful, sunny day so we decided to sit under the shade outside. For drinks we ordered sangria and pineapple mimosas. The blueberry ginger pancakes seemed like a hit based on reviews so I ordered that as my entree. The portion size was huge so it was very filling. The ginger was not overwhelming at all and really complemented the sweetness of the blueberry toppings. I also ordered a the pork belly deviled eggs which were pretty yummy as well. My fiancé ordered the gumbo which was very savory and filled with the perfect combo of shrimp, chicken and andouille sausage. The service was good as well. Our waiter checked on us several times throughout our meal. Very solid brunch spot in the heights!

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    Full Bar
    Full Bar
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    Abdallah’s Lebanese Cafe

    Abdallah’s Lebanese Cafe

    4.6
    (101 reviews)
    1.6 mi

    We came here for an impromptu lunch after running weekend errands nearby at Total Wine and Home…read moreDepot. I had heard great things about the cafe at this new location, and had even tried their former location on Hillcroft a couple years ago as part of TooGoodToGo. While the concept is casual, the restaurant itself is very polished and feels like an upscale cafe. There is plenty of seating indoors as well as a huge patio outdoors. We opted to sit on the patio on a (rare) nice Houston day. The tables were spacious and the patio seating was very comfortable. We ordered the Kofta Kabob and Chicken Kabob specialty platters. These platters come with your choice of two sides - we went for the Fried Cauliflower, Tabouli Salad, Hummus, and Muhammara. The meats were so good and hit the spot. The Kofta Kabob had a complexity of flavor to it; so many spices that blended together really well. I will say that the post-meal burps of these spices were...smellier than usual. The Chicken Kabob was also flavorful and had a nice smokiness to it from the grill. I liked the slight crunch provided by the char along the edges. If I knew how to make chicken like this, it would be my daily meal prep! The Fried Cauliflower had a nice sear to it with lots of flavor. The Tabouli Salad and Hummus were comparable to those I've had at other Mediterranean places. The Muhammara was my favorite of the sides! It is a dip like hummus but also incorporates tomatoes, red bell peppers, and onions, among other spices; there was so much flavor to it and I could snack on this all day. The included pita bread was large, fluffy, and piping hot - perfect for dipping between the two side dips we got. Service was quick and friendly. The employee taking our order behind the counter was friendly and gave us the recommendation for the Muhammara - great rec. When our food was brought out and we had questions on some of the ingredients, the staff was very knowledgeable and knew right away what everything was.

    What a delightful surprise on our first visit to Abdallah's after having so many bland,…read moredisappointing meals at some other Middle Eastern places in the Heights area. The food is flavorful and seems more authentic as it's family owned and staff is very welcoming, helpful and friendly. We went on Saturday, got two Combo Dinners as you choose two mains and two sides. My husband got chicken and beef kafta with sides of hummus and fried cauliflower and I had beef kabob and beef kafta with sides of baba ganoush and greek salad. Upon delivery to our table (you order at counter) I was pleased to see the generous portion sizes then as we dug in, the flavors were yum! Even though there with many people there, there was plenty of seating and a nice sized patio we should have sat and enjoyed the cool breeze as it's on the East side of the restaurant. I don't think beer/wine or available so it's probably BYOB, didn't ask. The sweets looked really good. Abddallah's will certainly be one of our regular dining spots from now on. We should have tried it sooner!

    Photos
    Counter area
    Counter area
    Kibbe balls, Chicken Shawarma Plate, Baklava, Pita Bread, Fries Large, Fattoush Salad, Grape Leaves, Fried Cauliflower Small
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    ChopnBlok - Montrose

    ChopnBlok - Montrose

    4.5
    (410 reviews)
    1.0 mi
    $$

    Why 5 stars? Because it's elevated and unique cuisine…read more --- --- --- There is no shortage of restaurants you can enjoy in Houston, but a massive percentage of them are Tex-Mex and BBQ. Then there's the stuff you get plenty of in any city: pizza, chinese, sandwiches, chicken places, etc. But a real rare gem is ChopnBlok. It's West African cuisine, which is not exactly something you see on every street corner. But more importantly, this food is clearly made with love. It's not cheap: a couple of bowls and a tea comes out to nearly $100 after tip, but you're paying for real quality here. My dad and I both ordered a Golden Bowl and added steak. The steak was the best part. It had this amazing smokey flavor that made me wish I just ordered double steak instead of steak as an add on. I initially visited the ChopnBlok in POST, and was blown away with the flavors, so I've always wanted to come back and try their stand alone spot. If you're a person greatly adverse to spice, just be aware that there are some subtle hints of a kick in this dish, but I found it to be just the right amount: it let you know that it was there, but stayed in its lane.

    Even though we went to the smaller location at The Post, we were still expecting the same level of…read morequality and experience associated with this establishment. I have to say that my dish was tasty, but there were several things that disappointed me. First, the prices were outrageous for what was offered. Second, the use of flimsy plastic utensils and cheap napkins felt out of place. You would think that a place with such a prestigious reputation would provide higher-quality disposable items, at the very least. Overall, while the food was good, the experience did not justify the cost. This will probably be a one-and-done visit for me.

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Course 2 - Citrus Smoked Chicken w/ Native Fried Rice, Scallion Masa Pancake & Seasonal Pickles
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    Bread Zeppelin Salads Elevated

    Bread Zeppelin Salads Elevated

    4.4
    (142 reviews)
    2.5 mi
    Vegetarian friendly
    Catering service

    Came here after trying the downtown Dallas location literally a day later with my friend and I was…read moreimmediately obsessed . I ordered the Tejano Cesar Zepplin and added double chicken, pickled onions and halved tomatoes with a side of tomato, basil soup and it was all so good. I've never had a zeppelin until before now and it's the best way to describe it is that it's the cross between a sandwich and a salad. What it is exactly is a loaf of bread with the inside taken out so that it's like more of a shell and then it is a salad bowl like mixture stuffed in there. I feel like it's the perfect lunch because It's super filling, but also very light, and healthy! What more can you ask for. Wish I could even give this location 6 stars because I came about 40 minutes before close and he gave me 2 bread puddings for free because they were about to close.

    Easy parking. Easy order. Quick service! I really do find…read morethem delicious, this concept of a salad inside a crispy bread. They warm the bread, remove the inside and leaves the crispy outside to fill in with salad. Their salad recipes are good, especially the southwest one with avocados and black beans. Substitutions seem welcome and you get to choose your own sauce. Of course, let's not forget they offer Zapp's chips, which are delicious. Overall great and filling meal. Oh, so many tables to sit alone or as a group. Great place to be ! Leaving satisfied and would want to come back!

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    Bread Zeppelin Salads Elevated
    Bread Zeppelin Salads Elevated
    Stuffed to perfection!

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    Stuffed to perfection!

    Cafe Express - sandwiches - Updated June 2026

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