MONSTER PBJ TRUCK www.monsterpbj.com
www.facebook.com/Monsterpbj | 1.855.PBJ.LOVE
CUISINE PBJ MADNESS!
There is something about a Peanut Butter and Jelly (PBJ) sandwich that has a cult following. My husband is one of those cult followers. When I got an email that there was a new truck in town dedicated to PBJs, I was intrigued. Apparently, a LOT of people fancy this childhood sandwich. And then I saw the truck, the Monster logo, the sandwich options and kind of fell for the truck myself. It’s marketing at its finest. On the brown paper sack, on the stickers, you’ll find their monster staring right back at you. And the options – oh, the options. From picking your size – a junior, one slice, half stacked, to the classic two slices stacked to the monster three slices stacked – there is one for your appetite. Then the bread – choose from white, wheat or gluten-free white. You pick your nut butter, fruit (jam and the sliced variety) and finally a sweetener. And the customization doesn’t stop there! Don’t like crust? Remove it. Grill your PBJ. Plus choose the cut: triangles, perfect halves, quarters, it can all be done. We had a classic with cashew butter, strawberry jam, sliced bananas and Nutella® and a classic with peanut butter, blueberry jam, sliced apples and Nutella. The first grilled, the latter not. Ummm, Mom, you’ve got some explaining to do! Who knew I could have all of these filler options?! Both amazing. I loved the grilled version with sliced bananas and cashew butter. It was slightly sweeter than the peanut butter/sliced apple classic whose subtleness won me over. With all these options though, I’m dying to get my hands on a sliced strawberry, Nutella, almond butter, apple jam combo. Facebook, Twitter – check them out today and get your hand on your personalized PBJ. It’s “certified monsterlicious!”
ROOTS JUICE 507 WESTHEIMER RD.
www.rootsjuicehouston.com | 713.524.1000
CUISINE juices/vegetarian/vegan delights
CHEF n/a
Located right next door to Roots is where you’ll find this refreshing little outpost. Making fresh, to-order juices and smoothies is their specialty. Here at the 002houston headquarters, you could call us juiceheads. We are HUGE fans of the movement with Editor Carla Valencia de Martinez being our leader. If you are a juice fan or not, Roots is the place to figure it all out. They have starter juices like the citrus Liquid Sunshine, to acquired flavor juices like an earthy Green Age Dreams, to the unique juices like the subtle spice of a Summer Fling. The texture is light, just like juice. Not thick or chunky, swigging them down is easy. When I’m not in the mood to juice or don’t have time, I love to drop in and grab a couple to keep my energy up. Juice has that power. I’m currently addicted to the Summer Fling. Super-hydrating watermelon is mixed with cilantro, Serrano and lime. It’s a subtle spice and it’s amazing! I won’t even try to recreate it at home because I’m in no need to try to achieve that proper balance. Another unique refresher is the Cuke. A mix of cucumber, apple, lime and mint make for bright, crisp delight on a warm day. Aside from juices and smoothies, they have several bites to choose from too. Don’t miss out on the Sunny Sandwich. In between slices of gluten-free sunflower seed bread are layered basil pesto, avocado, goat cheese, squash blossoms and sunflower sprouts. The ingredients are all local and it’s a veggie delight! If you are doing a juice cleanse or even curious, if you like to eat light, feel light or curious about juice, Roots Juice is the place to go to not only have a great juice experience but also their friendly staff is more than willing to answer questions and educate.
BOOMTOWN COFFEE HEIGHTS 242 W. 19TH
www.boomtowncoffee.com | 713.862.7018
CUISINE CoFFEE/AMERICAN/COOKIES+PASTRIES
CHEF N/A
Having honed his retail expertise at the Kitchen Incubator with Café Luz, Boomtown Coffee Heights is the bricks and mortar of Matthew Toomey’s labor of love for the bean. Located in what used to be The Ashbury on 19th Street, this coffee shop has won over the hearts of the Heights. One visit and it’s no surprise. You can find Matt there and his friendly and knowledgeable staff. There’s a space that allows for cozy lounge seating or tabletop plus free WIFI for work, study or play. On our visit we sat and talked with Matt, who happens to be a long-time family friend, about his venture. A love for the art of making coffee and providing a service to the area with a good attitude is undeniable. The steady stream of regulars and new visitors must see this too. They make a mean iced coffee that didn’t have me clawing up the walls, thankfully. (My attention span can go if I have too much coffee or too strong coffee.) Like Matt says, “The proof is in the cup.” Which is pretty dang good proof. I also had a light Vegetable Baguette composed of a red olive and goat cheese spread, pickled cucumber and avocado, made open-faced, served with a side salad. One of their most popular items is their Gringo taco or Grincaco. Wrapped in the most amazing corn tortilla by Amaize Artisanal Flatbread, who preserves the old school method by using heirloom varietal corn plus no preservatives – just maize and water. Inside this awesome tortilla you’ll find homemade salsa, black beans, homemade barbacoa, avocado, cheese and a fried egg. It smells divine. Homemade is a big component, from the coffee to the food. Including the out-of-this-world, old-fashioned chocolate chip with sea salt (I know, madness) cookies made by a gentleman right down the block. People talk big about their baking but this man delivers. So much so, they are constantly sold out of his cookies. Looking to support a local business that is looking to start your day off right, Boomtown Coffee Heights is just that.
By Beatrice Allen
RESTAURANT NEWS
email us at b.valencia@002mag.com
