Ripe Cuisine

"Houston’s vegan restaurant Verdine will officially close this week on Sunday, July 31, after nearly four years of business in the Heights. Owner Stephanie Hoban announced the closing on the restaurant’s social media accounts on July 25, noting that management was given a favorable offer to exit the restaurant’s lease early. “After a lot of consideration, the offer was compelling to both my partners and I based on a variety of factors,” said Hoban, but she assured diners and Verdine fans that they would soon have another vegan option in the restaurant’s place. Hoban says the restaurant group taking over the space at 449 West 19th Street operates Japaneiro’s Sushi Bistro and Latin Grill, Jupiter Pizza and Waffles Co., and Guru Burgers and Bowls in the Sugar Land area, which is owned by restaurant partners Robert White and Victor Litwinenko. The duo plans to open another vegan restaurant at what will become Verdine’s former location, Hoban noted. “Who I handed the baton to next was important to me, and I feel confident in passing this space along to them,” wrote Hoban, adding that her current staff has the opportunity to interview for jobs at the new location. Verdine officially opened in April 2019, following years of Hoban serving her food at the Urban Harvest Farmer’s Market and through her vegan food truck Ripe Cuisine. Hoban decided to rebrand the truck in 2018 to prepare diners for Verdine’s brick-and-mortar location, where diners came to love her signature items, like orange cauliflower, jackfruit carnitas, and the bistro burger. After thanking her staff for helping “elevate the Houston vegan scene,” Hoban thanked her Verdine supporters. “I look forward to saying ‘farewell’ in person this week,” she said. Diners can get their final fix of Verdine’s offerings this week through Sunday’s brunch, after which the restaurant will close." - Brittany Britto Garley

"A plant-based restaurant with cheerful periwinkle banquettes and excellent slow-cooked jackfruit carnitas."

"Craveable plates like cheeseburgers, hot chicken sandwiches and short ribs are made sans meat at this all-vegan establishment, making it a regular haunt for health nuts. There are savory carnitas made with slow-cooked pulled jackfruit, an eggplant parmigiana pizza built on a cauliflower crust, and sweet potato fries presented with house-made raisin-sweetened organic ketchup. Visit eatverdine.com to order online." - Megha McSwain

"Ripe Cuisine, Houston’s beloved vegan food truck, has just announced it will rebrand to Verdine in anticipation of its first brick-and-mortar to arrive in the Heights this fall. The forthcoming location inside a repurposed water treatment facility called Heights Waterworks at 449 West 19th Street will house Ripe’s much-loved cuisine within “eco-chic” interiors, chef-owner Stephanie Hoban tells Eater. Verdine will serve Ripe’s popular globally inspired dishes including banh mi, vermicelli bowls, beet falafel plate, and jackfruit carnitas along with some new menu items that Hoban isn’t ready to announce just yet. New additions of beer and wine will also join Verdine at its new location." - Alaena Hostetter