The Upside Pub

Great food. The party melt is the bomb as advertised. A good selection of local beers. The staff was friendly. The food is locally sourced and fantastic. Beers on tap from local breweries. Great small pub feel. Highly recommend.

Heck Im writing this review before I have even finished my food… I accidentally ordered out of nervousness when I entered and didn’t realize there were pickles in the Patty Melt. When I realized it while eating it, I took it out and just tried to finish the rest. Then when one of the ladies behind the bar asked me if I was doing okay, I just mentioned how I took out the pickles and it was okay. Keep in mind I had already eaten 30% of the patty melt by now! Then she offered to remake the patty melt and I was so embarrassed. I felt so bad for eating part of it already, but they were adamant. 🥹 So Im finishing this review with 2 patty melts now…one without pickles! Heck, I cannot give enough stars to this place!! My first time here, and definitely not my last! 😋❤️ Update: Finished my second patty melt and took the first togo! I am remembering to omit dijon mustard and pickles next time I visit 🤭 I cannot recommend this place enough~

Loved that this place is open late! Service is upbeat and friendly, the atmosphere was cozy and cheery. Our food was delicious! Can't wait to return.

Great little pub! Good atmosphere and friendly bartender. The food was amazing and they had a large selection of taps. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Such an amazing place! The patty melt was so amazing! The beer cheese queso was fantastic with the fries! Overall we will be back! Bartender was so friendly and gave us great ideas as to what to visit while we are here. All ingredients are locally sourced. So yummy

Good pub grubs and specials ($1 wings on Wednesdays, etc). They have a decent tap list with mostly local craft beers. A couple of cons. First, the taxes added to the tab that amounts to 15% or more. Not something you see in most bars and breweries. Second, this pub seems to attract certain clientele. Last time I was here, there was a white guy speaking with a very exaggerated Chinese accent. I am Asian, and I was very uncomfortable. Nobody, including the staff, did anything. I told the guy on my way out "great job on the accent," to which he replied "aoh, come on. You don't like to have fun?" Although that was a first in my 5+ visits, the vibe that he gave off was typical of some patrons who seemed to be regulars here.

Two thumbs WAY up for The Upside Pub! Opened for a little over two months in GOOF (Garden Oaks/Oak Forest), we thought tonight was a nice night to try something new. We weren’t disappointed! The inside and bar looked nice and cozy, but weather was nice so we sat on the patio that runs alongside the building. Nice setting, good music mix, games playing on a couple tvs but not at all overwhelming. Husband got their Patty Melt on Rye, we shared the Potato Latke Balls, and I got the Shrimp Roll. We loved it all! All the ingredients were super fresh. The fries that came with were also really good! Nice and golden/crispy on the outside but soft inside. We didn’t drink tonight, but we’ll be back next time to sit at the bar for beer and cocktails. Staff was also incredibly friendly and accommodating. So far, so great for The Upside Pub!

I love a good pub and I have no problem traversing the greater Houston area, no matter how large it may be, to visit something new, sample its food/drink, and experience its atmosphere. My quest for something new and different led me to Upside Pub, a neighborhood pub. I had already heard about this pub from a friend and was anxious to check it out and see what it had to offer. It’s a relatively small, narrow place, with space to hold about 30 to 40 people on the inside and another 30 to 40 on the outside. It has a few televisions and music playing in the background. The music is loud enough to notice, but not so loud that you cannot hear the person you’re trying to talk to, which is a plus. Parking is plentiful, and free, so no issues there. And if you feel like a round of shuffleboard or a game of darts, they have that as well. Upside Pub is a full- service bar and I am happy to report that they have about 15 beers on tap and another 10 in bottles/cans. This is quite good for an establishment of this size. I have visited pubs that were much larger than this that had half as many beers from which to choose. If beer isn’t your thing, never fear- there are plentiful drinking options, both adult and non- alcoholic. Upside Pub has a small kitchen and a small menu of pub grub. When I visited, they had just released a brunch menu and I took advantage immediately, ordering the Breakfast Burrito. It was quite good and a difficult choice, considering the many tempting options on the menus. I need to pay a return visit and try different foods from the main menu. I went straight for the brunch menu, but there are several items on the main menu that sound excellent, not to mention perfect companions for a glass of craft beer. I like visiting new and unique places for food and drink. Upside Pub is a friendly neighborhood pub with much to offer. It’s an ideal place for a solo visit or a small group, as it has the right ingredients for a memorable pub excursion.

Delicious lunch. My husband and I each had an IPA on tap. I had the patty melt and he had the hot dog. Truffle fries were yummy. Dive bar atmosphere with great music. Server was friendly and helpful. No notes.

new brunch and lunch menu. Delicious, lots of alternatives. Game is not too loud to impede conversations. Staff is friendly and helpful.

This is one of our regular spots, and it is such a gem! Our favorite food items: chimichurri sandwich (chicken and steak are both amazing), giant pretzel, BLT, burgers are always delicious, and the California burrito is true to Cali. Tuesday steak night is a favorite for our family. There's always great beers on tap, and the frozen margarita shouldn't be slept on! The owner and staff are always super welcoming, and you can tell that everyone truly loves working there. We love this place and hope it flourishes for years to come!

Cute little pub near the heights. This place was recommended to me and it was awesome. Staff is super nice, place is clean and has both inside and outdoor seating. We walked in and had no problem finding a seat. They have about 4 TVS inside and will play any game that is on. The food menu has plenty of choices and we decided on the California Burrito and the Chicken Shawarma wrap. Both were delicious and full of flavor. The wraps are a nice size and you will leave feeling full. They have a ton of options for draft beer, several cocktails they offer, and a good size wine list. We will definitely be back!

Absolutely love this place. They are so genuine and down-to-earth, and always make everyone feel so welcome. Upside offers a good variety of both beers and cocktails (though the cocktail list is little more limited), and they strive to feature local breweries and distilleries, which I really appreciate. Love grabbing a Brash or Great Heights beer, or a cocktail made with William Price's Katz Coffee Liqueur. It feels like a double win for supporting the neighborhood. When I first tried the food, I was taken aback by how good it was. I was expecting run-of-the-mill bar food, with the bare minimum standards met. But I was pleasantly surprised! Everything I've ever eaten here has been good. They don't have a huge menu but what they have is great, and fairly well rounded! They take pride in their food, and it shows. Every month they feature a new and creative burger too. Always a crowd pleaser. The best part is that their kitchen is open late! They stop serving food at 11 pm - so whenever I've run behind on my day and need a last minute dinner at 9:30 pm, they've never turned me away. The vibe inside is cozy and welcoming. The shape of the building is long instead of wide, which makes each table feel a little more intimate and still part of the place. The owners are really wonderful, and always come say hello. The staff also introduce themselves and offer help and suggestions when you're trying to decide what to get. They also host a lot of fun events, like trivia on Mondays and bingo Saturdays. They have a run club, and a volunteer group to help pack sack lunches for kids in need once a month. This place really is the best. Be sure to check them out!

We've been to The Upside Pub a few times now and service has been great both times. They have tv's all along the bar so its a perfect spot to catch a sports game. They have a huge selection of craft bear and also a pretty decent menu. We ordered the burger last time we were there and it was amazingggg. I never have high expectations for pub food but they really knocked it out of the park. Between the friendly atmosphere, great drinks, tasty food, and awesome staff, you really cannot ask for more. We will keep coming back!

I am unsure how anyone would thing either the food or service was in any way decent. The food is garbage. The service is slow and unhelpful. Not much else to say

Jessi, the bartender, was outstanding. This place made my trip to Houston a one-of-a-kind experience! The beer and food were delicious! And all the other customers were so welcoming. They even have boiled peanuts!

Just got into town and wanted to grab dinner near our Airbnb. Reviews looked good so we decided on here. Friendly greeting and hella prompt food. All of what we ordered was fantastic! A double thumbs up!

First time visiting with my bud. We had excellent service today, bartender was personable. Food was good and came out fresh. The environment was really neat, such a cool little spot. Definitely a place to visit regularly.

The tacos were amazing. Great atmosphere for lunch. Super cool bartender. Best lunch I had all week while in Houston for work

Great neighborhood bar with great food and great service. Just a cool vibe weekday hangout and play a game of battleship with one of their super good margs-on-the- rocks. Very cool bartender chic too slinging those margs!

A fun local pub Loved the Rueben they had and the fries were perfect The service was outstanding. Loved the little one that was helping out

The service aka Alicia behind the bar is wonderful. She's truly wonderful, energetic, informative and kind. We were first timers and I was hesitant about trying to the pretzel but we did it. I have zero regrets. The best pretzel and queso I have had in YEARS. The pretzel was soft, salty and filled with flavor. The queso was the perfect dipping sauce in conjunction with the perfect pretzel. We will definitely be back. I cannot forget to mention the tvs, outdoor patio and board games they have!!

Nice place. Very chill. It's small but cozy. Staff was very attentive and the food was arguably one of the best shrimp tacos we have ever had. The boiled peanuts cooked in crawfish seasoning Were delicious. We'll be back!

Service was great, chimichurri sandwich was excellent and a little on the medium spicy side, longed peach hazy ipa was really tasty, my wife said the shawarma wrap was refreshing, and the fried pork belly (chicharones) with dipping sauce was better than most places I've had them. The establishment itself is small and cozy, my only complaint is the small parking area in the front, but they do have parking in the rear. Overall, it's a must experience! I'll give it a 4.8 out of 5

New local pub near me I had to try and while they have a small food menu the sandwich I got was cooked perfect and fries done just right. I will be back for a burger next time

Go figure one of the better California burritos I've had was found at a pub we've never been to before! Perfectly proportioned and neatly packed with moist carne asada, perfectly cooked fries, fresh and flavorful guacamole, pico de gallo, and creamy queso. It was accompanied with a robustly flavorful salsa verde and came with fries in the basket that had a crispy exterior and soft interior. If you enjoy burritos, check this spot out! On the time tested Scale of Edibility™ this earned a rating of Savagely Edible!

Yummy loaded fries and decent beer selection. Latkes we're yummy too. Wanna come back for the pancake balls! Bartender was great! Personable and easy going!

Upside is a great little hole in the wall, hiding in that strip center right by Cottonwood, but offering a much smaller more relaxed bar experience. I recently swung by to meet friends for a few afternoon beers and a World Cup game, and it was perfect for what we were looking for. There was plenty of elbow room, it was relatively quiet, and the bar staff were attentive and friendly, immediately making us feel welcome. I haven't ordered any food yet, but I've heard multiple people rave about the Patty Melt. It's on the list for next time. The bar offers a wide range of local beers on tap, mostly IPA's, but they also have a fairly good selection of bottles and cans. Besides the beers on tap I noticed they also have Old Fashions and Margaritas on tap as well. I didn't get a good look at the liquor choices but assume they have all the usuals covered. One weird thing, they don't offer Miller Lite, just Bud Light, in case you're picky. Overall, Upside Pub is a great neighborhood bar that's perfect for a casual drink with friends. I'll definitely be back for the Patty Melt and a few more beers.

Try the hangover burger! French fries and fried pickles are also good. Great service, good vibes. Definitely come check this place out!

If you want pub food (that is really, really good), great neighborhood atmosphere with friendly people, a bar staff with personality and knowledgeable, and an owner who is involved, THIS IS YOUR JOINT! This place is fun, has a good selection of drinks, good fresh food, and games and TV's galore. They have been open a year and it has been fun to watch them grow. Come make some new friends at Upside Pub!!!!

We burdened the folks with our family (a few littles in a small space) and they were more than kind even though I'm sure we were a drag. Really nice to have a proper local to join all the awesome breweries and other locations nearby on Wakefield. Food was great, service even better. We'll be back as often as they will have us!

The Upside Pub! As a local, I missed the previous establishment, however, this is far & beyond! The owner Paige and staff are vey friendly, accommodating, & the ambiance is welcoming & relaxed. Glad this dive made it to the GOOF (Garden Oaks and Oaks Forest) area. It's truly a nice spin for those who want a different flavor that's delicious locally. I haven't posted on Yelp in awhile due to COVID-19 and not feeling it being a just review considering the worlds situation. This post is well earned though. Clean establishment, (restrooms are unisex) which I love, and second to none service and some feel good food. I have to give props where props are due. I hope you enjoy the experience as much a I did.

Great neighborhood bar with pretty good food. Good place to watch a game and get good service

Great place! Highly recommended. They have old fashioneds on tap. I was skeptical but that first sip was magical! Definitely good eats too. Had the Cali Burrito and my Mrs. had the wings. All very tasty and freshly made. We will definitely be back.

Smaller bar with decent, but not great food options. Has a few TVs inside for sports watching. Bartenders are nice enough. Nothing special.

Went to upside after reading Houston Heights Foodies FB thoughtful post of gratitude from then owners. First, the service and staff are first rate! Service is quick and the staff really care about the restaurant/pub and show it i their attention to the details and knowledge of the beers on tap! Friend had the shrimp taco which were by and large the bomb!!! So good and full of flavor! I could of had them all by myself. I had the Soba Noodle Bowl. This dish was very flavorful but not quite as described in the menu. There were meager cold, cabbage, bell peppers, green onions, wasabi guacamole, cilantro, sesame seeds, wonton crisps, tossed in ginger soy dressing. Perhaps there was a tablespoon or two of the combined ingredients. Portion was also small and kind of not with the price. Would love to try one of the sandwiches but all were meat; don't eat meat. Anyway, overall a good meal but surprised how small the portions are (shrimp tacos, Soba Noodle bowl).

I've been to the Upside a couple times now and it's becoming kind of a mainstay on my list of regular spots. The staff are always on point and friendly, the owners for sure are; and over-all it's got a great comfortable vibe. From what I understand the bar is under new ownership and they have fixed it up and turned it around. Everyone has a great attitude, patrons as well. There seems to be a group of regulars. I've noticed the staff refer to some of the customers by their names; so just a subtle, positive sign. They have a full bar and the food menu is much better than what you would expect from a bar.

PATTY MELT $12 - [smash burger patty, swiss cheese, caramelized onions, horseradish cream, dijon mustard, pickles, Kraftsman marble rye bread] - second time ordering this, and it was just as good if not better than the first. very flavorful and the horseradish cream makes it even better. love the crispy grilled swiss cheese CALIFORNIA BURRITO $16.5 - [carne asada, fries, our queso, pico de gallo, sour cream, guacamole] - carne asada chunks were very tender surprisingly! Kind of pricey, but it was really big. I knew there were potatoes in it, but just noticed now that they were fries! Enjoyed this better than the Danger Dog that we got last time (although that was still very good, and I'd recommend it), however, Patty Melt is still our #1. Cutwater Mai Tai $10 - very strong drink. Pretty tasty (I don't drink), but too alcoholic for me. It was like a shot of liquor! Got my bf tipsy. He said he preferred the Froze last time since that was a frozen, fruity, sweet drink. We like coming here after a long Monday at work (especially since it's walking distance from our apt). It's pretty quiet at the pub (not a fan of crowds), and the food comes out really fast.

Went there this afternoon with my lady to watch a soccer game. The bartender and owner were very accommodating, but the Liverpool fan at the bar ruined the entire experience. As a bartender and being in the industry for 20 years, you don't just cater to one person's interest. The lad at the bar was rude to my lady and told me to fuck off. I brought that to the attention of the lady owner and she just shrugged off as if he does that quite frequently. Well, it definitely didn't leave a good impression at all. Sad part is, I went to another pub that had great things to say about this place, but we all know that you have one chance to make a lasting impression, and unfortunately, their regular was more important than our business. Wish yall the best.

Ok-first visit to our new neighborhood pub. Great addition to the hood! Everyone was super friendly, great drink options, and the apps & food we ordered were delicious. Looking forward to our next visit.

This is probably the friendliest place in Houston, with a great selection of drinks and yummy food to boot. I had the Brash brewing Cortado milk stout and wings (buffalo and chimichuri) and they were both delicious. great deals on the mimosas on Sunday morning with great brunch options. Friends had the migas and the breakfast burrito, and their special burger of the month. You cannot go wrong. Super friendly staff and owners and you don't want pass this place up. Wonderful atmosphere and ambiance. The perfect neighborhood pub!

10/10 must try the SUPER BOMB PATTY MELT! Had great and fast service. With a bar like appearance!

Sweet neighborhood vibes. Food was good. The service was friendly and knowledgeable about menu items.

This place rocks. My new favorite spot. Matty was working the bar and he is awesome. Very glad he made it to Houston. The menu OMG...all of its delicious (California burrito and patty melt were delightful). Idk how to describe the environment, it's just freaking cool. Games, games and then more games. I will learn how to play shuffleboard one of these days but until then...come watch me lose.

Hubs and I stopped for a late lunch on a Monday around 2:30 to try out the food. We were greeted immediately by one of the owners, Paige, who was super friendly and attentive. We both ordered the patty melt, which came with fries, both of which were delicious. The fries were crisp on the outside, but not at all greasy (5/5) and the patty melt was a great taste sensation with it's marbled rye bread and the added touch of fried cheese "wings" flanking the sides. It is aptly named "The Bomb". (5/5) When I asked for some hot sauce for my fries, Paige brought me an array of their house made red and green salsas and some of the hot sauce they use on their "wings". The house made salsas we're both good, as was the "wing" sauce. They also have Cholula, but I am not a fan. The bar itself is low key and relaxing. The noise level during the day was conducive to conversation. Not sure what the later hours bring. There is a shuffleboard table (yes!) and big screen TVs for game watching. I also liked that Paige and her husband are giving back to the community through the Kid's Meals program. If you come by on the 3rd Saturday of the month from 11:30-12:30, you can help package up meals for underserved kids and, not only will you feel good about helping someone out, but you'll get a $1 off your first beer! Thanks also to the sponsors of the food for that. If I had to say there was any negative, it might be the parking. We didn't have any trouble when we got there in mid afternoon, but by the time we left, the parking lot was full, so I have to assume street parking becomes the only option. This could be an issue at night. Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed our meal, beer, service and the good vibes. We'll definitely be back to try the grilled cheese and kale salad and play some shuffleboard (which we did not have time for today). I will also be back for the Kid's Meals program. This is a great addition to the area and one that will be on my regular rotation! Thank you Paige for your friendly and welcoming hospitality.

We made our first stop into The Upside last Sunday (8/14) afternoon. Great first experience! They checked all the boxes: attentive staff, clean, good music (but not too loud), nice crowd (even ran into friends & neighbors) and a good beer selection. We didn't order any food but we'll be back soon. Great addition to the GOOF neighborhood!

We love this place. My wife and I have lived in the neighborhood since we were kids and have seen this center go through many changes. We have supported many of the business owners in the past. But the owner of Upside Pub are a wonderful addition to the neighborhood. They have great food and adult beverage selections. They are also very engaged with the customers. Y'all keep up the good work.

We are open! I am biased but, it's a great neighborhood pub and we look forward to serving the community!

So.... Must admit we have avoided this place. We were Shepherd Park Draught House regulars and never got over them closing. Got a wild hair today and decided to give it a shot. WOW! What fools we were waiting so long. It has a lot of the old SPDH vibe with a new interior. There is a shuffle board table & a cabinet full of games to entertain your group. There were what I'm guessing to be regulars at the bar which to me is always a good sign. It was very clean and the service was great. After reading reviews, I of course had to try the Patty Melt and it didn't disappoint!!! A true patty melt prepared perfectly. Husband went with the Astros Dog which was equally delicious. And the fries... don't get me started! Best we've had in ages. By some standards the menu is on the smaller side, but everything sounded amazing and the variety is so diverse I'm glad the menu wasn't any larger or we never would have made up our minds what to have. They had advertisements for regular trivia and bingo events that we plan to check out. They also have a monthly volunteer event where they help prepare meals for kids in need which is awesome and really shows their commitment to the community. And if you volunteer, they give you your first beer for just $1! There was an advertisement for a neighborhood run thing they do, but I couldn't even read it all the way through after the awesome fullness haze we were in. Their first birthday is coming up and it sounds like a fun event as well. We can't wait to go back!!!

Perfect local bar. The food is really good. It's heavy, but very good. The drinks are tasty. Everything is very affordable. Bartenders are awesome. Highly recommend!

I've only been here once, but I'll be back! The staff is great. This has the vibe of something like Cheers, if you remember that series. The food I've tried was good too!

New hidden gem in the hood. Great spicy Bloody Mary with beer chaser from our friendly bartender, Matty. Can't wait to go back to try the delicious looking menu...especially the Hangover Burger!!

I found this pub while on a biz trip to Houston! Drinks were great, food was awesome, and the FRIES ARE THE BEST!!!

Wonderful addition to the GOOF area! We've been excited for this new spot to open and were not disappointed with our first stop-in. My husband and I shared some latke balls and the shrimp roll. SO DELICIOUS! Even the french fries were a treat to write home about. There wasn't a crumb left on the plate. We will be back many many more times to enjoy the atmosphere, food, and brews. Welcome to the neighborhood!

Great neighborhood bar, warm and friendly atmosphere, with surprisingly good food. I don't expect much from bar food but this is an exception. We at the potato latke balls and the patty melt. Both were wonderful.

Great addition to the neighborhood! Owners are fantastic and the entire staff really takes care of you. A true neighborhood pub!

This has quickly become my favorite local spot! The manager is super friendly and accommodating. They always have great beer on tap. I've had just about everything on the food menu and it is all phenomenal! Highly recommend coming by for an Astros game.