Wise Country Biscuits and Cafe, at 911 Galveston Ave., is perfect for early risers.
In addition to breakfast options, there are lunch options available starting at 11 p.m. The most expensive item is just $14, making this small counter-order cafe greatly affordable.
Last week, when I had to rise at the crack of dawn, I was glad to see that the cafe had early hours from 7:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.
When I arrived around 8 a.m., it wasn’t busy. A sign at the entrance instructed me to walk up to the counter, order there, select a table and then await delivery. I was then given a number, silverware and a glass of water at the counter to take to my seat
The inside was cozy, and a complimentary magazine on the shelf kept me happy until the food came out.
The most hearty dish, the fried chicken biscuit for $9 came from a brined Gerber Farms chicken thigh and was topped with Paul Family Farms honey, according to the menu. The outside skin was thin but crispy and the inside chicken was very moist. With its simple toppings, the locally made honey complimented the chicken with sweetness and the biscuit struck a balance between moist and dry.
Buying the $10 vegan grits bowl marked the second week in a row that I ventured to try something purely vegan and completely out of my palate’s comfort zone. There were three pools of pepper relish on top of the white-speckled grits. They looked like egg yolks until I mixed it in and tasted the spicy kick it gave to the plain corn, which wasn’t over-buttered or too salty.
However, in the middle of the bowl on a bed of braised greens that were salty and wet, two mushroom and oat patties tasted exactly like marinated beef. They were soft and tasty and pulled apart seamlessly, although I couldn’t finish them because the idea of what they were made of just couldn’t go away.
I don’t like mushrooms, but the proportion here was great for the taste and price. Next time, I would ask to remove the braised greens.
At this point in my meal, I began to run out of water in my glass and was left wondering if someone would come by to fill it or if I needed to take it to the counter to get it filled myself. For this reason, sitting at the bar would be better because it was far closer to the servers, although it didn’t have the window view I had at my table.
Next was the $6.50 yogurt bowl, or what I thought they should have called the oat-pecan bowl. It came with Greek yogurt, though it didn’t taste overpowering. This is because the cafe’s house pecan granola and local honey stole the show.
I like more yogurt than granola in my bowls, but if you prefer an equal balance of granola and honey with a dash of sour yogurt flavor, this one’s for you. It was both filling and refreshing.
And the best for last was the potato side for $4. This bowl is enough to satisfy any potato lover and send them into the clouds with its crispness. The huge cubes were fried, leaving the skin golden brown and the insides soft. The seasoning complemented the potatoes greatly, although there was too much in sections that left my tastebuds feeling overpowered.
Out of everything, the potatoes were gone first.
To the location, it’s possible to take the Gateway T-station or a bus over for a 30-minute ride, then a short walk there afterward. As for commuters with cars, it’s a five-minute drive from campus with free hour-long street parking. So, give it a try.
Cassandra rated Wise Country Biscuits and Cafe 4 Globes out of 5.
