Finding time for a real lunch in downtown Houston shouldn’t mean sacrificing flavor or quality. At Cassidy’s Mesquite Kitchen, we serve dishes that deliver full satisfaction without slowing you down. Grilled over genuine mesquite wood and crafted fresh each day, our menu offers more than just burgers—it’s a full range of BBQ, seafood, Tex-Mex, vegetarian options, and more.
Why Our Lunches Stand Out
Our kitchen is built around mesquite wood grilling, which gives every item a deep, smoky character. We don’t use pre-cooked proteins or packaged sides. Everything’s made fresh—right down to the pickles we serve on the side. What sets us apart is the way we prepare meals with flavor and balance in mind, without overcomplicating the plate.
Most of our lunch rush customers have 30 minutes or less. That’s why we keep our kitchen fast and efficient, but without compromising the experience.
Grilled Lunch Favorites
Burgers are the heart of our menu, but they’re far from the only thing that brings people back.
Mesquite-Grilled Burgers on Sourdough Buns
All burgers are grilled to order, using ground sirloin and served on Sheila Partin’s sourdough buns—a soft, lightly tangy bread that stands up to juicy meat.
- 1/3 lb. Hamburger
- Cheeseburger
- Bacon Cheeseburger
- Mushroom Swissburger
- Pepper Jack Avocado Burger
- Texan Cheddar Bacon Burger
- Vegetarian Burger
For those looking to skip the beef, we also serve a rich Chopped BBQ Sandwich, layered with brisket, pickles, onions, and jalapeños.
Lunch Combinations That Work for Your Schedule
We’re located in the McKinney Place Garage, which puts us right where people work, shop, and move through the city. In the 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. window, most of our orders are takeout—but we keep seating open and fast-moving for those staying in.
To help you find the right plate quickly, here’s a visual breakdown of our most ordered lunch items:
Chart: Most Ordered Lunches by Category (Monthly Avg)
| Menu Item Category | Popular Item Example | Avg Monthly Orders |
|---|---|---|
| Burgers | Pepper Jack Avocado Burger | 430 |
| BBQ Sandwiches | Chopped BBQ Sandwich | 370 |
| Seafood | Shrimp Basket | 320 |
| Loaded Potatoes | Chop BBQ Baked Potato | 295 |
| Tex-Mex | Chicken Quesadillas | 280 |
| Salads | Mesquite Grilled Chicken Salad | 265 |
| Vegetarian | Vegetarian Burger | 190 |
Our Approach to Lunch: Fast, Balanced, and Made to Order
We serve many customers who come in from nearby office towers. Most know exactly what they want, and we keep our process built for efficiency. But whether you’re walking in solo or ordering for a team lunch, we keep the same standards across the board.
All proteins—from the sirloin in our burgers to the grilled shrimp in our salads—are cooked to order, not pre-warmed.
We also keep portions aligned to lunch expectations. Full plates, not gut-busting overloads. You can get a filling meal here and still make it through your afternoon meetings.
What to Try if You’re New
If it’s your first time visiting, here’s a mix of customer-tested picks:
- Chopped BBQ Baked Potato – This one balances smoky brisket with buttery potatoes and sharp cheddar.
- H-Town Chicken Salad – Grilled chicken over greens with avocado, pepper jack, and tortilla strips.
- Fish and Shrimp Po Boy – A Gulf Coast-style sandwich served with housemade remoulade.
- Loaded House Brisket Nachos – Crisp, melty, smoky. Perfect if you’re splitting a plate.
Options Beyond the Grill
We also offer vegetarian and pescatarian meals. Our vegetarian food section includes a grilled veggie burger with tomato, Swiss, and sautéed onions. Seafood lovers can choose from fried catfish, shrimp platters, or fish n’ chips, all made in-house.
All items come with optional sides, and every order can be made for dine-in or takeout.
Our Lunch Crowd
Most of our weekday lunch customers are:
- Office professionals from nearby high-rises
- Legal workers from the courthouse district
- Tourists exploring downtown
- Students from local business schools
We’ve made our kitchen a reliable place for people who want real food served without pretension. No music blaring. No confusing menu layouts. You’ll walk in, smell mesquite smoke, and see your food come together fast.
View the Full Menu
Tex-Mex at Lunch
Our quesadillas and nachos get equal love at lunch. These plates are filling and fast, perfect for a split-order or a solo recharge.
Try the:
- Cassidy’s Chicken Quesadillas
- Bacon Burger Quesadillas
- Loaded Chicken Nachos
- Loaded House Brisket Nachos
All Tex-Mex plates come with your choice of salsa or sour cream, and can be made to-go.
Getting Here Is Easy
Cassidy’s Mesquite Kitchen is located inside the McKinney Place Garage, at:
930 Main St., Suite T-230, Houston, TX 77002
Elevator and street-level access available. Parking validation is not required if you’re walking in from a nearby building.
When to Come
We serve lunch Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Though we open at 7, our full lunch menu kicks in by 10:30 a.m. If you’re ordering for a group, feel free to call in advance. For walk-ins, we average a 7–10 minute turnaround per order, even at peak hours.
Lunch Catering & Group Orders
Need lunch for a meeting or downtown event? Our menu adapts easily for groups of 10 to 50. Boxed meals, mixed platters, and combo trays are available with advance notice. Just specify burger, seafood, or Tex-Mex focus.
To coordinate a group order, use the number listed on our menu page, and we’ll set you up with options, pricing, and pickup or delivery times.
Build Your Lunch with Variety
For those who like to customize, we keep sides flexible. Choose from:
- Mesquite fries
- Chips and queso
- Fresh side salads
- Coleslaw
- Steamed veggies
Every meal comes with a drink option—sweet tea, bottled water, soda, or lemonade. Most customers keep it simple, but we also offer house-made iced coffee and specialty sodas.
What Our Customers Say
Here’s a sampling of recurring themes we hear in feedback:
- “Quick, fresh, and just enough food to feel full without needing a nap.”
- “The smell of mesquite hits as soon as you walk in. That alone makes me hungry.”
- “Finally a downtown lunch place with consistent burgers. No gimmicks, just solid food.”
We take this seriously. Our team runs a small, consistent crew who know the regulars, recognize new faces, and keep the orders accurate.
Looking Ahead
As downtown Houston continues growing, our focus stays the same: high-quality lunch, grilled fresh, served fast. Whether you’re grabbing a single burger or placing a group order for 20, we keep every plate consistent.
If you haven’t yet tried lunch at Cassidy’s Mesquite Kitchen, swing by this week. Come hungry. Leave full. And know you’ll be back soon.
