A guy once asked me to brunch... and then he ghosted me.

I was disappointed at first, but then figured if it wasn’t meant to be, that’s okay. Soon after, a friend casually said, “You should do a brunch blog.” And I thought, well isn’t that perfect? This is my way of showing up for myself, and doing it for the plot.

People usually say, “Do it for the plot” when they’re justifying something impulsive or something they know they probably shouldn’t do. But I think it takes more courage when doing it for the plot means taking the high road.

When it means trusting God when nothing makes sense. And yes, sometimes it could mean that instead of jumping into an unhealthy relationship, you take yourself on solo brunch dates.

So, what does that look like for you?
What season are you in, and what’s the plot twist no one sees coming?

You might not know yet, but God does.

HASH KITCHEN

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Honestly, it felt weird walking in by myself.
“How many in your party?” the host asked.
“Just one,” I replied with a nervous smile.

The first spot on my agenda was Hash Kitchen. I walked in on a Sunday after church, and it felt like I had stepped into a party. Disco balls hung from the ceiling, a live DJ was playing, and the vibe was definitely high-energy.

I ordered the Avocado Toast, but this wasn’t your average “I'm-being-healthy” kind of dish. This thing was massive. It came stacked on thick-cut brioche with braised pork, mashed avocado, fried eggs, crispy leeks, and a drizzle of green chile hollandaise.

I also ordered a vanilla latte, SO yummy!

My Take: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The food and latte were fantastic! If you're looking for a fun spot to enjoy with friends or family, this place will definitely put a smile on everyone's face. The energy is high and the vibe is upbeat. If you go on the weekend, be prepared to wait — I got seated quickly since I was alone, but groups were being told the wait would be around an hour.

CIELITO CAFE

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Walking into Cielito Café felt like stepping into mi abuela’s house. Cozy, familiar, and the air smelled like authentic Mexican cooking. The space is small — it’s literally set inside a house — but just like at grandma’s, everyone squeezes in, and somehow, there’s always room for one more. Spanish music played in the background, adding to the comfy vibe that made it feel more like home than a restaurant.

I ordered the chilaquiles, and if you’ve never tried this dish — I highly recommend it. I usually stick to low-carb meals, but this one was worth every single bite. Chilaquiles are crispy, fried corn tortilla chips tossed in either green or red sauce — I couldn’t decide, so I got both! They came beautifully topped with Mexican crema, queso fresco, a perfectly fried egg, and fresh avocado. I added chicken, and it came with a side of flavorful black beans.

To drink, I had their Café de Coco — a coconut-inspired coffee made with organic coconut oil, coconut milk, and topped with roasted coconut flakes. It was smooth, rich, and absolutely delicious.

My Take: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
If you’re looking for an authentic Mexican brunch spot — you’ve found it. The parking lot fills up quickly, so be ready to wait a bit. But honestly, it’s worth it. This would be a perfect spot for brunch with the girls — great food, good vibes, and plenty of flavor.

RED OAK CAFE

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The first thing I noticed when I walked into Red Oak Café was Jelly Roll & Brandon Lake playing overhead, singing his hard-fought hallelujah. My kinda vibe. I ordered the pecan coffee and it was delicious. To eat, I ordered the Kitchen Sink Quesadilla—scrambled eggs, sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, jalapeños, black beans, chipotle salsa, cheese, and your choice of meat. I added turkey sausage. It comes with hash browns, grits, or jalapeño cheddar grits, plus a side of salsa. I also ordered a side of fruit—and had to try the strawberry butter. It was fantastic.

But honestly, the real star? The biscuit.
Oh. My. Goodness. Melt-in-your-mouth buttery, perfectly flaky, and adding the strawberry butter makes it heavenly. While I was there, a verse on the wall caught my eye:
“They will be called oaks of righteousness.” — Isaiah 61:3
I looked it up later, and it hit me. That verse is about how God brings healing and hope to people who are hurting or broken. He doesn’t leave us in our pain—He trades it for something better or should I say butter? Ha!

My Take: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Red Oak Café has a peaceful, welcoming vibe and the food is scrumptious. I’ll definitely be back—if nothing else, for another one of those biscuits.

Batters & Brunch

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The first thing I noticed when I walked into Batter’s & Brunch on a weekday was how many women were dressed in beautiful sundresses—and it all made sense once I saw the place. Batter’s & Brunch isn’t just a casual brunch spot; it has style and a vibe all its own. Even the menu is elevated—they serve a fancy lobster mac & cheese!

I went for the TiTi’s Soul Food Platter, and wow! The dish came with crispy fried chicken, a buttermilk waffle, mac & cheese, sweet candied yams, cabbage, and a side of maple syrup. Every side was full of flavor, and the chicken was fried to perfection.

My Take: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The atmosphere was just as enjoyable with relaxing music. It was a whole vibe from start to finish was good for the soul! I’ll definitely be coming back!

Location: 9739 N Sam Houston ParkWay E, Suite 200, Humble, TX 77346

For me, doing it for the plot looks like random brunch spots, but it also looks like:

Relentlessly following Jesus.
Not just when it’s easy. Not just when it’s clear.
With my actions and my inactions.
With my words, and with my silence.
In the noise, in the chaos, in the stillness—I'm choosing to follow.

I’ll choose joy when it feels like rebellion.
I’ll keep trusting when the outcome is out of my hands.
I’ll still say yes.

Because I know Him.
Because I’ve seen Him turn waiting into purpose.

Because I’ve seen Him do things I thought were impossible.

And His is the only plot I want to live out.

So when they say, “Do it for the plot,”
Taking myself out for brunch? Yep— that's another chapter in mine.

What about yours?
I encourage you to talk to God about it, I know He'll show you. Just like He showed me with this blog.
Whatever it looks like for you, know—I’m cheering you on every step of the way.

With love,
Your friend,
Reyna

P.S. If you know a brunch spot in Houston I need to try, you can email me at rreyna@ksbj.org.

How to Trust God When Life Takes an Unexpected Turn