Lola on the Road: El Gato Coffee House (Houston, TX) | Lola The Rescued Cat
Friday, July 6, 2018

Lola on the Road: El Gato Coffee House (Houston, TX)

Welcome to the fourth post in our series “Lola on the Road”. Throughout the summer I’ll be visiting several cat cafes and sharing my experiences with our readers. Coffee and cats; two of my favorite things! If you missed the last installment in the series, you can read about Rahway Kitty Hall here

As a lover of all things related to cats I knew I would enjoy visiting all of these wonderful cafes, but I am truly amazed by my experiences. I am meeting amazing people who are dedicated to making the world a better place for cats, and I'm gaining invaluable experience from each person I speak to. The impact the cafes have on their immediate communities is remarkable, and the impact on the rescue world is admirable. 

Today I'm happy to share another amazing cafe with you, El Gato Coffee House in Houston, TX. 


el gato coffee house|cat cafe|lola on the road


When I was in Houston for the CWA conference, there was no way I could pass up the chance to visit El Gato for "Lola on the Road" after seeing photos online. CWA hosted a book signing event on Friday evening, which I wasn't able to attend. When visiting a cafe I like to be there during regular visiting hours so I can get a sense of the day to day activities, so I took a quick cab ride over on Saturday afternoon. (Or should I say "Caturday"?) 


el gato coffee house|cat cafe|lola on the road

El Gato is located in a quaint cottage in the historic Woodland Heights neighborhood. I fell in love the second I walked in! When you arrive at the cottage, you walk into the boutique (more about that later.) 


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While you are checking in, you can order a drink or a treat from their food truck, which is parked right outside. 


el gato coffee house|cat cafe|lola on the road

You can see their menu here. Vegan options are offered, and I had a vegan mac and cheese Kolache, which was delicious! There is also a full array of teas and coffees.  When your order is ready staff will bring it inside to you, and you can enjoy your food while mingling with the cats. 

When entering the cat cottage, you are in a spacious, beautifully decorated room. Gorgeous! 


el gato coffee house|cat cafe|lola on the road

El Gato is owned and operated by Renee Reed, who I had the pleasure of chatting with over lunch. Renee, who is a lifelong cat lover, became aware of cat cafes when one opened in Austin. After that experience, her excitement grew and she knew this was something she wanted to do. Renee has a degree in business, along with an entrepreneurial spirit, and opening El Gato allowed her to marry two things she is passionate about. 

I know you're thinking "show me the cats already!" This handsome young man is Franky, who joined us for lunch.


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 (It's perfectly acceptable for a cat to sit on the table at a cat cafe!) Cats who are wearing orange collars are described as "sweet and sassy". Franky definitely has some southern "sass" in him. I fell in love with him as he followed me around. 


el gato coffee house|cat cafe|lola on the road
Emma

Renee told me that one of the most important things in operating a cat cafe is the rescue partner and the distance they are from the cafe. In the beginning, El Gato partnered with Houston Humane, which is 45 minutes away. It was easier to have a vet that was closer when the cats needed care, so she now partners with Friends for Life, a no-kill rescue in Houston. 


el gato coffee house|cat cafe|lola on the road
Domino, relaxing with one of the Friends for Life volunteers. 

The cottage, which was built in the 1930's, was previously a yoga studio and before opening as a cafe, Renee held pop-up cat yoga classes. The more she thought about the space the more she wanted to keep the feel of an older home. She wanted it to be a place where customers would feel calm. 


el gato coffee house|cat cafe|lola on the road

The environment couldn't be more purrfect. 


el gato coffee house|cat cafe|lola on the road

The main room has lots of comfortable spots for visitors to sit and mingle with the resident cats (and of course, take selfies!) It's the ideal setting for people to get to know the cats in a stress-free setting. El Gato has many regular dedicated visitors, which really helps with socialization for the cats. 


el gato coffee house|cat cafe|lola on the road

The cafe was immaculate, and the cats all looked very well cared for. Their preferences to socialize, snooze or hide are respected, and they are well supervised during visits. 


el gato coffee house|cat cafe|lola on the road
There is a cat-sized entrance to a storage room where cats can seek some alone time. 

Let's talk catification! El Gato will make every cat owner want to go home an redecorate for their own fur babies. Renee teamed up with carpenter James Waters to create the elaborate cat bridges...


el gato coffee house|cat cafe|lola on the road


el gato coffee house|cat cafe|lola on the road

... as well as these adorable hide-a-way beds. 


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el gato coffee house|cat cafe|lola on the road


el gato coffee house|cat cafe|lola on the road

The cats love hanging out on the bridges...


el gato coffee house|cat cafe|lola on the road
Little John


el gato coffee house|cat cafe|lola on the road
Little John decided to take a nap. 

...and apparently it's a great place for a cat nap. There are also cat trees and window shelves for the cats' enjoyment. 


el gato coffee house|cat cafe|lola on the road

 After you walk through the main room, you go into a small back room with tables and chairs...


el gato coffee house|cat cafe|lola on the road

...and of course a place for napping cats, or those who just want a sun puddle to take a cat bath in! 


el gato coffee house|cat cafe|lola on the road



el gato coffee house|cat cafe|lola on the road
Arthur - who is 11 yrs. old.

There is a pretty bookshelf full of cat-related books that visitors can peruse while they're sipping their "Lavender Meowjito" or "Coconut Meowchata". Or maybe they even read to the cats!  


el gato coffee house|cat cafe|lola on the road


I left a couple of our books for their collection. 


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I hope this kitty decides to share! 

Renee came up with the cutest fundraising idea called Paw Stars. 


el gato coffee house|cat cafe|lola on the road

For $100 you can get your name (and your cat's name, too!) on their "Wall of Gratitude". The artwork on the wall is gorgeous. 


el gato coffee house|cat cafe|lola on the road

Hmmm.... I forsee Lola and Lexy's name up there someday soon. 



el gato coffee house|cat cafe|lola on the road
Please pin us!

Okay, more kitties! 


el gato coffee house|cat cafe|lola on the road
Zeus - look at that face!  
el gato coffee house|cat cafe|lola on the road
Addison



el gato coffee house|cat cafe|lola on the road
Franky - following me around. 

El Gato Coffee House, the first cat cafe in Houston, opened in April 2017 and when I visited on June 9, 2018, they had 138 adoptions! That makes my heart sing! There are usually 16 - 17 cats in house (there were 16 on the day I visited), with the maximum being 20 (allowed by the landlord.) 


el gato coffee house|cat cafe|lola on the road

Renee currently has seven paid staff broken up into three different teams; cat specific, cafe/food truck, and boutique. Volunteers come in on busy days to lend a hand. 


el gato coffee house|cat cafe|lola on the road
Entrance to the kitty powder room. 

Renee, who shares her home with four cats and a dog, told me the greatest joy the cafe brings to her is seeing cats going to their forever homes. She also loves putting a smile on people's faces. 


el gato coffee house|cat cafe|lola on the road



el gato coffee house|cat cafe|lola on the road
I think this is Grace. Notice how the shelves have holes so the cats can easily climb up.

One of her biggest challenges happened when Hurricane Harvey hit and one-third of the city was impacted. The cafe had to close for eight days, and afterward business was down. 


el gato coffee house|cat cafe|lola on the road

A  concern that was in the back of Renee's mind since the cafe opened was robbery. Unfortunately, this past February the cafe had a break-in, which resulted in six cats being let out. Volunteers from Friends for Life set up traps to find the cats. 


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Pictures of the resident "gatos" so visitors know their names. I wish I got a better photo.

Five were trapped by the next day, but Wink, a 9-year-old Ragdoll, wasn't found for ten days. Luckily, there have been no problems since. 

Let's talk about events because El Gato has a lot of them! Visitors can participate in Crochet with Cats, Cats on Mats, Paint with Cats, Caturday Morning Cartoons, Meowvie Night,and Cat Lover'sBook Club. There was also a makeup class where you could learn how to do a perfect cat eye look. (Visit their website or click on the links for pricing and age restrictions.) 



el gato coffee house|cat cafe|lola on the road
I think this is Walter.

All of the cats at the cafe are ready to go to their forever homes and are adoptable through Friends For Life. El Gato process adoption applications on behalf of FFL right in the cat cottage! The adoption fee is $95. If you're interested in adopting, you will complete an FFL application and an interview will be scheduled with an FFL adoption counselor. 


el gato coffee house|cat cafe|lola on the road

Renee was generous and did not charge me admission. I wanted to pay it forward, so can you guess what I did? To quote Lola, "never mind, let me just tell you." I went shopping! 


el gato coffee house|cat cafe|lola on the road

The boutique is lovely, with all types of merchandise ranging from jewelry, clothing, bags, mugs, artwork, magnets, etc. I bought a few t-shirts (including one for my boyfriend and one for a special surprise for our readers), a scarf and a bracelet for my friend who owns the cat sitting business I use, and a few other odds and ends to keep on hand for gifts. 


el gato coffee house|cat cafe|lola on the road

El Gato Coffee House is located at 508 Pecore Street, Suite A, Houston, TX, 77009. 


el gato coffee house|cat cafe|lola on the road


Business hours are: 

Monday:         CLOSED
Tuesday:       12 pm - 6 pm 
Wednesday:  12 pm - 6 pm 
Thursday:      12 pm - 6 pm 
Friday:           12 pm - 6 pm 
Saturday:       10 am - 6 pm 
Sunday:         12 pm - 5 pm


el gato coffee house|cat cafe|lola on the road


The cost is  $10 for adults, $9 for students and $7 for children between the ages of 5 and 17. Children under 5 years old are not permitted in the cat cottage for the safety of the cats and the children. Students must show a valid school ID. On weekdays a limited cover of 15 minutes ($3) or 30 minutes ($5) is offered.  In order to create a stress-free environment for the cats, the cat cottage can only fit a limited amount of humans at one time. Therefore, booking online is strongly recommended to guarantee your spot at your desired time and to avoid a wait (particularly during their peak time on weekends between 2 pm - 4 pm.) Walk-ins may experience a short wait time. 

Guests can also visit just for food and beverages ordered from the food truck, which can be enjoyed on the patio. 


el gato coffee house|cat cafe|lola on the road

You can also purchase shirts, jewelry, cat collars, and more here


I'd like to say a big "Thank You!" to Renee for accommodating me and taking the time to speak with me during busy hours. The staff and volunteers were all so friendly and helpful, and very patient when I asked questions. Thank you all for making El Gato a haven for cats as they wait for their forever families. 


el gato coffee house|cat cafe|lola on the road

If you'd like to help El Gato in their mission you can: 


  • Sponsor a cat: You can sponsor a cat for $75. This includes a shout out from the cat on the "Meet the Kitty" introduction posts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You will also receive a promo code for two hours in the Cat Cottage to visit with your sponsored kitty and the other resident gatos. 
  • Your name on the Paw Stars Wall of Gratitude: For $100 you can have your (and your cat's!) name on their Paw Stars Wall of Gratitude. (See photo above.) 
  • Donate to Friends for Life: You can help the rescue with their costs (including vet care) by making a donation here
  • Volunteering: You can sign up to volunteer for Friends for Life here. Once you're signed up you can opt to volunteer at El Gato! 
All contributions go towards the care for the resident adoptable cats. Proceeds go towards rent, a caring staff, utilities and other expenses that make the cat cottage a comfortable home for the resident "gatos". Please note the cafe is a not a non-profit.

el gato coffee house|cat cafe|lola on the road

I had a wonderful time at El Gato Coffee House, and I was impressed with everything. The decor and the layout give the cat cottage its own unique character, with an overall calm and inviting tone. As soon as I walked in I sensed a shift in my energy and I really didn't want to leave. If you're in the Houston area, this is a place you must visit.


Don't forget to follow El Gato Coffee House on social media: 

              Twitter       |       Facebook      |      Snap Chat       |   Instagram     


Here are a few more photos for your viewing pleasure:


el gato coffee house|cat cafe|lola on the road

el gato coffee house|cat cafe|lola on the road



el gato coffee house|cat cafe|lola on the road


el gato coffee house|cat cafe|lola on the road

el gato coffee house|cat cafe|lola on the road



Stay tuned for the next installment in our Cat Cafe series as Lola The Rescued Cat goes on the road. The next cafe to be featured will be The Cat Parlour in Pawtucket, RI. 

Have you ever been to a cat cafe? Tell us about your experiences! What do you think of this series? 

Dawn

This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase our book using the link, we will earn a small commission. This does not affect your purchase price. 

Would you like to comment?

  1. My human remembers a lot of those kitties from when she visited during the book event! It really is an awesome place, I hear (I didn't get to go).

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  2. What a fantastic idea for a series! I LOVE cat cafes, and we're lucky enough to have one in Ft. Lauderdale, about 20 mins from Miami. Come visit!

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  3. I love the idea and concept of cat cafes! I am only aware of one local to me, and I don't think it has quite taken off here -yet. I imagine cat cafes benefit all involved - the cats that get to socialize with people and live in an environment that's friendly and I imagine happier for them, and the humans that get the privilege of relaxing and enjoying spending time with these kitties :)

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  4. Wow, what a cool place! I have never been to a cat cafe (yet). Sadly, I recently learned that Charm Kitty Cafe in Baltimore will be closing at the end of this month.

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  5. I love it! I've never been to a cat cafe but the ideas always intrigued me, especially since my fiance is allergic to cats, so we can't have any of our own. I love how they decorated with the cat walk and all that. If I could have a cat of my own I'd want to do stuff like that in my house!

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  6. Such a wonderful place and such sweet, sweet kitties. That walkway is totally amazing!

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  7. What an amazing place and gorgeous kitties. The cat bridge is amazing and something my cat would love!

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  8. OH! Such a delightful place! I LURV the overhead catwalks...WANT! I've been to the Ferndale Catfe' Lounge and Tiny Lions Lounge and Adoption Center, both in Michigan. But this one in Houston...I have friends who live nearby; wonder if they know it exists? I'll tell 'em!

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  9. OMG this place looks amazing! I love the cat beds that look like cat heads --- so bright and inviting. Thanks for a great overview!

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  10. I love this place, love old houses and this is really beautiful. The way it is set up with the cats first in mind is just awesome and what a great life they have there plus of course being able to adopt from there too. Great post

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  11. So jealous, that place looks amazing!! Renee did an excellent job of decorating, and those suspended bridges are too cool. I can't think of a better way to spend a day. I so enjoyed reading this episode of Lola on the Road.

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  12. guyz.....yur cafe iz total lee awesum !!!! 984 pawz UP two Renee; herz done a grate grate job.....we send all de best oh perch herring salmon trout & mackerull; that each oh ewe findz & iz IN yur for everz bye monthz end ~~~~~~~ way kewl cafe ~~ ☺☺♥♥

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  13. Such a wonderful place! I wish they had cat cafes here.

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  14. This is seriously one of the cutest cat cafes I've seen! I also love the idea of having the food truck outside rather than ordering from a random place and having the items delivered. Another great stop on your road trip! Can't wait to see what's next!

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  15. What a cute set up!! And lots of adoptions too. Very cool

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  16. What a place! And yes I have fallen in love with Arthur! Love me a senior!!! The fact they do shopping is da Bomb. I would clear them of Tshirts and stickers in a flash.

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  17. This was my first visit to a cat cafe ... and I fell in love with everything! The cats, the catification, everything in the shop, their cinnamon rolls ...
    I totally fell for Franky and Walter. I got out a wand toy and Franky played like a tiny kitten. I wish I could adopt him!

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  18. This has to be one of the cutest cat cafes we've seen so far. What a fun place for the cats to live while their waiting for their forever homes.

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  19. What a fabulous place!!! I swear, I want to *live* in a cat cafe more by the day! And I would have to buy one of everything! LOL

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  20. That is one bright place! I bet nobody has any trouble finding it! ;-) Very lovely inside.

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  21. I think I'm in love with Domino. Think you can hook me up, Lola?

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  22. Oh my gosh I think I'm in love with this place! Even the outside; it's too cute! Great job at capturing this place inside and out. :)

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  23. This looks so much better than The Meow Parlour I went to in NYC. Such adorable kitties, I want them all.

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  24. This is fabulous! Thank you for sharing it! What a wealth of great cat ideas!

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  25. Great photos and a wonderful place to visit. I love the elevated boardwalk and the hiding places.

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  26. What a great cat cafe that is! The interior is so cute and they've really added a lot of nice touches for the kitties. Interesting color choice for the exterior, though...is it as lime green in person as it looks on my computer?

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  27. How cool is this! Bringing kitty love to everyone. Here in Orlando we have one cat cafe and I have been wanting to go. I think it is a great labor that you do by sharing Lola with other cat lovers. Absolutely love the space so much fun!

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  28. I loved every single word and every single picture and THANK you for this today. Made the rest of my month. xx

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  29. Wow this El Gato Coffee house is by far the best one you've visited so far on your road trip. I love all the bright colors and decor inside and out. So happy to hear 138 adoptions so far. Shocked to learn about the robbery though! That's crazy? I will never understand some people. Thanks for sharing this visit. What a great place to stay in the interim before finding a forever home.

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  30. Another fabulous cat cafe visit!! Your photos are simply stunning. I love all the great cat cafes that are opening up around the US and around the world! It's such a wonderful thing. I love that they have their own food truck out in front, how clever! Thanks for sharing this.
    Love & Biscuits,
    Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them

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  31. I gotta get to El Gato! (Sorry, I couldn't resist!) What a wonderful place! Meowchata? So clever! And when you speak coffee and pets...you totally speak my language. Texas is a place my family and I want to visit very much...I am certainly Pinning this to my Mews News board for myself for future reference and to share! All great photos and you have enticed me to want to be there...like now!

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  32. How wonderful! A great place to be and to share and spend some time with those awesome cats. All credit to Renee and all the staff, and that wonderful carpenter, for making that home a home away and between homes and helping those in need. Great post!
    Toodlepips and purrs
    ERin

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  33. What a great Cat Café!
    We want to hop on over to Huston right now.
    Have a great Sunday...

    Noodle and crew

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  34. Granny and I are in Aww...Lola. What a beautiful place for the kitties and all the kitties look so satisfied and adorable too <3 I think we all need to have a kind of Cat café, I mean who doesn't want to walk sky high once in a while and hang out with good people. If we ever have the opportunity to go to Houston, we visit this place for sure! Pawkisses for a Happy Sunday :) <3

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  35. What a wonderful virtual tour! All of the cats look so healthy, comfortable, and at home there. The decor is so cute and that cat bridge is absolutely amazing. I hope he has a business making those for cats every where! The food truck is a great idea, and I'd love to try one of their vegan kolaches one day!

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  36. El Gato is so peaceful...why would any cat want to leave? Thank yo so much for sharing this story!

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  37. What an amazing place! The cat bridges are super cool! We want some of those! We're part Mexicat so we love the name too! The kitties are all adorable and we know they love your book!

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  38. Wow! El Gato is awesome. What a great place for the kitties to live while they wait to be discovered by their forever families!

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  39. I heard some wonderful things about this cafe when we were in Houston. I wish I had gone, but I was so physically and emotionally tired from the issues with Truffle, that I stayed at the hotel. Thank you for sharing such beautiful photographs and information about El Gato!

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  40. Love the decor especially the carpentry! It looks like they have a lot of fun events and different revenue streams. More money for the cats!

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  41. Stopping back to see what i missed... What a great tour! I wish we could visit in person. The catification is so creative and attractive, and the best part is that it's working.
    xxoo

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