Houston Specialty Markets

[arashall]

I will be leading a group from my church on a series of little "Cook's Tours" around the Houston area. Basically making friends and exploring interesting area markets. I have a shortlist off the top of my head, but I'd appreciate input on any great spots that I'm missing.

The list, in no particular order: Phoenicia, Penzy's, Leibman's, Pete's Meats, Hubbell & Hudson, Revival Market, Houston Dairymaids, Nundini, Viet Hoa, assorted Farmer's Markets, Georgia's Downtown.

I know there's a good fish market that specializes in "trash" fish, but I can't think of the name right now.

Thanks for the help!

[Cheflambo]

Don't forget Asia Market on Cavalcade.

[arashall]

Thanks to everyone for your great ideas! Houston has so much to explore.

[tlegray]

Two of my favorites that aren't listed are Spec's downtown and Mi Tienda in Pasadena. Spec's has a gourmet market that I love and Mi Tienda is my Hispanic market of choice but it is a bit out of the way.

[arashall]

Thanks! Out of the way is fine. The whole point is to get out of our part of town and go to the places that you always intended to go to, but never quite got around to because they are a bit of a drive.

[tlegray]

Please do report back after each exploration

[arashall]

Starting the group off gently at Phoenicia downtown this weekend. I will report. Thanks again for the input!

[DoobieWah]

I thought of another : Nippan Daido, Westheimer @ Wilcrest

[rondl]

Another place is The Russian General Store on Hillcoft @ S. Braeswood. It is a small gem with a lot of interesting foods and the people there are so nice.

[DoobieWah]

Well, you have all of my favorites except 99 Ranch Market, HMarket, Canino's Produce, (and Flores' Spices across the street), and Polonia's little Polish market. Also, Cafe Pita + has a small Bosnian market across Lakeside Estates from their restaurant.

What about Hebert's?

Belden's might also be of interest as well as just about any carneceria. (I go to La Michoacana at Wilcrest and Briar Forest.)

[arashall]

See, I knew my list should be longer! Thanks for the help! I used to order catering from Hebert's, and my project team loved it!

[James Cristinian]

There is a "trash fish" market at the Louisiana Foods store front on West 12th most Saturday mornings at 9 AM, while the fish lasts. I talked to the guy that runs the market one Saturday, and he gets non-game fish from commercial fishermen mostly form Galveston. I talked to a customer who is a caterer, and he said a good line can form at 9 AM. They had some interesting fish. Just checked the web site, it's called Total Catch Market.

http://www.louisianafoods.com/

Check out the comments on the web site.

[arashall]

That's the one! Thank you!

[Cheflambo]

Please don't call it "trash fish" ... its known as "by catch"

[James Cristinian]

I was just responding to the original post, written as "trash fish." Having said that, I do know how some call it that, as someone who fishes saltwater, trash fish means non-game fish to an angler, where to a commercial fisherman it is by catch. It's an issue I do think about. Here on the Texas Coast, a boatless wade fisherman such as my self is disappointed if the fish on the end of the line is not a speckled trout, redfish, or flounder. I've caught some truly magnificient fighting fish that do qualify as trash fish, because thier flesh in inedible, and it's like damn, another skip jack, even though it's a great fighter, diving in the air and taking line off the reel, and since it's not a trout I'm not happy because I can't eat it. Now, having said that, I think I shall treasure every catch more, having just suffered a ruptured achilles, and no longer the youngster I once was, I shall cherish every fish I catch, trash or not.