Lone Star

I second the Little Rhine suggestion!

Count me in for the jello salads - my mother has made the same green jello/pineapple/pecan/cream cheese salad for as long as I can remember.

Isn't one of the old Pig Stands still in operation in SA?

I got a "tradition" lecture from my 17 year old last year when I wanted to put the tree in (gasp) the opposite corner of the room!

I always make homemade cinammon rolls for Christmas morning , and my kids enjoy them because I only make them once a year. Our Christmas eve tradition is to have the whole family over for gift giving and carol singing. We always have chili, tamales (this year pork and barbacoa), cornbread, pinto beans, chile con queso, and guacamole. It makes a great meal to set out and allow people to "graze".

As a Texan who pines for a fix of Tex-Mex when even across the border in another state, I sincerely feel your pain and longing. It sounds like it would be a fantasitc opportunity to open a really good Mexican place in London! For your viewing pleasure, here is a link to my favorite Mexican restaurant - it has a 50 year history here in Houston. Pictures! http://www.spanishvillagerestaurant.com/ Good Luck in your quest!

I live in ewe-ston, TX, near the guff of Mexico. I like to frequent the local Wal-Mark.

I don't think they are meant to be "cries" - just statement of fact. If my food budget was cut in half, sure I could get by and prepare good and nutritious meals, but I would not like it. I am acutely aware every time I go into a grocery store that I am lucky to live in a place and have the ability to purchase whatever I wish (within reason)!. I also have no desire to go Vegetarian ( my family would revolt) - but do have occasional meatless meals - southern style.

I live in Houston and have a family of five - myself, husband and three teenagers aged 17, and 14 year-old twins. There are usually other teens hanging around at dinner time that are always welcome as well. I estimate that I spend on average $600 a month on groceries - give or take. That does not include any beef - we buy all of ours in bulk and to order from my husbands uncle who has a butcher shop in South Texas. I estimate about 600-800 per year for beef. My husband does most of the shopping as he loves it. Plans it out like a mission using the sales circulars of the week. I don't buy a lot of candy, cookies etc... as my kids just don't eat it. I do buy some "pre-packaged" foods, but that is just for my convenience. We both work and our kids are very active in sports and many nights there are games after work. I have not always been able to spend that much, and I am confident that with some planning I could manage on 300 a month, but we would not like it. As for the experiment - I had nothing to eat but put-up black-eyed peas for two weeks during my college years. All I learned was that I did not want to do that again, and worked hard so I never would have to . I still love peas though!

Louisiana laws and lawmaking are a different thing altogether from anything in the civilized states.

See what I mean! Some things just ain't right. It's nice to have a little back-up. Those okra tamales don't sound half bad however....

I have been to the new Sudies (League City) twice, and the catfish is wonderful. It is thin and crispy, with the occasional meatier pieces thrown in. It is served family style if you get the "all you can eat". The hush puppies are good, but could stand a little more onion in my opinion. Coleslaw is not to sweet and very fresh. The pinto beans are marvelous - cooked with ham, salt and pepper, the way they should be. I also had the green tomato relish as a side dish and it was a little sweet, but good. But all in all, the sides are just an enhancement to all of the hot, crispy catfish! Oh yes, you can also have "sweet" or "unsweetened tea". Somehow it just seems right to have sweet tea with that meal. The blackberry cobbler with vanilla ice cream for dessert - awesome. I did not think I had anyroom for dessert, but managed to polish off half of it. The location is great for stopping for a late lunch or dinner after spending a day in Galveston.

Hi y'all - first post here, I was lured to this site by a degenerate Louisianan from another forum, have been reading and decided to join in! I had lunch today at Fiesta Taco on 34 th street ( I am in Houston) and they are now taking orders for holiday tamales. They have all kinds from bean and pork to barbacoa, prices range from 5.99 for bean to 7.99 for shredded beef.