Papa Roja

I've eaten at, I think, all of the Tex-Mex and Mexican places in the South 1st/Oltorf area. Many of them are mediocre at best. Let me tell about my favorite: Habanero Cafe on Oltorf about two blocks east of South 1st. Friendly, family-run, great value, great food. Try the Beef Fajita Gordita Plate or the Chile Colorado (slow-simmered pork in red chile sauce - get it hot and fresh around lunchtime). Hope you like it as much as I do. As far as brisket, a lot of it's overrated. I had a good experience recently at Iron Works downtown because I got the combo plate. All the meats were very good but nothing really exceptional. The great thing was I had enough left to take home for another meal. The baby back ribs at Artz Rib House on South Lamar are usually terrific, and they have great potato salad and cole slaw (no mayonnaise in either, I think). Their beans are terrible, though. (?!) And Taco Deli over on Spyglass is worth checking out as well. Anybody else know of any good pulled pork in Austin? I know it's a beef town, but thought I'd ask ...

John, That's a different "Central Market." Ours is in Texas only. See the following link: http://www2.pricechopper.com/plabel/index.shtml

Tell us about your pork butt!

Hi Bill, Sorry I missed your post until now. I'll say hello to Allison next time I'm in the store on North Lamar. (I'm have a journalism background myself.) My daughter Allison transfered from the Dallas store to the one on Lamar--I believe she is still in cheese. She is enrolled at UT in January-- CM has been good to her. She is in Journalism and her experience has her considering going into food writing. Regards, Bill ←

Hi, I was referring to about 30 HEBs being built in the Houston area. HEB is the parent company of CM, and the new HEB stores are really nice. There are no plans at this time that I know of to build an additional CM in Houston. If you are interested in knowing exactly where the HEBs are being built, I can probably find out for you. Papa Roja, which CM do you work in, or are you at the corporate office? I am at the Westheimer location every week, and I'd love to say hello! ← Rebecca, That's kind of you. I work in a division office in Austin but travel frequently to the stores. I love the Westheimer store! ←

Papa Roja, which CM do you work in, or are you at the corporate office? I am at the Westheimer location every week, and I'd love to say hello! ← Rebecca, That's kind of you. I work in a division office in Austin but travel frequently to the stores. I love the Westheimer store!

No plans for Central Market going out of state at this time. There are seven Central Markets in Texas, with an eighth on the way to Southlake (between Plano and Fort Worth). There are a bit more than 300 H-E-B's (the parent company) in South Texas, Louisiana and Mexico; I believe there about 30 being built in the Houston area.

I work for Central Market, and it's wonderful to hear so many positive comments about our "own brand" products. A tasting panel worked hard for over a year selecting the right ones. Personally, I love the pasta sauces, the whole-grain mustard and the frozen cookie dough as well.