Will be working in Port Arthur next week, barring heavy weather. Any recs for locally-owned restaurants? tia

There are none (maybe Boudain Hut on Gulfway). Drive up to Beaumont.

If you like Vietnamese food, there are a couple of pho places on 9th Ave near the church.

[This message has been edited by RealTalk (edited 7/11/2010 10:54p).]

For some good Thai food go to Chaba's in Beaumont on Lucas. Doesn't look like much but it is good. Personally, I would steer clear of most anything in Pt. Arthur.

Suga's in downtown Beaumont is good. Spindletop on Crocket street downtown is pretty good for a steak. The Grill off Dowlen Rd. in Bmt. is a nice upscale place for steak or seafood.

Eaton Meats on Nederland Ave (bbq, steaks, poboys, etc.), The Schooner Hwy 69 (seafood), La Suprema on 365 across from Central Mall,(mexican), China Inn on Twin City,(real Chinese food, not buffet)

Ha, we ate at the Schooner last night. Also went to Carmela's, Sartins (the BBQ crab was pretty good but damn that's a lot of work for little payoff), and Larry's French Market, in Groves.

[This message has been edited by WimberleyAg (edited 7/17/2010 8:28a).]

Port Arthur? Judices on 7th has an excellent Cajun deli. Chicken sausage gumbo is probably the best "store bought" gumbo in the area.

Other than that, probably need to head to Beaumont. Mid county has the typical chain fare, and a few mediocre locally owned places.

I second Chaba Thai in Beaumont. As good as you'll find anywhere, including Houston. Pho something-or-the-other on college is good Vietnamese. New York pizza on Calder, the indian place at the mall, vautrots Cajun on 105, carlitos Mexican and elenas Mexican on college, carrabas on i10 ... All good.

I do not like larry's or Sartins or schooner.

Oh, forgot. Colichias Italian is a locally owned Italian place that has bounced around various mid county locations over the last couple of decades. If it's still around, you should try it. Get the house salad, large. If you are allergic to garlic, it will kill you. If not, it's damn good. Also, Al Ts in winnie is ok, and if you can take the smoke, pine tree lodge in labelle has suprisingly good food and is a good local experience on the banks of the gator infested waters of taylors bayou. There is an outside dining area.

And of course there's always jasons deli!!!

We were shocking fish on Taylor and Hillebrandt Bayous. Saw some gators. There were also alot of "saltwater" fish in both. Not sure if they were from Ike or residual saltwater intrusion from Rita.

That's not unusual. Both bayous are close to the gulf and saltwater fish venture far inland. Generally, periods of drought will result in salties moving further inland for obvious reasons. I have heard stories of sharks being caught on trotlines as far north as evadale and deweyville.

Larry's French Market, in Groves!!!
and Chaba is damn good.

The Schooner

I believe the saltwater species are a direct result of Ike and drought.

Did y'all run up Big Hill Bayou?

What species are you talking aboutand where were you. Was it Reds? Hell, there's red fish in Fairfield lake nera Waco (stocked). Reds travel far inland. As do mullet and flounder. If it was Marlin or tuna, yeah that would be unusual. I've even caught specks well up into the bayous years before Ike.

I know there is a saltwater lock but it apparently is opened for shrimp trawlers and for drainage. We talked to a gar fidherman andhe saud the hurricane pushed a lot of saltwater up the bayous. I assumed Ike but I'm sure there is some residual intrusion from Rita as well. We did get redfish but also ladyfish, threadfin and gizzard shad, mullet, and blue crabs. Talked to some fishermen on North Fork Taylor who said thdy caughthardheads but wasn't sure if they were talking about Arius felis or call some other catfish a hardhead. Anyway, saw some interesting scenery and some darkazz water.