The hummus pizza from Abbie’s Imports, an RV parts store, gourmet grocery and Mediterranean deli known for offering a variety of vegetarian dishes. Beth Rankin/cat5
Beaumont has some real food gems. Some are overlooked, however, because of a lack of web presence or an obscure location.
Here are five restaurants your shouldn’t miss.
Abbie’s Imports
Where: 5335 Fannett Road, Beaumont
Info: (409) 842–2895; Facebook.com/AbbiesImportedFoods
Hours: 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Monday–Friday, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Saturday, closed Sunday
Slowly but surely, Beaumont is building a selection of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean food establishments. The spot that led the way? Abbie’s Imports.
Open 14 years, this little place is off the beaten path. A combination deli and small grocery, Abbie’s also sells RV parts to the happy campers staying at the park next door.
Abbie’s is one of those places where you can just hang out awhile. Come in for lunch and good luck deciding between a gyro, boudin pizza or one of the perfectly prepared, slightly exotic deli sandwiches.
The beltway sandwich I enjoyed on a recent visit was even better the second day. On a butter-toasted ciabatta bun, it’s beautifully crafted with roasted onions, tomatoes, corn beef, melted provolone cheese, fresh spinach and a brilliant pesto-wasabi cream sauce.
Hang around after your meal and read a magazine with a cup of hot tea and some baklava, then go shopping for some hard-to-find international delicacies. How about some Medjool dates, a jar of curry sauce or fresh olives from the olive bar?
Shrimp, oyster and fish combo with extra Shrimp, oyster and fish at Krazy Kajun Seafood on Dowlen Road in Beaumont. cat5 file photo
Krazy Kajun
Where: 3015 N. Dowlen Road, Beaumont
Info: (409) 860–1844; Facebook.com/KrazyKajunSeafood
Hours: 10:30 a.m.–9 p.m. Monday–Thursday, 10:30 a.m.–9:30 p.m. Friday & Saturday, 11 a.m.–7 p.m. Sunday
Seafood isn’t too hard to come by in these parts, but this option is at the top of my seafood-lovin’ list.
The freshness is palpable, as well as the attention to detail. The menu is pretty large, with everything from fried oysters and shrimp to salt and pepper wings to a grilled pork chop. The owner and head chef, Khai Tran, uses his Vietnamese heritage to his advantage when preparing these dishes.
One of my favorite options is the fresh fish — snapper, tuna or salmon prepared teriyaki-style or blackened and served with delicious sautéed vegetables.
Tran has even created his own mustard and ginger sauces that are practically drinkable on their own. For a little something Cajun, try the po-boy. Tran’s version has a banh mi influence, with shredded carrots and spicy jalapenos. Look for the homemade crawfish boudain balls made fresh toward the end of the week.
Underrated Beaumont restaurants
In-house-made links at Big John’s Grill. Grace Mathis/cat5
Big John’s Grill
Where: 1465 Gladys, Beaumont
Info: (409) 838–1585
Hours: 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Tuesday–Friday, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Saturday
Do not be deceived by the crumbling paint on the exterior of this establishment. Inside you will find a place rich with love, familiarity and, most importantly, mouth-watering food made with care.
For the past 30 years, customers in the know have enjoyed the barbecue, soul food and finger-lickin’ fried chicken that this place is known for. Whether it’s meat loaf, ox tails or mustard greens, you can be sure that any of these soul food dishes will make you feel like you’re in your grandma’s kitchen.
The fried chicken is John Traylor’s signature recipe, with a crispy, flavorful skin and tender meat. And if you’ve never experienced a homemade link (completely different from a sausage link), then this is a great place to enjoy your first one. No matter what you eat, Big Red is the perfect beverage companion.
Beaumont Fried Chicken, Pizza & Grill
Where: 2305 Calder Ave., Beaumont
Info: (409) 813–1200; “Beaumont Fried Chicken (BFC)” on Facebook
Hours: 10 a.m.–9 p.m. Monday–Saturday
In a converted gas station next to a liquor store, BFC may initially cause the uninitiated to hesitate. Fear not — it’s a family-owned establishment that makes everything when you order it, with fresh ingredients and special touches.
Every Friday, Beaumont Fried Chicken serves up Indian dishes like this butter chicken, rice, naan bread, and kidney beans. All this is served in one plate for $7.99. cat5 file photo
The burgers served with fries are an easy choice. One of the most unexpected sandwiches is the barbecue turkey. Served on a grilled hamburger bun, sliced deli turkey is fancied up on the grill with barbecue sauce and seasoning, served with tomatoes, lettuce, jalapenos and melted cheese. Their fried chicken is mouthwatering, with flaky, crisp skin and melt-in-your-mouth meat that falls off the bone.
What really sets this place apart is Indian food Fridays, wherein they feature select Indian dishes once a week. Check their Facebook page to stay in the loop on what the dish is each Friday, but honestly, it doesn’t really matter. A recent option was chicken meatballs with eggs, black chickpeas and carrot rice pudding for dessert. Meals are always served with hot, fresh naan bread.
On an exciting note, a new menu item is the Indian-style gyro. Made with chicken or beef on naan, it will be served full-time. Keep in mind that this place is walk-up with only a couple of tables outside under the covered porte cochere.
And don’t forget, there is a liquor store right next door.
El Paraiso
Where: 1880 College St., Beaumont
Info: (409) 832–9209
Hours: 5 a.m.–10 p.m. everyday
It’s easy to pass by El Paraiso due to its exterior — shuttered windows, peeling paint and so on — but it’s plugging along after 10 years serving home-style Mexican food, including made-from-scratch corn tortillas.
Seafood soup (marisco), selections from the salsa bar and michelada beer at El Paraiso on College Street. Grace Mathis/cat5
Walk through the front door and you’re transported to another country. This is a tiny place, stuffed to the gills with bright colors and festive touches, hand-carved wooden benches and a TV playing telenovelas or soccer.
Anything from the steam table — from chile rellenos to mole or barbacoa — will make you happy. There’s a fresh salsa bar that will have avocado sauce if you’re lucky enough to get there before they run out. Tortas, tacos and other made-to-order items are also on the menu. Don’t miss breakfast, complete with black coffee.
They also have a cooler with Mexican beer and exotic beverages. Most notably: This place serves legit maicheladas, which are utterly refreshing beer cocktails made with Bloody Mary-esque ingredients and served in a lime-drizzled, salted-rim frozen mug.
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