In this episode of “Eat Like a Local”, it’s all about the crunch. Host Chris Shepherd went on the hunt for the perfect fried bites in Houston. Whether it’s a chicken wing, a piece of fish, shrimp straight from the Gulf, or a perfectly fried crab finger, great fried food doesn’t have to be fancy, it just needs have the right technique.
Southern Jerks | 2950 Gears Rd., Houston
Chris first step is an unexpected find tucked inside a Speedy Mart on Gears Road. That’s where Southern Jerks has quietly built a devoted following thanks to its Caribbean-inspired fried chicken and house-made sauces.
Owners Jabril and Jordan Riddick draw inspiration from their Virgin Islands heritage, creating what they describe as Caribbean fried chicken rather than traditional Jamaican jerk. The result is a flavor profile that’s savory, slightly sweet and incredibly approachable.
Everything is made in-house, from the mac and cheese sauce and dirty rice to the hot sauces and the fan-favorite Golden Ranch, a curry-based sauce that quickly became one of Chris’ favorites.
The menu offers plenty of options, including wings, tenders, sandwiches and even burgers, all seasoned with the restaurant’s signature Caribbean influence.
Captain Mc’s Seafood |5055 Griggs Rd., Houston
Next, Chris headed to Captain Mc’s Seafood on Griggs Road, where owner and commercial fisherman Fred McBride is taking local seafood sourcing to another level.
Before opening the restaurant, McBride spent years supplying some of Houston’s top chefs with Gulf seafood. Now he’s bringing that same product directly to his own customers. The concept is simple: if it’s on the menu, Fred either caught it himself or sourced it from local Gulf fishermen.
Black drum, blue crab and Gulf shrimp are the backbone of the operation. While most restaurants buy pre-picked crab meat, McBride and his team process their own fresh caught blue crabs, creating crab cakes and fried crab fingers.
One of the restaurant’s most unique features is a QR code that allows guests to watch videos of the fish and seafood being caught, creating a direct connection between the water and the plate. For Chris, that’s what makes Captain Mc’s special is that it’s full circle - you know exactly who caught it and how it got to your plate.
Fountain View Fish Market | 2912 Fountain View, Houston
The final stop brought Chris to one of Houston’s longtime seafood institutions: Fountain View Fish Market. The no-frills restaurant has been serving Houstonians since the 1970s and remains one of Chris’ favorite places for fried seafood.
From the outside, it’s easy to miss. The sign simply reads “Fish Market.” Inside, however, you’ll find some of the city’s most consistently excellent fried Gulf seafood. Using locally sourced shrimp, oysters, crab and fish, the kitchen has mastered a frying technique that produces seafood that’s crispy, light and never greasy.
Season 3 of “Eat Like a Local”
- SEASON 3, EPISODE 56: Season 3 of ‘Eat Like a Local’ launches with chefs recognized by the James Beard Awards
- SEASON 3, EPISODE 57: Beer + Bites: Discover two of the Houston-area’s best craft breweries
- SEASON 3, EPISODE 58: Hungry for a short trip? 4 flavorful restaurants to try in Baytown
- SEASON 3, EPISODE 60: From tortas to paletas: Generations of Mexican-American flavor in Houston
- SEASON 3, EPISODE 61: Farmed Fresh: Gulf Coast oysters make waves in Houston restaurants
- SEASON 3, EPISODE 62: Houston’s pizza scene is rising: Chris Shepherd explores top spots for every style
- SEASON 3, EPISODE 67: Discover Houston Asiatown’s unique snacks with Chris Shepherd
- SEASON 3, EPISODE 69: Chris Shepherd’s Houston-area burger picks include a hot new spot and a 50-year classic
- SEASON 3, EPISODE 71: Win the Hosting Game! 🏈 Game Day recipes & crowd-pleasers from Chef Chris Shepherd
- SEASON 3, EPISODE 72: These meat markets are a cut above when it comes to quality, flavor, and tradition
- SEASON 3, EPISODE 74: Houston coffee gems (Matcha lovers, this one’s for you)
- SEASON 3, EPISODE 75: Craving Cajun food in Houston? These restaurants deliver big variety and flavor
- SEASON 3, EPISODE 76: Where to eat in Houston’s Heights neighborhood | Chris Shepherd visits 3 top picks
- SEASON 3, EPISODE 78: Every stop Chris Shepherd hits in this no-theme episode of ‘Eat Like a Local’