A Saturday in Tomball - Full of Great Food + Fun
On a recent Saturday morning, a bit later than I originally planned and with two antsy children in the backseat, I made my way up South Cherry Street into Tomball, a small town some 25 miles northwest of downtown Houston. It had rained the night before, so we skipped around some muddy patches as we made our way across the dirt parking lot at the corner of Walnut and Main Streets to the Tomball Farmers Market across the street. The weather that morning, however, was a combination of bright sun with scattered clouds and low humidity. It was a beautiful day to discover a new town.
Tomball Farmers Market has been the town’s big Saturday-morning attraction for over 10 years and is a 2017 Edible Houston Farmers Market Local Hero Award winner. The market is open every Saturday, rain or shine, from 9am to 1pm. Thousands of visitors make their way to Tomball to browse goods laid out on the market’s many canopy-covered tables. Like you would expect, the market has its share of growers who sell fresh produce—PEAS Farm, Rain Song Farm and My Indoor Farm, to name a few. Houston Farm to Home sells grass-fed beef and pasture-raised chicken and pork.
There are also vendors selling prepared foods—everything from pork rinds (What’s Crackalackin) to homemade gourmet pet treats (K-9 Campus Cafe). Bakers by Heart specializes in creating baked goods from freshly milled non- GMO grains. Their breads, buns, rolls and muffins are all free of preservatives, and are made with local ingredients. The bakery is only at the market on the first, third and fifth Saturdays of the month, but if you get there early enough, there might be cinnamon rolls left. If not, you will just have to settle for bringing home a loaf of the most delicious cranberry walnut bread you’ve ever tasted.
For a quick late-morning snack, we stopped at two vendors selling Argentinian empanadas. At the first one, Avila Flavors & Experiences, visitors placed their orders and walked away with small cardboard trays carrying warm pockets of seasoned meat and small plastic cups of salsa and chimichurri. There were even gluten-free cheese empanadas. Nearby, at Sabor Argentina, we purchased frozen empanadas and a jar of homemade chimichurri—perfect for a meal later in the week.
After buying bread and a cinnamon roll, eating empanadas, filling our bags with fresh produce and sating our thirst with blueberry lemonade, it was time to see what else Tomball had to offer.
In the early 1800s, this area was primarily home to ranchers and farmers. Change came in the early 1900s when, following the easy grade to the ports on Galveston Bay, railroad tracks were laid through and a train depot built. The town was named after an attorney who worked for the railroad, Mr. Tom Ball. That was later shortened to one word, but it’s still pronounced like two: tom-BALL. The railroad boom was short-lived, but oil and gas were found and Tomball continued to grow.
This heritage lives on in Railroad Depot Plaza, catty-corner to the farmers market. Visitors who enjoy a good lemonade as much as my kids do will want to note that in addition to a fountain, gazebo and splash pad the plaza also has easily accessible public restrooms. The kids, who had patiently waited while their dad made small talk with coffee roasters, beekeepers and soy candlemakers, broke into a run at the sight of the fountain. The NO SWIMMING sign was the only thing that kept their clothes dry.
The northeast corner of the park features the town’s 1907 historic railroad depot. The depot is a museum that features memorabilia from Tomball’s railroad era. There is a 250-square-foot model train layout, the Golden-Blackhawk & Central City Railroad, as well. Inside the caboose that sits next to the depot is another model train, the Tomball & Walden Model Railway.
On a warm summer day, visiting Railroad Depot Plaza brings you dangerously close to another local favorite, Nonnie’s Soda Fountain. Serving ice cream, sundaes and floats (as well as sandwiches and more substantial fare), Nonnie’s capitalizes on the plaza’s old-timey vibe— from the jukebox to hand-poured shakes in classic soda fountain glasses. Next door, the soda fountain shares the building with a more adult establishment. If you’ve ever wondered if any good wine can come out of Texas, the Empty Glass has plenty of ways to find your answer. This small wine bar specializes in local and Texas-made wines.
At first glance, you might think that Market Street, which runs behind the farmers market, features a collection of antique shops, when in fact it is just one very large antique shop. Granny’s Korner is nearly 12,000 square feet of antiques and antique-looking home décor. Like a funhouse, rooms seem to telescope outward as you round each corner.
As the day wears on and the market closes, there are still plenty of options for food in Tomball. The Whistle Stop Café & Tea Room on the north side of Main Street is a perennial lunch favorite with folks out for an afternoon of shopping—the veggie quiche is very nice.
Right behind the Whistle Stop is something unique: the Tejas Chocolate Craftory. At 11am there was a line at this popular eatery that reached outside to the sidewalk, and it wasn’t really a busy day. And while the Craftory is known for fine chocolate, what is really bringing in the crowds is the barbecue. As a business model, offering the public excellent smoked meat is rarely a bad idea in Texas. So, be sure to add this to your list. You won’t go wrong with a quarter pound of brisket, cornbread casserole and a few truffles.
If your trip extends into the evening, be sure to check out who’s playing at Main Street Crossing. The venue features a lot of cover bands as well as some headliners.
As we left town that Saturday, I followed Main Street west to the Tomball Tollway. That morning, my Google Maps directions completely bypassed this more commercial side of town. This is where you would find Goodson’s Café, a restaurant said by many to be the home of the best chicken fried steak in Texas. Their specialty is Southern comfort food, and by all measures they know what they’re about. For some, the breaded-and-fried approach might not sit well, but some days just call for “Mom’s Meatloaf.”
As we returned to the highway, it was nice to find that even here, outside the small-town charm of historic downtown Tomball, there are opportunities to experience something new.
