Chili Shots and Texan Tales: The Whimsical World
Discover > Business Spotlight > Chili Shots and Texan Tales: The Whimsical World
Fresh off the grill at Houston’s biggest farmers’ market is Wild Oats – the newest spot for refreshing takes on traditional Texan fare. Owner and head chef Nick Fine debuted the new venue at the Houston Farmers Market on February 10th, offering visitors the chance to sample classic Texan dishes in new and inventive ways.
In a statement to the press, Fine elaborated on his hopes for the future of Wild Oats (how long do oats last?), highlighting the need to celebrate the colorful diversity of the Lone Star State.
“Texas food is easy to stereotype, and this restaurant is about rejecting those stereotypes and showing the underbelly of our state – the ingredients, the people and the cultures who make it one of the most diverse in the nation,” Fine explained. “My hope with this restaurant is to highlight Texas cuisine from Gulf Coast shrimp to the quail found in the Panhandle, to everything in between.”
Building a Local Food Community
As Wild Oats grows, Fine also aims for the spot to serve as a gathering place for locals and tourists alike. His ultimate dream: for a customer to one day walk through the door and order a shot for everyone in the restaurant. A shot of chili, that is – one of the many playful, unique items available for sampling on the Wild Oats menu.
Chef Fine, who also serves as culinary director for Wild Oats’ partner Underbelly Hospitality, is a son of the Lone Star State through and through. Having traveled cross-country to develop his culinary skills, he returned to Houston in 2015 to set down roots.
“I moved like 35 times in my life, but Texas always called me back,” said Fine. “So, a lot of these dishes off the opening menu are things that hit home with me and come out of my experiences [of] just being a Texan. And I want to tell the story of some of the Texas food scenes that no one really knows.”
Telling Texan Stories with Farm-To-Table Food
Many of these tales come from Fine’s personal life, such as Wild Oats’ quail poppers, inspired by a dish invented by Fine and his father. The birds are stuffed with spicy jalapenos, wrapped in juicy bacon, and topped with freshly whipped cream cheese (how long does cream cheese last?). Even the kids menu sports a bit of famous Texan history, featuring a portrait of beloved country music legend Willie Nelson.
Wild Oats strives to showcase the culture of Texas alongside the stories the state tells, featuring dishes inspired by Mexican, German, Czech and Vietnamese traditions. The Wild Oats menu includes refreshing offerings such as redfish served with tomatillo chow chow, pork shank with spätzle, crispy vegetables tossed in mole sauce, and shrimp cocktail (What wine goes well with shrimp cocktail?) spiked with a flavorful nam jim dressing.
Chris Shepard, operator of Underbelly Hospitality and partner to Wild Oats, commented on the novelty of the restaurant’s inclusive menu, stating: “This is the first time I’ve really focused on the German and Czech influences of our state. Being able to look into Southern Texas and West Texas to work with Mexican ingredients—we didn’t have a strong Mexican focus at Underbelly, and it’s been really fun to work with ingredients like different styles of mole, dried chiles, and tomatillos. You know I love a deep dive!”
Immersing Yourself in Texas Culture
The celebration of all things Texas also extends to the decor found in Wild Oats. The spacious 180-seat venue features patterned linoleum flooring and Texas white limestone, creating what Fine refers to simply as “Hill Country chic.” The crown jewel of Wild Oats, however, is its live-fire grill, designed by Austin-based barbeque expert Aaron Franklin in partnership with Franklin Barbeque Pits. The grill’s modular design allows for pieces to be easily interchanged, enabling options for open-flame grilling, slow-roasting, and even smoking.
While the prep styles of West, East and Central Texas are manifested in the grill’s capabilities, Fine and his team stayed close to home when procuring the ingredients used in their dishes. Products are sourced from local farms and ranchers, many of whom sell regularly from the historic 18-acre Houston Farmers Market, which Wild Oats calls home.
“This market has always been one of the most iconic areas of the city,” Shepherd explains. “The Houston Farmers Market is Texas to me – the vendors, the products, having a local butcher shop next door supplying us with their meat. It’s such a synergy and a dream come true. To open something here after it’s been redeveloped in a thoughtful and sustainable way – I had to jump on it.”
TexasRealFood is proud to welcome Wild Oats to their online directory. Don’t forget to check out the #1 local food directory in Texas to discover additional world-class restaurants, farmers’ markets, producers and more – all right here in the great state of Texas.
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