Do locusts really taste like shrimp?

May 8, 2008 11:44 AM

Are there any markets in Texas that sell edible insects?

I'm looking for Mexican style markets, not a novelty item sold at Whole Foods or Central Market. I've only planned on visiting Dallas, Fort Worth and Houston but I might rent a car and drive a little farther for an interesting market.

posted by Ariadne to food & drink (9 comments total)

I don't know if they sell insects, but it's the only place I can think of that would - Fiesta Mart. There are locations in Dallas and Houston.
posted by sanko at 2:12 PM on May 8, 2008

I've never seen insects at either of the Fiestas in Austin, though it wouldn't surprise me a bit. And I don't know if you only want to fry them up yourself, or are willing to let someone else do the work, but if it's the latter, you can check out Hugo's in Houston, where chapulines (grasshoppers) are on the menu. Supposed to be good food there, though I can't vouch for it personally.
posted by pogo at 2:47 PM on May 8, 2008 [1 favorite]

Oops, that's Hugo's.
posted by pogo at 2:52 PM on May 8, 2008

Never seen any insects at any of the Fiestas in Houston either, as a data point.
posted by reebear at 3:58 PM on May 8, 2008

I'll post on a couple of Houston messageboards I frequent and see what comes up.
posted by 2or3whiskeysodas at 3:45 AM on May 9, 2008

Here's what I've gotten so far:

• "El Mercado in San Antonio. Actually, lots of places in San Antonio. But that'd be a place to start."
• "Chapulines? In Houston, I'd check out the Mexican stalls near Airline." I'm trying to narrow that one down a little. I'll post again if I get something more specific.
posted by 2or3whiskeysodas at 11:03 AM on May 9, 2008

Another response:

• "There is a new Asian grocery store in Dallas called H-Mart. It is pretty amazing. I'm pretty sure they had some bugs for sale. (Crickets or maybe grasshoppers?)

Even if I'm wrong, it's worth a visit.

http://www.dallasfood.org/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=392"
posted by 2or3whiskeysodas at 12:52 PM on May 9, 2008

By the way, can I recommend adding tags for Texas, Houston, Ft. Worth and Dallas? Maybe people (like me) who have those set in their "My Ask" will spot this question and have some insight.
posted by 2or3whiskeysodas at 12:53 PM on May 9, 2008

Thank you for all the answers so far. I was hoping to try something new (I've already had fried grasshoppers) but I will check the places listed when I get to Houston. I'm willing to try almost anything except spiders because thats where my yuck factor kicks in.
posted by Ariadne at 7:01 PM on May 9, 2008