It was way past noontime when we started heading for the Kemah Boardwalk. We had fond memories of interesting places and activities around Houston. Kemah Boardwalk was one of them. We know there’s food to eat somewhere there. Maybe, have lunch? If our memory was right, there should be several good places there to cool off and have a good meal.

The sun was blazingly hot on our faces. We needed a place to sit and cool down.

It was right after the bridge that we had to turn into the narrow street leading to Kemah Boardwalk. Traffic was painstakingly slow. All the parking lots were occupied.

Hot, tired, frustrated!

Out of desperation, we recalled a place under the other side of the bridge. The one that people called, “the seafood market”. Just a quarter mile away.

It was part asphalt and part dirt road as we got off the bridge this time. The road meandered around until it ended to a small parking lot. A vehicle was pulling out as we arrived. Ah! Finally, a place to rest and eat!

The building looked old and weather-beaten. It looked like three buildings were built and later connected to each other. Above, a flock of seagulls were hovering and betraying their scavenger nature. Behind the building was a lake that connected itself to the nearby bay.

There were people on all sides of the building. Picnic tables at the side balcony were all occupied. Even the rickety tables and chairs were occupied! A line of people was snaking from the front of the building and down a flight of stairs. The line led to a fingerprint-stained double glass door that opened to a foyer. Beyond, glass-fronted, tile-lined sinks were filled with a variety of seafood – fish, squid, and shrimps. Pick your choice and seafood market will either pack it or deep fry it for you.

We felt like the picnic table and benches a few steps down the foyer was there just waiting for us. It was empty and clean despite the fact that several people outside were eyeballing each other menacingly in search of a place to sit.

People were feasting on tables beside us. A steady stream of trays filled with aromatic, steaming, deep-fried seafood passed us while being served to other tables. We can barely hold our drool while trying to sit patiently. Finally, our trays arrived! Laid before us were the golden, aromatic, steaming, deep-fried seafood that we ordered. Rice, potato fries, and several kinds of dip were at the side. What a glorious feeling!

It wasn’t a bad afternoon after all!