“Despite the negative stories we hear about Venezuela due to the political climate, Venezuela is a beautiful country,” co-owner Jose Vielma said in Spanish. “If we are living outside our country, for any reason, we want to give a good impression and share our lively culture and delicious food.”
Vielma and his wife, Maria Quintero, co-own El Kourmet, and two of their three children, a 16-year-old and a 19-year-old, help run the family business.
The first location of El Kourmet opened at 3939 N. Fry Road, Katy, and the second is at 25757 Westheimer Parkway, Katy.
Vielma said the most popular dishes at El Kourmet are the burgers; the arepa; and the patacon, which is similar to the burger, except the buns are replaced with green or yellow fried plantains.
“Venezuelan food is diverse in its influences and flavors,” Vielma said. “It’s very tasty and tropical.”
Vielma has known his passion for restaurants since he was a child, he said. Vielma saw a few family friends own their food businesses, and he also learned a lot from watching his parents cook.
Since COVID-19 hit the Greater Houston area in early March, El Kourmet has continued to operate cautiously, but the pandemic has kept the family from finding a good spot for the food truck, which was outside the Westheimer location before the pandemic.
As of July 23, El Kourmet has two brick-and-mortar locations in the Katy area. Vielma said he is opening a third location in Midtown in Houston within the next month and plans to find a fresh location for the original food truck as a fourth location.
“I want the world to see that our people are honest, hardworking, educated and ultimately to enjoy the beautiful culture of Venezuela through the culinary arts,” Vielma said.
El Kourmet-Fry Road
3939 N. Fry Road, Ste. C, Katy
281-829-7740
www.elkourmet.com
Hours: Mon.-Sat. 9 a.m.-10 p.m.,
Sun. 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
El Kourmet-Westheimer
25757 Westheimer Parkway, Ste. 100, Katy
346-257-4980
www.elkourmet.com
Hours: Mon.-Thu. 8 a.m.-10 p.m., Fri.-Sat.
8 a.m.-11 p.m., Sun. 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
