Best of Cy-Fair: Eji’s on Main

Opens Brick and Mortar in Waller

by Patricia Hudson

Several months ago, I received an invitation to attend a Chef’s Tasting and Open House in Waller. Normally, I would have passed, but as the invitation was extended by Chef Dustin and Gina Reed, I made it a point to make the drive. You might recall that we previously featured Eji’s Culinary, named for Dustin’s Grandma Emma Joy and Grandma Irene, in homage to the treasured memories of food and family shared at their tables. The French Le Cordon Bleu trained chef, together with his wife Gina’s own memories of food, family and friends at her Italian Grandma Sedita’s house every week, provided the foundation for Eji’s Culinary Catering and food truck enterprise. The food truck has gone by the wayside. In its place is a charming brick and mortar where Chef Dustin strives to source fresh local ingredients from local farms and small businesses within a 250-mile radius. Eji’s on Main held its Grand Opening on August 20, 2022.

“Dustin and I chose Waller because of the charm and unique qualities of the town. We fell in love with the building that is our new home the minute we saw it. The building was built in 1929; it was a feed store originally. We tried to keep as much of the original building as possible when planning our kitchen build out,” explains Gina. The Eji’s concept of food service continues to revolve around delicious down-to-earth meals made from scratch. “Eji's on Main offers a three-fold approach. First, customers can come in and order hot food made to order from the counter and take it to go or take it next door to Location Six Brewery. We encourage the latter, as you can enjoy a beer while supporting two small businesses at the same time. Second, we offer prepared meals in our cooler to take home and heat. You will see meals such as Maw Maw's lasagna, Grandma's meatloaf, mashed potatoes and green beans, and Eji's Chicken N Dumplins'. In a rush during lunch? Just grab one of these meals and take it back to the office to heat up, or come in and get meals for the whole week,” comments Gina. “Lastly, we are offering some of our

The Best of Cy-Fair

PLACES TO EAT

Chef’s Tasting

space to other local, small businesses to sell their products. We currently have vendors who make hand poured soy wax candles, handmade clay earrings, shea butter and kombucha. We are always searching for new small businesses that we can help promote and get their name and product out to the local community.”

The Chef’s Tasting showcased a delightful selection from Chef Dustin’s repertoire: Dijon Thyme Pork Tenderloin with Strawberry balsamic onion jam and sherry mustard cream, “Yard Bird” of buttermilk fried chicken breast, Chappell Hill hickory smoked bacon, Pure Luck goat cheese, balsamic roasted tomatoes, spring mix, shaved red onion, cilantro lime aioli, and fougasse, and Eji’s Umami Burger, Texas Gyulais (Wagyu) beef patty, fried duck egg, gruyere cheese peanut butter jalapeno bacon jam on a potato bun. Equally delectable offerings of side dishes were sampled and savored. Dustin and Gina have kept their irresistible Mini Bread puddings on the menu; I couldn’t decide which was my favorite: the Lemon Blueberry or the Triple Chocolate! Want to share the Eji’s on Main Experience? Consider booking a Chef’s Table Dinner with your friends and family. It’s worth a drive out to Waller.

Chef Dustin and Gina Reed

Eji’s on Main

2322 Main Street Waller, TX 77484 713-423-7976 info@ejisculinary.com www.ejisculinary.com