1
rich
Libsyn
https://www.libsyn.com
90
600
Pier 36: Jimmy Cantu on Legacy and Local Flavor
It’s seafood, stories, and small-town roots in this episode featuring local restaurant legend Jimmy Cantu of Pier 36! We have Cody Frederick stepping in as guest host (a longtime restaurateur himself), sitting down with Jimmy to rewind from his childhood “daycare” in an old Richmond oyster bar to opening Pier 36 in Needville and eventually planting deep roots in Richmond and Fulshear. Jimmy shares how community, consistency, and caring for his staff turned Pier 36 into a neighborhood fixture that’s seen kids grow up, families celebrate milestones, and regulars show up after hurricanes and even through COVID shutdowns. Key Insights & Timestamps: [05:22]: Jimmy Cantu’s early days at the Oyster Bar [12:10]: The origin story of Pier 36 [21:10]: Building a loyal team at Pier 36 [24:05]: Surviving COVID: Shutdowns, to-go lines, and community support [34:45]: Possible Richmond relocation and what legacy means to Jimmy Key Takeaways: ● Jimmy’s story starts as a seven-year-old “daycare kid” at his uncle’s Richmond oyster bar, bussing tables and learning to shuck oysters. That early immersion led him to Pappas Restaurants, then to taking over Pier 36 in Needville and expanding to Richmond and Fulshear. Decades of repetition—cooking, serving, and greeting neighbors—shaped his belief that consistency and genuine care are the backbone of a lasting restaurant. ● From sponsoring little league teams and fundraisers to quietly helping families in need, Jimmy and Pier 36 have long treated the restaurant as a community pillar, not just a business. That goodwill showed up in force during COVID, when shutdowns and constantly shifting rules could have crippled the restaurant—but loyal regulars rallied around Pier 36 with to-go orders and support that actually grew sales during the toughest season. ● Jimmy’s pride isn’t just in the food; it’s in people like Felix, who’s been with him since opening day (and even helped on the original buildout), prep cooks who’ve worked side by side for 20 years, and a longtime cook who returned to lead the Fulshear kitchen. Those enduring relationships—with staff who feel like family and customers whose kids have grown up at Pier 36—are what turn a small seafood spot into a local legend with a legacy that will outlast any single location or owner. Guest Spotlight: Cody Frederick Cody Frederick is a longtime Fort Bend restaurateur with more than 20 years in the restaurant industry and a deep love for hospitality. Now calling Richmond home, he and his wife Aimee have built local businesses and community connections that give him a unique vantage point on what makes neighborhood spots like Pier 36 so special. As a guest host on Born in the Bend and a volunteer with Develop Richmond’s economic development efforts, Cody is passionate about telling local stories and helping small- town businesses thrive.   Jimmy Cantu Jimmy Cantu is the owner and founder of Pier 36 Seafood & Oyster Bar, a beloved Fort Bend institution with locations in Richmond and Fulshear. Born and raised in Richmond, Jimmy got his start as a kid in his uncle’s oyster bar, later honing his craft with Pappas Restaurants before taking over the original Pier 36 in Needville in the late ’90s and expanding. Known for his steady hospitality, Jimmy has turned Pier 36 into a true local legend and gathering place for generations of Fort Bend families.   Resources Mentioned: Pier36 Seafood Restaurant & Oyster Bar Pappas Restaurants Bayou Boys Sandy McGee’s Anthonie’s Market Grill   For More Information: Born in the Bend is sponsored by Develop Richmond, and is produced and mixed by the team at Speakerbox Media.  Subscribe and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, and visit our Born in the Bend website (drop Emily a recommendation through our Contact form) and Instagram (our DMs are open!). Keep up with all things Pier36 on their Website, Facebook, and Instagram. 
Born In The Bend
https://www.borninthebend.com
<iframe title="Libsyn Player" style="border: none" src="//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/42005750/height/90/theme/custom/thumbnail/yes/direction/forward/render-playlist/no/custom-color/88AA3C/" height="90" width="600" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen></iframe>
https://assets.libsyn.com/secure/item/42005750