DISHING ON THE DISHES

Galveston food critic Tom Valliere

By Forest Rigges

With Galveston Island being so well known for its great restaurants and varied dining options, it is not always easy to make a selection given the myriad of choices. Word of mouth is a good way to pick a location for a great meal; often a selection is made by reading internet recommendations, Yelp reviews, magazine articles and other creative advertising techniques. Fortunately, the choice can be made somewhat easier for Galvestonians and visitors by following the Galveston Eats Facebook page or reading reviews written by the island’s Tom Valliere.

Born in Muskegon, Michigan to a large first-generation Canadian/French family, Tom grew up in a household void of flavorful condiments, save salt and pepper. His father, a strict Catholic man, was a meatloaf, potatoes and green beans type guy — hearty food that was filling and affordable for the large family. Around his fourth grade year of school, the family moved to Ohio where Tom received a strict and, at times, abusive Catholic education at St. Joseph School. The nuns were brutal and at times cruel; for the next three years, young Tom endured the nightmare that left him with some residual distrust and disgust with the Church.

The family returned Muskegon and Tom graduated high school in June of 1964.

Disillusioned, frustrated and looking for a way out, Tom enlisted in the U.S. Army and began a four-year stint that would open his eyes and hungry mind to a vast and complex world. Becoming part of an elite intelligence unit, Tom quickly proved himself and was sent on temporary duty assignments to locations in Vietnam, such as Saigon and Phubai.

In 1965 Tom was sent to Bangkok, Thailand on assignment. It was there, living in hotels and contracted with the Army, that Tom grew to enjoy the fascinating foods of the Asian culture.

To this day, he still prefers Vietnamese as his favorite food. “It’s is very healthy and light, not as heavy, and the spices are not as strong as, say, Indio-Asian food stuffs,” he said.

Next, Tom was sent to Ft. Clayton in the Panama Canal Zone. Having always known and felt he was “different inside” but unable to act on these feelings, it was here that Tom encountered his first relationship with another man.

“It was my first serious relationship and one that really opened my life,” he said.

Tom was later sent to Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama where he attended missile school. After the training and having already established his reputation in electronics, engineering and technical instruction, Tom became involved with the City Board of Education and worked part-time for the Alabama Television Network. It was here that he developed one of the first video closed-circuit systems to be used for instruction in the Canal Zone. Also, while in the Canal Zone, Tom enrolled in classes offered by the University of Miami. When his term of duty was completed, he moved to Clearwater, Florida and completed his undergraduate work in Electrical Engineering, utilizing the GI Bill.

Tom was recruited by Industrial Nucleonics Corporation. After a few years of excellent service and growth, Tom was called to the office one day (thinking he was getting a raise as the head honcho had flown in to meet with him), and told he was being let go.

“We have reason to believe you are a homosexual,” his bosses said. They even threatened him if he retaliated. This incident stirred something deep inside Tom and fueled his passion for human rights and respect of dignity, no matter what life or lifestyle.

Tom ponders if younger folks today fully understand how life was back then for gay people.

“We lived in secrecy and fear, seeking out acceptance and community where we could find it,” he said. “I’m not sure about a strong community these days. Back then we needed it to feel safe.”

In 1987, Tom moved to the Houston area and began a long and lucrative career with Compaq. It was tough.

“In those days you simply could not be gay and expect to work in my field,” he said. “It was not until HP came in, bought Compaq and brought with them diversity training and completely changed the environment.” 

At Compaq/HP, Tom was Director of Global Procurement. Working with a multi-billion dollar budget, Valliere traveled the world, making deals and representing the corporation back. Meeting with high-tech industry leaders in Japan and other countries developing intel products, Tom was treated to the very best — the best accommodations, a sampling of the finest foods each country had to offer, and living the high life. It was during these years Tom refined and defined his excellent palate when it came to food and cuisine.

After many years with Compaq/HP, Tom began his very own business in the intel, engineering and marketing world, utilizing the knowledge and contacts he made in his position with Compaq/HP. He founded two companies, Design Chain Technology  (developed tools to manage logistics) and Design Chain Associates (the consulting and servicing arm). He developed information tools and marketed them through branch offices in several countries.

Living in the Copperfield area of Houston and maintaining a weekend place on the San Bernard River, Valliere and partner Richard Encinas had a good life, albeit a very busy one. Richie, a registered nurse, worked long hours as a charge nurse at Matagorda Bay City Hospital. The couple was together for 36 years until Richie was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. As the cancer, progressed Richie could no longer work and needed care and support. Tom sold his companies so that he could devote full-time care to his partner. Sadly, Richie died from the cancer in July of 2012.

Never one to sit and gather moss, Tom became lonely living without his longtime partner in Brazoria, so he moved to Galveston to be near friends and develop a new life.

He and Charlie Bresnehan, very close friend and companion, enjoyed dining out around the island. It was often at Lafitte’s someone would ask about their latest meal and the details of their gastronomical adventure.

In 2018, Tom and Charlie started Galveston Eats as way to share reviews and information about the Galveston dining scene. Michael Burk published Coastal Monthly, a magazine, which later became Waves.

Burk approached Tom, saying, “No one is doing this, reporting on food. We need to create a food and dining section in Waves.”

The first article Tom penned reviewed the infamous Star Drug Store on 23rd Street, and it’s still a favorite place to grab lunch. More than 200 reviews later, the rest, as they say, is history.

Today there are over 70,000 members on the Galveston Eats Facebook page. With his desire to provide great food reviews, Tom continues to visit restaurants of his choosing, takes no discounts or free meals, and lovingly writes his reviews for no financial reward.

Tom is a delightful and affable man, so if you see him when you are out and about, especially if dining, say hello to this Galveston Island Treasure.

Good eats!

Forest Riggs lives in Galveston. His book, ‘Galveston Memories and Related Stories’ is available at Amazon.com, OutSkirtsPress.com and ForestRiggs.com.

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