6 Reasons to Visit the Sprawling, Wonder-Filled Finn Hall

This 20,000-square-foot foodie paradise—which anchors the JPMorgan Chase building downtown, in all its art deco splendor—opened its doors in December 2018 to raves. And with two welcoming bars, eight lovely vendors, and more on the way, it just keeps getting better. Haven’t been yet? Here’s why you should visit Finn Hall right now.

1. The crazy-good dishes

Craft Burger chef Shannon Tune, a Chopped winner, makes huge burgers on brioche buns, as well as a great buffalo chicken sandwich. Low Tide, the second concept from the team behind Harold in the Heights, offers an incredible crab cake.

2. The little things

Mediterranean stall Oddball Eats’ hot sauce, made with seven different kinds of chiles, is one of the food hall’s unsung heroes (try it on the fluffy falafel). Family-owned Vietnamese stall Sit Lo uses only its matriarch (and chef) Suzi Wong’s recipes. Houston’s most famous pecan pies are on offer during the holidays at the Goode Co. Taqueria outpost here, and you’ll want to grab a bag of Amaya Coffee beans to take home, too. As for Korean spot Yong’s kimchi? Let’s just say you can tell when they’re making the fermented cabbage in- house—in a good way. 

3. The people-watching

On Wednesday and Thursday at lunch, Finn Hall can push almost 2,000 patrons through the door. You might even spot a celebrity. This Is Us star Milo Ventimiglia feasted at local-sourcing champs Dish Society during the World Series, and Tyra Banks ordered a Vietnamese coffee from Sit Lo in 2018. 

4. The unique mix of operators

Finn’s vendors formed a partnership with nearby food hall Understory, so that none of their vendors or cuisines overlap. The offerings are always evolving, with vendors paying attention to customer feedback. Case in point: Dish Society recently expanded to a full menu, and Swallow’s Nest is now serving up both beer and craft cocktails. 

5. And, oh yeah, you can leave your dishes on the table

Many people clean up after themselves, but there are bussers. The hall also supplies dishware to vendors, something that would have been a huge cost for startups like Oddball Eats, Yong, and Sit Lo, all of which originally launched as food trucks, as well as Pizza Zquare, a first-time concept from owner Francisco Sierra. 

Finn Hall Breakdown 

• Address: 712 Main St.
• Hours: 7 a.m.–9 p.m. Mon–Thurs; 7 a.m.–10 p.m. Fri; 8 a.m.–10 p.m. Sat; 8 a.m.–8 p.m. Sun
• Kid-Friendly? Yes, but more of an office-worker vibe
• Parking: Garage at 803 Fannin St., on street metered until 6 p.m.
• Seating: Banquettes, dining tables, counter and bar stools; outdoor seating

Published in the The Year of the Food Hall! issue of Houstonia Mag.