mix and match

Good taste: What your favorite Girl Scout cookie flavor says about where you shop in Houston

It is that time of year again. Girl Scout cookie season officially launches in Houston on Saturday, February 11. Just in time for Super Bowl LVII and Valentine's Day celebrations, entrepreneurial-spirited Girl Scouts will be knocking on doors and selling delicious treats in front of major retailers all over the city.

From February to April each year, Girl Scout cookies outsell every other cookie on the market, bringing in an impressive $800 million. One hundred percent of the money earned by area troops stays in Houston and is used for council-sponsored programs, events, properties, training, and scholarships.

Typically, 12 to 13 cookies are in the lineup each season, and this year the Raspberry Rally cookie will debut as an online exclusive. The cookie is described as a "sister" to the Thin Mint – a thin crunchy cookie infused with raspberry flavor and coated in chocolate.

This cookie season it is even easier to snag a box of the decadent treats. Cookie fans can just type their zip code into the Find Cookies! search box or text COOKIES to 59618 to receive updates about Girl Scout Cookie availability in Houston.

Every cookie enthusiast has a favorite, but according to Girl Scouts USA, the highest-selling varieties are Thin Mints, Caramel deLites, Peanut Butter Patties, Adventurefulls, and Peanut Butter Sandwich.

Now, for tried-and-true Thin Mints devotees and Peanut Butter Sandwich fanatics, we break down the hard-hitting question of what the top five favorite Girl Scout cookies say about your style personality. (And of course, where to shop in Houston.)

Thin Mints

You are: Timeless, elegant, elevated

Your style mantra: Investment pieces never go out of style.

Shop favorites include:Tootsies, Elizabeth Anthony, Saks Fifth Avenue

Thin Mints reign supreme as the best-selling Girl Scout cookie.Photo courtesy of Girl Scouts USA

Caramel deLites

You are: Edgy, fun-loving, not afraid to stand out

Your style mantra: More is more.

Shop favorites include:J. Landa Jewelry, Zadig & Voltaire, Abejas Boutique

Samoa Caramel deLites are also named Samoas in other parts of the country and next to Thin Mints - they are a fan-favorite.Photo courtesy of Girl Scouts USA

Peanut Butter Patties

You are: Feminine, warm, charismatic

Your style mantra: It's what's on the inside that counts.

Shop favorites include:LoveShack Fancy, Frock Shop, Top Drawer Lingerie

Peanut Butter Patty Peanut Butter Patties are the best of both worlds - chocolate AND peanut butter.Photo courtesy of Girl Scouts USA

Adventurefulls

You are: Sporty, independent, well-traveled

Your style mantra: Look good, feel good.

Shop favorites include:Accel Lifestyle, Outdoor Voices, Rebecca Lankford Designs

Chocolate cookie If Adventurefulls are your favorite - you love the outdoors, sports and have an overnight bag at the ready.Photo courtesy of Girl Scouts USA

Peanut Butter Sandwich

You are: Relaxed, warm, dependable

Your style mantra: Comfort is key.

Shop favorites include:Christy Lynn Collection, Kendra Scott, Hemline

Peanut butter cookie Peanut Butter Sandwich cookies elicit a relaxed and dependable feeling.Photo courtesy of Girl Scouts USA

New 2023 Flavor: Raspberry Rallie

You are: Creative, artsy, eclectic

Your style mantra: There is no such thing as too much color.

Shop favorites include:Leopard Lounge, Veronica Beard, Gucci

Raspberry cookie Raspberry Rally cookies will make their online only debut this season.Photo courtesy of Girl Scouts USA

Photo courtesy of Girl Scouts USA

Raspberry Rally is the newest Girl Scout cookie flavor and will be the first-ever online exclusive.

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What's Eric Eating Episode 285

Meet the gifted chef showcasing authentic, home-grown Greek fare to Houston, plus hottest food news

Photo by Ajna Jai

Chef Mary Cuclis is this week's guest.

On this week's episode of "What's Eric Eating," chef Mary Cuclis joins CultureMap food editor Eric Sandler to discuss Kriti Kitchen. The Pondicheri veteran opened the family-friendly Greek restaurant in January.

The conversation begins with Cuclis explaining how she entered the world of professional cooking. Prior to opening Kriti Kitchen, she trained at Bo Innovation, a Michelin-starred restaurant in Hong Kong, and spent 10 years working for James Beard Award finalist Anita Jaisinghani at Pondicheri, the acclaimed, Indian-inspired restaurant in Upper Kirby.

At Kriti Kitchen, she honors her Greek heritage by serving dishes she's experienced when visiting family in Greece. Sandler asks her about the ways in which her cooking is different from Houston's other Greek restaurants.

"A lot of the Greek food I found in Houston was very delicious but very much street food. The kind of food I'm wanting to portray is more homestyle, things that I eat with my relatives," she says.

"For example, when you go to a taverna in Crete, a lot of times it's a couple running the whole thing. They invite you back into the kitchen to smell the stew. It's stewed meat and a lot of fresh vegetables with beans and lentils. I don't think too many people see that side of Greek food. I wanted to share a little bit of what I see with my family and what we eat when we're there."

Listen to the full interview to hear Cuclis explain why Kriti Kitchen offers both dine-in options during the day as well as heat-and-serve options that customers can pick up for dinner. She also discusses her goals for the future.

Prior to the interview, Sandler and co-host Rebecca Masson, chef-owner of Fluff Bake Bar, discuss the news of the week. Their topics include: Nobie's owners Martin and Sara Stayer's plans to open a new pizzeria; Roswell's Saloon opening in Montrose; New York City's Lady M establishing a permanent presence in the Galleria; and Masson's experiences during Austin's Hot Luck food festival.

In the restaurants of the week segment, Sandler and Masson share their thoughts about meals at two new Italian restaurants. First, they recount the highs and lows of a meal at Triola's Kitchen. Then, they share first impressions of Bari Ristorante, a new restaurant in River Oaks District that serves classic Italian dishes.

Photo by Ajna Jai

Chef Mary Cuclis is this week's guest.

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Subscribe to "What's Eric Eating" on Apple podcasts, Google Play, or Spotify. Listen to it Saturdays at 2 pm on ESPN 97.5.

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