Houston comedian Ali Siddiq has officially gone from cracking jokes in the Third Ward to co-owning one of its most talked-about food spots. Siddiq and his daughter, chef Jaden Gaines, have purchased Rado Market, the all-day café and neighborhood market tucked beneath the historic Eldorado Ballroom in Houston’s Third Ward. The change in ownership simply makes official what has already been true on the ground - the homegrown team taking over has been running the place since its early days.
As reported by the Houston Chronicle, Gaines will serve as Rado's chef and general manager, while Siddiq steps in as co-owner. “I've grown up in this community, and Rado Market has always been more than just a restaurant to me,” Gaines said in a statement to the Chronicle. The new owners say they plan to keep the market’s focus on culturally conscious prepared foods while adding more daily items and halal options. They also have their eyes on expanded community programming, including chef dinners, a wine series, monthly art shows and live piano nights.
Rado's roots and local sourcing
Rado describes itself as a hybrid café and market built around locally sourced produce and small vendors, with a mission to improve food access in the neighborhood. The market’s official website outlines partnerships with Lucille’s 1913 farming initiative and notes that produce is grown near Kendleton, Texas. Those elements support Rado’s small retail selection and vendor shelves, giving customers a mix of groceries and grab-and-go options.
That local-first sourcing has helped turn the space into both a quick-stop café and an informal hub for Third Ward entrepreneurs who use the market as a meeting place. The setup beneath the Eldorado Ballroom gives it a front-row seat to neighborhood life and a role that is bigger than just coffee and sandwiches.
What the change could mean for Third Ward
With Rado sitting across from Emancipation Park, local coverage has framed the café as part of a broader push to reactivate the Eldorado Ballroom’s ground floor with neighborhood services and events. FOX 26 Houston has previously noted the café’s community focus and participation in citywide initiatives, and the new owners say they intend to lean even further into that role with wellness events, fundraisers and more vendor partnerships.
For regulars, the day-to-day experience should not shift dramatically. Before the sale, Gaines was already handling operations, menu development and vendor coordination, and she plans continuity in both service and programming, even as new events and menu items are layered in.
What's next for the café
The owners have not laid out a precise timeline for rolling out the new programming. They say events and menu tweaks will arrive in the months ahead rather than all at once. For now, Rado's website continues to list hours and vendor application information for local businesses looking to get their products on the shelves.
Gaines' move from manager to owner-chef signals stability for customers who already rely on the Third Ward spot for coffee, prepared foods and local goods, even as the market gears up for its next chapter under a family-led team.
