My favorite shop I've found so far is the one off of 59 and Kirby, Fish Gallery. They have bad service reviews, but when I was in there, I had several people ask me if I needed help, left me alone when I said I just wanted to look around, and stopped what they were doing to help me out when I was ready. They are also the first shop I've found with a variety of nerite snails and several other freshwater fish and pleco varieties that I haven't seen (or maybe just never noticed) in other shops. Live plants, but nothing too unusual. They do sell some of their fancy bettas for $30, though! lol Overall, their other prices seemed okay. Worth the trip out there, IMO. I made it out with several CRS, a nerite snail and some algae tabs for about $20.
I also frequent Aquarium World off of 290 and Tidwell, but am less impressed with them. Their store is beautiful, so I walk around it occasionally. Some of their staff members, while very friendly and helpful, aren't as knowledgeable as you might expect in such a large store, and their prices tend to be high. Flourite Red bags for $35, neon tetras for $3.00 each, Java Ferns for $8.00. Not outrageous (except for maybe the Ferns), just a bit higher than, say, the PetSmart around the corner that sells the same Flourite Red for $20 and neons for $1.00 when on sale and Java Fern for $4.50.
I've also been to T&T Fish and Reptile in the Sugar Land area. They were okay... they did have a lot of hard scape materials and some healthy-looking plants. I wouldn't make the trip back out there, though. Only went to get my hands on some Flourite Black.
I've also heard good things about Fish Land on Westheimer, but have never been, personally, and sometimes go to Aqua World on Jones, but they are remodeling at the moment. I'm hoping they improve when they are all finished with that. Otherwise, their stock is certainly nothing to write home about unless you really like cheap, large goldfish and their store just seems dirty.
...okay, I think I'm done... for now. LOL! :icon_redf