Houston's Restaurant

[Lady D]

Any of the Sowal members on here ever eaten at Houston's Restaurant. I know of several members on here from Texas and there are locations in Dallas and Houston. All of us ladies from my work are going there to eat directly after work. Wondering what faves people have from there. Thanks.

[Miss Kitty]

OMG...just wait. BR is gonna' freakout on this!!! She LOVES Houston's. I have eaten there a few times over the years....great food. It is very popular and crowded, which keeps us from going more.

[Lady D]

OMG...just wait. BR is gonna' freakout on this!!! She LOVES Houston's. I have eaten there a few times over the years....great food. It is very popular and crowded, which keeps us from going more.

My husband has been once many years ago with a group of guys from his work. They ate there before going to the Racquet Club to watch some of the Fedex St. Jude Tennis tournament but they went around 6:00 and it was crowded. But that was back around 1990 or 91, that is how long it has been. We get off from work at 4:00 and will be getting there around 4:30. Since they appear to have a variety I am sure there is something I will like.

[tistheseason]

The Ribs. They are to die for!

[Margarita]

I love Houston's! Am eating at one in Atlanta tonight. Great food, atmosphere, and service. Hope you enjoy it!

[Johnrudy]

I wish we had one here. I've always heard great things.
Have funn, Ladyd!

[Smiling JOe]

Any of the Sowal members on here ever eaten at Houston's Restaurant. I know of several members on here from Texas and there are locations in Dallas and Houston. All of us ladies from my work are going there to eat directly after work. Wondering what faves people have from there. Thanks.

I have eaten there and it is good for a chain restaurant. Service is usually good. Warning, the Houston's in Buckhead (Atlanta), across from Lenox Mall, had some thieves for valet at one time. My brother had a handgun stolen from his auto while it was in possession of the valet. He didn't realize it until after he had left Houston's. I have also heard other incidents about this Houston's.

And yes, Beach Runner's favorite restaurant, right behind the old Shades in Seaside, is Houston's. You will enjoy it.

[Lady D]

I love Houston's! Am eating at one in Atlanta tonight. Great food, atmosphere, and service. Hope you enjoy it!

Are they real expensive, or no more so than other restaurants that are comparable? Just what I need, a evening out.

[Miss Kitty]

Are they real expensive, or no more so than other restaurants that are comparable? Just what I need, a evening out.

$$$

[Santiago]

No one goes to Houston's anymore, its too crowded.

[Smiling JOe]

No one goes to Houston's anymore, its too crowded.

I want to be different, like all the different people.

[WhiskeyRiver]

We have a Houston's here in Memphis and it is fabulous--when you can get a table! Even at lunch it is slammed. The food is very good, though in my opinion their menu is not varied enough. The service is excellent. They have a great hamburger, spin/arti dip and grilled chicken salad with peanut sauce. Very good!

[drunkkenartist]

I just checked the website for Hillstone Restaurant Group, the parent company http://www.hillstone.com/ and the closest location to Seagrove is the Atlanta area, with five restaurants. Next is in New Orleans. The one's in Florida are clustered around South Florida; Miami, Boca, etc.
Any recommendations for fave's for Atlanta locations?

[drunkkenartist]

And Smiling Joe, if I go to Buckhead, I'll be sure to lock my .38 in the glove compartment! Thanks for the warning.

[Smiling JOe]

And Smiling Joe, if I go to Buckhead, I'll be sure to lock my .38 in the glove compartment! Thanks for the warning.

Be sure to give them your valet key.

[Beach Runner]

Kitty, you know me too well!

First of all, in Atlanta, you don't go to the Lenox Square one. It's for the out-of-towners who are there to shop and has no ambiance. You go to the one near the intersection of I-75 and Paces Ferry. LOVE IT! LOVE IT! LOVE IT! And I'm pretty much a food snob, especially when it comes to chain restaurants.

My review:

I'll tell you, for good "comfort food", you can't beat Houston's. I like the West Paces Ferry/Northside Parkway location the best -- love the food, love the atmosphere, love the dress (OOPS - a "My Best Friends's Wedding" tangent), love everything -- it's more "clubby" than the other locations -- guess it's the influence of the Buckhead neighborhood in its proximity. The price is right, too. My new favorite is the Ahi tuna salad - awesome! I love the house Chardonnay, Selaks (gotta order some for home). I adore the lime grilled chicken salad. When I want to go wild with calories, the ribs are awesome. They do a fabulous grilled salmon. The fries are our family's favorite. My husband loves the burgers, especially on Saturdays when they have chili. He also likes the prime rib. The house salad is fabulous, too (if you don't like eggs or bacon, don't order it). Another surprise is the brussel sprouts - I'm not a fan of this vegetable, but it tastes absolutely fabulous - I'm a convert! The good thing about Houston's is that you can spend under $10 or do the full 9 yards. And for dessert, you MUST try the five-nut brownie. Order a shot of Kahlua on the side. They also have the best iced tea on the planet. My daughter and I decided that the only thing we don't like about Houston's is that they always ask you, "Do you want an appetizer? Maybe our fresh spinach dip?" We always are reminded of the question, "Do you want fries with that?" à la McDonald's. 3539 Northside Parkway, 404-262-7130 (among other locations).

[Miss Kitty]

Dammmm you BR! Now I want to go eat at Houston's! Maybe Mr. K will take me when he gets home this afternoon from NYC!!!! He'll probably go straight to the office.

[Lady D]

Dammmm you BR! Now I want to go eat at Houston's! Maybe Mr. K will take me when he gets home this afternoon from NYC!!!! He'll probably go straight to the office.

I'll be thinking about you Sueshore.

[Beach Runner]

OMG...just wait. BR is gonna' freakout on this!!! She LOVES Houston's. I have eaten there a few times over the years....great food. It is very popular and crowded, which keeps us from going more.

You know the bar trick, right? You put in your name at the front desk, then go hover around in the bar. It's first-come, first-served. You get a drink, split up, and stalk out the tables that look like they're closest to turning. Don't hover too much because (a) as you know, it's rude, and (b) sometimes the diners will linger longer just to send you the message that they can keep their table as long as they'd like. Then when they get up, say politely, "Are you leaving?" and go for the kill -- I mean, the table. Sometimes diners will even notice you waiting and will arrange with you to make the swap. Also, if there are just two of you, dining at the bar is even faster.

I've saved hours doing this. Of course, once we get a spot, we let the front desk know so they don't have to waste their time paging us.

[whiteyfunn]

I think Kfunn loves some Houstons too.

[30A Skunkape]

Better-than-average chainer.

[Bob]

$$$

High-end Bennigans...

[Lady D]

I am stuffed. Had great service, was going to get the Hawaiian ribeye until they mentioned the blackened ribeye steak with a baked potato being one of their specials. What a massive baked potato. Wished I'd gone with the smaller steak and gotten the filet, as I felt somewhat unwell after eating that much. Glad they didn't include one of their massive salads with that. Wouldn't have been able to eat it. Had a great time though. Didn't have to wait to be seated but long enough for them to fix a table. Definitely worth the money, the steak and potato were $26.00. And of course, they charge you 18% tip automatically with parties of 5 or more. Would definitely go again though.

[Beach Runner]

High-end Bennigans...

I disagree 100%. Bennigan's is more like Applebee's from my experience -- a bar that just happens to serve food. The Houston's restaurants that I have experienced are places to dine in a country club atmosphere with the choice of casual menu items like burgers or more upscale items like salmon grilled to perfection with well-seasoned fresh vegetables.

But I guess regardless of anything that anyone says about any subject, there will be those who disagree 100%.

[Miss Kitty]

I disagree 100%. Bennigan's is more like Applebee's from my experience -- a bar that just happens to serve food. The Houston's restaurants that I have experienced are places to dine in a country club atmosphere with the choice of casual menu items like burgers or more upscale items like salmon grilled to perfection with well-seasoned fresh vegetables.

But I guess regardless of anything that anyone says about any subject, there will be those who disagree 100%.

I agree with you BR...this time.

[Kimmifunn]

Houston's is the Caddilac of chains.

[Mermaid]

You know the bar trick, right? You put in your name at the front desk, then go hover around in the bar. It's first-come, first-served. You get a drink, split up, and stalk out the tables that look like they're closest to turning. Don't hover too much because (a) as you know, it's rude, and (b) sometimes the diners will linger longer just to send you the message that they can keep their table as long as they'd like. Then when they get up, say politely, "Are you leaving?" and go for the kill -- I mean, the table. Sometimes diners will even notice you waiting and will arrange with you to make the swap. Also, if there are just two of you, dining at the bar is even faster.

I've saved hours doing this. Of course, once we get a spot, we let the front desk know so they don't have to waste their time paging us.

BR, you go through a lot of trouble for a meal.

[kathydwells]

BR, you go through a lot of trouble for a meal.

I swear I was thinking the same thing!!!

[Miss Kitty]

BR, you go through a lot of trouble for a meal.

rude, crude and with attitude

[Beach Runner]

BR, you go through a lot of trouble for a meal.

Here's my motivation: After shopping for hours at Lenox in Atlanta, we're in a hurry to eat a meal whose quality doesn't exist where we live, yet to get back and let Pepper out. I'll go to great lengths to avoid cleaning up after a dog.

Think we're doing Borago tonight. Yum! That's definitely better than Houston's.

[Miss Kitty]

Here's my motivation: After shopping for hours at Lenox in Atlanta, we're in a hurry to eat a meal whose quality doesn't exist where we live, yet to get back and let Pepper out. I'll go to great lengths to avoid cleaning up after a dog.

Think we're doing Borago tonight. Yum! That's definitely better than Houston's.

Kitty Special...arugula salad scallops chocolate creme brulee

[Beach Runner]

Kitty Special...arugula salad scallops chocolate creme brulee

Sounds good! I think I'll skip the dessert.

[Bob]

I disagree 100%. Bennigan's is more like Applebee's from my experience -- a bar that just happens to serve food. The Houston's restaurants that I have experienced are places to dine in a country club atmosphere with the choice of casual menu items like burgers or more upscale items like salmon grilled to perfection with well-seasoned fresh vegetables.

But I guess regardless of anything that anyone says about any subject, there will be those who disagree 100%.

I think Houston's is great. The only one I've visited is here in Winter Park. I believe you'll find many of the same type items on both menus. Houston's ambience and food quality are obviously much better and priced accordingly. Not trying to put Houston's down, but I stand by my earlier description. Orlando is chain heaven.

[TN2FLA]

Houston's in Memphis is top notch!