Houston's

12/07/09

Curt, Cold, and Cross

by abraca20 at Citysearch

I went to Houston's for a job interview today.

I arrived early with my resume and was asked to fill out an application at the bar. The bartender was very warm and kind, she let me sit in her section as I filled out the form. I then was directed by the host to sit near the fire with the other potential employees waiting for interviews. I did so, and met a few interesting people, all nice and professionally propped up.

Finally I hear my name:

"Mike.........."

"...Mike......"

the voice was coming from behind me, so I turned around and seeing no one else respond said,

"that must be me."

Mike is a fairly common name.

She met eyes with me and then walked away abruptly. Assuming I was supposed to follow her I asked the girl I was sitting next to if she'd watch my bag, she agreed, and then I got up and followed the lady who'd said my name.

Assuming she would introduce herself was, I guess, out of the question. When I reached the booth she had already sat down in she simply pointed to the seat and said, "take a seat". I did.

I almost took it upon myself to shake her hand and introduce myself, but, as soon as the words were about to leave my mouth she decided to wipe her sniffly nose with her hand. I decided I would let her run the show from then on out.

She then went on to ask me: "Why did you come here today?"

I thought, hmmmmm, maybe this is an opportunity to lighten the atmosphere a bit.

I said, "Well, I was hoping that you could give me a job."

She laughed. I laughed. I thought, thank God, a turn for the better, but then I looked back at her face, she was not impressed. Not in the least. She sniffled again, as I scrambled to save some small scrap of dignity, not knowing that doing so was ridding myself of any iota I might have had to begin with.

She then went on to ask a few more questions, which during my responses to, she was completely vacant. She honestly was watching things go on behind me. After the second time this happened I fizzled out on the end of my response, not answering her question at all. She apologized, and said that she hadn't been feeling too well lately.

Then she cut to the end, "So, do you have any questions for me?"

"Well yes, I do. Does this restaurant hold mass interviews every so often or are you actually looking to hire servers right now?"

her: "Well, we're looking to hire probably about five servers right now"

me: "Oh good, and are those full time positions or part time"

her" "They're all full time, we all work full time here"

me: "Oh wow"

THEN!!!!!

her: "yeah, so we're just doing really short interviews today, to see if people work on a personal level, we may or may not call you tonight before 9 pm. to ask you in for a second interview"

me: "oh, okay then."

her: "it was nice meeting you though"

END OF INTERVIEW

Funny, I don't remember us actually meeting.......

I cannot believe that this one person was able to so completely ruin every good thought that I had had about this place. I felt belittled, stupid, and small. This little lady is a bit mad with power I feel. What else could explain her surly attitude, "....we're just seeing if people work on a personal level....". I honestly don't think that her higher ups would agree with this approach, actually, I don't think that national discrimination laws would agree with this approach.

If anyone reads this, and feels like passing it around the small, exclusive ring that is the Houston's employee network, I have no doubt you'd know who interviewed me. I have no idea what her name is, she never offered it. If you don't know by this description so far look for the short girl with a sniffly nose and severely chapped lips. And then smack her one for me.

• Pros: Nice atmosphere, enjoyable bartender, good location
• Cons: Certain Cold, rude, and too-cool-for-school employees

06/19/09

Love it!

by CSMobileUser at Citysearch

Great food...had the halibut and it was perfect. Had a waiter that could have been more attentive, but that was the only thing that kept my rating from a 5.

11/17/08

Best lunch and service

by Toni10 at Citysearch

There were 4 of us for lunch for our first time, and it was the best, both food and service, there was always someone there to see if we needed anything, and our drinks were refreshed with another glass as soon as it was empty. We meet once a month, and this place will be a repeat.

11/05/08

Ridiculous Hat Policy

by renewsf at Citysearch

This is not a super upscale place and they ask you to take off your hat in the dining room which is stupid. I agree with the other reviewer in that the hostess was not polite but more important our wait staff was less than interested in serving and aloof. My $17 salad was with greasy chicken and not tasty. I won't be back and the portions are not what they use to be.

Roomy banquettes and hefty portions typify this polished American grill that's popular for business deals and special occasions.

by Contributor at Citysearch

In Short
Burnished brass and stained wood complement roughly mortared brick and the occasional plant. Amid ubiquitous earth tones, corporate types and small parties (celebrating or simply living large) occupy deep booths done up in fine upholstery and lit from above by pin spotlights. Burgers, prime rib and steaks are the specialties of the house, but the menu also includes salmon, salads, pork chops and roasted chicken.

09/27/08

Extremely Uptight Black Hostess and Manager

by RobertTthomas at Citysearch

EXTREMELY UPTIGHT HOSTESS AND MANAGER. Both are black and very uptight and stupid. And I am not against black people.

The black hostess who looks like Condoleza Rice and who works on Friday night is extremely uptight. I am a man and I was wearing a hat. and she told me men could not wear hats in this restaurant although women could. I told her that was a sexist policy. I asked if the policy was in writing. The hostess babbled something about Houstons being named after Houston Texas and in the 1850's men in those days took off their hats. I am from Texas and she failed to mention that in Texas in the 1850's blacks were also slaves. The hostess then called the manager who told me if I did not do as the hostess said then I should leave. I pointed out that women were wearing hats and that they were being served. I also said to the manager that is a sexist policy. The manager said even more stupid things too stupid to repeat and then I walked off. I wanted to leave but my friends said let's defy the restaurant and stay. We ordered less than we would have though and our evening was pretty much a downer.

I could see the uptight hostess telling the other hostesses what had happened and as we left one of the white hostesses with little to do said to me condescendingly, Thank-you for everything. I said to her and her attitude, **** off.

If you want a completely irrational hostess trying to make you over into her idea of 1850's Houston Texas with an equally stupid bumbling manager who can't see the idiocy in anything then by all means put this dump as a must see on your list of San Francisco experiences. If you want to be treated with respect and dignity and reality then avoid this place at all costs.

04/15/08

my favorite!

by jmlee1001 at Citysearch

i've dined at houstons only TWICE and i absolutely love it! The only thing i hated was that everytime I've been there it takes forever to get seated and its EXTREMELY dark inside!! It tends to get really loud when its busy.. but they were so sweet and gave us complimentary french fries while we were waiting.. The food is delicious and the service is always top notch.. This is by far my fave restaurant in the city if you are out with friends or even on a date and the food is just the bomb!!

• Pros: the food =) yum. & good place to drink at the bar with friends.
• Cons: gets really busy and too dark inside.

03/11/08

Great steakhouse that's a little unusual

by jamesbeswick at Citysearch

I like Houston's because it offers a little for everyone. Steaklovers should behold the Hawaiian Ribeye, while Asian fanatics should definitely go for the spring rolls. The one thing that defines Houston's (apart from the insanely-tastey yet totally-unhealthy Sundae) is the service, which is always timely, friendly, and un-obtrusive. Fans of Zin should check out the wine list, and when the fireplace is lit on cold evenings, it's a real joy. Be prepared to be wowed.

• Pros: Great entrees, great service
• Cons: Can be a little loud

11/10/07

Busy and loud, but tasty food

by lkpca at Citysearch

Packed on a Thursday night around 9pm, and were told 45 min wait by the friendly hostess, which was fine by us, since we weren?t quite hungry yet. Stood at the bar, cocktails while waiting. Half hour later we were seated down from the bar side, so unfortunately we couldn?t see the fireplace or hear the live jazz at the other end. Noise level very high, but very nice layout, so we were still able to have an intimate dinner. Cajun snapper (kinda plain, but cooked well) with baked squash (VERY tasty), and the best french dip I?ve had anywhere, stuffed with tender pink beef. Would have liked just a bit more au jus, but minor point. Hubby even liked it. Apple walnut cobbler (?) was great, even if there was waaaay too much fresh walnuts in it, easy to pick off,. Everyone was so friendly, service was attentive.

11/06/07

Great Hawaiian Ribeye

by callie1829 at Citysearch

Houston's has great ambience and great food, but expect to wait for about an hour if you plan to go there on a weekend night. You can make reservations for small parties, so I suggest that. The good is pricey, but good. I highly recommend the hawaiian ribeye!

• Pros: Good food, good ambience
• Cons: Parking and long wait.