06/19/09

Love it!

by CSMobileUser

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

11/17/06

Good, solid food - a great place to take your parents when they visit

by jah4

Whenever my parents come to town, it is a dilemma. They are the small town, salt of the Earth types who want straighforward dishes served in a comfortable setting. Most of the SF restaurants I love are too small and too chi-chi for their style. Houston's to the rescue! Everyone loved it, including my hard-to-please parents. Of course they ordered the ribs. But, Houston's isn't just for those parental visits - I like to go there on a Sunday, sit at the bar, have a glass of wine and order their hacked chicken salad. You can watch the game, and look out onto the Embarcadero and watch the world go by.

• Pros: Great atmosphere
• Cons: The meters nearby! 25 cents only gets you 7 minutes, so bring lots of change.