Well compared to the crap that I am being subjected to here in St Louis I cannot think of anything that is that bad right now. St Louis may have the worst restaurant industry in any town that I have been in. At least Indy had some decent fine dining and cool bars. Hell, I'd even go for some Blue Martini right now and you know how much I hated that place. I understand a city being blue collar but St Louis is more of a no collar, wife beater kind of town. I have found a really good Thai restaurant but most everything else sucks my ass. As for Houston, it has some of the best restaurants anywhere. You can get any type of food, the food is really good, and you get great service. I cant wait to go home and actually be able to go somewhere nice. We (people from Houston) are so spoiled. Its great. Los Cucos? More like Los Cacas. I wont go to Landry's anymore. Their food blows. Not impressed with The Aquarium at all. Most restaurants that have some sort of theme suck anyway. See also, Rainforest Cafe I've never liked Texas Land & Cattle, Saltgrass, or Outback. Overpriced for ****ty steaks.
I have yet to go to Vic & Anthony's on the fact that its one of Tillman Fertitta's Landry's Group gigs. That usually means a lot of hype and fluff and at the end of the day, subpar and overpriced food. I'm hitting Mark's on Friday Night for dinner. The chef there was the ex chef of Tony's and Grotto and the food there is amazing. Oh whoops...we're talking about bad restaurants....hmmmm...i'd agree that Smith and Wollensky blows, and McCormick and Schmidt's has truly fallen. The most over hyped places: The Cheesecake Factory and Grand Lux. I swear it takes an hour to get your food (Esp at Grand Lux) and its just a combination of mediocre everything except for their desserts.
Have you tried eating anywhere in the Italian part of town? My parents stop there everytime they drive between Chicago and Texas. My Dad's in the food business, so he knows his stuff. If you want a recommendation, I'll get one for you.
Yeah its called The Hill and not too far from where I am staying. I went to Zia's and it wasnt too bad but I think my expectations are what ruined it for me. I was expecting a nice restaurant. I got a place that had crappy tables, bad decoration, terrible wine list, and a limited menu. What I ate was pretty good but like I said, my expectations were higher. If I had a better idea what I was walking into I would have enjoyed it much more. Any reccomendations are VERY welcome.
I didn't even go into Cheesecake factory after glancing at the menu. It does seem overhyped just on the menu.
See I like Cheesecake factory. The menu is VERY diverse and you always get a TON of food. It isnt the best place on earth and there is usually a long wait, but you know what you are going to get.
Timmy Chan's...I'm from East Houston and its sort of legendary out there. I'm sorry I am just not man enough to like wings with feathers still on them.
Good job, Im questioning your taste buds to be honest. Im friends with the owners and know for a fact they use white meat chicken and veggie oil to cook their sweet n sour chicken. There's alot of variables to why the food was bad or why you thought it was bad but lets not go into details. You had a bad experience years ago and I apologize on their behalf. My favorite resteraunts are Cheddars and Phat Ky. Sometimes the food does come out bad from these places, but most of the times its good. The main reason why the food is bad is due to an inexperienced chef or one that doesnt care. You guys would not believe how much of a difference this makes.
You do not need to apologize on their behalf. Better yet, I will stop by this weekend and eat lunch. I will post my results in this thread and give you full credit.
Cafe Adobe hands down. I used to absolutely love this place and was a frequent visitor from the mid nineties until about '03. The last few times we went the food was cold, salsa was like water, and the waitstaff had to be some of the most arrogant bastards in Houston. Managment included. What happened to that place?
You know what I thought was awful? Pollo Campera. I'd heard rave reviews about this place. How latinos would ship this back from Mexico just to have it. When it first opened, the line was around the block. And then I went. #1. Waaaay overpriced. Right about $5 for two pieces of chicken, a side, and a biscuit. #2. The chicken was freakishly small. My two pieces were about the size of Buffalo Wings. #3. The chicken was bland. Right there with Church's for flavor. The side I ordered was excellent. But the rest of it blows.
MB, That's funny...they love Zia's. My dad's colleague is full Italian and has to eat there whenever. That's all they got.
Good observations. Mark's is awesome and worth the $$. Grand Lux blows. I had enough of the Cheesecake Factory while I lived in LA to know not to go to the one here.
That happened to a friend of mine the last time he ate at Pancho's. Except it didn't hit him until he was already at work and stuck on a long phone call. Very bad situation. I don't think it's Pancho's necessarily... just the amount and greasiness of the food. No, the food isn't high quality (except for the sopaipillas), but I still love it. Great deal for the price.
Whoa, WHOA. I'm no fan of Tillman Fertita, but I thought the guy AT LEAST owned Papadeaux's. And it's tough to talk **** about Papadeaux's.
