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Taste of Texas

MY REVIEW: Second visit this year; ToT is still our favorite "special occasion” restaurant. We trust their steaks and their service. I agree with the previous reviewer regarding the prices having jumped a bit in the past two years. I too have noticed consistent price increases and even defended the prices in a 9/4/09 review (see below). In that review I mentioned the Porterhouse for Two at $60 - well they no longer offer the Porterhouse for Two, it's now for one. Seriously a 32 oz steak for one? Of course you can add the Salad Bar w/ Side for an additional $12 - but that makes the old price of $60 now $72. That 20% price increase is an example what others have referred to.

Nevertheless that is still $36 per person and a reasonable price for special occasions. But for high priced special occasions ToT needs to consistently live up to very high standards regarding quality of food, service, and atmosphere. On our two recent visits we were very satisfied with the quality of food and service. However I must again agree with the previous reviewer regarding dress codes. Apparantly ToT doesn’t really have one. For special occasion dining at well over $100 per couple we should not have to sit next to grown men and women dressed like slobs! Seriously if men think that dressing in shorts, sandals, and flip flops is OK, then ToT should educate them otherwise!

No doubt due to their excellent food, service, and well deserved reputation in those regards ToT has no difficulty attracting crowds. Since they do not take reservations the wait is more often than not quite long. Our most recent visit saw an hour wait at 5:15 on a Saturday. When we left at 8:10 folks were still waiting in the outdoor overflow area. With hour long waits at 5:30, two hour waits at 6:30, and one hour waits at 8:00 ToT can well afford to send the slobs home for a proper change of clothes.

NAME: msu79gt82
SUBMITTED: 3/4/2013   LAST VISIT WAS: 1/13
FREQUENCY: Everybody here knows my name...

MY REVIEW: We've had a busy summer, but I took my wife there the weekend before the baby was due. ToT still makes a great steak, and I love the salad bar, but prices have jumped a bit in the two years since I last dined there. I also balked at the ten dollar price for a glass of wine that doesn't cost ten dollars a bottle.

I have a comment on restaurants in general. If you're going out to eat and you know you're going to spend a hundred or more dollars on your meal, PLEASE DO NOT SHOW UP IN T-SHIRTS, SHORTS, AND FLIP FLOPS. Have a little self-respect. I would never dress casually unless I knew the establishment was "fast casual." ToT is not, or at least it didn't used to be.

I really loved the food, the service was very good, and I always love looking at the Texana, but there were a few misses with the wine and some of the clientele. Edd Hendee, you won't lose any business by telling some of your patrons to go put on a collared shirt (or cover up the hooker dress).

NAME: Bill in Houston
SUBMITTED: 8/22/2012   LAST VISIT WAS: 6/2012
FREQUENCY: Visited 4-6 times

MY REVIEW: 6 oz center cut filet cooked just right, but came with a side of overcooked string beans some of which were hanging over the edge of the plate. The tomato and onion salad is served with the most bitter and acidic dressing I've ever tasted (fortunately before pouring it on the salad). Difficult to eat because it is served like a double whopper; hard to cut through the layers and ultimately not worth the effort. The wait staff is attentive and very personable. They try hard to maintain a level consonant with the prices but in vain. If you want to eat your steak surrounded by people dining with their hats on and dressed for a back yard barbecue, you've found your place.

NAME: Pete
SUBMITTED: 7/25/2012   LAST VISIT WAS: 7/12
FREQUENCY: Visited 4-6 times

MY REVIEW: We (5 adults and 3 children) came in to celebrate the retirement of 3 employees.

The service and food were amazing It was our first time to the establishment after 30 years of living in Houston. With 2 small children, going to Taste of Texas is a splurge. It is not in our budget to go to steakhouses, but this was an exception.

We camped out at our table, sitting for nearly 4 1/2 hours, because we didn't know when we'd all see each other again. Nevertheless, Cindy Le did an outstanding job waiting on us. She was professional, patient, and very friendly and efficient. She never once made us feel like she wanted to rush us out to turn the table. She definitely deserves recognition. We ALL had the 6 oz. filet mignon. Every single steak was cooked to perfection. The salad bar is amazing and spotless. The bread is fresh and warm. The facility itself was interesting and historical. And MOST important, the bathrooms were extremely clean!

Then Mr. Edd and Ms. Nina came by to our table on several occasions to see how we were doing. I can tell you that I've NEVER had owners of a restaurant come by to personally check on me. Ms. Nina took the kids to the kitchen and the freezer and the kids were utterly entertained.

Never in my wildest dreams would I ever imagine being treated like such celebrities. We are just normal people who are trying to make a normal living, but you all made us feel like we were on top of this world....even if it was just for 4 1/2 hours.

This luncheon meant so much to us, but your service made it even more special. I will most definitely tell everyone about our visit to your restaurant.

THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts for making this bittersweet day so memorable and happy for us all.

NAME: S and T
SUBMITTED: 5/31/2012   LAST VISIT WAS: 05/31/2012
FREQUENCY: Visited once

MY REVIEW: Steak was good,as always. But the Cæsar Salad, while the basic dressing and greens were good, was served in a totally ridiculous taco basket which was top heavy and too small for the amount of salad, besides which the little toasts served with it (and with the butter/jelly plate) were decidedly stale. In addition to this the potatos au gratin were not fully cooked. All in all, not the best experience for the price.

NAME: the Doctor
SUBMITTED: 6/1/2011   LAST VISIT WAS: May 2011
FREQUENCY: Visited 4-6 times

MY REVIEW: My wife and I received a gift card to Taste of Texas a few years ago and attempted to visit a few times, but each time the restaurant was amazingly crowded (weekend night - go figure). We live across town so it wasn't convenient to dine there on other days. We finally made up our mind to just eat dinner early one day and got there around 4:00 P.M. on a Saturday. We had no line and the server had plenty of time to make sure our experience was good.

The service was quite nice and everyone was very helpful and polite. The server even gave us a guide to the relics and reproduction relics that adorn the walls of the restaurant (old flags, money, Texas Rangers items, rifles, etc.) when he noticed we were looking at some of them while sitting at the table. The server made sure that we were aware of the specials not on the menu and let us know once we decided to order steaks that we could select our own from the butcher shop at the rear of the restaurant.

My wife ordered the 6 oz. filet and I had the 24 oz. Cowboy Ribeye (on the bone). The steaks were amazing, both were cooked with garlic butter and quite tasty. I ordered the grilled vegetables which were a nice light side to a heavy main course. My wife had the garlic mashed potatoes which she said were quite good. I doubt we will visit too often because of the distance and the inability to arrive before it gets too crowded. The last time we tried to go there was at least an hour wait (Saturday night around 7 - peak hours I know...). However, if you want a very good steak and don't want to grill it yourself, this is a very good place to get one. It isn't inexpensive (our bill was just under $100), but other steak places are similarly priced or higher. The fact that it is independently owned is nice, and the ambiance is quite good, especially if you enjoy Texas history.

NAME: Tim H
SUBMITTED: 10/13/2010   LAST VISIT WAS: 10/10
FREQUENCY: Visited once

MY REVIEW: My husband and I decided to try this place out on a Saturday night after passing it many times. We ordered the porterhouse steak for two. It was the best steak I've ever had, hands down. It was cooked and seasoned perfectly. Our side dishes were excellent as well. I enjoyed the salad bar and fresh hot bread.

The service was attentive but not annoying. I have no complaints at all. It was a great meal and we will definitely be going back! I didn't see any hint of the negative experiences previous posters wrote about. All the other customers I saw appeared to be having an equally pleasant time. Perhaps their waiter/waitress was having an off night.

NAME: kittyness
SUBMITTED: 10/11/2010   LAST VISIT WAS: 10/2010
FREQUENCY: Visited once

MY REVIEW: We have enjoyed going to ToT several times a year for special occasions since 1991. In our 100 or so visits there it has "missed" just once! (see my 8/30/06 review). They have revamped their salad bar area moving the displayed steak station to the kitchen (you can pick out your own steak at ToT). I totally disagree with "Summer" (review below) who thinks the salad bar is "sparse and unappetizing" - it is one of the best and freshest salad bars in town.

Prices are getting up there now - $60 for the Porterhouse for Two. But really that breaks out to just $30 per person. Excellent salad bar, excellent steak, excellent service (I have NEVER been "rushed" or felt like they were trying to "get em in get em out" in our 100 or so visits there), and the fact they go out of their way to honor special occasions more than makes ToT a special place for us.

Outb*ck is a low-priced chain joint and The Capit*l Gr*ll is way over priced for what you get and the spotty service we have experienced. ToT's $60 Porterhoue for Two is a steal compared to Cap*tal Gr*ll's $100+ prices. For those that do not care for ToT (you can't please everyone) there are always the cheaper chain joints and the exhorbitantly priced big-name chains (yes Mort*n's & Cap*t*l Gr*ll are chains). For us we will continue to enjoy ToT several times a year.

NAME: msu79gt82
SUBMITTED: 9/4/2009   LAST VISIT WAS: 8/09
FREQUENCY: Everybody here knows my name...

MY REVIEW: The Taste of Texas is absolutely our most favorite restaurant. The baked potato soup is to die for. The salad bar has a wonderful selection including fruit. The bread is fresh, and the cinnamon butter makes the bread taste like a cinnamon roll. The steaks are cooked to perfection. The wait staff is attentive. You can't get a better restaurant than this. It is why it has such a terrific reputation in Houston. We are going again for our anniversary, and I can't wait.

NAME: JMT
SUBMITTED: 7/8/2009   LAST VISIT WAS: June/2009
FREQUENCY: Visited 4-6 times

MY REVIEW: This place is definitely "hit or miss". I've been there about a dozen times over the past 5 years, with half of those being in the last year (my coworkers love the place). Half the visits were very good experiences but the other half were so-so. People say you have to go for the "experience" of the salad and bread bar, but hey, it's a steak place! If I want to experience salad and bread, I'll go to a salad place! The steaks generally have no seasoning. Mine have always been cooked just like I ordered, but I think I shouldn't have to add a topping to make the steak flavorful. At $35-40 per person, without add-ons or drinks, I expect better. Other steakhouses are consistently good and cheaper. Oh, and if you don't go early, expect a long wait.

NAME: Jackalope
SUBMITTED: 5/2/2009   LAST VISIT WAS: 4/2009
FREQUENCY: Everybody here knows my name...

MY REVIEW: We were seated in reasonable time for a busy day. Waitress was personable but somewhat all thumbs. She dropped a few items and had to be requested to bring spoons to serve the side orders. My guests ordered prime rib and were happy; I ordered ribeye steak and was disappointed. It lacked flavor and was gristly. Au gratin potatoes were excellent and the green beans were perfectly cooked. Salad bar maintains its quality and it's nice to select your own rolls. This was my worst trip here but I've done much better and will return unless it becomes clear that the meat is not as good as before. I don't like spending this kind of money for steak that doesn't satisfy.

NAME: Pete
SUBMITTED: 1/1/2009   LAST VISIT WAS: 1/1/2009
FREQUENCY: Visited 4-6 times

MY REVIEW: To make this review short and strait to the point; I went to Taste Of Texas Monday night with friends, and waited for 1 1/2hrs to get a table. When I ordered the Cowboy Steak (24oz Ribeye bone in) med-rare it came out med-well. For a $40 steak I expected great steak. I complained, and the second time around it came out RARE. I was very upset with the food, so I talked to the manager to put the steak in a to-go box since all my friends had already finished eating before I had a chance to enjoy my steak. He said he will give me compensation for the trouble, and I get a discount $25. I personally think a slab of steak from C*hili’s for $15 bucks would be better. Spoke to the manager again to take the to go box and the cost of my steak off the bill, and I came home empty handed after driving and waiting for a disappointing steak.

Overall, management team needs to learn the importance of satisfied customers, and for a well known steakhouse I expected great steak.

NAME: tony
SUBMITTED: 12/22/2008   LAST VISIT WAS: December 2008
FREQUENCY: Visited once

MY REVIEW: They offer an excellent steak at reasonable prices, as entrees come with their salad bar and a side dish. Service was excellent. My biggest complaint is that their red wine is served at bathwater temperature. It doesn't taste the same as if was served at a much cooler temperature. I realize this is common in Houston but it is disppointing from a supposedly high-end steak house.

NAME: DinkyLee3
SUBMITTED: 11/13/2008   LAST VISIT WAS: 11/08
FREQUENCY: Visited 4-6 times

MY REVIEW: What an utter disappointment. Waiting for a table for what seems like ages. Why are they not able to take reservations? Oh yes of course.....to sell you more drinks from the bar, silly me.

Steak was good but the service was chain style, get em in and get em out. The vegs arrived cold and the wait staff didn't really seem concerned. The noise was so loud it was hard to hear across the table.

So if you like franchise style eating at higher prices this is the place for you. There is nothing special here, those liking the place must have lower standards and expect less.

NAME: Pam
SUBMITTED: 10/1/2008   LAST VISIT WAS: 09/08
FREQUENCY: Visited 2-3 times

MY REVIEW: This restaurant is the best steak house in Houston for quality and value. If you don't like to wait don't come here. The reason you have to wait is because so many like myself think the food and service is worth waiting. One of the finest salad bars (so the Yankee doesn't like to serve himself salad)He must have been drunk to only find iceberg lettece out of the bag. I have to be careful not to load myself up on salad if I order a larger filet. The service has always been attentive. Admitedly I don't know my wine so I just enjoy a glass of Merlot with my meal. My steaks have always been cooked to perfection medium rare. Other restaurants I order rare so it is not over cooked. My wife and I enjoy the side dishes as well. Seldom room for their great desserts. We choose Taste of Texas for every special occassion and whenever I can make up a special occassion.

I have tried those other steakhouses mentioned below all close to TOT quality but not near the value.

NAME: Roy
SUBMITTED: 7/14/2008   LAST VISIT WAS: June 2008
FREQUENCY: Everybody here knows my name...

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