Houston's is one of the few establishments that rises above its chain nature to excel as a restaurant in its own right. Large portions of impeccably prepared beef, pork, and chicken await heartier diners, while veggie burgers and other lighter menu items can be had for those with more moderate tastes. The sides and salads are also uniformly of good quality. A few words of warning though: my brush with seafood at Houston's was not a good experience. The broiled salmon fillet was possibly the worst I've ever had--mushy and overcooked. I suspect Houston's expertise lies mostly in grilled foods though, so tuna might be a better choice. When you go, keep in mind you'll have to wait if you haven't made a reservation...unless you come early on an off night. But even waiting isn't so bad when the expansive bar waits around the corner from the greeting station.
Pros: the pork chop, good bar
Cons: iffy seafood, can feel very busy
more