Top 10 Restaurants in The Woodlands

gossamersixteen topcommenter

2 Like

Wow suburbanites are opinionated, who knew with all those chain restaurants that prevail..

ShitThrowingMonkey

1 Like

Only been there once for lunch, but I was more than impressed with La Lupita.

Sandy Kreps

1 Like

Those are good, but I think you forgot Asian food. Try Masa's Sushi & Robata Bar or Ploy Thai Cuisine.

Mary Beth Elderton

I think that Ryan H. Cope's assessment is pretty accurate. Amerigo's and Ace Chinese may deserve spots in the top,but the rest are kind of late-coming pricey fads geared to tourists or Woodland's pretensions.

Albert Nurick

Marlo, I have to disagree. Luca & Leonardo and La Lupita may be unique, but they're not particularly good.

Ryan Cope

You missed a lot. This is a list of restaurants for the local elitists and the well funded. Just because the food costs a fortune doesn't necessarily make it good. There have been a lot of what I consider massive failures of restaurants who's only true value is the remarkable placement of their location. Outside of that I've been wholly unimpressed with many of the places on the waterway… Again epicurean doesn't necessarily make something good. Want to great hamburger? Go and get a Honeybee ham hamburger. What a great Mexican cuisine? Go to El Bosque over by Sams. The food is extremely affordable, there's a lot of it, and the service is among the best and easily the fastest I've ever had. Pietown is also really good, and if you would take the time to just step into a couple of "mom and pops" types of places around here you would be wildly impressed. This article seems like an editorial and elongated ad to keep the money clientele coming to the money businesses. I mean, think about it, when you watch the Travel Channel or the food network what's the ratio of how often you see them going to a town raving on about the local expensive restaurant versus them covering the local obsession over the quirky "mom and pop's" places that marry very good with very unique menu items and manage to couple those with a very homie atmosphere that is a far more practical and economic choice for a wider, more diverse array of clientele. And the food just tastes better!

john1914

1 Like

This post reads like it was lifted out of one of those Where magazines you'd find in a hotel room, where forgettable chain joints are give breathless praise no matter how much they suck. If you want me to drive to the Woodlands, don't give me a list of places I can find a location closer to home or a better dining experience in my own neighborhood. Unless you're trying to say there's nothing to eat in The Woodlands, this is a big list of fail.

Marlo Saucedo

You missed Americas (only RO & TW, & the RO venue is very different), Goose's Acre, Luca & Leonardo, 1252, & La Lupita. 1252 began in TW & then spread to Houston. Goose's Acre, Luca & Leonardo and La Lupita are all TW originals and really should have been included. Everyone's Top Ten is different, but I wouldn't have put Perry's near the top: You can visit a Perry's in two other Houston locations; it's not uniquely TW's.

john1914

1 Like

@Marlo Saucedo Goose's Acre isn't a Woodlands original. It has common ownership with Brian O'Neil's (and also shares its lackluster service, menu, and running club).

HTownChowDown

10 Like

I live in the Woodlands as well, and I was rather surprised by several of the choices. If I'd not known the source of this list, I'd think it was written by a retired couple that's lived in the Woodlands forever, who has a very conservative palate, doesn't care much about value, and who's reluctant to try new or less fancy spots.

I realize that every palate is different, of course - you like what you like. But I think that most Press readers would be dissatisfied with many of your selections.

Some specific comments and suggestions:

10. Mi Cocina. Yikes. This Dallas import is known as a see-and-be-seen place, with food that's mediocre at best. I've been once, and was unimpressed by the food, especially at the elevated prices. This isn't Dallas - you don't have to pay these kinds of prices for good Tex-Mex, much less mediocre Tex-Mex. Better choices: Chuy's, Alicia's, El Bosque, and a half-dozen more.

9. Hubbell & Hudson Bistro. Excellent choice. Chef Austin Simmons is turning out some impressive work. I think it's the best restaurant in the Woodlands, and holds its own with the best in Houston.

8. Via Emilia. Generic old-school Italian. Not terrible, but unexceptional - could be in a strip center anywhere. Better choices: Pallotta's, Eden Cafe, Grotto.

7. Ace Chinese. Ancient, terrible Americanized Chinese. It's not 1999 anymore; you've got actually good Chinese food in the Woodlands now. Better choices: Chef Chan's, China Bridge, Lucky Cafe

6. Grimaldi's. Safe choice. They can be very good, but they are uneven. And they're hardly a new addition to the Waterway, unless you've not been there in a few years.

5. Black Walnut. Great choice, but you need to venture beyond the breakfast menu. They have some unique pastas and sandwiches. Quirky menu has been refined since Hubbell & Hudson bought them a few years back.

4. Jaspers. Beautiful setting, very good take on upscale home cooking. But they've lost a step in the past few years - some of my old favorites aren't as deftly prepared as they were before.

3. Kirby's. Generic upscale steakhouse that's not as good as the big-name chains. High prices, unexceptional food. Sadly, this is the type of restaurant that thrives in the Woodlands, offering a slew of expected choices in a pretty setting for too much money. Better choices: Hubbell & Hudson, Jasper's, Perry's, Fleming's

2. Perry's. Much better steaks that Kirby's, and the epic pork chop. Good choice.

1. Amerigo's. Really? This was the best restaurant out here back in prehistoric days, but they've been far surpassed by more modern establishments. Prices way out of line for what they're serving. ($35-43 for seafood pastas?!?) They used to be the only "fine dining" game in town, but now there are many better choices, like Hubbell & Hudson Bistro, America's, Jaspers, etc.

What's missing? The most obvious ones:

Capri, which the Press has called the best Italian restaurant in all of Houston. Authentic Italian cuisine - unsurprising, since the proprietor immigrated from Italy.

Pallotta's, a more Americanized Italian place that prepares excellent takes on the classics plus some unique dishes that I've not seen elsewhere. Our go-to Italian spot.

Corkscrew BBQ. Some of the best 'Q in the entire Houston area. No place else in the Woodlands is even close.

Crust Pizza. Great pizzas made with fresh ingredients, including some very clever non-traditional choices

Eden Cafe. Lovely small family restaurant offering an eclectic menu that's very well prepared.

Masa's Sushi - Expertly prepared sushi cut generously from impeccably fresh fish

Kan's Sushi - Tiny, jewel-like location tucked away in Alden Bridge. Talented chef turns out impeccable sushi.

Chef Chan's - Much better than average strip center Chinese spot. Light years ahead of Ace.

Jax Burgers - Locally owned burger micro-chain that turns out mouth-watering half-pound burgers and addictive garlic fries.

tkeith

@HTownChowDown ditto...except for chef chans. red phoenix and kim son are better.

little_bit

fwiw, i agree, the original entry is a big ball of wrong. thanks for taking the time to point out alternatives for those who do not live here. maybe the original listing was generated out of sentiment for go-to comfort meals and happy memories.

what i like about the secondary list is the varied price points. not everyone who lives here can afford meals at kirbys, perrys, jaspers and amerigos. i know i can't.

conebaby topcommenter

@HTownChowDown I haven't dined much out that way, and went to Capri where I had a flat-out fabulous meal. The friend I brought along also loved the place. Several weeks later he reported that he had taken a few work friends for lunch and had an entirely different--and terrible--experience. I was shocked at his report, but it wouldn't dissuade me from returning as I thought my dinner quite wonderful and thought his experience was probably a fluke.

Grimaldi's was good. Solid. I wouldn't drive out specifically for the pie, but I'd have another go if I were already there.

HTownChowDown

1 Like

@conebaby As with many small restaurants, Capri is at its best when the owner (Barbara) is in the house. I always make sure she's there before I head over.

conebaby topcommenter

2 Like

@HTownChowDown On my single visit we were seated 15 minutes before closing (we thought service ended at 10, not 9) and though we offered to dine elsewhere, we were graciously seated and served. I was highly impressed by that alone. The food was outstanding.

kshilcutt moderator editortopcommenter

1 Like

@HTownChowDown I'd add Aldo's to your list, too - although it's technically in Shenandoah. I've been interested in checking out Eden Cafe. Glad to hear more about it.

HTownChowDown

@kshilcutt Aldo is a talented chef, but his Woodlands store hasn't seemed to quite come together. Very uneven.

David Rozycki

Taco Bell

Rae Mi

Yes you did. For starters how about Dosey Doe Music Cafe / Dosey Doe, Inc.? You should really do an article on them...

Anon

2 Like

What about Brothers or Crust Pizza? So many chains (not that I'm surprised).

Discgolfer22

Happy to see that Via Emilia didn't go out of business. Now I know where to find them. I drove by the 1960 location the other day for the first time in a while and saw they were gone. Guess I'm heading to the Woodlands. Love their food!!!

gossamersixteen topcommenter

@Discgolfer22 I liked the 1960 location, the marsala and fresh pasta were always ace, but that strip center has always been a death sentence. That location used to be Hunan Joy, and it was fabulous too, and under appreciated. And I still swear by the fact the old bar on the corner had the best chicken fried steak in the state, but it's also long gone.

Discgolfer22

I don't blame them for moving. 1960 area is not what it used to be, I know because I grew up there and have been back since 1993. Mathias' used to be in that strip center. My Mom worked for a real estate company that was next door also that has closed. The food at Via Emilia has always been great. Very fresh and authentic tasting. Guess I know where I am heading this weekend.

gossamersixteen topcommenter

@Discgolfer22 Totally agree! I grew in Spring and Klein, and it's a fraction as nice as it once was. Matthias's- where I had my first beer (legally) illegally acadia across the street haha. Their chicken fried steak lunch special was legendary, watched the Rockets win their second championship there too. I worked in the 4 story building behind that from 1994-2002. As far as the area going downhill I blame the inverse of the gentrification, I moved downtown, and those displaced moved to the suburbs and brought their crime with them...

sarahandthecity

1 Like

You know what the Woodlands has that I would like near my house? Brothers Pizza. Seriously solid Brooklyn-style pizza delivery.

HTownChowDown

@sarahandthecity Brothers is a solid choice. Nice folks, too.

Jalapeno

@sarahandthecity One on Hwy 6 @ I-10 if you are in that area.

sarahandthecity

@Jalapeno @sarahandthecity Thanks, but from Montrose that's practically the same distance as The Woodlands.

Kylejack topcommenter

Ah Jasper's, where they upcharged me because I didn't want ice in my Scotch.

ShitThrowingMonkey

@Kylejack Solid service

Alexander_Bites

All great restaurants and I have dined in all 10 with the exception ofVia Emilia. But it's not a very well rounded list in my opinion. With the exception of Ace, Black Walnut and Grimaldi's, it's not a very family friendly list. Perfect for date night and empty nesters, though. For those who will be tempted to venture into our fair section of the world, it should also be noted that the list is heavy with the more expensive dining options here.