Houston's Restaurant
(617) 573-9777
60 State St
Boston,
MA
02109
42.3589
-71.0563
Neighborhoods: Downtown, Central
Reviews & Ratings for Houston's Restaurant
49 reviews
What users are saying:
Showing 1-10 of 49 reviews
Dr Jekyll and Ms. Hyde
by feelingforked
November 30, 2008
This is more of a "promise" than it is a review, because the "bait and switch" tactics of the Jekyll and Hyde hostess team successfully skewered my party of six before we even got to the front door. However, I promised them a full recap on this website, and I am a man of my word. A call to the Ms. Hyde hostess at about 5:15 on Saturday evening went like this: "We don't take reservations for a party of 6 but we can easily work you in with no more than a 15 minute wait if you call me back in 30 minutes; ME: "but I have been there before and I beleive that your boothes can accomodate us, especially since one member of my party is only 4 yrs old, and you take reservations for parties of 5". Ms. Hyde: "that's not at all necessary and you will be more comfortable in a "High Top" anyway; no need to give you my name since there are only two of us working and we can definately accomodate you.... 30 minutes later Dr. Jekyll answers the phone: There will be a 2 to 2 and one half hour wait; we can't help you, you talked to who???, what do you mean you didn't get her name; sorry sir, there is nothing we can do. The promise of a very frank review of my experience the next morning on this website (hence the "promise" mentioned above) got their attention, but it was fleeting and only got me a long wait on hold before I hung up. Since I was already in the car, I called King Fish which is only a couple of hundered yards away (by more like miles away when it comes to basic human consideration) and they happily took my reservation and seated my party promptly upon arrival. We had a nice relaxing dinner despite the early frustrating start. Where's the beef? it is clearly with the rigid and duplicitous staff at Houston's. I don't care how good the food is, if I need to be treated like cattle to get to it, it is simply not worth it. I will never return.
- Pros: They answered the phone when I called about reservations
- Cons: They answered the phone when I called about reservations
Not impressed
by fallback08
August 18, 2008
We did not get either good food or service at this restaurant. There are other restaurants in this area that you should try. This one is not worth your time!
A rarity among the tourist traps in Quincy Market: Uniformly excellent American cuisine.
by Eric Grossman
May 30, 2008
This popular national chain's only New England location resides in the shadow of Faneuil Hall and keeps a steady clientele of area businessmen and tourists happy with heaping plates of freshly-prepared steaks, salads and sandwiches. The large, attractive bar, besides serving up fantastic mixed drinks, provides diners with a comfy place to wait for their tables (no reservations are accepted). Ubiquitous servers are always on the lookout for empty water glasses. At times, even the most discerning of palates craves a well-prepared burger or some fall-off-the-bone ribs, and that's where Houston's excels. Fresh, substantial salads are meals in themselves; try the outrageously flavorful Thai steak salad (rare steak tossed with noodles, nuts, avocado, mango, basil and mint). Carnivores swoon for the aforementioned "knife and fork" ribs, as well as a picture-perfect filet mignon.
High Marks
* "...whenever we want to celebrate an event with friends, this is the place to go...Burgers that are so juicy and succulent. The BEST fries ever..." (KnevetS11, Citysearch user)
* "Great food...definitely try the ribs (better than traditional bbq places in town). The drinks were good and had people lined out the door just to have a spot at the bar..." (special_method, Citysearch user)
Low Marks
* "...The food is great, I have to admit but the policies and staff are just ridiculous..." (tm_quincy, Citysearch user)
* "...the customer service at this restaurant is absolutely awful...they make no secret of the fact that they want you in and out of there as fast as possible..." (googlie, Citysearch user)
Puny Portions at an Outrageous Price by Robin M. at InsiderPages
Contributor
March 06, 2008
I had lunch today at Houston's with my husband. I decided to try one of their simple grilled fish specials: cod topped with marcona almonds. The portion of the cod was puny, and it was covered by a tad too many Marcona almonds. Now, I love Marcona almonds--they hail from Spain and are the Rolls Royce of almonds--but they seemed an after thought on this dish. The micro portion of fish was accompanied by a bland side of sauteed spinach (where's the garlic?) The sticker shock happened only after I looked at the tab. My lunch-size portion of cod cost me a whopping $29! I felt robbed. $29 would have been pushing it even for a dinner entree. Lesson learned: never order market price without first inquiring about the price. I think we'll go elsewhere next time my husband meets me in town for lunch. By the way, the steak on my husband's Thai steak salad was tough, but my husband is loathe to complain about food at restaurants whereas I think it's important to provide feedback so they can improve. One would think that a steak house would at least get the steak right.
The Best All Around Meal Experience in Town!
by KnevetS11
February 28, 2008
I have to say this place is absolutely outstanding. My wife and I go here EVERY Sunday and sit at the bar and have not only one of the best meals ever but outstanding service. Additionally whenever we want to celebrate an event with friends, this is the place to go.
The menu: Outstanding, your, what I would call typical, bar fair, that is anything but typical. The best all around tasting foods, salads with unique tastes w/o the "unique" price. Burgers that are so juicy and succulent. The BEST fries ever - shoestring but thiner with a hint of spice.
The service: which if any of you know me is the most important. EVERYONE is friendly and courteous and helpful. They hang up your jackets for your - help you sneak a bottle of champaign to your friends w/o them knowing to help celebrate an event, they are always smiling - just a GREAT bunch of people.
The restrooms are super stylish and clean!
The bar is nice and big, friendly. GREAT service
The location is awesome. Once you are done eating you can walk around Faniuel Hall.
Did I mention that the prices are NOT outrageous!
Parking - Park in a heated garage in the dead of winter at 60 State street and they validate - you cannot get any better than this place for a great dining experience in Boston!
- Pros: Unbelievably outstanding service
- Cons: I wish it were closer to my house!
BEWARE: They might kick you out if you don't eat enough
by missydru
February 01, 2008
Last night, a friend and I went to Houston's. We were seated at a table, ordered wine and appetizers. After we ordered our second glass of wine, the manager came to our table and said that our waiter had informed her we had not ordered dinner, just appetizers, and that it was their policy that dinner must be ordered when they had a wait list. She then asked us to move to the bar or leave, despite the fact we were still eating and drinking. We arrived early when there was no wait list and there was no mention of what we should order when we were seated. I've always thought I could order whatever I wanted when I went to a restaurant. This is apparently not true at Houston's, but I won't need to worry about it since I will never darken their door again.
Lovely Chill Post
by michamiliu
July 18, 2007
I've been here 2x and every experience is one to remember. Food, drinks and service are top of the line... Check it out and you will not be sorry.
Nice vibe
by kevinhorton
March 14, 2007
The service was very friendly, and the ribs great! Unfortunately, the seats were made for taller people so i had to remove my shoes and sit on them (covered with my jacket)! Very nice to have the doors open after the colder weather.
Limited menu but had heard about the ribs, and was not disappointed!
- Cons: Got the impression that, once the meal was over, it was time to leave.
WOW
by oliviac
January 08, 2007
I went to Houstons last weekend with a group of friends (guys and girls alike), and our experience was top notch. From the sweet greeter at the door to the adorable server, our time at Houstons was memorable.
The moment we sat down our server was near us, smiling ear to ear and absolutely down to earth--confident--and funny. We ordered the artichoke starter and then each had an entree (I had the RIBS---soooooo delicious!!), and the entire meal was flawless. My boyfriend ordered the NY Steak Strip and it was amazing... all of the staff present last Saturday seemed excited, energized, and high on life---it was a perfect group date!!!! I definitely will be back soon-----
Olivia :)
- Pros: ambiance, lighting, top notch servers, efficiency
- Cons: could be more of a dessert menu
Great food & ambiance, bad service
by desieclipse
December 28, 2006
This place is really great, especially for a chain restaurant & probably one of the only decent places to eat around Faneuil Hall. The bar area is a great place for after work drinks. They also have the BEST veggie burger I have eaten in my life - it's so good you won't even miss meat - it's not on the menu but if you order it they will make it. It's my favorite entree here. The downside is that the Boston branch of this chain has the most poor service ever - the waitress wasn't very vigilant about filling our waters and takes forever to come by and take additional orders or see if everything is going okay. I've eaten at the Boston one several times & have had poor service both times. Note: In San Francisco - the service & the food is excellent and it's one of my favorite places.
- Pros: Best Veggie Burger, Good drinks/wine list
- Cons: Expensive, poor service
