Houston's
8300 Preston Rd.
214-691-8991
Houston's is a habit. Not a bad habit, like meth or American Idol, but one that does call into question several sacred culinary beliefs.
Most obvious is our tendency as gourmands to dismiss chain restaurants--something we put up for discussion last week. Hillstone, the parent company of Houston's, lists five branches in Texas alone, as well as venues in Florida, New York, California, Colorado...There are more, but you get the point. Instead of stooping to attract the broadest possible crowd, however, the chain--at least the Dallas area operations--maintain an impressive level of upmarket consistency.
But it also questions why we pay more for quality ingredients and imaginative cooking, since you can spend as much here as you will at celebrated restaurants like Samar or The Grape--and much more than you'll shell out to dine at Bolsa.
Given the success of both Dallas area Houston's, the questions may not
matter. Service and atmosphere generally matter more than the food
itself--unless the kitchen begins to stumble, and it's unlikely
management will allow that to happen. Pork ribs are plentiful in
portion, tender and completely approachable. Their famous double-cut
pork chop is also rather mild (as well as defying culinary logic by
remaining sweet and juicy from edge to middle, even when cooked
through). When you go to Houston's, you know just what to expect--and
you almost always get it.
So the popularity is driven by a proper, well-functioning wait staff,
an easy going yet somewhat upscale ambience and dishes that meet a
certain standard, over and over and over again.
If there's any damage done by this Houston's dependence, it's the way
it skews expectations. Many times, for example, I've heard people claim
"Houston's makes the best fries." They don't--not even close. They are
pale and chewy, but also cut into thin shoestrings. This tends to
disguise the shortcomings much better than thicker versions.
But I can hardly blame the restaurant. Few pick Houston's for a night
of fine dining--or for something out of the ordinary, for that matter.
Besides, they are well-positioned to rake in cash, especially from the
monied crowd who consider it their go-to diner.
As I left the Park Cities location one recent evening, two guys--most
would label them douchebags--pulled up in a convertible European sports
coupe with its top down...on a frosty 30 degree day. They probably don
sunglasses when they walk in, but I didn't stick around to find out.
I just hope Houston's keeps selling them $13 burgers and $28 entrees.
