Houston's Best Family-Friendly Dining 2008

Get cozy with friends and family and enjoy an Italian feast at this loved-by-locals restaurant.

Reviews:

• “Interesting decor, decent italian food and drinks”
• “WORSE ITALIAN FOOD”
• “worst place in town”
• “Won’t Return”
• “So not recommended”

Tips: If you have a large party, reserve the circular “Pope’s Table.” Special occasion? Request the kitchen table, where diner’s can watch all the behind-the-scenes restaurant action.

Buca di Beppo or email Buca di Beppo

Vegas-style mega restaurant brings upscale American fare, live entertainment and plenty of elbow room to Clear Lake.

Reviews:

• “Unforgettable……..Service”
• “Who needs Dubai, New York, or Vegas when you have Macy’s Table”
• “Birthday at Cullen’s "
• “Best banquet meal I’ve ever eaten”
• “Desserts to die for!”

Tips: Diners can order California house wines or select a bottle from the varied list on their table’s touch-screen computer.

Cullen’s Upscale American Grille or email Cullen’s Upscale American Grille

Clint would approve of this laid-back pasta joint featuring Americanized Italian chow.

Reviews:

• “Good Food, Horrible Service”
• “Nice Atmosphere”
• “Awesome Food – Superb Value – great neighborhood vibe”
• “Not up to the Hype”
• “The Theme was really cool.”

Tips: Wines by the glass are generous, affordable and well selected. The Amaretto-kissed Italian margaritas whip typical Mexican ’ritas.

The Spaghetti Western Italian Cafe or email The Spaghetti Western Italian Cafe

Inexpensive downtown Vietnamese hot spot for a quick workday lunch or weekend munchies.

Reviews:

• “Best Vietnamese, even for a Cat!”
• “Great Food. Great Value. Great Atmosphere.”
• “Please, do yourself a favor, travel a few minutes”
• “Best Vietnamese Sammiches!”
• “Best Cheap Eats around!”

Tips: The menu features a variety of Vietnamese teas and fruit juices. Ask the waitstaff to explain what’s what, and try something new.

Les Givral’s Kahve

Family-friendly and Tex-Mex skilled, this outpost satisfies the craving for home-style fare in a cheerfully painted casa.

Reviews:

• “bad food, bad service”
• “Best Beef Fajitas in town”
• “Best Mexican food”
• “Bad Services”
• “Best beef fajitas anywhere!”

Tips: Every location of this playful Tex-Mex spot contains the famous Lupe sandbox for children to enjoy.

Lupe Tortilla

Enjoy some of the finest Texas cuisine at BlackJack’s Family Sport Grill in Houston

Reviews:

• “Family Fun/Relaxed Atmosphere”
• “Horrible experience!”

Tips: BlackJack’s Family Sport Grill features NFL Sunday Ticket so you can watch your favorite football teams.

BlackJack’s Family Sport Grill or email BlackJack’s Family Sport Grill

Authentic paella, Spanish tapas and an affordable wine list in a casually elegant setting.

Reviews:

• “SPAIN GETAWAY !!”
• “Tasty Tapas”
• “Great place to visit on a Sunday”
• “Great Birthday Host”
• “rioja”

Tips: The wine list at Rioja features dozens of wines from Spain and around the world, with many quality selections less than $20.

Rioja or email Rioja

A “come as you are” South American eatery from the people who brought you Americas and Churrascos.

Reviews:

• “Good, well priced Brazilian style food!”
• “gotta love it.”
• “no beef!”
• “Trailer Park Heaven”
• “Good food”

Tips: Breakfast is served on weekends, starting at 9am.

Amazon Grill

Restaurant serves American cuisine with an emphasis on seafood dishes and offers a kid’s menu as well as carry out.

Reviews:

• “No more passarounds”
• “STRIKE THREE, YOUR OUT”
• “Bad service”
• “Avoid the Potatoe Patch – Try another restaurant”
• “Fun Food”

Potatoe Patch

Casual, family-oriented restaurant in Northwest Houston serving fresh-made pizzas, pastas and sandwiches.

Reviews:

• “Average at Best”
• “Best Pizza on the Northwest Side”
• “GREAT PLACE”
• “Good pizza”
• “EJ’s is a welcome addition to Cole’s”

EJ’s Neighborhood Pizzeria and Italian Eatery

No-fuss Cajun cuisine greets those searching for spicy, savory crawfish and gumbo.

Reviews:

• “Man, was this good!”
• “I must admit, I’m really happy I finally tried Mardi Gras Grill….”
• “Worst Crawfish Ever”
• “BEST SEAFOOD IN TEXAS IS FLOYD’S BY FLOYD LANDRY! "
• “insane!”

Mardi Gras Grill or email Mardi Gras Grill

This pioneer in the carhop business offers tributes to the early rock era, delicious shakes and ’50s-style fast food.

Reviews:

• “Decent food for the price”
• “Original Fish Sandwich”
• “All talk No Show..”
• “Really Good”
• “Best Value Hands Down”

Tips: Find the Prince’s location closest to you.

Prince’s-Houston’s Hometown Burger

Get cozy with friends and family and enjoy an Italian feast at this loved-by-locals restaurant.

Reviews:

• “Best Italian Restaurant & Most Original!”
• “best italian food”
• “Best- Real Italian food. Fantastic customer service! Buca encourages families of all sizes and especially those LOUD Italian folks to make you feel like FAMILIA (family)!!”
• “Too Loud!”
• “Great Food!”

Tips: If you have a large party, reserve the circular “Pope’s Table.” Special occasion? Request the kitchen table, where diner’s can watch all the behind-the-scenes restaurant action.

Buca di Beppo or email Buca di Beppo

You’ll find more than just smoothies at this community-oriented cafe and juice bar offering great lunches and dinners to busy locals looking for high-quality food and a friendly atmosphere.

Reviews:

• “Great food, better smoothies and great service”
• “Friendly Restaurant! Excellent Food!”
• “Great smoothies, smiling employees, awesome pitas”
• “it reminded me of NYC”
• “NICE PEOPLE,AND AWSOME FOOD!”

Tips: Free delivery is offered to a limited radius.

Island Grill & Juice Bar or email Island Grill & Juice Bar

A boardwalk with a quiet fishing-village atmosphere with resort accommodations, amusements and good eats.

Reviews:

• “Charging for Parking”
• “Kemah is Awesome!”
• “Boardwalk – Success! History – Lost”
• “Avoid the train ride if you have young children”
• “Great Weekeend Getaway”

Tips: There are ample parking lots, but spaces fill up fast around the 7pm dinner rush and special events.

Kemah Boardwalk

Just right for a quick and homey downtown lunch.

Reviews:

• “Best chicken and dumplings since Mom’s.”
• “Great Place”
• “Best Choice!”

Tips: Just Lunch does not serve beer or wine, but diners are welcome to bring their own.

Just Lunch & Catering

Dine around a 150,000-gallon centerpiece fish tank at this seafood lover’s landmark.

Reviews:

• “Do Not Recommend”
• “Very disappointing”
• “Enjoy good food while watching underwater fish display.”
• “Excellant Food, Great Service, Awesome Fish Display, Best Waitress, Polite Staff. Don’t Miss Going Here!!!!”
• “Wonderful food and atmosphere; slow service & surly wait personnel”

Tips: The 3rd floor Nautilus Ballroom can accommodate up to 600 people for business or social affairs. Call the main number and ask for catering.

Aquarium Restaurant

Sophisticated northern Indian cuisine and award-winning wines in an upscale setting.

Reviews:

• “Horrid Service, Expensive Food”
• “Good Food, but not like it was under Kiran’s regime”
• “Disappointing! Elegant atmosphere but unimpressive, overpriced food”
• “Good food but don’t expect much else.”
• “Refined and elegant”

Tips: Hit the lunch buffet Monday through Friday and enjoy the creative spread at a discount.

Ashiana Indian Restaurant

Audience-participation dinner theater, where the guests enjoy a meal while helping to solve a mystery.

Reviews:

• “What a great time we had!”
• “Family Fun!!!”
• “I had the best time of my life!”
• “Egad! Even a stuffy lawyer will have a good time.”
• “If you love chocolate, you’re in heaven. There was some traffic in Kemah of Friday night.”

Tips: Diners can become the center of attention, so appropriate dress is recommended.

Murder by Chocolate