Sorry, but this was stupid. How could some of those places be over rated if no one considers them rated well? Crap is crap, not over rated. People go to some places having nothing to do with the food (ex. cafe adobe, which on westheimer is a sausage fest for guys who want that) and some people just do not have a palate and never think about where they eat.

some guidance on what is overrated (or underrated) would be helpful next time

They started out good a couple of years ago. They lost their way. It looks like they hired a consultant to help them out and dropped the reason that I went there.

I agree with the review plus the service (in all of the restaurants that is visited) was SLOW and SUCKED

Haha Chuy's and Pappasitos are my two absolute favorite places to eat.

Houston press should be thrown directly under a speeding bus. this is an inflammatory article which does nothing more than hurt people. Your featured comment was from a person who has no clue to food cost or product quality. This person has limited scope and vision and I personally will boycott any dealings with Houston press from our restaurant group. F**K YOU!

I have to disagree with the article. I find the food pretty good for the price and reliable quality of food and service. In addition Lupe T's is very generous in the community.

Add Luby's to the list of failures of the Pappas empire. Tipping some dork because they refill your tea or water at a "cafeteria" is really dumb. Then you have the crappy food they serve in plates and not from steamtables. Change the name, because this does Not meet the definition of a cafeteria.

Thanks for reminding me that I need to go eat some of my favorite restaurants more often, like Beavers and Rainbow Lodge.

WOW! It is so amazing how people take this so seriously. Now now Jj be nice. Big boys have thick skin right?? At least that's what you said. People should realize when you put yourself out there in the public eye your going to have to take the good with the bad. Oh and by the we way the public does know what they are saying. They spent their money and was served mediocre food or whatever. Easy for you to say that they don't know what they are talking about. What a lame excuse. Twitter and all these public lines just show how really closed minded some of you really are. Trouble in paradise huh??? It is in bad taste for people to comment back towards HP on their reviews. Grow up. In defense to Shilcutt she was only doing her job even though a can of worms was opened for all. Oh, one more thing, not sure if you could survive the brutal reality in NYC, Sf or even Chicago for that matter. That's where the big boys live and play.

In response to JJ:

In Katherine Shilcutt's defense, hers was a reasonable question and the title clearly states it is not the Press' opinion, nor her opinion, but the readers' opinions. And why not feature readers' opinions? It is pretty clear that Houstonians have strong opinions about food and restaurants and have strong opinions about what they feel is worth their money and what is not. Honestly, I'm not sure if any of these comments are so much worse than anything you'd see on b4ueat, yelp, or citysearch. The bitter F You is ridiculous. Instead of getting pissed off at Shilcutt/the Press (who after all simply reported what people said)... perhaps you should recognize that your efforts haven't resonated with all of your clientele and figure out if you care enough to address that.

Looks like there were some loose chads. Reef clearly has more negative votes that Little Bigs but yet Reef doesn't make the list? Hmmm.

This is for JJ and all the others whose itty bitty feewings are hurt.....grow up!!! And take the criticism and do something constructive with it! Did it ever occur to you that 1)You're killing the messenger and 2)Perhaps you can, I don't know, improve your business with this information??!! God forbid that you guys take a look in the mirror and discover that perhaps your menus DO need tweaking or that maybe there is some validity to many of the comments and/or ratings. But to attack the person who merely put together the information is ridiculous and childish. Oh, did I say "grow UP"!!??

Your arrogance toward all of the "plebian, filthy masses" is stunning! We know food, we know GOOD food, and we know mediocre food when we taste it. Just because you disagree doesn't mean that many people haven't actually experienced something less than desirable at your restaurants. I would THINK you would want to know this!!!!

Looks like there were some loose chads. Reef clearly has more negative votes that Little Bigs but yet Reef doesn't make the list? Hmmm.
Comment by matt on Aug 6th, 2009, 21:49 pm

Before even reading this comment, I was thinking the exact same thing...although I don't agree with the Reef hate, I actually enjoy the food quite a bit, but there was much Reef negativity in the initial comments. Thinking there may be some social media love going on by not top tening basically any of the social media friendly establishments.

Adobe's food is OK, but I stopped going there after repeatedly getting stiffed. The waiters make their own change, and, consistently (FOUR times out of the last FOUR I visited) I got screwed out of various amounts of change. I mentioned it to the hostess twice, and each time she said she would bring it up with the staff. The last time, I asked for the manager, and I told him. The amounts of shortchanging are, indeed small, but why deal with dishonest people? It is not that hard to find a good Mexican restaurant in Houston.

The comment on Goode Company is Badde. The "giant, flame-eyed, steel-armored armadillo" is NOT outside Goode Company BBQ; it is outside the Armadillo Palace bar across the street. Incidentally, the AP is one of the few places in Houston where you can see a beautiful display of bluebonnets in-season--a small, but welcome, patch of Texas.

How on earth did your survey miss Reef, the most overrated restaurant not only in Houston, but in the entire U.S.? The food was not even average; the prices were exorbitant; and the snotty waiter simply could not believe that we did not want his bottled water.
Q: "Tap water--you want tap water?"
A: "Well, what do you make your ice cubes with?"
In fact, the tap water, and the ice cubes made therewith, were some of the high-points of our overpriced evening. If you want good seafood, skip Reef and go to Captain Benny's, unless, of course, you are trying to impress your business friends with your limitless expense account.

Wow, I gotta disagree with Taste of Texas on this one.

Pappas restaurants too. I do feel they overcharge on some items, but I think the food their is pretty good.

For those readers who think some of these restaurants are overrated, I'd like to know what restaurants they DO like.

Travis, what kind of "change" are you talking about? Are you talking dollars or cents? I can't see it as any type of significant amount of money if all you did was complain to a hostess (who probably couldn't care less about your complaint) and the manager. Please tell me you aren't penny pinching on loose change.

These are excellent ratings. I've been to most of them and would heartily agree.

Why would you place a pic of the Original Ninfa's sign next to the headline of Houston's Most Overrated Restaurants? Most people on the thread agreed that the Original was great, while the soulless franchised Ninfa's suck. Misleading, no?

I couldn't disagree more!! I live & play in the loop & frequent a lot of restaurants, food events, farmers markets, etc. And this is one of the places I love!! We have ALWAYS had a great time & great food there!! And they believe in delivering FRESH & inventive dishes (Fresh- good; Sysco - bad). Just the other night, we loved their incredibly fresh & innovative yellow fin tuna special soooo much, that we had to order a second one...which we devoured!! And it was a sizable portion at a fair & reasonable price. Sounds like you guys need to get out more cuz Beaver's ROCKS!!

I was so happy to see Beaver's on this list! I have given this place a shot three times but it failed in all aspects every time...Service, quality, and price.

In defense of all of JJ and anyone else peaved by this whole stupid mess, This survey was nothing but an invite to trash everyone in town. Our local chwefs and restaurant owners are well aware that they aren't perfect and we can't expect them to be able to satisfy every persons needs and desires, however despite all of this many people ARE satisfied. Some of us are even delighted and thrilled to see the culinary scene in Houston so rapidly expanding. What I smell here is a bunch of negative Nancys who aren't satisfied anywhere. When you open YOUR restaurant, you can do whatever you want. Quit trying to stop the creative freight trains that are driving our dining scene to the next level.

BEAVERS IS GREAT!! I have not once had a bad experience there. The food has always been fresh and inventive....and its not a barbeque joint....they do texas coastal With bbq....the staff is always great, the environment is laid back. the drinks are different than youll find any where else around the tool shed that is washington ave... I dont think anything about the place is overpriced or overrated. come on guys!!

My 2 Cents if free -

Cafe Adobe, and Ninfa's built their reputation during their ORIGINAL ownership. They were known for many great things, including the proliferation of tex-mex. Both chains have changed ownership. This is not recent folks. Mama Ninfa Lorenzo has been been gone awhile (Much love, R.I.P.). If as a foodie, or someone who dines out didnt know that changes in ownership would affect quality, thats on YOU!

Looking at the picture of the Beavers' sign, I'm reminded of one VERY important aspect. Ice House. Maybe you've been going to a cheaper ice house as far as beer prices, but I doubt it.

Maybe your used to going to a "Steak Nite" or "Ribs Nite" at your local Ice House and getting a ten dollar ribeye or slab of ribs, and you feel like Beavers is ripping you off by serving quality food, at the price that quality products cost. By all means stay at the West alabama, or Buffalo Fred's, or Woodrows, or wherever you eat at. Dont write your opinions about how you make a better side of coleslaw or potato salad. Beavers deals with AUTHENTIC recipes pulled from different parts across the United States. It doesnt say Texas BBQ on the sign. Theres a dish labeled as North Carolina BBQ, which is actually a GREAT representation of what that region is about. If your not into that style, dont order that plate.

When you go to any restaurant, dont be afraid to ask questions of servers. If you think your an expert on every type of cuisine dive right in when you go to ANY restaurant. But I guarantee every food writer asks lots of questions when they first go a restaurant so that they can get an understanding of what that owner/chef are trying to accomplish. Then they critique them on whether or not they are accomplishing it. You cant go into a restaurant and complain that the steak tartar is raw, it is what it is. You as a consumer have to take some responsibility as to know what your getting into before you go complaining that the Giant playpen at Mcdonald's is full of noisy children. Or that Little Big's serves small burgers that are ridiculously thin (duh!!!its not a burger people its a slider!) Its a little greasy, making it feel sloppy and wet, lacks lots of condiments, and one of the tastiest things you'll eat that day! Stop being so narcissistic, as to think that just because YOUR a vegetarian that the nearest steakhouse is crap just because they dont have a special plate just for you. Its a steakhouse. And for that matter, Taste of Texas would be classified a bottom rung steakhouse, the quality of meat they purchase is a lower grade, thus lower priced, thus not as tasty. If you want a better quality steak? Go to Sullivans. You want dry aged? Go to Del Frisco's, or ask you local steakhouse if they have dry aged, or get in Allen Brothers' Steaks. Your going to pay more for the steak, but dont complain that the choice steak at saltgrass or taste of texas isnt as good as Prime at Pappas Bros. Thats a given, and missed the whole point.

For those that crack on the Furtita chains, I know you readers and writers all think all his places are over rated. You can disagree with his business practices, but dont argue with the success. If that many people thought it wasnt worth the money, they wouldnt be at Vic and Anthony's or Brenners. Dont hate success just because your not successful. I can understand if you dont like alot of his places, but the Aquarium is great entertainment for food haven for kids. If your kids dont like eating next to a giant fish tank, or riding a feris wheel, by all means dont take them, but every niece or nephew that visits that I take there, thinks its the best restaurant ever. But what do kids know? According to some tv shows, and songs...more than I'll ever know.

"Don't argue with their success", Frank? That's the *definition* of overrated, when a place sucks *despite* its success. Places succeed for lots of reasons, people like the atmosphere, they have good drink specials, they have a playground for peoples' kids... none of that bullshit means their food is any good. Seriously, if a restaurant does a lot of work in the community that's awesome, but it doesn't make their god damn steak taste any better. Can't believe how many crybabies showed up to weakly defend their little hidey holes. Ugh.

If a place is successful based on their drink specials, or its kid friendly, then bash them for being overrated in those fields. I dont go to the Golden Island Chinese Buffet looking for great food, its an all you can eat chinese buffet. Knocking an Ice House for not having 300 count cotton pillows for you to sit on, or an Upscale seafood restaurant for not throwing down rose petals in front of you as you walk is a bit much. Chuy's hasnt changed their formula on creamy jalapeno's... its always been ranch. Complaining that the ranch tastes like ranch is like some idiot complaining that their hot coffee is hot and actually tastes like coffee.

Chuy's #1? WTF? Its pretty much the cheapest sit-down Tex-Mex in town. How can that be overrated? And they serve the best Texas martinis in th state outside of Trudy's in A-Town.

Chuy's #1? WTF? It's pretty much the cheapest sit-down Tex-Mex in town. How can that be overrated? And they serve the best Texas martinis in the state outside of Trudy's in A-Town. Seriously, if your only gripes are the crowds and crappy parking, then take the stick out of your a** and STFU because thats a gripe at just about any f'ing restaurant in Houston.

The Chuy's in Northeast Austin is still good, try Elvis Fried Chicken.
Yeah, Goode Co. needs to return to its roots.

@ Marvin

"Yeah, Goode Co. needs to return to its roots"

???

BBQ made by white people for white people at a really great location. Call it what it is...

This city has the urge to dress up for a month every year for rodeo. And its not even a World Class rodeo. Theres no championship bull riding, its not even on the tour for the professional bull riding association. This is a MINOR league rodeo event. Now it does generate millions of dollars for kids... yada yada yada. But the point is, this town goes nuts for what would be the equivalent of I-AA college football, or the Aeros. During the 11 months leading up some of the city slickers get a hankering for some of that smokey feel, or we have relatives come and visit from out of town. So we take em to the goode company because its a characterture of Houston BBQ for out of towners. Which is kinda sad, really... theres a pretty common myth that we are just a bunch of dumb hicks that ride horses and carry guns. And many of us take out of towners to eat bad BBQ. But the bottom line is this MARVIN... The recipes havent changed. The Goode family still runs the show there. Return to their roots? If you've come to expect better go somewhere better.

As I said before... if your friends recommended you go to the Goode company its on your friends! Your friends obviously dont know good food, or they hate you. The rating for the good company has remained the same for a long time.

Made my white people... for white people (and judging from the line outside their quite happy with it)

Thank you for Chuy's being number one. I truly cannot understand why people eat there. It is heavy and greasy and tasteless. It has Great New Mexican flavor? New Mexican food sucks! I understand why they drink there, but if you are not a drinker - definitely skip Chuy's.

What it really boils down to is a matter of personal taste. I don't care what a place is rated as long as I like it when I am spending my dime there. Personally I do not like Pappasito's for Mexican but I love Pappadeaux's for seafood. There seem to be some awfully strong opinions on a subject that really is not that important. If you like a place frequent it, if you do not like it, stay away. That simple.

JJ - let me first say I frequent Beaver's and I really enjoy it. The drinks are overpriced in my opinion, but overall I think the value is good and the food is excellent. I also love the ambiance, inside and out. Staff is great. If it were up to me I'd be there once a week.

Now to my point...ease up buddy! Agree or disagree with the article, it's interesting. For you to threaten to never work with the HP again for taking poll and comments, and posting the results...well that's just ridiculous. Restaurants, by their very existence invite criticism - I recommend you take the constructive criticism for what's it worth, and laugh at the rest. In the end, my money says the PR provided by HP in this article will do more good for you then bad. Your comment, on the other hand, may cost you some respect.

Katharine - kudos on pulling something interesting together. Keep it coming.

These "results" are bogus. These places are all overrated but continue to have massive followings?? I can't believe these "results" were even published. I expected better.

I agree with this list. Thanks for calling these places out. To sum it up, many restaurants in the Inner Loop and anything taken over by the Landry's chain (don't forget Luby's) don't cut it. I think these places get so many people in because of the hype from rankings, atmosphere/decor scheme, and nostaglia.

I had decided to try many of these non-chain restaurants over 6 months in an effort to broaden my horizons, but was not impressed. Come on - $6 to $9 for a burger w/o the fries?! Send me back to my fast food restaurants where the food is cheap but satisfying. Does anyone know of a good BBQ joint around here that has seasoned/salted BBQ that's not just greasy?

Not the greatest in the world, but consistently excellent beef, sausage and ribs and the best sauce anywhere.

Geez, I went to Goode Co BBQ today for lunch BECAUSE of the pecan pie!! Lol...If that's mediocre, then I'm not sure I want to know where I can find better! I will already go well outta my way for Goode Co BBQ's pecan pie!

I agree with the rest...but not my pecan pie =D

it's been said already, but the armadillo is for the ARMADILLO PALACE, not goode co.

chuy's is awesome, and has better texmex than cafe adobe any day of the week.

Journalism 101, question: Would you place a pic of Mercedes top-rated car above the headline: Ten Most Overrated Cars (?) No, you wouldn't, even if the first graf went on to contradict the thrust of your pic/head.
So why do the same to the Original Ninfa's?
Just stupid. Especially when a logo of the Ninfa's you are bashing is readily available. Do you know this shows on each restaurant page? Do you realize that not everyone clicks thru to read your disclaimer?

I mainly agree with the list. It is a running tab of palate-less suburbanite favorites. Chuy's and Lupe are both mediocre on their best days. Well Chuy's is just awful any day. Any random hole in the wall tacqueria beats all of the mexican restaurants on the list. It is nice knowing that the Houston metro is by and large populated with many who are clueless on what food treasures we have in the city. Thus it is rarely impossible to grab a table with a tad bit of advance notice to the best spots in the city. Houston - great city, great food.

Maybe it is me & maybe I am misunderstanding you guys... it seems like the Food critics of the Press & the author of this article seems to hate anything that is a successful chain, this if there's more than a few and they've made a lot of money it sucks. Am I wrong?

Of course any hole in the wall taqueria beats chuys for being authentic mexican. Chuy's isnt authentic nor is it mexican. Heres another clue, any dumpling house is more authentic at being a dumpling house than Chuy's as well.

The creamy jalapenos at chuy's taste like their filled with ranch because they are. Theres NO AUTHENTIC mexican restaurant doing this. This is something you would find at Houston's! Or Chili's. If you want to compare apples to apples fine. But dont piss on a restaurant with your misguided criticism and tell them its raining!

And shame on the houston press for encouraging this behavior. You can wash your hands of this buy stating that your just tallying votes. But if you hand a child a loaded gun with safety off in a crowd, dont you realize something bad will probably happen?

I think my biggest issue with this article is the number of responses. In metro area of 4 million people, you got less than 200 responses? Not sure how many people read your paper or visit this site. The top vote-getter on your list had only 16 votes? 16 people think that a restaraunt is overrated? That's so statistically insigificant it makes me laugh. You can find 16 people to say they dislike any restaurant without breaking a sweat in August.

I love how everyone gets all riled up. Get a life people and if the commenter JJ is the real JJ, then I have lost whatever (if any) respect I had for you. I agree with a previous commenter that if restaurant types can't handle a little criticism, then stay FAR, FAR away from NY, Chicago and L.A. - you'll never make it.

I love this restaurant for its bq lean bbq beef and wonderfule vegetables. But the brunch two Sundays ago was very disappointing. The pancakes were large undercooked tasteless dough. Given, pancakes are large globs of dough but can be light and airy.

I go to westheimer location for people watching. period. I rarely eat there and order gin and tonics. I am also stunned that so many people love the margaritas and are constantly voted that way. I prefer , as do many of my friends, those made with real lime juice, not mix.

Luby's has gone to the dogs.

Um, sorry, but Lupe Tortilla is easily the premier TexMex restaurant in town. The food is exceptionally superior to all others in the Tex Mex game. There's nothing overrated about it, even if younger readers of Houston Press still feel the need to knock kid-friendly restaurants just for being kid friendly. I never had a problem with loud brats at Lupe Tortilla and the food is to die for.

I can't believe Goode made this list..Those guys do a great job. Pecan pie is the best in town. B.b.q. sauce is second to none. I compete, (and have won) in brisket and rib cookoffs and have tasted smoked greatness. Goode is right there with em.

On my blog, could I please post Katharine Shilcutt's picture, next to my headline: "Houston's Most Overrated Writers", and then go on to issue a disclaimer, and praise her in the first item..."No it's not Katharine we're disparaging, it's her sister, same last name, although the pic above is indeed of Katharine. We don't want you to get the wrong idea..."

Please advise...