With the fairly new NASA bypass stretching over El Camino Real, the buried shopping strip behind the mega Chinese buffet restaurant is now even more obscure. If you’re new to the area, chances are you’ve driven right past it unless you’ve stopped to grab a scoop of ice cream from its
Frenchie’s Italian Restaurant opened in 1979 and is family owned and run, from nephews working as servers to brother-in-law Mario as head chef. The family also owns Villa Capri located in Seabrook— however, locals agree, the food is better at Frenchie’s. One of the owners is Frankie Camera. Walk in and most likely you’ll hear his strong Italian accent either on the phone taking orders or cheerfully greeting guests by their first name.
Frenchie’s has been in the same location for over 40 years. The place could use a facelift and feels a tad cluttered, like sitting in your grandma’s sun room. Pots of devil’s ivy line the pony walls. There's an old sense of charm here mixed in with an '80s vibe. Autographed photos of astronauts, space shuttles, and other NASA memorabilia cover just about every space on the walls.
Frenchie’s was, of course, one of the popular hangouts for NASA astronauts and employees and continues to be for many. A few autographed photos of some famous folks who have had the pleasure of dining here are sprinkled in there too.
Frenchie’s is open for lunch and dinner. Lunch is counter service, but during dinner hours, Frenchie’s is a full-service restaurant. Beer is available and there's a wine list for those who enjoy a glass of Chianti with their plate of spaghetti.
Start your meal off with an appetizer of garlicky escargot or a cup of minestrone and rice soup. Lunch specials are listed on a dry-erase board in the entry area. Between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. order items like a fresh spinach and salmon salad,
If you’re planning to dine at Frenchie’s during dinner hours, you’re in for an even better treat. The dinner menu has a variety of tempting entrees. The portions are so generous, you could almost feed two people…. but you still won't want to share. Veal entrees range from Veal Sorrento topped with
For meat lovers, two grilled steak entrées are available, the fillet of beef Barolo with red wine sauce, and the filet mignon with French mustard sauce, guaranteed to satisfy your carnivorous cravings. For carb lovers, choose from a long list of pasta dishes like the traditional favorites of
A simple iceberg salad starts off your meal, and five desserts, all under $7, can round it out — tiramisu, chocolate mousse and zabaglione with strawberries, to name a few. Whatever you decide to sink your teeth into at Frenchie’s, know that you are not only enjoying fantastic Italian food, you're also experiencing a taste of local NASA history.
Frenchie's is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., closed on Sunday. Located at 1041 East NASA Parkway, Houston, behind East Star Chinese Buffet on the corner of NASA Parkway and El Camino Real.