B&B Butchers — Restaurant in Houston

Real review lol- Okay it’s been a few months so I can finally review without feeling like it’s obvious who I am.

To start, I have been to this restaurant a few times over the years, it’s the place I always request during a special occasion (birthdays, graduations, mother’s day, etc). The food is decently good, although it is not the best thing ever. They don’t give out free bread, which sucks as a nicer restaurant because even cheesecake factory does when I went a few days ago. However, my review has nothing to do with the food.

Rather, my review is about the horrendous service they gave my family and I. It has turned me from a great fan of this restaurant to completely taking it off my list, which is quite funny because I usually never go here alone and always spend at least $200.

I always understand if my servers don’t act like angels on earth, they’re people with bad days sometimes too. I get that, and I always leave a tip even when they aren’t attentive to my table. My problem was a specific incident when I went for my birthday earlier this year. I was so excited and made a reservation weeks early, then my mom offered to treat our entire family. Awesome. We get there, wait 45 mins for the food (I didn’t mind because it was busy and we were 4 people). We eat and when it’s time to pay, our server comes with the bill. Mind you my mom doesn’t speak english, but she can read the total and pays in cash. Our family did not eagle eye her because 1. it was her money and 2. we were in the midst of a wonderful conversation. As she closes the tab, I ask her how much the meal was. She says around $300 and hands it to the server waiting right beside our table.

Then this man, in his white coat, has the AUDACITY to open her tab, count all the cash and whispers under his breath loudly “that little tip?..” Then he makes a disgusted face at us and shuffles away. Mind you, HE IS STANDING RIGHT BEHIND MY POOR MOTHER AND FACING ME. At this point I am embarrassed and in shock, never had a server count the money right at our table even in a small restaurant. Wow. I immediately whip to my mom and ask her how much she tipped. Guess what? $50! Call me crazy but with the 1 time he checked on us and then went AWOL, that is a quite nice tip. Maybe it’s not 20% but it’s definitely more than some people make an hour. And we were only there maybe 1.5 or 2 hours max. Mind you we had to ask random servers to help get us stuff because he literally was nowhere near. Not only me but my sister saw and we were both shocked. To be honest, I felt extremely upset for my mother and regret not making a fuss (she wouldn’t have wanted that and I was in shock). But I’m definitely never coming back there, the rude entitlement of that employee was crazy. And he seemed like someone who pretty high in rank amongst the staff too. I’m glad because I had found good services at other places and I’ll definitely miss this restaurant, but it makes me sick to my stomach now. People work hard to make money and want a nice experience, even if they don’t tip you $100 at least have some professionalism and etiquette to not make your guests feel uncomfortable. I’ve had absent servers and really quiet ones here before, but this was a first. I recommend not bringing your loved ones here unless you want to risk this...

First I would like to say the Dry Aged steak is amazing and very consistent as I've been going here for years really for that. However, the service seems to be getting progressively worse over the last 2 years and this last visit really has turned me off with the waiter being disingenuous and dishonest to boost check totals (which I already had some of the most expensive things) which left me feeling with a bad taste. Note to yourself if they ask if you want sparkling or still, still just means they bring a large bottle of spring water. No asking if you want tap or bottled. And bread service is $12 even they don't say that and it was free before.

Food: What you come here for is the steak 100%. The 22oz dry aged steak is what keeps me consistently coming back and probably the best in the city that I know of for a texas style steak. The appetizers like the whipped Ricotta is also great and I highly recommend it. Desserts i would say are good but you don't go here for that. The creme brulee or the cheesecake will hit the spot though if you have a sweet tooth.

Service: In the past I had always had impeccable service with great waiters who knew the menu well, always friendly, transparent, and professional but now it's not so great. As of about a year ago I'm not sure what has been happening but one visit I had a waiter that I basically had to beg for service. 30 minutes in I still didn't have my order taken (nor had I been asked once for my order) while trying to flag the waiter multiple times. The rest of the visit was about the same. My next visit was a bit more prompt but the waiter seemed to just be in a really bad mood the whole time. However, my last visit was the worst and really makes me question their business practices. It started ok with the waiter asking me what I would like to drink, which I said water. He then replied back sparkling or still and I said still. He immediately left and got some glasses and a large glass bottle of spring water to which he opened and poured it. I asked the next time he was back (before drinking any) if this was included to which he said no. I said can I please just have tap. He then argued back and said I asked for still. I told him tap water is still water. He then continued to argue it wasn't and said I asked for this. Tap water is still water, even if he doesn't know this he didn't even give the option for "tap" water. He tontinued to do this with other patrons and its not transparent and just trying to increase the check price. Then after we ordered he asked if we would still like bread since we have our first course to which I replied yes. Again, the bread was an additional $12 I saw on the check (he had also already took the menu). They did not charge for bread in the past, he did not even say it was additional. This waiter is really just trying to boost every check he waits on. It's dishonest and it was not only me he...

Super impressed with B&B! From entrance to exit, we were well taken care of during our experience. We went to B&B for my birthday dinner. Our server, Lee, was extremely helpful and knowledgeable about the menu. We started with a bottle of wine as we looked over the appetizers portion of the menu. We decided on 1/2 a dozen raw oysters and the crab cake. The oysters were good and presented well. The crab cake was phenomenal. In a previous review I have mentioned Brenner's crab cake and stated it was the best I had ever tried. Well, step aside, Brenner's. There is a new crab cake in town! B&B pan sears their crab cake. Unlike most restaurants who use breadcrumbs. This is a winner all day long. Do not skip this appetizer. I am usually not a fan of crab cakes because of the breading. This is a game changer. Next, we were on to our main course. Being our first adventure to B&B, we were not certain what to order, but Lee was there to help guide us. One thing I noticed immediately is what he pointed out on the menu, or should I say what he didn't point out on the menu. You must understand, B&B has high priced steaks. Lee could have easily tried to get us to purchase the most expensive item, but he was very honest with us showcasing his favorites and explained how all cuts were prepared. We settled on the ribeye done medium rare. For our sides, we ordered the garlic mashed potatoes and brussels sprouts. All steaks and sides are a shareable size. The meal was timed perfectly for us to finish our appetizers and start another bottle of wine. As we talked and enjoyed the atmosphere, I noticed each time a cart when by our table, it was draped with a linen tablecloth. I figured out it was the dirty dishes from vacated tables, and they put the cloth over them, so you don't have to see it going by. I loved that. Just a small touch of elegance to make the dining experience that much better. Our steak and sides arrived, and Lee cut the meat in strips for us. It was perfect prepared and tasteful. The gentleman stated it was the best ribeye he had ever eaten. That says a lot as I personally know he eats a lot of steak. Our sides were perfect. i loved the brussels sprouts best. Very flavorful. We ordered a slice of cheesecake for the birthday dinner finale. Creamy and beautiful. We had plenty of leftovers to take with us. After we paid, we thought our experience was complete, but Lee had one more special touch. He personally took us on a tour of the upstairs terrace area. He even carried our leftovers bag while he rode up the elevator. The view of the downtown skyline was gorgeous. I can see people getting engaged in a view like that. Beyond impressed with B&B. Highly recommend Lee. Lee, thank you for making my birthday night so memorable! We thoroughly enjoyed our time...