Drunken Lobster — Restaurant in Houston

I constantly see this place being advertised on Facebook in different groups by the owner so I decided to finally give them a try. I will never give them any of my money again!! The most horrible service I’ve ever experienced!

I placed a takeout order on a Friday evening a couple weeks ago while they have their special of buy 5lbs get 1lb free of crawfish. I called the order in at 7:41pm and stated I wanted 2 of their specials for a total of 12lbs. The guy on the phone asked me how long will it take me to get there and I said roughly 30 mins. He told me okay the crawfish will be ready by then. When I arrived about 8:15pm, the order was NOT ready. The owner told me it’s gonna take some time because there is a new batch being cooked. He, however, did not inform me that it would take an additional 30mins. I did not get my takeout order until 8:45pm. It’s ridiculous to ask customers when they will arrive to ensure their takeout is ready for it to NOT be ready and then have to wait. No point in calling ahead at all. After already making that drive and then waiting, I was so ready to get out of there. I regret not checking my order before leaving because my order was not 12lbs! It was barely even 10lbs when I weighed it at home and it was because of all the juice in the two bags.

Since it was a Friday night, they have a live band that plays music. It was so ridiculously loud that my ears starting ringing so I had to step outside. This place is small too so the loud live band is unnecessary. The crazier part is that the owner started singing songs like it was a karaoke bar or something. He was singing almost the entire time I was waiting for my takeout order. When I went inside after waiting for 20 mins already, the owner finished up his last song. Then proceeds to say on the mic how he needs to go help cook in the kitchen because they need him. I literally watched this man then go into the kitchen and start making crawfish. Such a great way to run a business…Too busy singing instead of helping run the kitchen where...

I dropped by Drunken Lobster recently for lunch and ordered their Bánh Canh Cua—and to my surprise, it was really tasty. The broth had a rich, slightly thick consistency with that natural crab sweetness I love, and the noodles had just the right amount of chew. It was comforting, flavorful, and hit the spot without being overly salty or drowned in MSG like some other spots. Easily one of the better versions I’ve had in Houston lately.

What made it even better was the lunch special—$11.95 for a solid bowl like that? In today’s food landscape, that feels like a steal. It's rare to find a Vietnamese place in Houston still offering a decent lunch at that price without cutting corners on quality.

That said, I haven’t tried their other dishes yet, so I can’t speak to the rest of the menu. But glancing at the prices, I’ll say this: like many Vietnamese spots in Houston now, it’s starting to feel overpriced. Those days of $7 bún or $8 bánh xèo are long gone. The charm of cheap, flavorful Vietnamese eats in this city is fading fast, and it's a bit disappointing. I always tell my mom—you get way more bang for your buck in Southern California. The food's often better, portions are bigger, and prices haven’t climbed as fast for the same dishes.

The ambience is casual and clean, nothing fancy. It leans more modern than traditional mom-and-pop, but it doesn’t feel soulless. Service was fine—nothing memorable, but they were polite and got the job done.

Would I go back? Yeah—for the bánh canh cua, definitely. It's comforting, priced well at lunch, and something I'd crave again. But unless the rest of the menu proves itself, I wouldn’t call this a must-visit. For now, it's a solid lunch spot if you stick to what they do well and don’t expect it to feel like old-school Houston...

I just had an amazing dining experience at The Drunken Lobster! After feeling a bit down and craving some comfort food, I decided to give it a try, and it definitely didn’t disappoint.

First off, the service was top-notch. Our waiter was attentive but not intrusive—just the right balance. I can’t stand overly eager servers who make me feel watched, but this waiter was on point, professional, and incredibly helpful. I had a special request to avoid garlic in my meal due to a special occasion right after. Our waiter made sure to communicate this with the chef immediately, which I really appreciated.

Now, let’s talk about the food. I ordered the Surf N’Turf, the Lobster Roll, Garlic Green Beans, and Fried Ice Cream.

The Surf N’Turf was a pleasant surprise. It came with pasta, a few strips of ribeye, and three shrimp. At first glance, the protein portion size might seem a bit small, but the combination of flavors and textures made it feel just right. The Garlic Green Beans were crispy, perfectly seasoned, and complemented the dish beautifully—definitely one of my favorite parts of the meal.

The Lobster Roll was delicious as well. It came with a generous portion of lobster and veggies, all tucked inside a soft bun and paired with crispy French fries—comfort food at its finest.

To top it off, I had Fried Ice Cream for dessert, and it was just as amazing as I’d hoped—crispy on the outside, creamy on the inside.

As a bonus, we were treated to a complimentary coffee drink at the start of our meal, which was a nice touch. I also learned that they have live music on Fridays, so I’m definitely planning to come back soon!

Overall, The Drunken Lobster is a fantastic spot for anyone craving delicious comfort food, great service, and a relaxed atmosphere. Highly...