J Christopher's Italian Grill — Restaurant in Houston

Update 5-11-22 I really wanted to like it. It’s one of the closest restaurants to me. So, we went on my birthday and left disappointed.

The decor does look tons better so thank you for that. Please consider turning down the lights a bit. The prices seemed fair. Only one cabernet by the glass in an Italian restaurant? If that’s to force bottle sales, sometimes there is only one drinker in the party. My place setting of silverware seemed not to have made it through the dishwasher and I couldn’t I see that for the rest of the meal. The menu is smartly smaller but I struggled. It would be nice if the server would intro with, “Have you been here since the remodel? Let me point out some of the delicious new menu items”. This might soften the blow.

I’m wondering why you kept the name because it seems that many of the favorites are missing. The fried bread sticks are gone. In its place was 2 pieces of garlic bread that we grudgingly ate. The much-loved house Italian dressing was gone. I usually love a cheesy pizza and this was too cheesy. The meatball entree menu description was deceptive.

I feel a bit robbed to have to write this restaurant off. I’m not that picky and have a ton of 5-star reviews but this experience left me wanting a recall of my birthday dinner. I’m the person that annoying takes pics of everything at dinner and my phone left hangry. Best of luck. We need great restaurants here but we also need great reasons to patronize them. 🫠

4 years ago…

I love the wheat deep dish pizza! The bread sticks are really good too. The service is always very attentive. My only wish is updated decor. Feels very dated and can be a tough sell on a dining choice for the younger crowd...

UPDATED: I gave it a second shot Tuesday just before 7:pm. Unfortunately, they were unable to seat my party of two because "the kitchen is getting slammed". Through the windows, I could see that the restaurant was about 60 to 70 percent full. Disappointed, we went to Amedeo's.

So far, this isn't working out.

----original review---- I think I'm going to have to try this place again after they've been open for a few months. Let me cut to the chase: The lunch portion of the lasagna is fantastic. There's plenty of Italian sausage, great cheeses, and cooked nicely. The complimentary garlic bread is also delicious. It's barely toasted with a light crunch, followed by a fresh bread inside. It's seasoned well. The fried mushrooms were good, not great. They're using the sharky's fish and chips batter. The mushrooms were the right size and piping hot. But I prefer Three B's batter. Try it yourself and see what you think. Tomato basil soup is good. But not great. I don't think I'll order it again. And the margarita pizza could be DiGiorno's. To be fair, it's hard to impress me with pizza.

I don't know if they had a decorator for the remodeling. If they did, they should get their money back.

The bathrooms are a little confusing. One is unisex, one is women. So if one woman chooses the unisex bathroom, she could prevent a man from using any bathroom. This happened to me.

I was promptly greated with a "be right with you" when I walked in. But there was an awkward amount of time before they actually returned to seat me and my party of three. I was seconds away from walking out and going next door for sushi instead.

Like I said, I'll try again and update in...

I placed an order today for carry out in support of restaurants in my local area. I enjoyed the food I order. I usually don't have any complaints but today , I had an issue but not with the food. The customer service or shall I say lack there of, I received today. I ordered two thin crust pizza's one with spinach and alfredo the other cheese. I asked the young man at the register if you all have to go plates. He responded "No,we do not". I said, okay. Went back to my car to wait for my order to be ready for pick up. I returned for pick up and I asked the same young man for some napkins. He responded, "You want A napkin?" I said, I ordered two pizzas I think I need more then A napkin. Then he asked "Do you need two". I said there are four of us I need a few napkins. I then turned to the owner and asked her in front of him. Ma'am do you all have to go plates? She said "Yes, of course we do how many do you need?" I told her the young man told me you didn't have any to go plates. She apologized and said "I don't know why he told you that, he knows we have to go plates!" Then she sent him to get my plates. I told her I didn't feel comfortable with him getting the plates now because he didn't want to get them for me in the first place I'm not sure what he will do to them. She brought out a new unopened bag of plates for me. Adriana gave me outstanding customer service but that young man is representing her when she walks away from the front. Good luck and...