King Ranch Texas Kitchen — Restaurant in Houston

If management reads this, I know how important google reviews are, so 5s across the board so this doesn't get into the wrong hands. (I literally came straight home to write this)

Here's the deal: I knew there was going to be issues as soon as I walked through the door and here's why i'm qualified to make this assesment.

This is the rundown of my experience today. I've been a Dir. of Ops for a prominent restaurant group in the past, where the attention to detail, quality of service and experience really were "uncompromised". Since then, it's easy to spot room for improvement especially at a Landry's restaurant who we hold to a higher standard in our family. As a professional food photographer now, i'm constantly paying attention to details in any store, especially with the way staff operates and especially when it's slow.

Here are the good things first. The bread plate was impressive. The chicken fried steak was also impressive. The Chef and our Server really did a good job accomodating us. The Restaurant was empty, besides us there was a three top of gentlemen next to us, a woman on her phone a few tables over, but that was it.

Here's the next list of items that could be improved on:

We waited almost 90 seconds at the front door, waiting to be greated around 3:45-4:00pm. In the restaurant world 90 seconds is an eternity, it definitely felt like it.

When we walked in, i noticed a four top walking out from the bar area, and in the taxidermy room, I noticed there was a table that hadn't been bussed yet as we were being shown to our table. As I walked around with my fussy 18 month old, I watched the woman finish her meeting and leave as well as the three top finish their meal and depart.

Their tables, nor the table in the bar area, nor the table in the taxidermy area were bussed.

My Chicken Fried Steak Came out, and it was so soggy and greasy, I sent it back. My wife was embarrased, but I had to do it. "Uncompromised Attention to Detail" is the reason why. The Chef came out with my new chicken fried steak, and it was phenomenal.

My mac and Cheese was cold, I didn't bring it to their attention, because I could feel my wife getting irritated.

We got our bill and had been charged twice for Chicken Fried Steaks. "Attention to detail" again, nowhere in sight.

As we checked out, we couldn't find our Landry's card, server claimed he had given it to us, and I disagreed. Ended up having to walk back to the server computer myself, only to find it left behind.

Is this a scathing review, no. But in my professional opinion, it's a call to action for both managers I saw in store, and an exec chef who's part of the presidential Chef's List sign posted at the front of the restaurant to do a better job the first time, and live up to what the restaurant claims it does, especially when it's slow. Seeing staff standing around looking busy when there are actual tasks to be done is simply put, part of the managers job to keep everyone on task, especially when it's slow!

This place is fantastic when it's on top of their game, the dishes speak Texas, and live up to the King Ranch name. Today's experience for me,...

From the moment I crossed the threshold of King Ranch Texas Kitchen in Houston, TX, it became abundantly clear that I was about to experience dining like never before, courtesy of a waitress named Raven. In the span of a year, Raven has unequivocally established herself as the pinnacle of service excellence, surpassing any and all expectations I've ever had for what a dining experience can offer. To say she is the best waitress I've ever had would be an understatement; it's more accurate to say she has redefined the role entirely.

Raven embodies the essence of industriousness and conscientiousness in a manner reminiscent of some of the most influential figures in American history. Alexander Hamilton's relentless work ethic and dedication to his vision for the nation's financial system, Thomas Jefferson's meticulous crafting of the Declaration of Independence, Abraham Lincoln's steadfast commitment to preserving the Union, and Bill Clinton's strategic acumen in navigating complex political landscapes—all these traits find a modern embodiment in Raven as she navigates the bustling environment of King Ranch Texas Kitchen. Her precision in bringing steaks to the table, the care in presenting salads, and the timely delivery of ice-cold alcoholic beverages are all testament to her unparalleled dedication and attention to detail.

What sets Raven apart, even more, is her agreeableness, a quality that she shares with some of the most beloved figures in literature and history. Maya Angelou once said, "People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." Raven exemplifies this philosophy in every interaction. Her warm smile, genuine interest in patrons' well-being, and ability to make everyone feel uniquely valued create an atmosphere of warmth and welcome that is rare in today's fast-paced world.

It's not just Raven's service that makes King Ranch Texas Kitchen a gem among Houston's culinary scene; it's the entire experience she helps to curate. The restaurant itself is a testament to the rich culinary tradition of Texas, offering dishes that are both authentic and innovative. But it's Raven's exceptional service that transforms a meal here into a memorable event, elevating the food and the ambiance into something extraordinary.

In conclusion, King Ranch Texas Kitchen is more than just a restaurant; it's a culinary adventure that is significantly enhanced by Raven's presence. Her industriousness, conscientiousness, and agreeableness, combined with a setting that celebrates the best of Texas cuisine, make for an unmatched dining experience. It's no exaggeration to say that King Ranch is the best-kept secret in Houston, a treasure that deserves to be shared far and wide. The model of excellence that Raven represents, coupled with the restaurant's outstanding offerings, makes a compelling case for King Ranch Texas Kitchen to expand to other major and midsize cities in the South. Such an expansion would not only share the wonders of Texas cuisine but also the unparalleled standard of service that...

Coworkers and I went here last night. Raven, the bar tender, was incredibly slow making drinks in a very empty restaurant (not even active 20 customers at this point). After waiting 15 min for drinks my initial drink was exactly what I wanted, a perfect Mezcal Mojito. That went down quickly and I quickly asked for another. Another 15 min go by and still no drink. The server returns and tells us it is “last call”. Upon hearing this I ask can he add another drink order to the one I’m still waiting on. He says ok and returns with my 2 drinks only 5 minutes later. The only problem is these drinks were not Mezcal Mojito’s. They tasted nothing like the original I just had and nothing like any I ever had. My initial guess was they made regular mojitos and forgot to mix it correctly. I sent those two drinks back. Enter Raven 5 minutes later with only 1 new drink. The new drink was slightly better than the last 2 but still not made correctly. She informs me that since we are past last call I can’t get the 2 drinks I’ve been wanting 20 minutes to get, my server should not have brought me the 2 drinks at the same time even though that only happened because she was exceptionally slow in making drink number 2, and even though this drink isn’t right either there is nothing she can do 🤔. Naturally the server came around afterwards apologizing. I tipped him almost 20% and left. Raven soured my first visit to King Ranch...