Federal American Grill — Restaurant in Katy

My wife and have been to the Federal American Grill in the Heights several times and have always loved it. The food has always been spectacular as has the service. We were very excited to hear this location open up as this is a little closer for us. After two visits, the only positive thing about this location is the atmosphere.

We first visited shortly after this location opened many months ago and while the food was not great, we waived it off as technical difficulties and growing pains. Several months later we visited again and it has only gotten worse.

We showed up tonight and had reservations for 8:15pm. We showed up at 8 and understood they could not seat us right away. Unfortunately, they did not seat us until 8:30pm. This was made worse by the fact they have virtually no waiting area so there was about 20 of us blocking the entrance waiting for our table.

Once seated, we were able to order our food and drinks. Shockingly they have the flatest coke I have ever had! My wife ordered a tenderloin salad first. The tenderloin was beyond chewy and was very hard to chew without hurting a tooth. We sent that back and she got an ahi tuna salad instead which would up being doused in salad dressing and having the tuna over cooked. Fail for both of the dishes she tried.

I ordered a plane burger and it came loaded with everything. Sent that back too and about 5 minutes later got my replacement. They brought the same fries so they were stone cold at this point. The medium burger I ordered was very well done and overall had a bit of a sour taste.

A manager came over to ask about the food problems and we told her about everything that was wrong and adding that I had been out of water for a while as well. She offered more food and we said after what happened all i want is some hot french fries. She quickly returned with some, however they were severely undercooked now. She checked in again and I told her the fries are severely undercooked.

They brought us a brownie desert as an apology, however they also took away all our utensils so we had nothing to eat it with! Eventually we got some utensils and it was the driest brownie we have ever tasted. It literally was something to choke on. This could be a good place if they could learn how to cook food.

To add insult to injury, they charged us for all our food minus the desert we didn't ask for and said we didn't want.

Check out the location in the Heights, but avoid this place like you would...

We recently visited The Federal American Grill for the first time, and unfortunately, it’ll also be our last. I had high hopes given the restaurant's reputation, but the experience fell short in several key ways—especially when you consider the price point. I started with a half dozen oysters. While they were fresh, they were hands-down the smallest oysters I’ve ever been served. I’m being generous when I say the shells were about the size of a tablespoon, and the oysters themselves were maybe marble-sized. At $3.50 each, that was a rough start. My wife ordered the American burger well done, but it came out rare. We sent it back, and to the restaurant’s credit, our waitress was incredibly kind, helpful, and apologetic throughout the whole ordeal. She truly was the highlight of our visit. I ordered the 4 oz filet with truffle mac and cheese and crispy Brussels sprouts. The steak was cooked perfectly medium-rare and was a quality cut—but it came completely unseasoned. No salt, no pepper, no flavor at all. The mac and cheese used cavatappi noodles but reminded me of dry Hamburger Helper—bland, underwhelming, and also lacking seasoning. The Brussels sprouts were cooked well, but again—no seasoning. Not even a hint of salt. The dish also came with two "blackened" shrimp. Except, they weren’t blackened. They tasted and looked like basic boiled cocktail shrimp tossed in what I can only describe as thousand island dressing. I did enjoy my old fashioned, which was solid, and the ambiance of the place is very nice. But overall, it felt like a dinner party thrown by a friend who took a few cooking classes and wants to show off. You nod politely, smile, and pretend it's not just... mediocre. The bill, even with my wife returning her burger, came to over $100. At that price, I expect a lot more than decent lighting and a good cocktail. Honestly, I don’t eat at Chili’s often, but their food has more flavor than what we were served here. The only reason I’m leaving 3 stars is because our waitress genuinely tried her best. Otherwise, this would’ve been a 2-star review. Disappointing experience, and unfortunately, we...

A Flawless Private Party Experience at Federal American Grill – Katy

We recently hosted a private party at Federal American Grill in Katy, and I can't say enough about the incredible experience we had! From start to finish, everything was absolutely exceptional. The staff went above and beyond to make our event seamless, welcoming, and unforgettable.

The private dining space was elegant yet cozy, with just the right atmosphere for our celebration. The ambiance struck a perfect balance between upscale and inviting, and it was clear that every detail had been thoughtfully curated.

Now, the food—wow. Every dish was outstanding. Guests raved about the bang-bang shrimp, fruit plate and buffalo chicken sliders, and the signature cocktails that kept flowing throughout the event. Everything was top-tier and beautifully presented.

What truly stood out, though, was the service. The team was attentive without being intrusive, friendly yet professional, and incredibly organized. They anticipated needs before we had to ask, and their positive energy made the night even more enjoyable for everyone.

If you're considering a venue for your next private event, Federal American Grill in Katy should be at the top of your list.

They were also very accommodating with out schedule to decorate the room in advance. Eliminating that usual rush to get everything just perfect.

Exceptional food, top-notch service, and a beautiful setting—you couldn’t...