Hillstone

very friendly bar staff. Food was decent. Prices are a little high for burgers. Well prepared. Ditzy matre dee. Good place to hang with friends. Kinda put off the last meal; hamburger was full of ground up bone meal. Pros: bar staff, average wine list Cons: no reservations, maitre dee more

The girls of Houston's are so beautiful. Our waitress was not only hot, she was witty, and she was surrounded by other good-looking staff members. The food tastes great. The sashimi salad is light and tasty. The restaurant is famous for it's ribs, and now I know why. The service is attentive, professional, and sexy. Don't bring a date, the staff is eye candy enough! Order a martini, they are huge, strong, and served by a gorgeous bartender. You won't leave unhappy. Pros: good-looking staff, great ribs, big drinks more

There are lots of places to find a great meal in San Francisco, but Houston's is one of my top choices. I continue to have memorable dining experiences at this upscale, casual restaurant nestled on the Embarcadero across from Pier 33. The servers are friendly, the food is always fresh, the energy is electric, and the ambience is highlighted by a jazz band and an awesome fireplace (there's another outdoor fireplace that greets you at the front door!). The ahi tuna salad is a MUST! Pros: Service, Patio Seating, Ambience more

While a nice place to meet and play with the yuppie crowd, some of the prices are out of line. The beer selection is rather small and overpriced (the wine selection is rather blah), and the ribs are insane ($26!!!??!). If you want the same atmosphere, a little better quality of food and pay less, try the Buckeye on the other side of the Golden Gate bridge. Otherwise this place isnt too bad. Pros: BBQ, Chili, Burger Cons: , Parking is a pain, Crowded more

Lunch-June 12th-The salmon starter was great. The hamburger was tasty. The frites were frightful. The 1st batch were limp. Tried again-the 2nd batch were overcooked aka burned. I think the cook got mad- reference batch no. 1. The waitress was pleasant and amenable, but she dropped the 2 batches of uneaten frites. We didn't mean to frighten her. The cosmo came in a small martini glass at a large martini price and wasn't very tasty. It was so beautiful on Saturday, but they closed the patio. more

You'd never know Houston's was a national chain by the way they do things. Grilled artichokes are a meal in themselves with great dipping sauce. Knife and fork ribs = out of this world ... and MUST be ordered by any serious meat eater. The excellent prime rib is also tender, well-cooked, nicely seasoned. (Ahi tuna needs work, sadly -- drenched in sauce.) The service is friendly, professional, and honest -- last time I went, they said 10 minutes, and they weren't lying. Great steakhouse! Pros: Great service, outstanding ribs, spacious Cons: , pricey more

I'm not a big fan of pork chops. They're always dry, chewy...tasteless. Then, in an attempt to order something other than my usual ribs (which are great here too), I ordered the chops. They were FABULOUS. I wanted to take my time and savor each and every tender morsel. It has the texture of butter. I almost cried. I was sad when I was done. I'm going for my birthday this week. Can't wait! Pros: pork chops Cons: parking more

I've been going to Houston's for about five years now. I've never been disappointed. The decor is nicely done; I especially like the ceiling lights that look like artichokes, intentionally or not. The service is attentive and friendly. Yes, the hostesses are a little ditzy, but 's OK. Good beer on tap. The chicken tenders are not on the menu anymore, but ask for them anyway. They still serve them and they're always good. I never knew it was a chain restaurant until I read these reviews. No signs of a chain here. Pros: comfortable booths, good quality food, friendly staff more

The french dip. Its all about the french dip. The service is fantastic, the prices reasonable, the patio absolutely key (and rarely crowded). Even for non meat eaters in what is essentially a steak house, they have a large assortment of other items. The oysters are quite good and other fish entrees are pleasing. But its all about the french dip. more

Stopped in for a work lunch with 12 people and was promptly seated in two large, red leather covered booths. Started off with the spinach dip/chips which is always good. I followed up with my favorite, the great barbecued ribs and shoestring potatoes which are delicious. Most entrees are $10-$25. Staff is very professional and quick, handled our large group easily. Decor is traditional with an open kitchen for entertainment. A good spot for a business lunch but primarily for carnivores. Pros: Great Service, Emphasis on meats more

Whatever happened to good, classic food getting the respect it truly deserves? Lumping Houston's into the "chain" category is an insult. While there may be multiple locations, Houston's cannot be compared to an Applebee's or an Outback Steakhouse. I challenge you to experience a better plate of succulent Knife and Fork Ribs or a more tender French Dip Sandwich. For something lighter, try the fresh and tropical Ahi Tuna Salad, paired with a glass of crisp sauvignon blanc. The veggie burger, considered one of the best in San Francisco, is hearty and made fresh daily. To start, try the Chicago-Style Spinach Dip or the Grilled Artichokes. On the side, ask for the Braised Cabbage with goat cheese. Houston's serves consistently fantastic dishes with excellent service, you'll never leave disappointed and you'll always come back for more. Pros: delicious food, friendly staff, cool decor more

It's not exactly a SF dining experience, but they prepare their grilled meat and fish well. Few of my friends ordered the vegetable platters and found it unexpectedly tasty and good as well. It was just a tad bit on the oily side. Pros: grilled meat, service Cons: limited menu items more

Superb! I haven't had GREAT food in a while, so I was extremely happy leaving Houston's! Perfect baby back ribs that slide off the bone, hence its name "knife and fork" baby back ribs...crispy thin french fries, flavorful rotisserie chicken, and the perfect warm walnut/apple cobbler! Pricey, but I'd say it's worth it for the portions and satisfaction! Cons: expensive more

The ribs, the chicken poppers & onion blossom! mmmm! I was a vegetarian for 10 years and when I started to eat meat Houstons was my first stop. If I go back to being a vegie I can always have their bbq vegie burger --one of the best I've had (although it has gone down hill in the last year or so, it's still good). Portions are large --impossible to save room for desert. The staff are extremely nice, the ambiance is moody, it's good with family, a date or friends. Anyone want to take me tonight? Pros: great service, the food --yum, the wine Cons: must drive there, a chain, pricey more

Who'd have thought you'd have a fantastic veggie burger in a chain steak joint? Mine was prepared perfectly and it will definitely fill you up. If you're carnivorous check out the ribs. They fall off the bone and are cooked to perfection. If you're really hungry, try the spinach/artichoke dip. The service was attentive and genuine. We'll keep coming back for more. My date loved the Houston's in NY, and was equally satisfied with the one in SF. Pros: Food, Service Cons: No reservations more