So Restaurant Week Houston is coming up again – you've probably heard friends raving about it or seen the ads. But if you're like me back in 2019, you might be wondering: is this just another food gimmick? Let me tell you about my first RW HOU experience. I dragged my coworker to this fancy downtown spot, thinking we'd get tiny gourmet bites. Boy was I wrong. We left stuffed after three massive courses, paying barely half the usual price. That's when I got it.
What Exactly is Houston Restaurant Week?
Restaurant Week Houston (or RW HOU if you're local) isn't actually just a week. It's a month-long celebration every August where hundreds of restaurants offer fixed-price menus. Think of it as Houston's culinary Olympics. Started in 2003, it's grown from 30 spots to over 250 today. The best part? $1 to $7 from every meal goes to the Houston Food Bank. You feast, they feed people. Win-win.
Key Fact: In 2023, RW HOU raised over $2 million for hunger relief. That's 6 million meals!
How the Restaurant Week Houston Pricing Breaks Down
Here's what you're really paying for during Houston Restaurant Week:
| Meal Type | Lunch Price | Dinner Price | What's Included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Restaurants | $25-$35 | $39-$59 | 3 courses (app + main + dessert) |
| Upscale Spots | Not offered | $60-$80 | Often 4 courses with premium ingredients |
| Steakhouses | Rare | $65-$85 | Usually includes steak upgrade options |
I learned the hard way that "fixed price" doesn't mean cheap drinks. My $55 dinner became $90 after two cocktails and tip. Budget accordingly!
Restaurants You Can't Miss This Year
After six RW HOU seasons, here are my top picks – and one I'd skip:
| Restaurant | Neighborhood | Must-Order Dish | Dinner Price | Why It's Special |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xochi | Downtown | Mole Negro | $59 | Oaxacan flavors you won't find elsewhere |
| Nancy's Hustle | EaDo | Nancy Cakes | $65 | Inventive small plates worth the hype |
| B&B Butchers | Heights | Dry-aged Ribeye | $75 | Normally $68 alone! |
| Gatlin's BBQ | Oak Forest | Brisket Plate | $39 | Casual gem with insane value |
Avoid places that limit RW menus to boring items. Last year at "Le Fancy" (name changed!), they gave us frozen seafood while regulars got fresh specials. Not cool.
Navigating Restaurant Week Like a Pro
Booking the hot spots requires strategy. When Restaurant Week Houston 2024 launches:
- Reservations open July 1st – mark your calendar! Nancy's Hustle sells out in hours
- Use OpenTable or Resy filters set to "Restaurant Week Houston"
- Pre-check menus at houstonrestaurantweeks.com before committing
Heads Up: Many restaurants block prime times (7-8 PM) for regular customers. Early birds get 5:30 PM slots!
What to Expect During Your Meal
Don't make my mistakes. From crowds to hidden costs:
- Timing: Kitchens get slammed. Budget 2 hours minimum
- Upsells: "Would you like truffle fries for $8 more?" happens constantly
- Portions: Some spots shrink dishes – check Yelp reviews first
My worst RW Houston moment? Waiting 50 minutes between appetizer and entrée at an understaffed bistro. Bring patience!
Restaurant Week Houston FAQs Answered
Where does the money go exactly?
Restaurants donate $1-$7 per meal to Houston Food Bank. Surprisingly, many donate extra – last year Brennan's gave $15 per dinner!
Are drinks included?
Nope. Cocktails run $12-$18, wine $10-$15/glass. Budget an extra $25 per person if drinking.
Can I use RW HOU deals on weekends?
Most places yes, but steakhouses often exclude Saturdays. Always verify online!
Are reservations mandatory?
For popular spots? Absolutely. Walk-ins wait 90+ minutes during Houston Restaurant Week.
Is RW Houston kid-friendly?
Depends. Casual spots yes (Gatlin's BBQ always has coloring menus!). White-tablecloth joints? Maybe not.
The Real Winners and Losers
Restaurant Week Houston exposes who gets it right:
- Best bang for buck: Steakhouses (costs less than normal steak)
- Most creative menus: Xochi, Blood Bros BBQ
- Best for groups: Tiny Boxwoods (giant patio)
Now the bad:
- Worst portion offenders: Chain restaurants (looking at you, III Forks!)
- Slowest service: Downtown spots during happy hour
- Menu bait-and-switch: Places listing lobster then "out of stock"
My hot take? Fancy hotels often disappoint. The Four Seasons' RW menu felt like an afterthought last year.
Maximizing Your Restaurant Week Experience
After 12 RW HOU meals last year, here's my battle plan:
- Download the official RW HOU app (real-time menu updates)
- Book weeknights – better service, easier parking
- Go lunch vs dinner – same food, 30% cheaper
- Check social media day-of – restaurants announce last-minute openings
Parking tip: Downtown garages charge event pricing ($15+). Ride the MetroRail for $1.25 instead.
What Locals Know That Tourists Don't
The magic happens at neighborhood gems. Forget River Oaks – try these underdogs:
- Indianola in EaDo: $45 for Gulf fish you'd pay $38 alone for
- Riel in Montrose: Ukrainian-inspired dishes nowhere else
- Ema's Tacos in Spring Branch: Not fancy but $25 feasts
Honestly? My favorite Restaurant Week Houston memory happened at a tiny Vietnamese place in Alief. No white tablecloths, just incredible pho.
Why Restaurant Week Houston Matters
Beyond the meals, RW HOU keeps our food scene alive. New spots get discovered – look at Koffeteria's line since 2022's event. More importantly, your $59 dinner provides 177 meals through Houston Food Bank. Crazy math, right?
Last August, I watched a chef at State of Grace personally explain to diners how their payments fed families. That connection? Priceless.
The Bottom Line
Restaurant Week Houston isn't perfect. Some spots phone it in. Portions vary. But when it clicks? You get $100 experiences for $60 while feeding Houston. That's why I block my calendar every August.
Final thought: Skip the hype beasts. Find the passionate chefs. That's where the real RW HOU magic lives.
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