Red Lion Pub

Ordered the veggie samosas, had to send them back twice because they were stone cold in the center. Waitress was pleasant. Order the "sushi grade tuna salad" and it had to be send back because it was way over cooked. Good beer and wine selection and good atmosphere.

Pros: Good wine & beer selection

Cons: Food was cold and "sushi grade tuna", overcooked

Posted 08/13/09

Been to RL many times. Great for a rowdy fun night or an intimate date night out.

Pros: tons of great beers on tap and great food!!

Cons: some trendy posers that take up too much space.

Posted 07/20/09

I had a lot of fun hanging out with my friends at the Red Lion Pub! The service is excellent and it was a relaxed and fun atmosphere.

I had a simple salad with chicken breast as I'm not as adventurous as some. I tasted my friends dishes (the Shepherd's Pie and Chicken Tikki Masala) and everything was so flavorful! The desserts were by far my favorite. The bread pudding and the chocolate mousse are delicious and decadent!

Pros: Best Bread Pudding

Posted 07/20/09

Fresh Newcastle is VERY hard to find in Houston. I have never had a bad tap from here. I had a small tear form on the corner of my eye when I saw the Old Speckled Hen on draft too!! The fish and chips are AWESOME.

Pros: BEER!! and fabulous food

Posted 07/19/09

There is a great range of food here--everything from traditional English fare like Shepherd's Pie to the Chicken Tikki Masala, which I think is the best thing on the menu. Except for maybe the desserts. The bread pudding is amazing, and the chocolate mousse cake (I forgot the actual name) is the best I've had.

Pros: Great atmosphere, beer, and food.

Posted 07/19/09

The food was absolutely delicicous. I had the quesadillas and dessert following. Both dishes were GREAT!! I have never had quesadillas taste so tasty. I will definitely be going back for another fabulous meal. Also, the service was good. Bartenders, waitresses and staff was very friendly and accommodating. Nice Ambiance as well.

Pros: Delicious Desserts

Posted 07/18/09

The Red Lion Pub is a great place to relax and unwind. The beer selection is excellent, as is the food. The Shepherd's pie is delicious, and the desserts are amazing. Give it a try! You won't be disappointed.

Pros: Great British fare and a wide selection of imported beers.

Cons: None!

Posted 07/13/09

This Pub has a lot to offer from great entrees to amazing desserts, salads and appetizers!!! They have a good amount of options and convinations. Their staff is friendly and the place is very clean, chic and with cool music. They are a great option for fresh food and awesome times with your friends or even to mingle.

Check it out!

Pros: Great athmosphere

Cons: Parking is not too big.

Posted 07/13/09

Red Lion is great to go to on a Sunday and enjoy a pub lunch and a few pints. Ther service is amazing and they have a huge variety of food on the menu. The fish and chips is the BEST in town!

Pros: great service, excellent pub food

Cons: none!

Posted 07/13/09

I love the authenticity of this place... Owner/operator Craig obviously puts in a lot of hard work at the Lion.

While they're all good, my favorite dish has to be the Pan Seared Chicken Breast... Yummy!

Oh, and it's a nice place to relax and throw some darts, too.

See ya there!

pbj

Pros: Best brussel sprouts ever!

Cons: Parking can be tricky when busy, so get there early

Posted 07/12/09

I love this place! When I come here, I always know I am going to get great service and moderately priced drinks. While they are a bit limited on my wine of choice (Pinot Grigio), they more than make up for it in the variety of beer and food. I especially love the fried brie over mixed greens. The crispy outer shell gives way to a slightly mild warmed brie. Paired with the tart vinagrette and bitter greens, it's a perfect blend of flavors. The steamed mussls and tandoori chicken quesadillas are also delicious.

I highly recommend this place for a relaxing night of food and drinks with close friends.

Pros: Great global pub food and drink

Cons: The food can be a little pricey

Posted 07/12/09

We love this place. Great food - try the curries on Wednesday evenings, a choice from 7 curries and a pint for $16.
Every week night finds some special, Steak, Burger, Curry, Meatballs, Fish & Chips, and all top notch food.
The beers's a tiny bit pricey - although you can always drink "lite" beer for next to nothing. Loads of choice, real British Ale and a British Boozer atmosphere to match.
The star of the show is George, the surfer barman, if you're lucky enough to get in while he's working, he's incredibly knowledgeable about what's going on in Houston and elsewhere, and will always point you inthe right direction about what's on the menu, and more importantly, what's off the menu - there's always loads of stuff not listed.
Just try it.

Pros: Great Food, great beer, and the surfer barman - fantastic

Cons: A tiny bit pricey but hey, it's worth it.

Posted 05/16/09

This place provides a great atmosphere to go out with friends and have a good time without sacrificing the taste buds ; ) Good food and great customer service!!

Pros: Fun place, great food and lots of good times there!!

Posted 05/02/09

This is a great curry house! Reminds me of some of the ones i've been to in London. So happy to have found this gem in the middle of Houston. A job well done by the owner and staff. Make sure to drop by during happy hour where the crowd is diverse and the specials are delicious!!

Pros: Food, ambiance, wait staff

Cons: Nothing

Posted 04/17/09

The Red Lion is very unique pub especially for Houston. It is cozy and quaint inside and has a great selection of Indian and English food. The house wine is excellent and so is the service! The wait staff was very friendly and their service was prompt. We also had the pleasure of meeting the owner last night and he is a very friendly, and nice guy. I will definitely be coming back!

Pros: Great food, wine, service and patio.

Cons: Parking. The lot is a bit small.

Posted 04/15/09

I stopped in with a few friends after hearing one of them rave about the place constantly.
The owner introduced himself to us, and chatted with us quite a bit. What a great guy!
The drinks were great, and the Shepherd's Pie came out very quickly, and it was delicious!
My friends and I had a great time and are planning on visiting again soon.

Pros: great authentic English food

Cons: none

Posted 04/15/09

I went to the red lion pub on April 9 2009 and had a great time! Not only is the food and service amazing,but they have a wide selection of import beers to choose from.... The lighting and music was perfect.... The owner came to our table and introduced himself .... He was very entertaining! I will definately be back soon!!!!

Pros: Example: best croissants in town

Cons: What are the drawbacks?

Posted 04/13/09

Going to the Red Lion has become a favorite past time for my mate and I. Especially since its daily dinner specials serve up some variety and don't hurt our pocket book. I don't usually write these types of revue's, but after taking note of my persistent satisfaction with our neighborhood joint, I thought it greatly appropriate.

Curry and Steak night are our favorites! Its hard to find good curry in the city..and the portions are sooo huge!! Enough to take home for lunch the next day, if you can stop your self from shoveling through till the bowl is empty! There is such a variety of curries to choose from as well, though I am personally always leaning toward the Chicken Tikka..my old faithful. And the 18 dollar thursday night filets are so addicting, its hard to think of anywhere else we'd rather be on a thursday night. The mushroom steak sauce really makes it!

However if you plan to attend either one of these popular nights, get there at a decent time. The Lion is not a small place, but it fills up quick, and you could be waiting for quite a while for a spot, though the bar is easily accesible in this situation.

I cant conclude without mentioning the service. The cute, but classy looking ladies dressed in black are always taking the best care of us, and friendly too. Our personal favorite is....Jessica I beleive is her name..the blonde one. Every time she takes care of us whether its at the bar, or at our table we get the BEST service..that little lady is so speedy with the drinks, and so polite! Really you cant go wrong with who you get though.

Anyway, just wanted to commend our favorite place at always doing such a good job!! Thanks Red Lion!

Pros: great place for quality english AND indian food

Cons: get there early!!

Posted 04/07/09

I love the red lion...one of my favorite places to relax and people watch...very creative menu and really friendly staff! I always feel welcome and at home...

Posted 04/02/09

My friends and I enjoy this place a couple times a month, usually for the deals to be had on curry (Wed) or steak (Thu) nights. The steak is generally terrific -- quality filet cut in lieu of the cheaper ribeyes found at many steak nights around town -- and the curry is awesome. Lamb keema is my fave. However, watch the extras. Even with a steal of a deal of $18.99 for a full steak dinner, add a pint or two and an appetizer and you may be looking at $50 or more for one person. At a pub. It's London prices! I could go to Mark's and have a fancy meal with a glass of wine and come out about even.

While there are a couple of really nice young ladies working there, we've been treated rudely by a couple of the hostesses and waitresses, who just seem harried all the time. They often will dash off before ensuring everyone at the table has everything they need. The parking is tough if you don't get there rather early.

One more minor thing, but the scented candles are too much. My friends and I usually move the ones off the tables, as they immediately set off allergies. One friend could not stop sneezing, eyes watering, face turning red. It's the same in the ladies room - the scent is just gag-inducing. Too strong. Candles on the table are nice, but would prefer if they were the unscented variety, so the strong odor of cranberry or whatever the heck they are would not compete with the fine aroma of steak, curry and Guinness!

In the future, I may go there for the delicious curry or steak but abstain from any extras. There's a recession on!

Pros: divine curry, great steak night, fun atmosphere,

Cons: tooo many scented candles, $$$$, harried waitstaff

Posted 04/02/09

Burgers were good and cheap. Their happy hour beer prices are average, but they had a pretty good deal on their house wines.

Pros: deal each day of the week

Posted 03/23/09

//Consumables\\
As a working class lad from Northern England, one?s palate has become pretty refined when it comes to assessing the finer points of a plate (or newspaper) of fish and chips.
The Red Lion consistently serves up a fantastic version of this classic British staple. The fish (cod) is always fresh, firm, and flaky and the batter has the near-perfect marriage of thickness and texture that has made the fish supper our greatest export since Kevin Keegan signed for Hamburger SV in 1977. Once you eventually realise there are other things on the menu, the Cornish pasty and Sunday roasts (with Yorkshire Pud : )) also fly the Union Jack very well. Wash them down with a well-pulled pint of Boddingtons, and an afternoon snooze could well be the next order of the day.
//Venue\\
The place itself has a very authentic feel, and a solid showing of well-heeled expat ?locals? further adds to the kind of low-key ambience you?d expect in a similar boozer 6000 miles to the North-East.
//Service\\
The service is steady, laid-back, and to standard befitting of the establishment?it is a pub after all. If, however, you should find yourself drinkless, foodless, and tensing up because of it, nip into the spotless bathrooms and check out the cartoons.
//Value\\
Food is good value given the quality and quantity but you can eat a lot more cheaply elsewhere should you choose. Drinks are overpriced.

Pros: Food/drink quality, spotless bathrooms

Cons: Authentic English prices

Posted 01/13/09

Go for Curry night on Wed! We did not know there was such thing as English Curry until our friends brought us to Red Lion. Many beers on draft. Great atmosphere.

Pros: Beer, specials, not empty, but can always find a seat

Cons: they smoke outside

Posted 11/29/08

Right well where do i start. upon entering this bar you are almost overwhelmed by its
comfortable and cosy atmosphere with it's patriotic British theme and an over grown
forest that im sure used to be a patio out front, you are greeted in by which i have to say
are the slowest bar staff to step foot in a bar and sometimes the Red Lions stuck up and
usually drunk owner who could bore confessions from terrorist's with his tales of when
he was a model and how successful he is.
So its time to eat and drink from the well over priced menu that you'd be mistaking
to think you are at some upper class fancy restaurant so pinch yourself and come
back down to earth, You are still sitting at the Red Lion.
Your food will arrive and after waiting about 30-40 minutes and you've bitten your
left hand off in hunger you are presented with a cold average looking meal which
gets you thinking "damn i knew i should have just went to Burger King".
So if its bad service and terrible ownership of a bar that your looking for then the
Red Lion is for you, thanks for the shocking experience and insight to a British
bar in houston in which the only good memory from this place was the bathrooms
which were decked out with sexually explicit cartoon sketches which some people
could find offensive and as its a restaurant caters for young children who are faced
with half nakit sketches of women as they use the urinal, well im sure the owner
sees the funny side to it all.

Would never go back to this dump and would advise strongly that people avoid
the temptation and just go to Catalan where for the same price you could get a
lovely meal.

Pros: None

Posted 11/27/08

I posted a critical review a couple of months ago - the food had gone way downhill.

I was reluctantly persuaded to return last week and I'm so glad I did.

A few welcome tweaks to the menu and the standard of food back to what it used to be - excellent. My husband and I have been back twice since and I'm so happy that I can enjoy my favorite pub again.

Pros: Great Menu, friendly staff, food back up previous standard

Cons: None

Posted 10/24/08

a pub experience...it almost feels like it's a franchise operation. take bennigans and make the food and drinks actually very good and authentic. the crowd is older - late 20's and up. families dine here too. they had pims at the bar -and the bar tender knew what it was, so there. as for happy hour, mostly 30-ish and up. upscale attire, but showing up in anything that reeks style (torn jeans? well, use your discretion). anyway, i've never felt 'uncomfortable' in a polo-type shirt and jeans. but do wear a belt. for similar comparison: see 'the black lab' (which i'd rate just a tad bit better). the bar people are friendly, and some of the waitresses have a london east-enders' accent which may make a guy feel sort' o randy at times, eh?

Pros: great food, drinks, service, 'english pub' atmosphere

Cons: vanilla clientele, tricky parking, 'franchice pub' ambience

Posted 10/01/08

I have been frequenting the Red Lion for about 3 years now. The food is so incredibly tasty (thanks to Chef Kevin and crew) and the service is awesome. Great experienced bartenders. I feel at home the moment I step inside. The curry is out of this world (a choice out of 6 different curries and a pint of beer $14 on Wednesdays!!!) its hard to compare to any curry house in town. I definitely would not want to miss out on this pub. A stellar experience all the time.

Pros: Food, Bartenders, Service

Cons: ummm...

Posted 09/09/08

The Red Lion has everything that I would ever want in an English Pub and more. The reason I say and more is because I spent the first thirty years of my life in England and the last thirty in America looking for something comparable. Frankly, I found England's equal and then some. Plus, having Craig as mine host is the icing on the cake.

Red Lion--Great food. Authentic pub atmosphere. If you are not at the Red Lion then you are compromising.

Posted 09/09/08

This is a great pub and is First Class whether you measure it by the food, the beer quality or the friendly service. The owner and the staff do a tremendous job and are very friendly and responsive. The curry is excellent and the whole menu is imaginative and frequently refreshed. I thoroughly recommend you try it (just leave me a stall at the bar)

Posted 09/01/08

My girlfriend and I found this place a couple of years ago and we've been hooked ever since.
From the moment we walk through the door the experiece is fantastic. The staff are friendly, and go out of their way to get to know the customers. The beer is great. The menu is varied and the food superb. Try the Curry, or the Fish & Chips, or maybe the Thai Fish Soup.... keep going, you'll get through the menu eventually.
I particularly like the fact that if I sit at the bar I end up in a conversation with strangers, just as a pub should be.
The owner has done a great jon here, the atmosphere is just like my old local in England and my American girlfriend feels completely comfortable in here by herself.
Can I give 6 stars?

Pros: Staff, food, beer, atmosphere

Cons: erm....

Posted 09/01/08

The Red Lion Pub is a great place to go whether you want a great beer, glass of wine or a fantastic meal. The waitstaff are always friendly and attentive. The bartenders are fun and the atmosphere is alive and comfortable.

Being a female in houston, I find it difficult to go to bars/pubs/restaurants on my own. Here, I love the company, food and wine. If you love British fair, steak, burgers or Indian curries, this is a great place. I have enjoyed most of their menu (only because I haven't tried everything YET) and all of my visits!

Posted 09/01/08

If you thought you'd had Fish & Chips in Houston, think again. These are the best I have found. Also try the curries, Kevin has done a great job in creating an "English" curry. Staff are part of the family and go out of their way to make you at home. My local back home in the UK needs to come and take a look :-)

Pros: Food, Staff, Location

Cons: None

Posted 08/31/08

I feel for the owner of this place.
He's done a remarkable job where others have failed. For as long as I can remember, nothing of merit has ever succeeded at this location. I recall when it first opened, that I and my friends commented on how cheap the pricing was and how good the quality of food was.....now it's 5 years later and all some want to do is talk about the prices being to high and the place is too "crowded". Too funny. I wonder if anyone of these people have ever opened a newspaper and noticed what's going on in the world? Apparantly not.
I, for one, do appreciate the need for increases and applaude his decision. Red Lion will still be around many years from now, simply because it has class and they know how to treat a customer with respect while making them feel like "friends". The food speaks for itself and the attention to detail never ceases to amaze me....now then, if I could only get MY name on one of those plaques!!...I would be a very happy man!
Bravo!!

Pros: Menu, cleanliness, classy.

Cons: Parking lot needs attention.

Posted 08/28/08

The red lion could use a few pointers from texans. If you're going to open and english pub in texas open one. if you're going to open a pretentious engish pub then make it worth the $. This place could be either a great bar or a great restaurant but the kitchen isn't open late and the bar is slow by 11. make a decision and it will prosper.

Posted 08/22/08

I used to go to Red Lion every weekend. The food was great, the service was awesome and it was always fun. I'd bring parties there, recommend it to everyone....NOW I've seen a huge change. it seems like a totally different bar. The service stinks now (the waitresses are RUDE...the past 5 times I've been there! The last time I walked in the bartender just stopped and stared at me and made my friends and I feel very uncomfortable like we weren't welcome. We were dressed in really nice clothing and were usual customers! It was a week night and there weren't many people in there. Probably just her friends), the food takes forever to come out AND they stop serving food at like 10 or 11 (I'd rather go across the street to Kenneallys for pizza, which serves until 1 I think). The reason I'm giving it 4 stars is because the OLD Red Lion was amazing. Best bar in Houston. I've found that on a Thursday night it's similiar to the old days. I won't walk in there or recommend to at all during the weekend.

Pros: Great ambiance, food and beer selection

Cons: Service and crowded.

Posted 08/21/08

Red Lion is a comfortable pub type place, but it is way overpriced for what you get, even for the River Oaks area. I had a friend who had been a regular but quit going because their prices went up so much. Inflation is not over 10%, but the price increase was. I found that out the hard way. The night I went my friends and I were charged more for our drinks than the prices were on the menu. The waitress did not make an adjustment to our bill despite our request. So, if you go, expect your bill to be higher than what it should be.

Posted 08/18/08

I have visited the Red Lion pub 5 times, but only because I enjoyed the atmosphere. I found everything to be far too overpriced for what it was. $7.00 for a beer seemed to be the average rate. Wine was around $8.00 per glass. Also, selection was fairly limited compared to other places I have been.
I would only recommend Red Lion as a nice place to meet someone before a date; the ambiance is certainly cozy and romantic. Just don't let her see the prices!

Pros: Great atmosphere, romantic, comfortable

Cons: difficulty parking, expensive

Posted 07/29/08

This is a place that I would recommend to my girlfriends and manfriends...a great place to hang out with friends to catch up. The food is very tasty as well, my favorites are the chicken tika masala and the fish and chips. Perfect for a date night or to watch a game. Bonus - Staff is friendly and attentive too...

Pros: Service, Friendly Staff, Great food

Posted 07/22/08

The old British-style atmosphere is great and the bar selection and patio are as well. The food however, is a bit too expensive for a pub. Sure it's better than what you find in many bars, but the traditional British dishes are all $12 and up. I'd go back, but not for the food.

Posted 07/04/08

Have you ever tasted Chicken Tikka Masala!!! well what are you waiting for. this great dish paired with one of their variety of beers can let you enjoy after a hard day at work. with a diverse crowed always open to a great conversation. the service is phenomenal. go enjoy you time and the great people. do not expect to be surrounded by people be prepared to meet someone that might have something in common with you.

Posted 06/28/08

I love the red lion it's a great place to go to unwind after work or anytime of the day. The beer selection is amazing, as is the food. The fish and chips are def worth blowing your diet for the staff is friendly I've always had a great time here.

Pros: service, food

Cons: sometimes parking

Posted 06/19/08

This is a good place to turn up just about any time but particularly when the 'Stros are playing. Good service, *great* food and a nice selection of weekly specials (the $5 burgers are not to be missed). You can't go wrong here.

Posted 06/15/08

We have always loved the Red Lion.... great beer selelction, good food, freindly bartenders, authentic british feel....Until we went last friday (5/31/08) They have really jacked up the prices!! $16 fish and chips? $7 beers? Just can't do it. We will really miss going to one of our favorite pubs.

Pros: Great Place, international soccer shown

Cons: Just can't spend that kind of money in a pub

Posted 06/05/08

We usually go on Monday for $5 burgers. The best $5 burger ever. Everything is fresh made along with a huge pile of thick hand cut "chips". Or you can have the mini cheese burgers for the same price. Great to share. I can't ever finish all of them. They give you four with a mountain of fries. Drinks are a bit pricey but who can complain with the awesome food they have. The waitresses are always nice and food comes out freshly made to order and promptly.

Pros: Yummy Burgers

Cons: Not usually enough seating

Posted 02/09/08

My girlfriends and I wanted to try out a new place and experienced a pleasant surprise at the Red Lion. The staff was attentive to detail, and very personable. The food was delicious, I recommend the Chicken Tika Indian dish, incredibly authentic. Drink orders were accurate and the bartender was very accomodating to making different martinis. Now to the serious scrutiny. There were plenty of attractive men hanging out at the bar and providing interesting conversation that you could actually hear. We will definitely return to this pub...Great for a girls night out! or a date!

Pros: Friendly Staff, Delicious Food, great place to meet people

Posted 01/01/08

Coming from Ole' Blighty, I need to have my dose of nationalism at least once a week. Usually my medicine is taken in a potato clinic not far down the lane from this establishment. As my withdrawal symptoms got worse I took the old girl to the Red Lion for a spot of hearty nourishment and a few jars. My experience was thus:

1. The table service was very typical of an English Pub.
2. The food fell slightly short of a greasy spoon cafe at Brighton Beach during Winter.
3. The cost was equivalent to the cost in England.
4. The waitress had obviously trained for her profession in England.

To conclude:

1. I should not have to wave the waitress at my table, in order to gain her attention. I am not the Duke of Wales, but I do expect to be acknowledged, even though I am a humble patron.
2. The food was extremely poor, the food is described as English but tastes nothing like English. In fact it falls way short of English cuisine.
3. The owners need to understand that even if the GBP is strong against the $, that it does not mean we charge the GBP equivalent because it is a English pub.
4. A smile does not cost anything, we are in America and here you get tips for what you do...i.e. the more you smile the more they give you. Just because I am English does not mean I do not understand the tipping system here. I live here and fully understand it and participate actively in it!

Red Lion? You mean Dead Lion.

No thanks. TTFN

Pros: Nice leather seats

Cons: food, service, cost

Posted 12/22/07

Well what can I say that has not been said already? This is a gem of a place!! Great food (better than most Chef-driven restuarants!), nice staff, beautiful interior and got to be the cleanest ladies bathroom I have ever experienced :-)
The owner was flitting from table to table and was quite attentive. He made myself and my daughters feel comfortable and welcome. Rachel was our server and was bubbly and very friendly.
This is my sort of pub and quite frankly cannot say but wonderful things....
Thank you!!

Pros: Too many to list

Posted 09/20/07

I have patronized the Red Lion many times over the last six months and have not been disappointed. There is a large flatscreen for watching soccer and a small tv above the bar. The food is quite good, the beer selection on tap and in the bottle is extensive enough for all the beer drinkers I know and the atmosphere is very fun. There are 20 somethings through 50 somethings, many a UK accent every time I visit. There is a diverse music selection loaded onto the RL iPod. It's a hip neighborhood pub. That's really too bad about the cancellation in earlier Reviews; a poor management decision. However, that does not negate the pub on whole. But if you're not sure, don't come and leave a barstool for me and my friends.

Pros: beer, food, atmosphere, very nice ladies room, dart board, plenty of tables inside and out

Cons: please repave the parking lot

Posted 09/04/07

I met my friends for girl's night on Friday and had a ball! Craig the bartender was entertaining and the mini burgers and french fries were a big success. We also enjoyed the cheese plate with our wine and beers...good selection and very generous!!

This place has a great vibe and we will definitely return.

Pros: Ambiance/drinks/cheese plate

Posted 08/11/07

We called 30 days in advance to see if we (group of bulldog owners) could sit on the patio with our dogs. They said sure just call a 1 week in advance with the final number of people and dogs. We called 1 week in advance with the final numbers. We were set for 9 pm on August 10th. The owner called at 7 pm on August the 10th to cancel. The time didn't work. Why did they wait until 2 hours prior to the event to cancel when we had this scheduled for 30 days? We had 6 couples that had set time aside (some taking off work) for this event and this is how they treated us. None of us will ever return there are too many places to choose from that operate in a more professional manner.

Pros: Good Location

Cons: Poor management

Posted 08/10/07