Rudi Lechner's

Rudi's offers an amazing assortment of authenic german/austrian food. However the service isn't all that great. It seems swarmy which cheapens the experience. Coming back on different occasions within a couple months and being in the service industry, it seems the management has a problem with keeping a full staff.

Pros: Every item is to die for.

Cons: Service

Posted 04/08/09

This restaurant is dingy in an old Bavarian village way which I find appealing. The place has been around forever and little has changed, especially as far as the decor is concerned. I like the atmosphere - reminds me of my visits to Germany, especially the bavarian village eateries I visited.
The food is excellent for the most part, especially the famous wine soup is worth trying at least once - then you'd be hooked. They have a great sald bar as well with some tasty german appetizers.

Prices there have jumped quite a bit so I am not sure if it will qualify as $ since a glass of beer is around $6 and the cheapest item on the dinner menu is about $15 but overall this is a great place to visit with a great friendly staff.

My complaint would be mostly about the music - the music could be better, the "band" playing there should've retired long time ago.

Pros: Service, Food

Cons: Music

Posted 10/06/08

I have been eating at Rudi's for many, many years. Rudi is personally on site and pays attention to his menu, kitchen, and his staff. The German dishes are always excellent and the other choices like trout and lighter entrees are always excellent too. The place is always packed, yet the service is always efficient and friendly. I keep saying 'always' because I've yet to have a bad or even less than excellent experience in this place. The live entertianment is a pleasant bonus and Rudi making his speciality flaming drink at your tableside is a treat.

Pros: Food, service, atmosphere

Cons: None, parking can be scarse

Posted 05/04/08

I took my boyfriend (he is Czech) here last night after seeing such good reviews. And it did not disappoint!! The food was great, the service was excellent, and everyone was so nice and pleasant. I'm not an expert on german food, but my boyfriend said it was very tasty. I had the chicken fried steak and it was delicious as well. They have Oktoberfest every Wednesday night with entertainment, buffet, and drink specials (as told to us by Rudi). So, we will definitely be going back!

Posted 05/17/07

Last week I had the pleasure of revisiting Rudi Lechner's restaurant on Gessner near Westheimer. It has been 15 years since I had been there because of a move. Rudi was
there to make sure the food was up to standard. Just a great place to take your clients or family for a quite lunch. The price charged reflects superior value for the quality and
quanty of food. I raise my glass to Rudi for consistent and high quality food as well as surroundings!

Pros: I like the owner taking part in the restaurant experience.

Cons: NONE!

Posted 09/18/06

Ihave been going there for well over 15 years and never once had a bad visit. The atmosphere is delightful and the servcise is the best. Rudi always checks on customers and remembers names and faces. What can I say about the food...there is just no place like it in Houston! I have tried everything on the menu and have the hardest time deciding what eat because it all so freaking good. the weekend entertainment is fun and puts smiles on everyones face. The food is not all German or over priced for the quality. I recommened the Beer Schnitzel it is to die for. O' they the the best french onoin soup i have ever had. You can also make reservations to have the man himself cook steak Diane in front of you which is pricy and a perfect way to impress a date...it is mouth watering.

Pros: fantastic food, best staff, perfect everything

Cons: closed on Sunday, need resv on weekends

Posted 01/11/06

I was so impressed by this place! The service was just impeccable -- the servers were conscientious, and very nice! The food was sooo good. My boyfriend and his friend got the traditional German platter and my friend and I split the ooooooo soooo good chicken fried steak stuffed with swiss cheese and jalapenos....it was divine!!! The food was incredibly authentic (as I had just been to Germany) but offered a great selection of things that also had a Texas flair such as the chicked fried steak. Rudi came to our table and kindly gave us two streudels on the house -- he was certainly a generous and wonderful host. Great service, great value, great food -- I will most definitely eat there again!!!! (oh and if you like cabbage rolls, theirs are wonderful!)

Posted 05/31/05

Having lived in Germany and stemming from a German family I can testify that this is a nice taste of home. The food is good, the decor is very reminicent of a Gasthaus and the servers are wonderful! I have never had a bad experience at Rudi's. The last time I ate there, Herr Lechner came to the table and asked us how things were. I responded in German and was promptly given a complimenary Apfel strudel and an invite to come back when the German club meets. My favorite is the sausage plate.(uninventive I know, but a throwback to my youth) If you have a hankering for gemutlichkeit, do not pass this up! Try a few of the imported German alcoholic beverages, exspecially the Apfel Korn.

Pros: Authentic, Good parking, Excellent servers

Posted 06/15/04

wonderfully delightful!I love it especially when there is entertainment.My husband and I go when we have time away from the kids.

Pros: entertainment, salad bar, cozy

Cons: need more parking, more variety needed, expensive

Posted 06/02/02