Carrabba's Italian Grill

I can't get enough of the Veal Picatta. I do not know how to recommend this more. Next time your there, you must try it. I would recommend getting some extra picatta sauce as sometimes it needs more.

It is really that good.

Pros: Excellent Food, Good Atmosphere

Cons: I really can't think of any!

First, I should mention that most of the Carrabba's locations will be different. This is my absolute favorite, and I've come back dozens and dozens of times for the great quality of food and the wonderful customer service. I've been to bad Carrabba locations (namely the ones in Dallas), but this is the absolute best.

You'll love the olive oil and spices they serve with their bread variety, and their house salad is second to none. Most days, Rosie Carrabba, the owner, is there to greet and seat you, and if you're feeling like going off of the regular menu, there's a different dish every day. I highly recommend the dessert rossa--[I'm actually about to order two full-sized cakes. I was Googling the number to Carrabba's Voss, when I saw a handful of bad reviews and was shocked! I thought I should add my own.]

The pasta is al dente and wonderful--unlike the Dallas location, which serves mushy pasta. As far as authenticity goes, I've visited Italy, and this menu is nearly 100% authentic.

Try the Osso Buco, the Ravioli, the Rosemary Chicken, and the Tagliarini Picchi Pacchiu (pronounced "tahleeyareeni peaky pahku"). I've dined around in Houston a lot, too...Max's Wine & Dive, La Griglia, Sinh Sinh, Tan Tan, Kim Son, America's, Japon, Star Pizza...the list goes on and on. I'm never dissatisfied at Rosie's though.

Service is about 95% wonderful. On the occasion, a waiter may fail to give his best attention to you, but it truly is a rarity. Some people have complained that the prices are too high, and this is probably because they're expecting Macaroni Grill/Olive Garden style dining. You won't be getting that at Rosie's Carrabba. The salads are top-notch, the pasta is made with real in-house recipes and not Bertolli's, the portions are generous without sacrificing in quality. There's a good reason the prices are what they are. We'd all like to save some change, I'm sure, but the prices are, if anything, reasonable.

If you visit, I hope you enjoy, and be sure to say "hello" to Rosie!

Pros: Great service, excellent food, variety

Well, let me start off by saying that I am hugely impressed by the chain owned restaurants that are part of the Outback family. I have always had amazing food at the chain restaurants. I was in disbelief when the driver pulled up to this place in a little strip mall buried in the back streets of what I would consider a less than appealing area for being in such proximity to the Galleria. The sign didn't quite look the same, but I got out of the car anyway, feeling obligated after talking the hotel shuttle driver into driving me clear out there.
I walked in and it was a few steps below in class and atmosphere inside (less inspired floor layout, cafeteria style metal table tops, and those ugly old fire retardant ceiling tiles). I inquired as to the nature of the restaurant and was informed by the Russian hostess that it was not part of the chain, and that they had higher quality standards than the chain. She sat me, and a Mexican waiter came over and gave me a menu. His English was good enough to convey what he was trying to say, but he was not looking very dapper. Another mexican guy brought me some bread, which was ok, but the dipping oil/herbs that normally come out with the bread were not as good as the mouth watering combo I usually get at the chain restaurants. Another Mexican man came and gave me my drink. I was pleased to see Pollo Rosa Maria was still on the menu at the non-chain restaurant, but when still another Mexican guy brought it out to me, the taste was not as good, and it was somewhat on the salty side. They served it with a soupy fettucini alfredo as the side rather than the yummy cavatappi you get at the chain restaurants. When I asked about dessert, my Mexican waiter plopped a tray of what looked like formaldehyde soaked corpses of desserts in front of me. I was afraid when I picked one he was going to scoop it off and make me dissect it with a scalpel and rubber gloves, but he retreated with the dessert morgue and returned with a mascarpone clump that had a few lady fingers in it and some cocoa sprinkled on top. It was ok. 30 minutes later when I walked out I felt like I had just had a $12 meal for $40. The restaurant was hardly classy and hardly romantic. While the wait staff were wonderfully timely and meant well, they were certainly not as crisp and vetted as the wait staff I have seen at the other locations. They looked as though they had one white work shirt and it was going on day 5 to be washed on day 7.
I made such a point of identifying the nationalities because there was not one person in the restaurant who could have even believably been a distant relative of an Italian. Sad that as a nation that used to have such diverse cultural groups, we are turning into Los Estados Unidos de Mexico. Are our teenagers and young people too lazy to work at restaurants??? These people, as nice as they are, are filling even places that should be traditionally of another ethnic group. I would have had much better luck trying to order in Spanish than Italian. Hardly an "Italian Grill", and more like a Mexican Cantina. If I wanted to eat at a Mexican restaurant, which I sometimes do, I would have had a lot more, better choices. I guess when in Rome...err Los Estados Unidos...

Pros: Staff was very timely

Cons: Food was so-so while prices were for premium

It had been 4-5 years since my last visit to this location, but some friends suggested it, and it's a great location, so we went. For the life of me I don't see the attraction other than seeing the local neighbors. We arrived and had some OVER priced drinks in the bar, then were seated in one of the noisest dining rooms in Houston. We skipped the appetizers (shouldn't have, the entrees are very skimpy) and went straight to the salads, which were very nice and served with a tasty dressing. I had the LINGUINE PESCATORE, the pasta was fresh and the best part of the dish. The mussels look awful, very small mussel inside large shells, not sure how that works, the were not plump and were very chewy. The shrimp were over cooked but nice flavor, while the scallops were small and bland, not the sweetness normal associated with diver scallops. Rated: D+. My wife had the PASTA CARRABBA, which was the nicest dish in the bunch, but very small portion. The sauce was creamy but light and the chicken was moist and flavorful. Rated: C+ My son (21) had the CAPPELLETTI was average at best and but portioned for a 6 year old. Rated: C- A friend had the PASTA WEESIE and said it was the worst she ever had at any Carrabba's (she didn't finish it).Rated: D- There are MUCH better Italian restaruants within minutes of this location and much more deserving of your time and money. This location is a very poor value for money with the items being overprice and the portions being more along the lines of "children's plates." The OSI owned Carrabba's are ten time better than this location that once was one of the best. Overall rating: D+

Pros: Location, Location, Location

Cons: Food, Prices, Wines

Carrabba's on Voss is horrible. My fiance and our friends went here and our server had an attitude with us and was not very friendly or professional at all. I'm not sure if it's because we were young or if he just doesn't cut it as a waiter. The prices here run $5-6 more on entrees than the other location in I-10 and the price for calamari was $15 - almost the same price as a meal here! The one on I-10 charges $9 at most for calamari. Needless to say, we were smarter than that so we passed on it this time. We got our food and it was not that great. I had the pasta weesie and there was hardly any pasta, it was basically a shrimp dish. My fiance got chicken parm. and he was not pleased with his meal either. The service was slow...whether it was refilling drinks or getting our check. I will return to carrabba's, but not to the one on voss. It's a little tough to get to, especially if you're coming from the freeway.

Pros: nice atmosphere

Cons: food, value, service, parking & location, expensive

Atmosphere: Nice, open area, gold walls with dark wood. Overall pleasing and not too loud.
Service: Waiter was unattentive, we waited about half of the meal for a refill, was very interested in getting us out of there a quickly as possible.
Food: Salad was a combo of caesar dressing with chopped carrots, celery, kalamata olives - not a great salad. The main dishes were much better but below Olive Garden quality, not impressed for the price. Two people w/out alcohol was $50.

Pros: Nice atmosphere

Cons: Poor service

I went over to Carrabba's after a day at the spa gym in the center and really loved my Johnny Rocco Salad and pizza. I think the pizza is the best anywhere in the city. Friendly service, reasonable prices, and convenient to my house. All in all, quite a wonderful day for me!

I came here after going the Spa Gym (in same center) for my birthday. The pizza was fantastic--best in town as a matter of fact. Now I'm craving it every day! I guess I'll have to start making this a weekly habit after I go in for a massage!

Pros: Love the pizza!

This is my family and I's favorite restaurant!!! We go there at least twice a week. The food is amazing and so is the ambiance. The staff is very friendly and I would def. recommend this to all.

Just to clarify about the Carraba's chain, not all ARE Chains. Granted most of the newer restaurants are now owned by the Outback Steakhouse chain, but the original locations in Houston (on Kirby) and one other location in Houston are still owned by the Carraba's family which is part of the Mandola family (I think - with all the cousins and all it is hard to keep track). Also, John Carraba (same family) also owns the Piatto Ristorante restaurants. Have fun!

Although the location on Kirby makes me feel out of place...lots of older men with two younger women on their arms...and overdressed...the food is always good. Feel like smacking these people in the head and saying...it's a chain for cryin out loud! The bellinis are tasty and very potent! Be prepared to pay 40 bucks for Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio when you can get it on your own for less than 20. Typical markup in a restaurant I guess. Be prepared for a long wait on the weekends but you can occupy your time in the bar having some of those wonderful bellinis!

Pros: Quality, Service, Bellinis

Cons: Crowd, Attitude, Price

Have the chicken Bryant regularly. Always great. Terrific bread. House salad superb.

Pros: excellent main stream, somewhat pricey

Cons: herd'em in and out

My husband and I treat ourselves to Carrabba's Italian Grill every so often and we love it everytime. The atmosphere is great for a date or double date and the food is fantastic. The service is not as good as I would like for a nice meal out, but it's not enough to keep us from coming back. And don't come to Carrabba's on a carb-free diet. Their complimentary bread and olive oil concoction is fantastic. Carrabba's is definitely worth experiencing.

Pros: Food, Atmosphere, Locations

I suppose good and ok service depend on your pace. To me, eating Italian is a religious experience --- so I take my time. This place is the best I've found in Texas, although I'll concede the service isn't always prompt. The one in Webster isn't far behnd in quality either.

This is one of the best italian restaurants that I've been to in Houston. The Service is excellent and the food is priced well according to the dish.

Pros: Excellent Food, Great Service, Smiles Everywhere

Cons: Somewhat Noisy

i went to carrabba's in webster. the waiter served all of the adults but forgot about my grandchild. when we adults were all served my grandson said
"pawpaw, where is my food - i am hungry".
i jumped on the waiter and told him that common sense says, kids get their food first.

i guess the commericals with the carrabba's child only applys to family. i'll go to zito's before i'll ever go back to carrabba's - shame on you carrabba's family....... you have lost a customer for ever.

Pros: good parking

Cons: proper service