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    Treebeards

    4.1 (273 reviews)
    Closed Closed
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Treebeards Photos

    Business Info

    TREEBEARDS ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Treebeards

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    Reviews With Photos - Treebeards

    The best shrimp étouffée I've tasted

    I go to Treebeard's for one thing - the shrimp étouffée. Theirs is what I compare all the others to and it wins every time. I hear there are other great menu items like the red beans and the fish dishes and perhaps I've day I'll try them but for now the étouffée is my happy meal The staff has always been very pleasant and helpful. Houston is lucky to have Treebeard's.

    Receipt
    Heather M.

    This is a cafeteria style experience with homestyle food options that have a wide selection of food types, consistent quality and are fast. The courtyard is a beautiful retreat for being downtown and staff are always pleasant.

    Butter

    Food and location always great. Dropped a star because they serve fake butter with the bread, and the bread has declined in quality it seems. I know business is hard but if you've cut back here, I wonder where else.

    Lauri B.

    I am happy to say this time was better than my last visit one year ago. I wasn't a Yelper at that time, but I did lots of Google reviews. I went back to see what I posted from my last visit - 2 stars. Yikes! I will have to update my review on that platform. Treebeards is a walk-up order type restaurant. They ask for a tip on the payment screen even though you get your own seat, your own utensils, drink, etc. Not a fan of that concept, but it seems to be the way lots of establishments are headed. I decided to try Treebeards chicken fried chicken. I typically get the gumbo, but after my 2-star experience last year, I decided to try something new. They have a daily special with 4 oz chicken fried chicken and 2 sides. I opted for the mashed potatoes and green beans. I wasn't super impressed with my meal. It was enough food, but very much lacking in taste. I expected the seasoning to be fuller and richer. It was pretty bland. I get the allure of the space and the location, so maybe that's why people seem to enjoy it. They have plenty of seating with large booth options and regular tables with chairs. They also have a bar area and an outdoor area. The parking is both right in front of the restaurant and they also have a small garage parking area for overflow. I will be back for ONE more try when the weather is colder, and I need my gumbo fix. The gumbo from the downtown location who used to cater an oil & gas company I worked for was AH-MAZING! Over 40 times in my 3 years with the company and never anything but over the moon happy with the food. I never went to the actual restaurant since we had it brought in for catering our clients. I keep hoping my visit will be like the downtown location, but I have yet to see this happen. One last shot, y'all. I hope it gets better.

    Chicken fried chicken, mashed potatoes  & gravy, cabbage, jalapeno cornbread  bread pudding dessert.

    Very nice and clean cafeteria type seating and dining. Friendly staff. Great food and good prices and portions! Would definitely return and recommend.

    Red Beans & Rice, Jalapeno Cornbread
    Emily K.

    I had such a great first experience at Treebeards that I have already been back for lunch since then. The location I was at is located inside a church downtown with a buffet-style set up for the food and plenty of seating. I ordered the red beans & rice with sausage both times, and both times it was delicious - some of the best red beans & rice I've had. The jalapeño cornbread was also great, but the meal already comes with white bread which might be enough depending on how hungry you are. Also, you can't forget the butter cake! It's like a blondie cake batter hybrid - not sure exactly how to describe it, but if you are a fan of sweet desserts then this is a must try.

    Chicken fried chicken

    Great cafeteria in the heart of downtown Houston. The line moves quickly and the staff are a pleasure. My favorites here are the following, although some may not be available every day of the week: 1. Shrimp etouffee with rice 2. Red beans and rice 3. Chicken fried chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy They've also got some great sides: 1. Steamed broccoli and carrots 2. Squash 3. Bread and butter (next to the water machines behind the cahiers) The chicken fried chicken is available on Tuesdays. The other two are available every day from what I have noticed. Great place for groups most tables will seat 8 and if you are a smaller group, you may end up sharing ends of a table with another small group. It's a sit where you like situation so don't wait to be seated after making your way through the line.

    Menu
    Ron P.

    Treebeards is one of those restaurants that Houston needs more of. It has character,comfort and casual while providing a simple menu with good food. I haven't been to all of the treebeards in the downtown area; however, I would suspect that there is a similarity but a uniqueness to each one. Treebeards, harkening back to days of being a soup kitchen for the homeless, serves red beans and rice with sausage and a number of solid but simple meals for the southern pallet. All are served cafeteria style. Don't worry there is plenty of seating and don't forget the bread pudding with bourbon sauce. It's one of their specialties and people come from all over to have the bread pudding. It isn't downtown oasis of comfort and reasonably priced food.

    Chicken fried chicken, mashed potatoes and beans with cheese and chives.  The mashed potatoes were flavorless.  Off day?
    Robert S.

    It breaks my heart to have to demote a previous review so much. The chicken fried chicken and mashed potatoes with gravy was bland and nothing special. My whole meal seemed like a notch up from Luby's. Don't get me wrong--I LOVE Treebeards, but something's was missing. I didn't see whole lot to choose from. Where was the meatloaf I loved before? Where were the gumbos they had last time? The beans and cheese was a good side dish, but that even that wasn't all that tasty. The employees are wonderful. I just didn't think it was special enough to drive halfway across Houston to eat there.

    red beans and rice

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    15 years ago

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    7 years ago

    Seriously good homestyle cooking. If you need a "hug" mid work day go here. The lunch specials are always good with generous helpings.

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    7 years ago

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    14 years ago

    Favorite downtown lunch spot. Cafeteria style cajun food. Really really good and great atmosphere.

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    12 years ago

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    8 years ago

    I love this place.. I always get the rookie.. service is excellent. Great atmopshere

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    12 years ago

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    8 years ago

    Great food. Line may be long but moves quickly. Cafeteria style homemade food. Chicken fried chicken is amazing.

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    8 years ago

    The beef and bean chili is superb. Just enough spice to be hot without being bitter. Ample portions and great prices.

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    8 years ago

    The food has very little seasoning, but the location is convenient. The cake here is the best thing on the menu!

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    8 years ago

    Good food, fast and clean. Beans a little spicy today but good anyway. The blackened catfish is delicious.

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    Page 4 of 7

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    Cleburne Cafeteria

    Cleburne Cafeteria

    3.7
    (796 reviews)
    4.9 mi
    $$

    This place is great! It is a cafeteria style place. The workers are so helpful and the portions…read moreare large. Come hungry. I had the chicken fried steak, and it was solid. The vegetable sides were good. The bathrooms and kitchen were clean. There was plenty of parking and places to sit inside.

    Historically significant. Excellent food as you can see from the reviews…read more So I'll just post photos. My default ? Lemon cod, tabouli, coconut pie. The fried chicken is not good enough to recommend. As you will see, George M., the manager did respond to my comment. And I thank him for his response. Keep in mind. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE Cleburne. I grew up in a Houston with Picadilly, Weldon's, Brittain's, Luby's, Wyatt's and more. Cafeterias in the 50's and 60's were an important way for families to dine out economically, and go to for the Sunday after church dinner. I visit Cleburne as often as possible, and my wife and I still reminisce about the matriarch at the register who could calculate everyone's bill in her head as they showed up to pay. Such wonderful memories. But as a person who has done fried chicken for decades, creating The Fried Chicken Blog (www.thefriedchickenblog.com) to document the fried chicken picnics in the German Czech community of central Texas, and having fun with many different fried chicken recipes, I read his response about his chicken being one of the best in the country, so I will leave it up to you. Look at the photo of the dry, fried chicken on JUne 15, 2026, and then compare it to the photo I have just added for what I think fried chicken would look like at the best places (One example would be Barbecue Inn on Crosstimbers). There are some tricks to fried chicken. That is, once you decide on which traditional method you choose to go with. Example of one such: The batter of course, where you add a little moisture into the flour before the dipping and frying so that pieces of the wetted flour clump and will be picked up. Getting back to the Cleburne recipe. My guess is that this is one of the classic Southern, dredge in flour and pan fry, but not a buttermilk soak, dip, dredge, redip, dredge, fry method. This one is more akin to the classic skillet fry method and a simpler flour coating (I'm guessing). Which can be really good. But for me, I'd say, pass on the fried chicken and go for one of their other entrees.

    Photos
    Cleburne Cafeteria
    Homegrown tomatoes with feta cheese and extra virgin olive oil, vinaigrette dressing.
    Homegrown tomatoes with feta cheese and extra virgin olive oil, vinaigrette dressing.
    Delicious, feta and tomato salad with purple onions and bell peppers!

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    Delicious, feta and tomato salad with purple onions and bell peppers!
    Dinner Bell Cafe and Bake Shop

    Dinner Bell Cafe and Bake Shop

    3.9
    (56 reviews)
    3.7 mi
    $

    No, you guys...no! You guys be lying to yourself if you say this food is good. Come on now child…read more I bought 3 plates (#1- meatloaf, mash potatoes, arancini #2-roast beef, mash potatoes, Mac and cheese #3- beef enchiladas, Mexican rice, and beans) and 2 pies (lemon meringue and raspberry cheesecake). Total was $51.47. All I can say is..where is the salt?! Seasonings?! Love?! I regretted going in the moment I walked in, but I ordered anyways. The meatloaf was probably the best out of the 3 plates, and even that wasn't good. The roast beef was not good. Let me tell you, you can get a cheap cut of meat and still make it taste good. But this cut was cheap and not prepared correctly. It was a sad sad lunch. I got side eyes the whole time at lunch because I chose the lunch spot. The pies were good. Out of the lemon meringue and cheesecake, I preferred the lemon meringue. I would be surprised if they made the pies in house, because if they do, great for them. They should just be a bakery. Regardless, I will never..NEVER return. I'm sorry to whoever's mamas or grandmamas in the kitchen, but they need to retire. I said what I said.

    I walked in a was greeted by a friendly lady who welcomed me. This place is a cafeteria style…read morerestaurant, like Piccadilly, Wyatt's and Lubys. As I was ordering and asking questions, I found it to be a little hard . It was a language barrier. The steam table consisted of spaghetti, meatloaf, baked chicken, dressing, chicken fried chicken and steak, green beans and corn. They had deviled eggs that looked good. I like my deviled eggs sweet so I asked her were they sweet and she keep repeating no no deviled eggs So I passed on them. I also got a wheat roll which was so old and hard when I pieced off of it , it crumbled The food was actually ok but not hot at all. The meatloaf plate was$11.50 and the spaghetti was $8.50. The decor was super old and brought back memories of my family going to eat after church on Sunday in the 80s. Would i go back here again I probably would. I'd just try something different.

    Photos
    A custom white cake with buttercream icing
    A custom white cake with buttercream icing
    Cherry, Lemon, Apple and Cream Cheese Danishes  BEST IN TOWN!
    Cherry, Lemon, Apple and Cream Cheese Danishes BEST IN TOWN!
    Cookies!

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    Cookies!
    Luby's

    Luby's

    3.0
    (120 reviews)
    5.0 mi
    $$

    Luby's still has that old-school cafeteria charm that's getting harder and harder to find. Walking…read morein feels familiar in the best way. Lots of good comfort food choices without being overwhelming. I got the baked chicken with green beans, carrots, and greens. My wife got the chopped beef steak with mashed potatoes and gravy plus a roll. We both did the LuAnn combo and tweaked it a little to fit what we wanted. The unsweet tea was spot-on! Everything tasted fresh, hot, and satisfying after a long day in the Medical Center area. What really stood out was the dining room staff. Friendly, attentive, smiling, and genuinely welcoming without hovering over you every five minutes. They made us feel at home, and tipping felt easy because the service was that good. The dining room was clean, peaceful, and honestly kind of relaxing compared to the hectic pace outside. The servers knew the menu well and were happy to answer questions. We always enjoy stopping here when we're in this part of Houston.

    We hadn't been to Luby's in several years, and this visit reminded us why it's such a classic…read more Honestly, it's underrated. The food is really good -- comforting, flavorful, and feels like true home-style cooking. Everything tasted fresh and well prepared. The fried catfish was perfectly cooked, the carrot salad was delicious, and the chicken was tender and seasoned just right. The service was outstanding (5/5). Friendly, efficient, and welcoming from start to finish. The atmosphere was clean and relaxed, making it an easy, enjoyable lunch spot. There's also plenty of free parking, which is always a plus. Food: 5/5 Service: 5/5 Atmosphere: 5/5 This location is awesome -- simple, comforting, and consistently good.

    Photos
    Luby's
    I love this cake.
    I love this cake.
    Luby's

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    Underground Hall

    Underground Hall

    4.4
    (171 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$
    Kitchen open late
    Grab-and-go

    Great late night spot to hang out! I've been here when it was the conservatory as well and it's a…read moregreat space to mingle with friends or go on a date. I came after a musical on a weeknight and it was one of the only places still open in downtown. Decent food options (Asian, taco, hot chicken), few arcade style games, and plenty of TVs. I enjoyed their World Cup decor and hope they get more business during this busy month!!

    I love a good food hall, especially when you're with a group of people. Can't decide on one…read morespecific type of cuisine, split up amongst the different stalls, and bring all the random selections back to the table so everyone can try something different. Underground Hall, like its name suggests, is a subterranean food hall in downton Houston. They have a burger stall, a taco stall, a chicken stall, an Asian BBQ fusion stall, an icea cream stall, dessert stall upstairs, and a full bar. I ordered Birria Tacos, while also sampling hot chicken mac n cheese fries, and brisket eggrolls thanks to what everyone else ordered. Everything was delicious. The bar offers $1 champagne shots and has a solid happy hour outside of their already pretty good regular prices. My only negative was the bathrooms. Tons of graffiti, smell, and in general needed some serious clean up love, but it didn't ruin the overall visit. Just a heads up. If you or your group can't decide on where to go, go everywhere at the Underground Hall!

    Photos
    Underground Hall
    Birria tacos and Birria fries
    Birria tacos and Birria fries
    Inside

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    Inside
    Killen's

    Killen's

    4.0
    (524 reviews)
    2.3 mi
    $$

    One of the best meals I've had all year, hand to GOD. If this place is even remotely on your radar,…read moreget there before they shut down in mid-July. It's worth making the trip now, not later. The menu is exceptionally well-curated, hitting that sweet spot of what Houston does best. comfort, creativity, and just enough flair to keep things interesting. The space matches the vibe: modern and minimalist with a subtle Chip-and-Joanna-Gaines touch. The drink menu is just as thoughtful. Even the well spirits are solid. We kicked things off with the deviled eggs topped with maple pork belly, easily some of the creamiest I've ever had. Do not split an order. Everyone at the table should get their own. For the entrée, I went with the Sunday enchiladas made with Killen's famous brisket. Smoke, salt, pepper and exactly what you want from a dish like this. It typically comes with Mexican rice and refried beans, but the rice was running behind during my visit, so I swapped in scrambled eggs (it was brunch) no complaints. They were simple buttery, creamy and just damn delicious. peach bread pudding that was downright decadent. Easily one of the best desserts I've had in a long time. Make you wanna slap yo momma.

    Interesting conversation: No room without a reservation…read more Cool, can I sit at the bar when it has a seat available ? Not without a reservation. OK so I can reserve a seat at the bar? No! I guess I'll come back when it's a Whataburger

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    Buttermilk Fried Chicken
    Buttermilk Fried Chicken
    Strawberry  cake

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    Strawberry cake

    Treebeards - cajun - Updated July 2026

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