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

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

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

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

Food is delicious and reasonable, love fish on Fridays. There are a few locations downtown. read more

A co-worker of mine said that this place is there new Fav. So i decided to check it out with a few friends, and i think we loved the place as much as she did! What a bargain for what you get! absolutely delicious. Very big a spacious, and nice atmosphere. Our waitress was delightful, and made great recommendations. I had the stuff pork chop, it was very juicy and flavorful. Best Lunch i've had in awhile. 5 stars! YUM! read more

I would never say Treebeards has the best cajun food ever, but honestly, it ain't bad. I think that they have the better red beans and rice in the town and their sides are typically wonderful. I am generally OK with most of their entrees. I have been underwhelmed by the etouffe and their gumbo, but I'm really a snob when it comes to those two dishes, having cajun family and having lived on the border with Louisiana most of my life. For downtown lunch, I will say this is really one of the best choices you have. Try their cakes. I had yellow cake with chocolate frosting that tasted just like my grandmother's, and that was a wonderful thing. read more

I love the shrimp étouffée here. I eat it every time, either over white rice or the baked fish. The chocolate cake & Italian cream cake is the bomb too...lol!!! read more

I was born and raised in the south and I love/know my Cajun food. Treebeards wasn't exactly what the hype turned out to be. I felt like the food was lacking in flavor? Which is odd because cajun food is all about the flavor and spices! I had the grilled/baked catfish with dirty rice and greens. The dirty rice was alright although it would taste better if it was a bit more.. err.. dirty. The catfish was okay but I found myself dousing it with tobasco to get some flavor in my mouth! All in all, the food was okay but a bit expensive for what it was. Treebeards is about 2 blocks away from where I work and I know of people that go here nearly everyday for lunch, but I think I'll have to pass on that crazy obsession! I'll be back though, but in the distant future. read more

Love the food!!! All their gumbos, fried chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy, baked catfish and etouffee, meatloaf, and their chicken salad are all recommended!!! Don't forget the butter cake and Italian cake!!! I can come here every week and not be tired of all their options! They do change their menu daily! read more

A definite all-time favorite for locals and international visitors! I can't even pick a favorite, so let's just start with red beans, rice and sausage, gumbo, chicken salad, jalapeno cornbread.....oh, and the cakes! Cozy atmosphere at Market Square location, my fave. Only open during the day, but perfect place to hold your special events. read more

Excellent, excellent, excellent shrimp etouffee. I have forgotten how delicious it is - the last time I went was 15 years ago in the Tunnels. For this weekday lunchtime visit, the line started adjacent to the dining area, but it went by pretty fast. While in line, you can grab your drink and utensils since they are along the way to the a la carte. There's also a big board displaying menu items that you can peruse while you are waiting. You get to the a la carte and the server asks what you want, serves it up, hands it to you and the line continues to the cashier. Three cashier lines so it after getting your meal, there's barely any rubberneck traffic to pay. About that etouffee, can we say amazing? What a treat after a long break from Treebeards!! What I love about it, full of flavor, no "fishy" flavor, and NOT overly salty!! I don't know what else to say about it but to go there and eat!!! Can't wait to go back to try the gumbo and jambalaya. Just wish parking wasn't so hard to find, but I guess I can deal with it for that tasty food!! read more

You wouldn't expect the great hall of Christ Church Cathedral to contain an awesome southern restaurant. Yet there it is, Treebeard's, in a beautiful room with its high ceiling, ornate wooden beams, and a balcony overlooking the communal tables. The combination of food and location is nothing short of spectacular. Today David and I both had chicken fried chicken with sides of red beans and rice and a green salad. We also split a bread pudding. Everything was wonderful, but we both felt the chicken fried chicken and bread pudding were the best we've ever had. Crazy good food. I'd give them seven stars if I could. read more

So I went to the other downtown location for lunch today near market square. Everything I had was bland. Veggie Plate with fried green tomatoes (they were crispy but the cornmeal lacked flavor) red beans & rice (you really can't mess that up) & a chicken veggie soup dish. I had to mix cheese onions hot sauce (like every condiment they offered) to make it taste decent. The one in the tunnels must have "different" cooks in the back or something. I'm just shocked at what other reviewers have been eating beforehand to be this excited about bland Cajun food. How sway?! read more

Mediocre at best. I ate here twice while on Jury Duty. I gave them the benefit of the doubt the second day, but was just as disappointed. This is Cajun meets Luby's. The chicken friend chicken and the pot roast were very bland, but salty. However, the chocolate chip cookie was perfect for an afternoon snack. The environment is nice and the employees are very friendly, which is why I give them 3 stars instead of 2. read more

This place is awesome! Red Beans & Rice rock. Sausage is spot on. Chicken fried Chicken is so tender you do not need a knife to cut. Always a great lunch date with the hubby when we go there. "Cooler" Houston afternoons get us on the patio on the 2nd level. What a great atmosphere for a quick bite. read more

I love this place. The food is always fresh and I prefer to go at least once a week. The staff is very friendly which is a plus. The cakes are delicious! I get the red beans and rice with sausage. I've never been let down. read more

I was attending a meeting in the area and we got done early, so my coworker invited me to go to Treebeards with her. I got the blackened catfish with red beans and rice. It was phenomenal! The spice on the catfish was savory with a bite to it and the red beans and rice were a nice cool down for the taste buds, without losing any of the yummy flavor. It was a nice day in November, so we sat outside on the patio and enjoyed the day (except for the cars wizzing past us on the street). read more

Outstanding cajun food. Red beans and rice are some of the best, but the shrimp etouffe is probably the best I've eaten. This is served lunch only at a church location with interesting "Munich beer hall" ambience. The cornbread is delicious, however, unlimited sliced sour dough bread is available after you go through the line in the dining area. They also serve excellent carrot cake, but my fave is the "butter cake" dessert. Treebeards is a true Houston gem - if you have not been there, you must make a trip downtown to the Cloister or Market area Treebeard's for lunch. Whenever I'm there, I buy a quart of etouffe to take home for dinner. read more

I went to Treebeards for the first time in the 70's. Until this week when I had lunch there, I hadn't gone in about 10 years. I love everything about this restaurant --the location, the people, and of course, the food. It's always hot and fresh and I like everything. (I usually get the "rookie plate" with jambalaya and red beans/rice, and sometimes black-eyed peas.) I also have great memories as it seems I frequented this place mostly during the best times in my life. I think it's my all-time favorite restaurant. read more

Long time Treebeards customer. The shrimp étouffée here is the best. Gumbos are good too.

Treebeards on its own is amazing. I can't believe I used to avoid this place because I didn't think I liked 'cajun' food, but I've since seen the error of my ways. When I have guests in from out of town, Treebeards is always a place I'm sure to take them... And this location is even more unique because it's located inside a church! That's right, no longer do you have to decide between afternoon Eucharist or a delicious lunch, now you can have both! Follow the steady stream of people in to the courtyard of the church, and head towards Reynolds hall. Inside, disguised as a church cafeteria, is a legit Treebeards restaurant. Grab a tray, review the daily specials and prepare your tastebuds. The shrimp etouffee is my favorite dish, and during crawfish season they have a delicious crawfish etouffee. Don't forget the carbalicious free bread, and you've got a lunch you can be proud of, while feeling good about getting yourself to church. read more

Like Alex R.,I miss working downtown for this restaurant has the be best cajun food,except poboys and crawfish buckets. Decor is great, like your in the Quarter of NewOrleans. Fast cafeteria style, my favorite, in and out nobody gets hurt or languish a long workday lunch., whatever you like. Food. The french bread is awesome and as much as you like. I dont go enough to try anything other than the basics: Gumbos,Jumbalaya,Etoufe's,Red Beans and rice,(with sausage and onion and cheese is divine!) A full order of one and a cup of gumbo or RB&R is very filling for a big guy appetite. All above are authentic,delicious, and chef made, not Sysco in the least. They also seem to have all the lil extras, crackers, hot sauces, butter on pads first rate. The only caveat is they close at 2pm . OH how I wish they opened on the weekend or for early dinner. ahh wiee!!!!!! Trivia, it is named after the grey moss yo see on southern Pecan , Oak trees , like in a Plantation picture. read more

Great cajun food restaurant tucked away in the Church's hall. Delicious! Go early or after 12:30. Popular lunch spot downtown.

One of my FAV places in downtown to grab lunch. Chicken and sausage gumbo is out of this world. I really want to try the duck and seafood as well. The fresh fruit cup, fresh lemonade, butter cake, and unlimited fresh bread tie it all together. I always like to go upstairs to eat, they have a balcony for when the weather is nice. I really wish they were open longer or had locations all over Texas, but it's worth the trip downtown every time. read more

Great place for lunch.. I have been eating here for about 10 years. If you are looking for a really good lunch and you are downtown this is a great choice.. the have outside seating upstairs and that is nice and quiet. read more

Most consistent tasty Cajun and home style food around. They've been around over 35 years. Me and my coworkers had blackened catfish, seafood and okra gumbo, red beans and rice, squash casserole, mustard greens, dirty rice, and a huge slab of jalapeño cornbread. Two of us are gluten sensitive and they have other great options for us too like jambalaya, red beans, and many of their daily specials, veggie options, and salads. Run don't walk to this place. read more

Best place for red beans and rice. Wish they were open all week long. The red beans and rice are better than what I had in New Orleans was totally shocked. A must try lunch location for Houston. read more

One of my favorite places for lunch during the week. I've had lots of wonderful dishes, but my absolute favorite is the chicken fried chicken, which they offer as a child's plate with 2 sides that is the perfect serving. The shrimp etouffe, salad, fruits, and veggies are all wonderful. The pumpkin pie is so excellent that I pre-order to-go pies every year for Thanksgiving and/or Christmas. read more

Love it when it's cold outside. Nice bowl of beans and rice. Butter cake! Go to the old Church in DT to eat.

Seeing as how this place is all over downtown, I thought that this location would dominate its brothers and sisters of the tunnel. I wanted to like this restaurant, but I can honestly say that everything here is nothing more than mediocre. For the price, I could have goin to Lubys and been more satisfied with what I paid for. The first time I went, I had the Chicken Fried Chicken, Red Beans and rice, and Corn Bread Pudding. My pet peeve is getting fried food that has gone mushy over the steam baths (Treebeard's is cafeteria-style). My chicken was VERY mushy and the red beans and rice were too salty. I don't even know what to make of this place. The patio is nice, and the upstairs area is ideal if you don't want to feel like you're eating in the dark. There's a creepy-ass cashier who read my name off of my credit card and kept trying to get me to talk to him, which was enough for me to hurry up and GTF out of there. My family is from Louisiana, and they would be pissed beyond belief if I ever brought them to this place. Anybody who's giving this place more than 2 stars is dellusional. My advice, hit up Just Oxtails, Mama's Oven, or This Is It if you're looking for some real Southern Food. read more

Definitely one of my favorite lunch spots. Their carrot cake is out this world amazing. Although it's been pretty busy the past several times I went there, I love love love the ambiance of the whole place, you can sit and eat outside on the porch, or inside or upstairs. read more

Cafeteria style Cajun food- my husband got the chicken fried chicken with mashed potatoes and cream gravy (delicious) and squash casserole (delicious). I had the red beans and rice with sausage (cheese and onions on top!) and it was awesome! It had really good flavor but not authentic Cajun if that's what you're looking for. Seating was less than desirable. Don't sit by the chalkboard/bathrooms. Every one stands there to look at the menu and has no regard for your personal space! Overall great food and good environment. PS get the Italian cream cake! Amazing!! read more

It's an experience to go there. Treebeards is one of a few restaurants in town that I bring out of town guests. The atmosphere is good and they have great food (love the gumbo--and good gumbo is hard to find in Houston). I also know that they do a lot for the community, which is a major plus in my book. read more

Nothing short of divine. The red beans and rice are one of my favorites, and the salads are fantastic, as well. The decor (particularly at the Market Square location) is so comforting and a nice break from the office atmosphere mid-day. It's busy, but the line moves fast. Now if only even one of the locations was open in the evening... read more

They also have their own hot sauce they sell that is great. The church has a bookstore next to the restaurant. Definitely one of the best hidden gems of Houston. read more

2 stars for clean restaurant, cool location... but no stars for the food. Being a big meatloaf lover, I was excited that one of the specials on Wednesdays. I had jalapeno cornbread and red beans and rice as my sides. The meatloaf was so dry that it crumbled on my plate and the tomato sauce was so acidic, like canned crushed tomatoes just poured over top of it. The cornbread was also dry and had about 2 specs of jalapeno in it. Red beans and rice had good texture but hardly could be considered good. Everything I ordered lacked flavor completely. I just moved from Atlanta recently so I've had my fair share of southern food. This was very disappointing and got 2 thumbs down. Hope Houston has more Southern fare to offer than Treebeards. read more

Great lunch place with indoor and outdoor dining, it's cafeteria style service, so no table service. But the food is great! Red beans and rice, dirty rice, and wonderful southern style yellow cake with chocolate icing. I just love this place for a casual lunch with friends. read more

Working in The Bank of America Center, treebeards is the perfect lunch destination for those rare Houston days we want to enjoy the weather and walk above ground to. I think all the other reviews hit it right on the nose with the delicious array of cajun dishes (gumbo, red beans and rice, etc). The one thing i think also worth mentioning is the bacon mac n cheese they serve on Mondays... definitely a must. read more

its in my top 10 favorite louisiana-style venues in houston. i like it because its close to the office, food is reasonably priced, its eatability (frequency) and tastes authentic to south louisiana. i particularly enjoy the shrimp ettoufee and the gumbo. on a side note, the chocolate chip cookies aren't amazing but if you think my reviews for restaurants are a bit callous, you don't have the stomach for my reviews on chocolate chip cookies. im a CC snob. read more