2 Best Restaurants in Houston and Galveston, Texas

The operative word at this popular steakhouse is "prime": prime beef, a prime setting, and a clientele primed for coddling, conversation, and cholesterol. The Steakhouse, poshest of the Pappas restaurant dynasty, gains a clubby look from dark wood, cushy booths, and phones at the tables. Thumbs-up to a beefsteak-tomato-and-Roquefort salad (big enough to share) and to the fork-tender New York strip steak with peppercorn sauce. Creamy mashed potatoes and giant fried onion rings provide delicious accompaniments to fillets. Expect a wait, even with reservations.

With Texana to the max, this expansive place is as much about pride as prime beef. The entry looks like a sprawling ranch house and the lobby invites long evenings spent on the front porch. So relax, as you and your fellow carnivores will likely wait a while for your table. Famous for its steaks, the kitchen also whips up chicken, lobster, and grilled shrimp. Taste of Texas also has an online store selling steaks, gourmet gift boxes with steaks and grilling supplies, and restaurant-themed merchandise.