I would have been surprised with the counter service if I had not looked at their Website before going there. Ordering at the counter was quick and easy. Very pleasant gentleman taking orders! Food was delicious and plenty of it. Everyone in our goop had a good time. read more

Frenchies Italian Restaurant - Lunch celebration at Frenchy's!! - Italian Near Me - Houston, Texas

The owner is adorable. Frenchies is a gold mine. My first visit was impressive. I received a kindly welcome with a lovely accent. There is an anomaly of Italian history and NASA history, especially upon entering the restaurant. A group of us went during lunchtime. I had Baked Lasagna and a humongous Ceasar Salad. Big enough for at least two people and the homemade Ceasar dressing is D' Lish....... O and the homemade bread, magnificently devour-able. Another person had Manicotti and loved it, Shrimp cacciatore was okay per one in our group. The last person, a child order Macaroni with ham and loved it. Soft drinks, tea, red and white wine served. Also, the bread is all you can eat. I will be back to try something different.#FIRE }:{ read more

We decided to try this neat looking place for a Monday night dinner. Looks like a lot of history and fun times have happened there. When we walked in, we were greeted and ask if we were picking up or staying, I answered we were staying. We were taken to a nice table, which was cleaned by the hostess, and seated. We got our menus and water, then it went downhill from there. We watched tables being served and nice conversations between wait staff and customers. Sadly, after more than 5 minutes, no server approached our table. The menus were down and we were ready to order. And... no one came over. We were passed by several times and the table next to us was checked on, but not us. So we didn't get to try anything as we took the hint that we were not important and left. Hopefully we misunderstood the idea of service here and didn't wait long enough. But more than 5 minutes with no hint of service was more than enough for us to wait. Good luck Frenchies, I'm sure your regulars will keep you moving along. read more

If you want authentic REAL Papà Italian food-this is your place! Located right near Nasa and it has ALL the history hanging on the wall to prove it! With 50 years plus of serving the community this spot is simply iconic. Greeted by the owners right as we arrived. The feeling this conveyed was like you're visiting family. Small quaint little place, yet full of vibrant Italian heritage. Started off with the bread and garlic olive oil dip. Fantastic! I got their spaghetti with tomato cream sauce & fresh basil. My husband had the veal parmesan. His came with a side of pasta which was a alfredo style. Both meals come with a fresh salad. The food was utterly delicious. Portions fair for the price. Setting is humble, cozy, a. be romantic and is characterized by warm friendly personalize hospitality. This is absolutely the place to choose if you are in the Houston area for super La Cucina cuisine. Memorable, (as you can tell) we really enjoyed our dining experience & would one thousand percent return if in the area again. Highly recommend! read more

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Simply the best Italian restaurant around. Its been around since i can remember and the owners are straight from Capri!! Try the cheese cake dessert, the best!! read more

heard about Frenchies from a friend. its pretty good food for a strip mall service was fine read more

I went here the other day and ordered Gnocchi with Pink Sauce and a side of meatballs for dinner. The complimentary salad with seemingly homemade blue cheese dressing was a great, refreshing appetizer. The entree and side were really delicious, soft, moist and made with love. Best gnocchi I ever had and even better than some I had in NYC. The tasty, rich, creamy, tomatoey pink sauce I got or vodka sauce are usually my preference with it, bc they're so good here, sometimes meat sauce, which is really tasty with it too. Each piece was so doughy and fresh-made, unlike those pre-packaged ones. These had a great potatoey - pasta vibe to them. I normally don't order meatballs in most Italian restaurants, but a few places make them great imo and these were well-seasoned with a balanced meat blend. The red sauce with them was tangy, tomatoey, not too salty and a little sweet all in one. I ate everything and was certainly full, but still need to make room for the chocolate mousse and zabaglione in the future, bc those are my favorite desserts here. Also a big fan of the chicken marsala, chicken parmigiana and cannelloni entrees here as well. Very friendly, welcoming, attentive service on this visit. read more

Frenchies Italian Restaurant - Fantastic Gnocchi with Pink Sauce & Meatballs !!! - Italian Near Me - Houston, Texas

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SO DARN GOOD. This is real Italian cuisine right here. The service was great. A bit slow because the crowd was picking up, but it wasn't complaint worthy. The food was literally out of this world. I wish the bread was complimentary, but also this is family-owned so I get it! Authenticity from the core. The bread was crispy and buttery, and it paired well with the herb filled dip. For my main, I ordered the chicken parmigiana. So flavorful, and the fettuccine was creamy and hearty. The dish came with a garden salad, which was refreshing. My friend got the cannelloni, and my goodness that was the star of the show. The cheese, the ground meat, the sauce. Everything was CRAZY DELICIOUS. I need 10 of them right now. We ended the meal with the cheesecake. Barely had space in my stomach for it, but my tastebuds were overjoyed. There's no crust, but the blueberry compote and whipped cream make up for it 100x. We can tell it's homemade. That cream was so fresh and light. The cheesecake was airy. The blueberry compote had hints of lemon and rosemary. It was nice. All the ingredients paired so well together. I need to go back asap. My standards for pasta are thru the roof now. Thank you, frenchies!!! read more

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10 out of 10! Frenchies is the kind of place that wins you over before the first bite, and the moment we heard Francesco speaking real Italian at the counter, we knew we were in the right place. It's a true family‑owned restaurant, and that warmth shows in everything they serve. We ordered Cheese Ravioli and Chicken Parmesan, and they started us off with complimentary bread and salad, simple and fresh. The ravioli might honestly be the best we've ever had! the tomato sauce is so velvety and flavorful I could drink it, almost like a rich tomato bisque, and the ricotta filling is incredibly creamy while the pasta stays perfectly al dente. The Chicken Parmesan was just as impressive: a tender, breaded chicken breast smothered in a different style of tomato sauce, equally delicious, paired with linguini in a light white sauce that's simple but surprisingly addictive. And then there's the atmosphere; Frenchies feels like a NASA time capsule, with astronaut photos and mission memorabilia covering the walls. They aren't just decorations; they're gifts from real astronauts who have been eating here for decades. Local reporting says Francesco moved from Capri to Houston in 1979 and opened Frenchies near Johnson Space Center, where it quickly became a favorite among NASA engineers and astronauts. Some even joked they missed Frenchies' food while in space, including Apollo astronaut Alan Bean, who left Francesco a signed moon photo saying the food in space "wasn't as good as Frenchies." It's rare to find a place with this much heart, history, and genuinely spectacular food, and we're already planning our next visit. read more

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Service. Don't forget your customer. Our waiter was I leaned helping out the staff. That's so thoughtful. Glad you were also having dinner with your family. Not acceptable. We waited. And waited. No water. No second bread. Glad I asked about the server. Go to the front. That happens sometimes. Say what!!! I was having dinner with my family too. Special day. Doesn't matter. Food was fine. Service not so much. If the owner responds. You know damn well it's true. Sorry bs doesn't cut it. I'm pissed. read more

The food is always awesome Italian. That's why astronauts and staff from JSC still go there after so many years. There are so many pictures from before the Mercury program all the way through Artemis. read more

I'm glad I made reservations because even though this was a Thursday night, the restaurant was full. We were greeted in the lobby and taken to our table. We ordered some wine and checked the menu for any new entrees. The wine came, along with some excellent garlic bread and we decided on veal marcella, and I ordered the lamb chops (a special of the day). Even though the restaurant was full, my wife and I could easily speak in a normal voice level and be heard. I don't know how they did that, but it makes all the difference in the experience. The food arrived and looked delicious. My wife said the veal was tender and cooked just right. The lamb chops were large and meaty. They were the best I've had and would make me want to order them again on my next visit. The atmosphere was relaxing. No bright lights or lighting so dim you can't see your food. Casual, like you were eating at a relatives' home. The photos on the walls (from astronauts and NASA employees), some plants and Texas art let you know you are at someplace unique but not stuffy. That and the great food are why Frenchie's has been going strong for over 45 years. read more

Frenchie's is a best kept secret. If you have not been there, put it on your list! It's been around forever and known well by the locals. Frenchie sits in the front to direct people to tables and the. He comes around to make sure the dining room is running smoothly. The food is on point and don't miss out on the bread and oil dip. The garlic and herbs in the oil I could be a meal on its own. Food is fresh, delicious and large portions for the price. I always bring some home, and that's not normal for me. Make a reservation if your looking g to go at a busy time read more

I came here for the first and had high hopes. My main issue was poor service and most importantly they advertise lobster ravioli online and right at the front door. This is the main reason I came in. I asked waitress to confirm they have it before placing orders and drinks etc. she said yes we have it, we ordered two plates. About 20 minutes later she comes back and says oh we don't have this any more we ran out. Want to order something else with no menu to look at. Really come on...do better! We won't return read more

Frenchies Italian Restaurant - Advertising lobster ravioli at the front door but don't have it - Italian Near Me - Houston, Texas

Family Run Italian place run by real Italians. One of the best Italian meals I've ever had. I mean, the astronauts can't be wrong, and they weren't. Outstanding service. Ask for the for Gorgonzola gnocchi appetizer (it's not on the menu but it is awesome). read more

Old school Italian restaurant. Service here was slow but the food was so beautiful and delicious it made up for it. From the bread with the olive oil dipping sauce to the wonderfully crafted lasagna's and veal. I have been to Italy quite a few times and this reminded me of that. Glad to have stopped in this hole in the wall restaurant. read more

Frenchies Italian Restaurant - Italian Near Me - Houston, Texas

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Food is fresh and authentic. Owners are always on site and heavily involved. Fair prices and quality portions. Food is wonderful. read more

Great food and the portions are large. Everything we had was great! We will be back. We came on our daughter's recommendation and it did not disappoint. It will be on our list when we are back in town. read more

No frills restaurant with some of the best Italian food at great prices. Very rarely am I blown away by what appears to be a simple pasta dish. I didn't know that Frenchies was a local gem, serving the community for decades. The owner and his son, true Italians continue to run the restaurant and do it so effortlessly with a mix of Italian and English sprinkled throughout. During lunch you order at the counter and the dishes are brought to you. At dinner you have sit down service. Lunch time is pretty busy but as fast as people come in they bring out the food even faster. We started off with salads which came with our entrees. Let me tell you they did not skimp on the clams and how the fresh noodles soak up all that sauce without losing it's al dente texture is true science and due to decades of practice and dedication. In my older age I try to cut back on carbs but man I couldn't resist that garlicky, cream, noodle combo. The portions were huge so I was able to eat half for lunch and the rest for dinner. I also tried the manicotti which was also divine. Don't be deterred by it's rough exterior and interior because you will not regret this dining experience! read more

Frenchies Italian Restaurant - Linguini clam in white sauce - Italian Near Me - Houston, Texas

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The food was outstanding! Service was great and the drinks were outstanding. Atmosphere is lovely.it is a great family friendly. I took my son there years ago and they catered to him. read more

Frenchies is a literal institution near NASA's Johnson Space Center. We've been eating here for more than 30 years and they are still going strong! The waiter took good care of us. The spaghetti and meat sauce looked good this time so that's what I ordered! read more

Frenchies Italian Restaurant - The serving was huge and I had this much left over for lunch tomorrow. :) - Italian Near Me - Houston, Texas

The hospitality and food were fabulous. And if you are a NASA gan - lots of fun pictures. read more

It's almost sacrilegious to visit Houston and not eat at Frenchies Italian restaurant. If you're in the area around NASA's Johnson space center, make sure you stop by the psychotic location or some amazing Italian food. The owners and weight staff for all super nice and poor their heart and soul into providing a wonderful experience for everyone. Tonight I ordered the chicken marsala with Angel hair pasta... Which is to die for. read more

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We've been coming to Frenchie's for the past 3 years and it still is the best & most authentic Italian restaurant in the area! A true long time mom/pop restaurant, very warm & welcoming as soon as you walk in. The food is delicious, rich, and flavorful. I finally tried the Caesar Salad due to all the great reviews and I can't wait to come back for more! Love all NASA memorabilia and photos signed by astronauts too! read more

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Moved away from Clear Lake many decades ago. We loved Clear Lake and my wife's family goes back to the founding of Friendswood! We had a weekly ritual of going to Franco's Italian Restaurant. I 1st went there when they opened very long ago. Not long after my 2 tours in Viet Nam. The family that owned Franco's treated me like family and I'm fluent in Italian and we'd talk endlessly. I worked closeby at JSC. So, we went to Frenchies Italian Restaurant and pleasantly surprised by the excellent meal and service. We had Chicken Parm, Veal Parm, and Seafood Fradiavolo. Growing up in Brooklyn, I certainly know good Italian food. We live a few miles from Sal & Judy's Italian Restaurant which is outside New Orleans and rated 5 Stars (Yelp) and Zagat. Sal greets everyone that comes in and their marinara sauce is sold in all the local supermarkets and Walmart. Frenchies was no different from Sal's. Everything was perfect! I told Sal and he went to eat at Frenchies on his last trip to Houston. He called me and thanked me, that's Sal. I was sad Franco's closed after 50 years in Clear Lake but Frenchies was a great find. If you're ever on the North Shore outside New Orleans, try Sal & Judy's Italian Restaurant and decide if they're equally as good. Or, take a look at their website! Everyone in NOLA knows Sal Impastato (from Sicily). If you find yourself near Little Italy in Brooklyn. NY try Evelina, Barano, or Carmentas Italian Restaurants. Frenchies food is comparable quality to better NYC Italian Restaurants! I'll add pic's later! Thank-you, for 1st class Italian food. Bravo, assolutamente perfetto! read more

After so many friends told us we had to visit, we decided to try it for dinner Monday night. Plenty of parking, but kind of haphazard and almost full mostly because of the Chinese buffet next door. The interior is underwhelming with the first area reminiscent of an older diner, but opened up into a nicer space. Tables are almost all 4 toppers with some pushed together for larger parties. When we arrived the only 2 topper was under a ceiling fan, and it being typically Houston restaurant cold inside, we moved farther back to find a warmer area and sat at a double table configuration. At this point, our server told us that she had been "ordered" to tell us to move. I was a little taken aback, but said we would consider it if they turned off the fan over the table. She left and returned and told us she was new and not really sure of what the policy was for seating. Understand that when we arrived, the only person near the door told us to seat ourselves, so we were a little confused. At any rate, a few moments later a smiling waiter came over and separated our tables, moving the other 4 topper against one located in the corner away from us. Not really a problem, but a little off-putting since the place was virtually empty when we arrived - around 6:15. We understood later as the place totally filled up in the next 1/2 hour. We got water almost immediately and menus were delivered at the same time. It took only a few minutes for us to decide what we wanted, and this is where the rating for service declined slightly. I was unable to get her attention and with tables being moved and new patrons seated, it was 20 minutes before she returned to take our order. Again, perhaps because she was new? At any rate, I had the Chicken Picatta and my wife had the Chicken Parmesan. Both were very large (we got another meal out of them later at home) and cooked nicely, We each got a house salad that was crisp romaine and carrots with a pepper slice. Dressings were good (italian & ranch) and it was a nice start to the meal. We were asked about garlic bread, and then realized it was not included in the meal - it's not the cost as much as my wife not being able to eat the butter on it, so we declined. I found out later that there is cold bread on the counter when you come in, but we missed it and our server never mentioned it. The entrees were both excellent and the sauces were perfect. Then it got weird again - our meals included pasta and we assumed it would be spaghetti or linguine on the plate with the same sauce as the entree, but it is a small order of fettucine alfredo on a side plate. It was tasty, but not what we expected - we would have preferred something in the same sauces as our meals - but again a minor problem. Finally, it again took longer than expected to get our check. In summary, the food was good despite the "issues" with bread and pasta. The presentation was nice and we enjoyed the food. In truth, we weren't impressed with value for our cost, especially since we had driven 30 minutes to eat there. We had checked the prices on the website in advance, and they were out of date with current prices slightly above those listed. We would eat there again if we were in the neighborhood, but wouldn't make the drive specifically to eat at Frenchie's. The food was good, but we enjoy Taglia, Sofia's, Santa Barbara and even Stefano's every bit as much - and there is more atmosphere at the first 3 of those. All in all, it was very good, but not exceptional in our opinion. I know this is not the typical review, but perhaps it will help someone decide. Ciao! read more

** 5-Star Review** "Worth every mile! We drove all the way from Houston to Clearlake just to dine here, and it exceeded every expectation. Frankie was **on top of his game**--attentive, knowledgeable, and made the experience unforgettable. The food? *Chef's kiss.* Authentic, rich flavors that transport you straight to Italy. From the ambiance to the wine list, you'll swear you're sitting in a trattoria in Rome. If you're craving **real Italian** with soul, this is THE spot. We'll be back... and we're bringing friends!" --- read more

Frenchies Italian Restaurant - Italian Near Me - Houston, Texas

I dined here for lunch a couple of weeks ago while in the area after having Frenchie's bookmarked. It's located in a small strip center with parking in front. Inside it is decorated with many pictures of NASA astronauts and space missions as it's located close to NASA and appears to be a popular dining spot with their employees. From their lunch menu I decided on spaghetti with meat sauce for $14 and added a side salad for another $2.50. At lunch this is counter service and dinner is table service. I picked up my salad and a bread basket at the counter and proceeded to a table. The mixed greens had tomatoes and carrot slices. It was good tasting and worth its price. About 10 minutes later the bowl of 'ghetti was brought to me. It was a large bowl of food with plenty of meat sauce on top of the pasta and enough for two people. This was a filling meal for sure. I like to judge Italian restaurants by their marinara. To me it's the foundation of most Italian meals. This red sauce was ok but more of a 3 than a 4 in taste. Others may differ but I thought it was a little flat. I give a 3 overall for only that reason. This little restaurant has charm and the employees are friendly. It has a real neighborhood feel to it like it's popular with the locals. I would be happy to return for dinner and try some of their non marinara dishes or a pizza. read more

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The service is always amazing and the food is always fresh! The gnocchi in the pink sauce is hands down the best I've ever had! I'd recommend calling ahead for reservations but even if there's a wait, It's worth it! There are also so many neat pictures of astronauts and famous stars that have visited this delicious authentic Italian restaurant! Great for family lunch after fun in the sun, corporate meetings over wine, or an intimate dinner for date night! Ask for Sandro! He's by far the most amazing server I've ever had and I truly mean this from the bottom of my heart! We celebrate our birthdays and holidays there and will continue to do so as long as possible! If you're in the mood for Italian Frenchies will not disappoint!!! read more

Frenchie's was recommended by Shawn, our tour guide for the VIP Astronaut Training tour at Space Center Houston. Boy was he spot on with the recommendation, the food at Frenchie's is phenomenal! Why four stars? The vibe was a bit off with the owner barking at the servers, walking around the restaurant visibly upset, grumbling and just being unpleasant. He came to our table to take our check and we complimented the food, only to be grunted at?? It was truly uncomfortable!! Now, the food and the service, that was perfection! I had the lasagna and it was delicious, exactly what I was expecting from a highly recommended Italian restaurant. Hubby had the steak with Dijon sauce and said it was amazing, he wanted to lick the sauce off the plate!! We shared a bottle of Italian red that was recommended by our wonderful server Maria who definitely knew what she was recommending! Maria was wonderfully attentive, friendly and very knowledgeable of the menu. The ambiance is old Italian with history, including NASA history! I highly recommend a visit, it's definitely a great break from BBQ!! read more

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Fresh! This place has been open since I was a kid and I'm 43 yo. It has never disappointed and continues to amaze me.

Great Italian food in Clear lake area every item delicious great desserts (other restaurant is Villa Capri) read more

Being from western NY my husband has a knack for finding great Italian food. I had a doctor's appointment in Clear Lake and he checked the area for food options afterwards. We very quickly realized this was exactly what we had been looking for. I can't begin to describe the quality of the food. I got the chicken parm and my husband got the tortellini Alfredo and both were absolutely ridiculous. The bread was also phenomenal. We will make the hour drive from Kingwood with smiles on our faces. This is like going to your grandparents' house for Sunday dinner except I never had any grandparents that could cook like this. Run don't walk! read more

I hate to leave an overall negative review- but I feel like some of the reviews I read didn't represent our experience. 1. Ordering experience was a positive. Owner is a character and it made me feel like I was in an authentic setting. I can see how some would feel intimidated if it was busy. It was fun and felt like part of the charm. 2. Fettuccine Alfredo. Was ordered without chicken. Were specifically asked at the countered and verified- no chicken. It came with chicken. No big deal- except the chicken didn't seem seasoned at all. The pasta seemed to be something other than fettuccine and maybe more than one shape of pasta. Dish was lukewarm at best and had to add salt make it ok. 1/5 for this dish. 3. Eggplant parm. Really good and uniquely layered like a lasagna. Best dish of the day. 4/5 4. Spaghetti with meat sauce. I would give it a 3/5. Not bad- but not what we were thinking with all of the reviews. 5. Garlic bread- Heavily herbed - but not a standout. 3/5 NASA pictures were great- I would eat here again and try other things. Alfredo and Spaghetti are off the list for us. read more

Owner arguing with staff in front of us. Service was ok. Water was bad taste, had to ask for new fresh glass. Food was salty. Not the Frenchies I remember from 5 years ago. Restaurant hasn't changed, worn out carpeting in areas. read more

FANTASTIC IN EVERY WAY!!! Absolutely LOVE Frenchie's food and Frankie and his staff go above and beyond to make sure your experience is 5-Star. Cozy atmosphere! No wonder they have been in business for close to 50 years. The sandwiches are awesome, even tho I haven't had every one of them, yet. The chicken mushroom crepes are to die for as is everything else on the menu! All the desserts are magnificent works of art too, we fell in love with the Zabaglione with strawberries, it's divine!!' Sorry no photos, we ate it all too fast! We'll try to remember next time! read more

This is the best Italian food in the 77546 area! Great family owned restaurant! Highly recommended the gnocchi and the chicken parm! YOU NEED THIS RESTAURANT IN YOUR ROTATION read more

Best since forever. In fact, their sandwiches are top notch. It is a place to go to see astronauts eating side.by side with regular earthlings. The lasagna is shareable with at least three. Salads are fresh and great. Desserts are delicious. The staff are the friendliest around. Go now. read more

This place is a time capsule! The service and ambience are relaxed and inviting. The food is astronomically ahead of trendy modern chains and generic "restaurants" Frenchies leaves nothing to be desired in terms of an authentic Italian dining experience here in America. Thank you so much for having us - it is well worth the drive. read more

Was at Frenchie's the other day. It was quite crowded and there was a wait. We were seated after maybe 10 minutes. The place has a lot of astronaut pics and the like. I am told that the astronauts eat here occasionally. The atmosphere is one of a cafe. It is a little crowded and perhaps a bit dated, but it is part of the charm. Service was decent-average. Portions there are large and you will be taking home leftovers. I found the salad dressing on the house salad to be a bit too sweet. I do not think the house dressing is made in-house. I was not offered other choices, but I would ask for something else next time. I has a marinara pasta. The pasta was perfectly cooked. I found the tomato sauce was too salty, and I would recommend to the cooks to only use half or 1/3 the amount of salt. We alsonhad the chicken parm. It was very good, but nothing special. It came with a side of fettucini alfredo. Their alfredo comes with ham, which I had bot seen before. It can be ordered without. I would come back to try it again as it is possible there was simply a kitchen error that day. I fould the house wine to be a bit thin, but that could be my taste at that moment. For the portion sizes it was reasonably priced. I wish I could give a fractional 3.5 stars, but that is not an option. The restaurant was not bad at all, but not a standout for me. read more