They've reopened!! Same building, same name, but not the same restaurant. Upscale. Beautiful interior, very good staff. They've been opened only a very short time and things appeared to be running like clockwork. We had a fire-grilled bone-in ribeye and hickory smoked salmon. The steak was very good. The salmon had a great flavor but it was a little overcooked. They had "tribute to the salad bar" from the restaurant's past life. Cute idea - an appetizer charcuterie selection as though from the salad bar. :-). Staff was great. Every one pitching in to do whatever needed done, their job or not. Very impressive place. They were full. Happy to see their return. We're getting quite a selection of exceptional restaurants in the Lebanon/Mason area. read more

Should have stuck with the "Walts" brand. Gonna get murdered on here by old school "not what it used to be" Houston fans. Change the sign and go to the Walts menu...no one remembers the Houston anyway under 60 yrs old. Otherwise this place is gonna tank in 3 months. Walts is a popular brand in Cincy cant believe they went with Houston. read more

Prices charged different from menu. Order halibut and menu said 36 yet charged 41. Very dry and top was burnt. Chicken was also dry. Menu said 22 and they charged 25. Frog legs were good. Old fashion was good. Probably will not be back read more

Went to the new Houston Inn last evening. Food (strip steak, baked potato, and salad) was excellent. Some hiccups in service, but that's to be expected with a new restaurant on a very busy night. No, it's not like the old Houston Inn. I'd say it's far better. Give it a try. read more

Nice job on remodel. Be advised this version is not your mother's Houston. Dinner for 2 with frog leg appetizer and bottle of wine $200. Halibut very good pork chops a bit dry. Wine selection very limited for upper end steak house. Service was great and ambiance very nice. Perhaps they are just getting their legs with a few tweaks could be a nice add to mason dining scene. read more

My family and I are SO excited for the re-opening!!! Just heard this icon was going to open again...a true classic reopening the doors! Had the frog legs & barbeque as a kid, excited to see what's in store at the Inn! read more

I took our residents to the Houston Inn for lunch since it was a great reminiscing event for most of our lovely ladies. The menu is not vegetarian friendly and I ended up eating a cup of tomato soup since it was pretty much the only vegetarian dish besides fries. The restaurant is stuck in the 1970'. I don't think it has not been renovated since opening either. The ceiling tiles showed dark brown stains from possible water damage. The restaurant has a lot of rooms and looks quite dark. Our ladies loved it and told me that they have a lot of faithful customers. Honestly? I think the restaurant will eventually close its doors when the faithful customers won't be able to go there any longer. It's to outdated. Building, menu and all. read more

Houston Inn - American Near Me - Lebanon, Ohio

This was a classic place for years but closed for good during covid pandemic. I miss the huge salad bar! The frog legs were unique and the prime rib was worth the visit. I wish the family well and maybe someone will revitalize it and reopen.".........."........ ............ .......... ....... read more

We went here as a big party for my grandparent's 60th Anniversary luncheon. There were 21 of us total and they put us in a private room in the back. Now I will say that some people in my family made fun of this place after they found out my grandma wanted to go here. They said it was popular among the elderly population, blah blah blah. First off, I don't like that kind of attitude because we are all going to be old some day. What difference does it make who is dining around you?! Ugh. My family also said that the food is not good and people only go for the salad bar. However, I must say that I enjoyed my experience here. I liked the atmosphere as I personally appreciate historic gems like this one. I am not sure how old it is, but one room had a "parlor-type" wallpaper that made me feel like it was possibly around in the Victorian-era! Very cool! I also found the wait staff to be very friendly and helpful. They were super fast and accommodating to such a large group, which I appreciated. I ordered a glass of the Cab to drink and I really enjoyed it. Very good! For my lunch, I opted for the filet. As we waited for our meals to come out, we all got up to head to the salad bar. To be honest, I am not really sure why they are known for their salad bar. I didn't feel like there were THAT many toppings and I personally think the salad bar at Ruby Tuesdays (and even my work cafeteria!) is better than this one. For instance, I love cucumbers on my salad and they didn't even have any. I probably wouldn't have thought much of it, but it's just confusing why they are known for that. Otherwise, my salad was good. My filet came out and I looked around at some family that had ordered the salmon. The salmon looked so good! I started to regret my order and I could tell my aunt was eyeing my filet. So we decided to split our meals and create our own "surf and turf." Haha! It actually worked out really well and I enjoyed it! Only call out on the meat was that I ordered it medium and it came out medium-rare. Our server even came by at one point to ask me how it was and I told him it was fine. I am not really that picky with my meat temp as long as it's not rare! All in all, an enjoyable experience here. I would go back. Definitely recommend as a great place for larger parties. They are very accommodating. read more

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This place was a solid three stars. Here is the run down. Got there about 6:30pm. Had to waited few minutes to be seated though we were promptly greeted. After ordering drinks, they arrived quickly. Then we placed our order and got in line for the salad bar. The salad was good. On the salad bar they also have deviled eggs. I went for a second helping of the deviled eggs. When the mail arrive, it was presented nicely however we both felt that it was just a little lacking in flavor though it was very fresh. Overall, I would return here and I really don't have anything bad to say but this place was deafly not above and beyond good. read more

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We weren't sure about this place as there were no cars in the lot but we had looked online at the menu earlier and figured let's give it a shot. It was dead, we we're the only table until right before we left, but we were there at an odd time, 230p. They offered us both the lunch and dinner menu since it was an in between time. My husband had already decided that he was having the salad bar, it looked amazing. I also wanted it but wanted to try some other food as well so I opted to pick something off the dinner menu as it comes with meals as opposed to lunch items. I ended having the fried chicken with my side being celery stuffing. First off, the salad bar is as good as it looks. I loved that the plates were kept in a chiller. There were so many items I didn't know what to pick from, but I decided not to have lettuce salad because of all the other choices and I didn't want to get too full. My plate included a creamy coleslaw that was really yummy, a pasta salad w olives mmm, deviled eggs which were ok, cranberry relish tart and sweet, broccoli salad which was tasty, pickled beets, olives and mashed potato salad, it was like nothing I've ever had, I loved it and had seconds. There is so much you definitely don't need a food item and can get extremely full on the salad bar. The fried chicken, all I can say is OMG, I haven't had any this good since before my mom passed. It was crispy crunchy and flavorful with the meat bring juicy and tender. You get 2 pieces and I ordered all white, which was a dollar extra. I knew I would never eat both pieces as they are large but figured I would take it to go, nope, my husband took one bite and that was it. He had it gone in a matter of minutes. The celery stuffing came with a brown gravy and it was soooo good, I finished that. Prices are not too bad, our bill came to $27 with two sodas. Next time we are in the area we will be making a point to stop here. read more

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Was here last night for my EAA Chapter Christmas party. First let me say we had around 50 people show up and we had 2 waitresses covering all these people. I have no idea how they managed and did such and amazing job, but wow they did it flawlessly. I would give them 5 stars by themselves for their wonderful customer service. I feel bad I didn't write their names down so I could post who they were. Now on to the food. I ordered the Petite Filet Mignon with Frog Legs, a side of sweet potatoes and it came with rolls and corn bread for the table. The Filet was perfectly prepared at Medium Rare. The frog legs were done nicely but lacked flavor sadly. Not sure if they needed salt or something evening in the breading, but they could have been just a wee bit better. The Salad bar was very nice and everything tasted very good and I tried everything except the lettuce. The Chocolate Mousse was my favorite. The rolls were done nicely, the corn bread sadly was dry to the point I didn't finish it. Overall, I would recommend this place and gladly come back again. I didn't get to try some of their fried chicken which I normally do not order, but wow this was so tasty. If they used a different breading on it then the frog legs I am not sure, but it sure tasted different. I would recommend using this on the frog legs. read more

My husband has fond memories of this place because he used to eat here with his father. So, when he asked if I wanted to try it, I said, why not. Since that day, we've been back three or four times. It's always quiet and intimate- which makes it really nice. When walking in, it's very dark - in decor and illumination. It's an old place and was probably built when really dark wood was the "in thing". So, don't expect a place that will "brighten your day" with bright decor - that won't happen here. But, after adjusting your eyes, the first thing you will notice is a large salad bar - which is offered free with any meal. This salad bar is unlike many as it has items such as delicious deviled eggs, occasional chilled shrimp, pasta salad, pudding, cole slaw and more. The menu offers meals such as different cuts of steak - which have always been perfectly cooked, according to my husband- frog legs, fried chicken, fish and the best part is they have daily specials that are different each visit. Before the meal, a variety basket of rolls are provided which offers a great addition to the salad bar. If anyone knows me, they will know that I'm a big bathroom person. I've always felt that you can tell a lot about the restaurant by their bathrooms and I sort of judge the establishment by the condition of them. Houston Inn's bathrooms are horrible. It is extremely small, in much need of many repairs and updates (the floor has been reflowed onto of old flooring). But, it does have "HOT" water and to me, that's the most important. If a restaurant has hot water, then you know the employees have clean hands. So, because they have hot water, I won't judge them too harshly for having horrible bathrooms. I'll just hold it until I get home. But, the service is always pleasant and our food has always been satisfying. read more

Houston Inn - Houston Inn - salmon with large salad bar. - American Near Me - Lebanon, Ohio

Stopped by on a Saturday for a late lunch. I was shocked at how busy they were at 3:30. I went with the Ribs/frog legs platter. The salad bar was included and it saw a bevy of items and all fresh. As for the meal, it was great. The legs were tasty and deep fried just right. The ribs had a nice sauce and we're drop off the bone tender. The service was top notch and the atmosphere had that nice mid 70's vibe I personally like. This is a wonderful place and I only wish I lived closer. read more

This place is great - it is old school with a huge salad bar. I ordered the fried chicken, which was very hot, fresh and juicy. The staff was constantly checking on the salad bar and re-filling things. The salad bar has everything from traditional lettuce, toppings, and salad dressings to chocolate mousse, various pasta salads, and deviled eggs. My husband ordered a steak and really enjoyed it. Give it a try! read more

Houston Inn - Fried chicken - very juicy and tasty! - American Near Me - Lebanon, Ohio

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Those who think they will experience the bleeding edge of molecular gastronomy when they walk into the Houston Inn are suffering from a rare and untreatable personality disorder. The famous Houston Inn isn't a destination for the pretentious. Instead, it's a haven for those who enjoy honest eatin' in a low-key, kitschy spot. Yes, it can be an odd feeling to wonder whether you're the youngest diner in the joint, but I've been to this place enough times to see people of all ages enjoying the atmosphere and the food. This is a family-friendly restaurant, and the place is often packed. There's a reason for that. And no, the reason isn't because people don't know what's good. There are many fine-dining establishments in the Greater Cincinnati area. Houston Inn doesn't pretend to be one, though the overall experience is consistently very good. Start off at the salad bar--a one-stop haven for all things creamy, crunchy, marshmallow-laden, gelatin-encased, interesting, and borderline erotic. The variety is excellent, and there are some old-school classics nestled in those hills of wonder. Ambrosia. Enough said. Don't be afraid to let the juice from the sliced beets invade that heaping mound of cottage cheese that has turned your plate into a glass anchor. Permit the potato and pasta salads to play on the dish. Pile the deviled eggs up to the heavens above. Put bacon bits on everything. So naughty. Phew! I need a towel! How can you be sure that your trip to the salad bar was successful? The assortment of food on your plate will look like a scene from the film Caligula, and what's left when you're done will look like something created during one of Jackson Pollock's drunken stupors. While I imagine most of the main courses are capable of satisfying those who are able to leave their snooty pants at home, I tend to focus my hot lust on the deep-fried frog legs. The Houston Inn is your pusherman when you need to score some primo frog legs. The deep frying imparts a delicate and flavorful crunch, and the meat within is tender, mild, and delicious. Given the small bones, you really are getting a lot of meat. Go for the house special n' get the frog legs! It's true that the Houston Inn lacks a special attendant whose sole purpose in life is to gently powder the delicate bottoms of the dandies who are accustomed to rising in grand fashion from their thrones at the dining-room table, but no sensible person visits this establishment in hopes of receiving that kind of treatment. Check your highfalutin fantasy world at the door, folks, and chow down at the Houston Inn! read more

Houston Inn - The Houston Inn serves up the ambrosia! - American Near Me - Lebanon, Ohio

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Houston Inn is full of contradictions from a long-gone era I could never fully understand, but as a lunch spot it's pretty great from a value standpoint. The exterior is about as shabby as it could possibly be, but the inside is pleasant, comfortable, and gigantic. It has that old-school faux fanciness familiar from family Italian restaurants across the nation. The lunch is about $7 ($4 more for the excellent salad bar). The meatloaf and mashed potatoes are solid, the pork loin is delicious, and the Reuben is respectable. Their seasoned fries are among the best I've had, the soups are well-prepared, and the patty melt is tasty. I recommend it for lunch. read more

This is a nice place. Yes a little drape but the salad bar is fantastic. Tons of stuff on the bar and good stuff. They advertise over 85 items. The food is always good I had the fish a few times and it was fresh and tasty. They do take reservations and will handle large parties. The price may seem high but you have to take into account the massive salad bar. It is hard to find resturants with a salad bar. Enjoy. read more

I went here with a group for the first time and was a little bit worried when I first walked in. First red flag, the salad bar is in the highest traffic area and right by the front door and cashier. So if you are worried about germs hanging out on the salad bar, I would just skip getting salad all together. Second, I don't think the restaurant has had a single update since 1975, and I don't think it was to preserve the charm. It just looks old with wallpaper that still looks nicotine stained from back in the day when you could smoke with dinner. Based on all of this, I was a tad scared to order food. I have a gluten allergy, so there wasn't much I could eat. Pretty much everything is breaded and fried, so my options were limited. I went with the baby back ribs & a baked potato... pretty safe! My husband ordered a NY Strip and green beans. My ribs were dry with just a little bit of bbq sauce poured on top & the potato was so small! My husbands steak looked more like a Salsberry steak with no sauce. On top of it all, the food was actually pretty pricy! If you are looking for a place with a salad bar you could honestly probably get better tasting food at the Golden Corral. My husband and I have been sick to our stomachs ever since we left there. All day after and we are still sick now running to the bathroom the next day after. Needless to say, I will not be returning. If I have another group gathering here... I will just not eat anything read more

Breaking from my trend to leave mostly negative reviews on here, I want to tell everyone that this place is a hidden gem in my opinion. It has old world charm, the food is very good and homemade like you would get when you go to eat at a relatives house. I've been here the last two Tuesdays, Both business meetings, the restaurant was well staffed and we were in and out in a hurry both times. The salad bar is awesome, and could be a meal in itself= freshly stocked and clean with chilled plates, the pickled beets, mashed potato salad, coleslaw and watermelon are my favorite items on the salad bar. Today the BBQ grilled chicken sandwich with bacon and Swiss cheese was delicious. Prices are good for getting this much food read more

Houston Inn - American Near Me - Lebanon, Ohio

Some people may say this place is a bit dated and it is but that's part of the charm. Really wholesome food, generous portions, one of the best salad bars you'll find, and a very friendly staff. You'll feel at home immediately. Anything I've ever had on the menu has been really good...steaks, ribs, fish, doesn't matter, you can't go wrong. read more

A great restaurant we just happened upon. Good variety and good food. Fun music and borderline kitschy decor. Calming and relaxing. Love the pickled cucumbers and deviled eggs. Service was also efficient and friendly without being overbearing. I got a burned corn bread muffin in the basket of mixed roles. That is the only reason I took a star off. read more

Houston Inn - American Near Me - Lebanon, Ohio

This place is straight out of the past with the menu matching the decor. Let's begin with the expansive salad bar. Always known for their cold salads, there was a lot to select but really not a lot of fresh items. Looks like most items came from a can. We had a party of six on a rather quiet Tuesday evening. Our party had frog legs, shrimp, filet and salmon. Most were just okay. Filet was dry. Frog legs were hot but greasy. Salmon was the best of the lot. Prices run to the expensive side. Service was fine. Not likely to return. read more

This place is just plain gross... My wife and I came here at the request of my brother in law...I knew this was going to be a huge mistake. OK, so the first thing you notice is the hideous decor - it hits you right away. Next, is the ambiance...This place feels like death's waiting room...no joke, I think we were the only people there under the age of 70. My wife and I were scared to even talk to each other because we were afraid to break the deathly silence in the place. The menu is absolutely embarrassing...Now, I know this is an old people's restaurant, and I know old people don't really have any taste buds, but I really think investing in a spice or two would pay dividends. On top of all that, the salad bar they have there is just downright creepy. This place gives me the willies... read more

It's old people food - and not very good at that. They have a huge salad bar with very few vegetables oddly enough. I've had better food at a hospital cafeteria. I mean - for what it is - it's fine - your parents or grandparents will love it. read more

This is not fine dining or anything close, yet their prices tip upwards of 30 bucks per entree. As others have noted, this place is straight out of the 60's (no design or menu updates for ages, if ever), and the dining experience had uneven service for sure. One couple next to us walked out before dinner was served, complaining that they ordered food 30 minutes prior and the waitress said she had just put their order in 3 minutes ago... Prime rib is very good, as was my son's fried chicken, but they couldn't save the day of this archaic joint. These 2 items are fine, but not exactly inspired cooking or presentation. Standard side dishes were offered (again think 60's-70's sides). Fresh herbs, spices, and interesting veggies other than green beans, have been around for a long time... No draft beers here. The bread service is not great: store bought rolls and they were stale. The oversize salad bar, for which they were well known, wasn't great; nothing I saw prompted my stomach to do happy somersaults. My sons wondered aloud what marshmallows were doing in there, swimming along with a pastel pink/orange goop. I had no answer. They really needed a dedicated person on the night we visited, to replenish and clean the messes that had spilled onto other salad items and the floor. Yuck. Overall, it was just just ok food. Their prime rib, fried chicken and lemon cream pie (very good dessert) overshadowed some of the negatives but I won't return. read more

Houston's in Lebanon has been a stand-by restaurant in my family for the past three generations. The restaurant itself is welcoming in a "grandma's house" kind of way; it's decorated in warm mahogany and brass. Clientele and staff at the restaurant are much like you'd find at your grandma's house as well, senior citizens in the area enjoy meeting their friends for lunches and dinners in the dining room and drinks in the large bar. Food at Houston's is traditional American, meatloaf and roasted chicken are good choices and both are served with your choice of home-style sides. Presentation isn't key here, just good quality home cooking. Fried frog legs are one of Houston's claims to fame in the area, and it is true what they say: "just like chicken!" Many return to Houston's because of the attentive service and the family atmosphere but I keep going back for the salad bar. Houston's features over 75 different items on their massive iced bar, including delicious homemade potato salads and mounds of fresh fruit. Overall: Houston's is a great choice for a family gathering as the staff is as attentive to seniors as they are to children (maybe not the best date place, unless you plan on cooing over older couples... "That will be us in 40 years!"). The restaurant is a local watering hole, so expect crowds on weekend nights and make a reservation for large groups! read more

Houston Inn - American Near Me - Lebanon, Ohio

A friend of my wife's told us about this place. As we pulled into the parking lot, I was fighting off the "judging a book by it's cover" predilection. As we went inside, I fought off judging a book by it's pages issues as well. Here's what went well. 1. We wanted to try the froglegs (of which they say they are the "King"). They had some froglegs for us to try. 2. The host just inside the door was an incredibly pleasant man. He was kind, funny, and aimed to please. 3. Our waiter was good. She knew how to time the meal. She knew how to watch for glasses that needed filling. She knew how to take care of us without hovering or being a nuisance. She was extremely pleasant. 4. The prices were very reasonable. 5. We got there at 4 pm on a Saturday - and just barely - and I do mean BARELY - beat the incredible rush. They packed out in no time - and the place is literally huge. I think the host told me something like 300 tables. Amazing. 6. The deviled eggs on the salad bar were pretty good, but nothing special. It's pretty hard to screw up a basic deviled egg. They didn't screw it up. Here's what didn't go as well. 1. The food was really subpar. I ordered the prime rib (another thing they touted as being very special there) and was bummed by the quality of the meat. It was cooked to the temperature I ordered, but there was a much fat on the plate as meat. Don't get me wrong, I love a good marbling in my beef - but this was marbling gone awry. The froglegs were ... a bit gamey. Another person at the table had the ribs, and they could swear that the sauce was clearly Montgomery Inn. That's actually not a bad thing since this family loves the BBQ sauce from Montgomery Inn. The only caveat was that it tasted like it was out of a bottle. Huh. I'd call that a miss. 2. This might sound judgmental ... so I will try very hard to temper that ... but we were the youngest people in the huge establishment by maybe 20 years. It was clearly a spot for citizens that are senior but still able to get out without a walker or hov-around. 3. The decor has not been updated in any of the three generations of single family ownership. It's a time capsule without being ... hip. So very dated. So very trailer park-ish. 4. The restaurant boasted a 59 item salad bar. I'm not really a salad bar person, but I thought that maybe they wouldn't count croutons (out of a bag) as an item. Ruby Tuesday has a better salad bar. Heck , Cow Palace ... er .... I mean ... Golden Corral has a better salad bar. Unfortunately - I don't see us ever going back to the Houston Inn. Clearly they have been around through 3 generations of single family owners - so someone is going there. It just wont' be us. read more

Houston Inn - Mmm ... Frog legs! - American Near Me - Lebanon, Ohio

Houston Inn is evidently the Graceland of local eating establishments. No, they don't offer fried peanut butter and banana sandwiches. What they do offer is ridiculously outdated decor. I'm talking straight out of the 1970s. If you ever wondered what it would be like to eat a ham steak in the Jungle Room, this is your place. That said, I'm not someone who goes out to eat for the ambiance. I'm typically on the prowl for something a notch or two above what I'm willing to prepare at home. If that something rears its pretty head in the form of generous portions, all the better. It's what we in the consumption biz like to refer to as "bang fo' yo buck" and this place clearly delivers in that department. Of grand scale note is their salad bar, which is quite simply the best I have yet to encounter in the greater Cincinnati area. Over 55 items or something ridiculous is how the boast goes. Idk, I didn't stand there and count. Simply put, it's an ample selection for under $10. Including delicious chicken salad, which can be heaped betwixt complimentary dinner rolls as a nice little meal in and of itself. Also, their plates are chilled. Not sure if that's particularly advantageous. Just seemed like something I should mention. They offer several dinner entrees in the $10-15 range, all of which include the salad bar. Now, here's where strategy comes into play. Same Hint from Heloise that I've employed at Frisch's many times over: regardless of what you order, fill up on the salad bar and take your entree home. No, seriously. It amounts to a second meal somewhere in the $5 range. You can't beat that with a stick. Also, pay attention to entree descriptions versus price, as some of the options seem to defy logic. For example, the roast beef and the roast beef with celery dressing are the same price. One guess as to which one I'm ordering. Further, be sure to check the hours of operation before making the drive over. They're inexplicably not open for lunch on Saturdays, something I learned the hard way. All in all, not a bad place to grab a bite. Just remember, the 5 second rule doesn't apply to shag carpet. Also, if you happen to hear garbled strains of "My Way" emanating from the men's lavatory, you might want to prepare your iPhone camera. Or not. read more

Nice place reminds me of 1970's supper club. Great salad bar and nice quiet family place. Clean and good food. I recommend Houston's for a nice dinner. Where a collared shirt -- not fancy but not a sweatpants kinda place. Frog legs and some unique menu items. read more

Met a friend here for dinner early on a Thursday evening & went to a movie afterward. The fried chicken was the best-cooked I have had in a restaurant that I can recall. The outside was crispy, and although I cook mine more seasoned, this was of good taste, not oversalted. The inside of the large breast was juicy. Halleluja!! There were 3 large pieces, I took one of them home. My friend got the special which he said was very good. The salad bar was fresh and there was a large selection. I would return for the fried chicken, definitely. The diners were sort of the senior early bird variety, so if you want a lively atmosphere, go later and have a drink. read more

If you ever wanted to go into a time machine back to 1984 and have dinner with your grandparents at a sit down restaurant, this would be the place to go, and I say that in the best way possible. Old school is the best way to describe it, down to the decor all the way to the salad bar. I had the roasted pork and my girlfriend the lamb chops, both were excellent. The salad bar items were good as others have mentioned as well. My favorite being their cherry ambrosia type concoction. read more

Heard stories about how wonderful this place was and was eager to try it out. The salad bar was absolutely divine with an enormous selection to choose from ... All the salad makings were fresh and delicious .. just perfect. My main meal was a beef "Hot Shot" with mashed potatoes and gravy. A generous portion of light to medium-gray-colored meat almost lukewarm and semi-warm potatoes with dark spots of something in them. The gravy was great. The entire experience? Un-Remarkable on the whole. Pricey too! But like I said, the salad bar was outstanding! Will I go back? Not in this lifetime I am afraid. read more

Okay, despite the honest review I am about to give, I like the place. So, don't think me hypocritical if you see me there again. This place is an oldie. It still living back in the 60s. From the decor, to the staff to the food. They have just never updated anything. They offer an enticing 55 items salad bar with offerings that were also popular perhaps in the sixties such as bean salad and candied watermelon rinds. Which, okay if you are into candied watermelon rinds, fine but at least also add standard salad staples on the bar too. Such as cucumbers. Is that too much to ask on a 55 items salad bar? I guess so because there weren't any. We ordered the New York strip. I had had one a few months ago and it was cooked perfectly so I had my wife try one. Meh. Just Meh. Everything was just meh I am sorry to say. It will be unlikely that you will come out of Houston's feeling like you must come back. However, you MIGHT. But after the next time you will probably skip a third visit. We will probably go back when our parents are in town. It was meant for the Baby Boomers. Gen Xers and Millenials will likely be better served elsewhere. read more

This is one of my families favorites!! There is something for everyone here! The buffet is sooooo good also.. dang making myself hungry, going to have to go here again very soon!! read more

This is my 1st time in. LOVED everything about it- food, decor, and the friendly staff. Want great food ? This is your place. Want food delivered in a time that means it is done well? This is your place. Want FAST FOOD service? Find a McDonalds. read more

I've been going here most of my life by default as it was a staple for my grandparents. That being said my 4 stars is probably influenced by the restaurants nostalgia and my personal memories. First thing, it's old school. Decor, food, patrons, employees, all old school. The food is very straight forward and it doesn't seem like they have changed a single recipe ever, and I don't think they need to. I went with my mom on a Saturday and it was packed but the service was fantastic. I ordered the filet which was cooked perfectly but lacked a little flavor/seasoning. The salad bar comes with your entree and it doesn't disappoint. The fruit salad was excellent as were the develled eggs. If you are looking for a reasonably priced meal that's not your typical chain restaurant and need to accommodate a large group I think this is a win. There's a reason it's still around after all these years. read more

Excellent food and service but the place is very dated...I don't understand the resistance that older Cincinnati restaurants have to remodeling. Mason is populated by young professionals who have disposable income but are not excited by froglegs and 1970's era decor. A draft beer or two would be nice also! I loved the pot roast with celery dressing! Deano read more

The quality of food was always just ok. But it seems now that the quality of food is still going downhill. The salad bar used to be one of the best things when you go. But recently it to is not that great plates are cold for the salad which is great but the food on the salad bar is not that cold which has me questioning if they follow the guidelines of keeping the food at cold enough temperatures for a salad bar. The decor has not changed that I know of and is ok but it is due for some updates and maybe they just want to keep it that way for customers who comeback who came when the first opened. I really hope they can improve the quality of the food and the dining environment. read more

This place is a classic. Been around for something like forever. Always have a good time when we go. The salad bar is the best part. You may differ if you're a fan of frog legs. Food is 3 stars, service is 5. Some plates are better than others. You can't go wrong with the slow cooked pork and dressing or BBQ chicken. Steaks are cooked as ordered but somewhat bland. Ribs appear odd and not recommended - maybe boiled and then covered with BBQ sauce? All in all this place is a true Lebanon-Mason landmark. Average age of Customer is probably 70. read more