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    J. Alexander's

    4.2 (302 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 10:00 pm

    Order J. Alexander's Takeout or Delivery

    J. Alexander's Photos

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    J. ALEXANDER'S ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Trendy
    Intimate

    Recommended Reviews - J. Alexander's

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    Reviews With Photos

    Hayley A.

    This place was my boyfriend and I's fancy dinner for our 7th anniversary trip. We dressed all fancy and got to enjoy ourselves. The service was amazing, and the place was very nice. Definitely more pricey so not an every day thing if we lived in the area. But we had a really good time.

    Caim S.

    This is an elevated dining spot with soft romantic lighting, chandeliers, and a large central bar. The atmosphere felt upscale yet comfortable. There were many families there and other guests celebrating prom. I was surprised to learn they don't offer a happy hour at all. I ordered the mac and cheese, which was creamy, well-seasoned, and likely made with a white cheese blend. It was rich and satisfying. The burger I paired it with was classic and filling. Nothing groundbreaking, but it did the job. Even though it was a Saturday night, I was seated at a full table rather than being directed to the bar, which I appreciated since I was dining solo. The service was quick and friendly, and I liked having the option to substitute fries with mac and cheese, without any upcharge.

    Aaron B.

    Absolutely wonderful service and ambiance . I finally made time to visit this location and I wasn't disappointed . I've been dining with them for years at other locations and I didn't realize that they had opened a location in this area . Some must have items are the smoked salmon dip and the steak Maui . Also the prime rib is a must have . Definitely a great experience as always .

    Narges N.

    I went here for a dinner date with my sister, and the ambience was upscale, but laid-back at the same time which I like. We each ordered a different steak and they were both very good but the highlight of the night was the carrot cake. I've never really been a fan of carrot cake although it is my sister's favorite, but I can say without a doubt. This is one of the best desserts I've ever tasted. Just be careful, cause it will definitely burn your mouth! The food wasn't anything to write home about, but I will absolutely be coming back for the carrot cake and maybe their other desserts

    Anna K.

    Like Houston's/Hillstone but I like the menu better. Excellent salads and really great baked potatoes. Good semi-reasonably priced wines and consistently great service. Love the atmosphere and dark clubby ambiance. It's always fun to sit in the bar booths for a lively atmosphere.

    Henry Y.

    Went here for a business dinner. Got appetizers for the table. Decent and friendly service. + Queso was good (chips were plain) + Candied bacon that came with the deviled eggs were great, good addition! + Calamari was nicely fried + Solid carrot cake, fairly sweet frosting on top - I don't recall if it was on the menu, but the ribeye I got was covered in a sweet sauce (the waitress mentioned it but I didn't think it would be coated in it...) - They renamed the restaurant, but they're still using the plates with the old name, which is confusing I think for the price and the options you have available all over Houston, J. Alexander's fits right in the middle, not particularly memorable and a little expensive, perfect for that expensed dinner with the head of HR.

    Rye Manhattan
    Carl S.

    I'm very familiar with this restaurant brand and have loved each visit for several years. I recently celebrated my birthday with my family and they comfortably seated the five of us at a spacious round table. Our server was perfect with her interactions allowing us to take our time to enjoy each other and ensure we received our beverages and food at the right time. We started with the Calamari which was very tender with a marinara that was thick and full of flavor. My entree was Crab Cakes which were loaded with large lumps of crab meat. The chili mayo could have had more spice but didn't distract from the meal. Their deserts are excellent but my favorite is the chocolate cake. I'll never leave the restaurant without a slice to go.

    Fire roasted artichokes
    Jennifer H.

    This review is long overdue. I come to J. Alexander (or get it delivered) for one thing: the artichokes! These artichokes are the best thing in Houston.‍‍ I order them 2 to 3 times a month. There are very few places that have great fire roasted artichokes: Hillstone (sometimes) The Rustic These are better than both places. HOWEVER, the dipping sauce is a horrible accompaniment for artichokes. I'm not even sure what it is, but there's nothing acidic or garlicky and it needs both. It's good on salmon, not artichokes. I wish they would swap this out!!! I've started making a homemade lemon garlic aïoli and it's the PERFECT accompaniment. Literally five ingredients and if you make the aïoli from scratch, it's seven. Please change out the accompanying sauce. It's the wrong flavor profile for artichokes. TY TY TY.. i'll still keep coming back whether you change it out or not. But I'm glad I finally have the correct sauce. It's a game changer!!!! Other noteworthy menu items are the steak burger. Do not get the regular cheeseburger, get the steak burger. It's a million times better. The club sandwich is elite AF but holy crap, I gained 2 pounds after eating it. Saltyyyyyyyy. And the Cypress Salad, very good! But it's all about those artichokes! Love you, J. Alexander!!! Xx

    French Dip sandwich
    Ernie C.

    J. Alexander's is the perfect spot for consistently delicious American food. The restaurant provides amazing service, in a classy yet not pretentious, no fuss, atmosphere with meals that you know will always hit the spot. If you go, you must try the smoked salmon dip and the deviled eggs to start. The spinach queso is another crowd favorite, but to me, there are better quesos out there. All of the salads are very good. However, one of my absolute favorites on the menu is the French Dip - the prime rib is sliced perfectly thin and the bread is pillowy soft. J. Alexander's is very accommodating and will let you substitute any side for another. While their fries are delicious, when I'm feeling healthier I order the steamed broccoli. It very good and seasoned with just the right amount of lemon. J. Alexander's is a clear winner all around!

    Prime rib
    Zhen L.

    Visited this restaurant for the first time and loved it! Came here on a Wednesday night around 6pm, we did not have a reservation but was seated right away. Our waitress was polite and attentive, she saw we had a hangry toddler and offered to bring us some apps right away which I really appreciated. The food was better than I expected! Everything was fresh and flavorful, prime rib was very tasty as was my wife's crab cakes. They even had a wine special where they gave 10 different wine bottles for $25 only on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The restaurant itself was clean and ambiance was great. We will definitely be back one day!!

    Bar area of the restaurant

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    3 months ago

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    7 days ago

    My prime rib and mashed potatoes were perfect. Ambiance was nice, service was great. Be sure to make a reservation.

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    2 months ago

    As good a salad (whichever it was I don't remember) as ever I had and great soup as well!

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    4 months ago

    We love the good and service here. Great atmosphere as well. Really wish they had one in Katy!

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    7 months ago

    One of my favorite restaurants! I love the ahi tuna salad and orzo and wild rice. Carrot cake is the best I've ever had.

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    Page 1 of 8

    Ask the Community - J. Alexander's

    Is this the same restaurant that was on Westheimer near Wilcrest?

    Westheimer

    Did they rebrand from Merus to J. Alexander?

    Yes

    Is there outdoor space for kids?

    No outdoor seating or area of any kind.

    Is there a happy hour?

    No, there's no happy hour.

    Does restaurants take reservations?

    Yes, you can either call or make a reservation through the website at https://merusgrill.com/

    View All 6 Questions

    Yummy Seafood & Oyster Bar - Crawfish.

    Yummy Seafood & Oyster Bar

    4.3(103 reviews)
    4.3 miThe Heights
    $$

    My first crawfish of the season (3/10/26)! Even on a Tuesday…read moreit was really busy! Service moved quickly even when the kitchen was backed up. All the food was fresh and tasty, with some surprise stand outs. Tuesday gulf oysters are $1 and wings are $1 during Rockets/Texans games. Luckily we got to take advantage of both specials! Good value otherwise also. Crawfish $8.99/lb *market, good size and flavor Crab chowder Oysters Edamame Fried mushrooms Bang bang shrimp Crab fingers - very meaty! Tater tots - super crispy! Salmon and garlic noodles Hot honey and buffalo wings Miso mussels A separate hand washing station would have been nice as there was only 1 male and 1 female restroom which led to some waiting around. The front door faces Memorial Hermann not I10. Parking is shared and can be limited.

    I really wanted this to be a hit. Seafood, oysters, alcohol....vibes and a time right? It wasn't…read more I tried the bang bang shrimp, fried pickles, and chargrilled oysters. Something simple that should be an easy win. Unfortunately, everything leaned the same direction: either it was heavy, over-sauced, or overly garlicky. It tasted more like dressed-up frozen food than something thoughtfully prepared. And listen...I don't mind indulgent. But there still has to be balance and fresh food. Fresh like it was raw and delivered today, not fresh like fried in the last 15 mins. When everything is coated, covered, and competing, nothing actually stands out. The drinks didn't help either. They leaned hard on alcohol without much flavor behind them--more "this will get you there" than "this tastes good." Nothing was terrible. But nothing made me want another bite, either. And with seafood, that's kind of the whole point. The atmosphere is friendly, great music, and the service was very attentive. Even the presentation wasn't bad. It just wasn't enough. But at some point, you stop asking what's missing and just accept that it's not landing. I was still hungry so I went next door hoping for a better experience. I want to be clear: It's not bad. It's just not working.

    Photos
    Yummy Seafood & Oyster Bar
    Yummy Seafood & Oyster Bar - Crawfish with shrimp

    Crawfish with shrimp

    Yummy Seafood & Oyster Bar - Lychee martini

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    Lychee martini

    Balboa Surf Club

    Balboa Surf Club

    4.4(211 reviews)
    0.5 miGalleria/Uptown
    $$$

    Wow this place really blew me away. It's a near perfect spot for a business lunch or dinner (or if…read moreyou're willing to splurge with your own money for a good meal or a hot date). I wasn't sure what to expect based on the name of the restaurant, but essentially their seafood options are spectacular. And it feels like an exclusive club because the decor and service are both very much high class and special. We tried the coconut shrimp as the appetizer and really liked it. It was lightly fried and the shrimp was cooked to perfection - not under and not over. I would highly recommend this one to start. Loved it. If you're looking for a fair-priced meal, they have lots of salad and sandwich options. I tried the salmon poke bowl and it was so delicious. The fish was extremely fresh, and all the flavors blended together really well. It was like a healthy party in my mouth. It was great decision. You wanna splurge a bit and live large like YOLO? You gotta get the crab cake. Now, how good can a crab cake be? Well, if you're paying close to $50 for one crab cake, you better believe it's gonna be freaking awesome. And alas, it was. Best crab cake I've ever had in my life, no joke. And I've tried a lot of crab cakes in my many decades of dining out. Overall, I would highly recommend this restaurant and will be coming back many times. Enjoy! Quick note on parking - plenty of parking in a huge lot shared by many businesses such as Kenny and Ziggy's. Only annoying part is several sections of the lot are designated for specific businesses, so just look for the signs and be willing to park a little bit further away towards Taco Deli and Bluestone.

    Magnificent! I'm sad that it took me so long to find this restaurant! For starters, everything…read moreabout this restaurant is high end and gorgeous and the attention to detail is impressive. The entrance is beautiful and the staff was very welcoming and friendly. We had a reservation and were seated promptly, but I noticed the restaurant filling quickly around noon so you should definitely make a reservation. Our server was upbeat and knowledgeable and gave us his recommendations which I greatly appreciated. The coconut shrimp batter was tasty and crispy and the shrimp was perfectly fried. I ordered the crab cake based on my yelp research and the servers recommendation. The crab cake was the best one I've ever had. The amount of crab was generous and the seasoning was outstanding. The freshness and quality was very obvious and it was served with crispy fries that was an outstanding pairing. My diagnosis: gorgeous restaurant with outstanding seafood; the crab cake is a must order!

    Photos
    Balboa Surf Club
    Balboa Surf Club
    Balboa Surf Club

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    Liberty Kitchen & Oysterette - Steamed mussels (from the grilled coastal oyster board)

    Liberty Kitchen & Oysterette

    3.9(1.2k reviews)
    0.8 miHighland Village
    $$$

    I came for the happy hour on a Wednesday and loved the options! Our server was pretty good and I…read moreloved the decor. It was upscale with fun decor and playful design. East coast oysters: 9/10 absolutely love them! The Prince Edward Island ones always have my heart! A little on the smaller side though Gulf coast oysters: 8/10 I'm usually not a gulf coast oyster person but I enjoy how hearty and fresh these ones were. And I also don't usually love the cocktail sauce but this one was rly good a little savory, spicy, and sweet and a healthy amount of lemon juice of course. Deviled eggs: 10/10 these were nice and creamy and had good crunchy texture with the bacon bits and pickles Steak nigiri: 8/10 I would have scored these lower if it weren't for the steak. The steak was cooked and seasoned perfectly but it the rice underneath just felt out of place and unnecessary and not too mention too plentiful. I would love a plate of just the steak and the compote or sauce that was on top. I will definitely be coming back and trying more items on the menu!

    We only sat at the bar and got drinks, but the staff were all very friendly and welcoming…read more My husband really enjoyed his East Coast Oysters and is looking forward to coming back for more. Great deal. My margarita was very unique with charcoal and black lava salt. Overall, pretty good drink. I forgot to snap a picture.

    Photos
    Liberty Kitchen & Oysterette - Entrance

    Entrance

    Liberty Kitchen & Oysterette - Lobster dynamite roll

    Lobster dynamite roll

    Liberty Kitchen & Oysterette - Oysters, scallop and garlic bread

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    Oysters, scallop and garlic bread

    Josephine's Gulf Coast Tradition - Marinated Crab Fingers ($16)

    Josephine's Gulf Coast Tradition

    4.4(302 reviews)
    4.9 miFourth Ward, Midtown, Montrose

    Chef Lucas McKinney and the team continue to deliver!…read more I have continued to enjoy visiting here with friends and family. The vibe is great, the decor is awesome, the food delivers consistently, and service rarely takes a day off -- it's just a solid place to go when you're up for some great southern comfort classics. Cocktails, delicious. The daily food specials make it refreshing. The oysters never disappoint. We've rarely had to wait long on any ordered items and servers are all top notch. My only minor complaint is some of the larger groups visiting can sometimes forget there are others in the restaurant. We don't need to hear your entire conversation about the latest office gossip.

    *this review is only for crawfish, not their regular menu (which is amazing) *…read more We went here during crawfish season because they've been advertising their $8/lb crawfish, and we trusted that it would be great given the quality of their regular menu. We went on a Saturday for lunch. Hopefully this was just a one-off, but if you're looking for good Cajun boiled crawfish, this is not it. We started off with 6 lbs (group of 4) of their regular crawfish. First off, they put the Cajun seasoning on outside/shell (!!), which is a cardinal sin for Cajuns. They also minimally seasoned the boil, so the meat was lacking salt and flavor. We ordered 3 more lbs with the "wet sauce" (garlic butter), thinking the lack of flavor may be attributed to this being the first-ish batch of the day. Nope, the second batch was even less seasoned than the first. The sauce was good, but it didn't make up for the unseasoned meat. The crawfish were a good size, at least... Come on guys, I expect more from a Gulf Coast seafood restaurant!

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    Josephine's Gulf Coast Tradition - Inside - back area seating

    Inside - back area seating

    Josephine's Gulf Coast Tradition - Banana Pudding-$10. Would've loved more cookies! Rich and filling!

    Banana Pudding-$10. Would've loved more cookies! Rich and filling!

    Josephine's Gulf Coast Tradition - Blue Crab Rice Bowl-$26. RICH!

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    Blue Crab Rice Bowl-$26. RICH!

    Latuli - Pizza Pescatore

    Latuli

    4.1(109 reviews)
    3.5 miMemorial

    Chef Bryan Caswell has done it again. A beautiful restaurant with inviting patio, the interior…read moredesign is rustic elegance. Drinks were great from the martini paired caviar to the Barolo and pork chop. Cacio e Pepe and pizza/flat bread were good. Everything was excellent. Bread service was good. Whatever the butter spread(?) was on the board - Wow! Service was on point for a Sunday dinner. Our server - AJ was great, even though slammed with an 8-top, us and a few more 4-tops. We will be back and ask for AJ again.

    My foodie friend and I attended the Chase event at Latuli, and it was a wonderful evening!…read more First of all, this restaurant is absolutely gorgeous. The design details, from the rustic beams and large-scale vases to the pretty dishes and comfy stylish chairs, Latuli knocks it out of the park for ambiance. The servers were equally impressive: attentive, warm, welcoming, and very considerate. And the food? OUTSTANDING. Most of the passed appetizers were delicious. We both thought the one we didn't prefer (carrot) had too much lemon. The bread service was lovely as well. The remaining four courses were truly stellar... crawfish toast was savory and complex. The fish course was fresh and bright. The Wagyu was impossibly velvety tender and seasoned beautifully. The showstopper Baked Alaska was an over-the-top ending - sweet, creamy, and delicious - to a truly remarkable evening. Bravo! I had actually never heard of Latuli prior to this event, and, based on our experience, I will definitely be back.

    Photos
    Latuli - Dinning Room

    Dinning Room

    Latuli - Cheese filled Meatball

    Cheese filled Meatball

    Latuli - Elegant decor

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    Elegant decor

    J. Alexander's - newamerican - Updated May 2026

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