Review: Longhorn Steakhouse Sugar Land

Not too long ago, The Longhorn Steakhouse finally opened up a location in Sugar Land off of the Southwest Freeway (US 59) and University Blvd.  I love a good chargrilled steak, cooked to a true medium with a hot, juicy pink middle and good searing on both sides, but not cold, bloody or raw.  Steakhouses are a staple in Texas, and especially Houston.  The thing is, we have other great steakhouses like Texas Land and Cattle, and Salt Grass Steakhouse that have a similar theme.  Hell, Lone Star Steakhouse is based in Texas, but has NO LOCATIONS in Texas because of how competitive this particular type of eatery is in Texas.  Will this Cowboy Kitsch Steakhouse hold up here?

Bacon wrapped potato wedges

I came to have an early lunch mid-week.  Still the business at lunch was rather brisk. Tony, my very polite server, informed me that The Longhorn Steakhouse uses only fresh, never frozen meat. I ordered a 12 oz ribeye, cooked medium with a loaded baked potato.  On their appetizers menu, I saw some bacon wrapped potato wedges that looked good too, and intend to sample them next time I come to eat here. Tony brought warm, soft, brown sourdough bread with whipped butter. The bread warm warm, fluffy & crusty; the butter--smooth & creamy.

One quick peeve of mine:  I'm not happy when I order iced tea and I'm given a straw instead of iced tea spoon. I realize it's a cost issue & respect a restaurateur's choice.  However, from the diner's perspective I would like to say that it doesn't work as well as a long iced tea spoon & it is not right for a steakhouse.  I respectfully suggest The Longhorn Steakhouse re-examine this soon.

12 oz Ribeye, Medium, with a loaded
baked potato

For the main course:  that ribeye was nice on the eyes--looked juicy and had a nice peppery aroma. The interior was warm, pink & juicy. Cooked what I call a true medium! The meat was well marbled, with no gristle. It also had a very buttery texture--tender, cut easily along the grain.  One other minor peeve:  I felt that the baked potato was a little small. I was very glad it was a Yukon butter gold, my favourite kind of potato--just wanted more of it is all.

Tony was a good server.  The service was visible but not too intrusive. I also noted that a manager was circulating & backing up the staff.  The staff made callbacks in a timely fashion, and kept my iced tea filled.  Tony also offered me more bread, which I heartily accepted.   I'll also say this:  Tony clearly had taken time to learn about the steakhouse and the meat they served, and offered a lot of information--i.e. the kind of cattle, the kinds of cuts they used and how it was sourced.  Whomever does their server training did a fine job with him.

I will also say this:  The Longhorn Steakhouse offers the comfort of the familiar like any chain does.  However, they offer this alongside good steaks that are prepared properly,  Unlike some other steakhouse chains, they also seem to get how Texans like their steaks in a semi-casual environment. I think they'll find a place here in Houston alongside TXLC & Salt Grass.  They're not Morton's or Vic & Anthony's, nor are they trying to be.  And they know how to cook a good steak to order.

The Foodie Professor's Report Card

Texas Cowboy Kitsch at The Longhorn Steakhouse

for The Longhorn Steakhouse:
Ribeye: A
Baked Potato: B (should have been larger, with more toppings)
Atmosphere: Cowboy Kitsch & Zane Grey novel covers:  B+
Service:
Speed: A
Friendliness: A
Cleanliness:
Dining Area: B+
Men's Room: B


Overall Grade: A-

The Longhorn steakhouse has 2 more locations slated to open in the Greater Houston Area soon.  I went to the one at:

16746 Southwest Freeway
 Sugar Land, TX 77479
(281) 240-1018

HOURS
Sun-Thu
11:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Fri-Sat
11:00 AM to 11:00 PM

And Remember:
Eat Happy!
Zao An, Y'all!