Houston's-Westheimer

When it comes to dining, we’re usually drawn to individual restaurants and shun the chains that clone themselves across the country. But for reasons we have not been able to fully uncover, we love Houston’s. It’s not because this chain was founded in our hometown, as many people assume. (Houston’s was actually started in Nashville.) But we know that part of our attraction is the long and varied menu, food that is consistently well-executed, and a semi-bistro atmosphere. Then there’s the fact that we’re addicted to the gooey spinach dip—nobody makes it better. And the prime rib is to die for.

There's almost always a wait for a table. So is it our imagination or was Houston's among the first Houston restaurants to use flashing beepers?