Taste Kitchen + Bar
Quick info
About Taste Kitchen + Bar
On Main St in Houston, Taste Kitchen + Bar serves Cajun and Southern fare with a late-night chicken and waffles menu that includes cajun fried chicken paired with red velvet waffles. The kitchen's roughly 100 dishes extend to smothered chicken with red velvet waffles, fried catfish, and a cornbread waffle, with gouda mac and cheese and oxtail served alongside rice and gravy as further options. A full bar runs alongside the food menu. The dining room runs table service, with staff assigned to each table, and R&B plays over the space. The restaurant opens daily, and a wait is common, so reservations are recommended. A step-free entrance serves visitors with mobility needs, and outdoor seating is available for those who prefer to eat outside. Dogs are welcome on site, and high chairs are on hand for families with young children. Those who want the food off site can order takeaway or delivery.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- ParkingFree of charge street parking · Paid parking lot · Paid street parking
- AccessibilityHas wheelchair-accessible car park · Has wheelchair-accessible entrance · Has wheelchair-accessible seating
- Good for kidsHigh chairs available
- DietaryServes vegan dishes · Serves vegetarian dishes
Menu & Prices
100 dishes · mains $3–69- Hot Cakes$10.00
- Waffles$6.00
- Deep Fried Bread Pudding French Toast Sticks$9.00
- Biscuit Waffles$10.00
- Avocado Toast$10.00
- Texas Omelet$15.00
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention chicken and waffles, oxtail with rice and gravy, gouda mac and cheese and red velvet waffles.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention chicken and waffles, oxtail with rice and gravy, gouda mac and cheese and red velvet waffles.
Customer Review Summary
Chicken and waffles anchor the draw here, with the cajun fried chicken and red velvet waffles repeatedly singled out for a crispy exterior and juicy, well seasoned meat. Close behind, the oxtail with rice and gravy and the shrimp and grits draw consistent praise for exceptional seasoning, alongside the fried catfish sandwich and standouts like deep fried cauliflower and gouda mac and cheese. Cocktails and happy hour drinks earn repeated compliments, and diners frequently note attentive servers who guide first timers through the menu. A recurring trade-off is slow service during busy stretches, with one diner waiting 45 minutes for drinks and another 45 for dessert and the check, and a couple of reviews mention lukewarm grits or soggy loaded fries. One diner also reports being served chicken that seemed reheated rather than fresh, alongside a complaint that the restroom wasn't clean. Even so, most describe returning, with one reviewer recalling a server's detailed food photos capping off a meal after a long trip.
Customer Review Summary
Chicken and waffles anchor the draw here, with the cajun fried chicken and red velvet waffles repeatedly singled out for a crispy exterior and juicy, well seasoned meat. Close behind, the oxtail with rice and gravy and the shrimp and grits draw consistent praise for exceptional seasoning, alongside the fried catfish sandwich and standouts like deep fried cauliflower and gouda mac and cheese. Cocktails and happy hour drinks earn repeated compliments, and diners frequently note attentive servers who guide first timers through the menu. A recurring trade-off is slow service during busy stretches, with one diner waiting 45 minutes for drinks and another 45 for dessert and the check, and a couple of reviews mention lukewarm grits or soggy loaded fries. One diner also reports being served chicken that seemed reheated rather than fresh, alongside a complaint that the restroom wasn't clean. Even so, most describe returning, with one reviewer recalling a server's detailed food photos capping off a meal after a long trip.
Featured reviews
- Savannah
“I recently visited Taste Kitchen and had a great experience. Esaias was very attentive, friendly, and made sure everything was taken care of throughout our meal. The food came out fresh, and the atmosphere was welcoming. I appreciated the excellent customer service and would definitely visit again.”
- Jazzy Shearin
“Food was amazing. Blackened ribeye is so flavorful. Our server Kevin did great and was very knowledgeable of the menu. Our autistic son absolutely murdered the Cinnamon toast crunch chicken & waffles! Btw...that fried chicken tasted like somebody's grandma was back there killing it!”
- Unlike No Other
“Drink was small but fairly strong, appx $20. Food was mediocre at best. The best item on the plate was the cornbread waffle. And it really wasn't all that great. My chicken had to be replaced bc it was not prepared fresh. It was served lukewarm and a bit soggy as if it were sitting under a heat lamp. Two piece chicken, the 2 sides, minute serving of rice/gravey & waffle, $26 bucks. Totally not worth it. RR wasn't clean. Decent vibes, however. Service was ok.”
- Ciaira Bridgeman
“I absolutely LOVED this place! ❤️❤️ Tay was my server, and I highly recommend asking for her if you can. She was patient, kind, attentive, and incredibly sweet throughout my visit. I ordered the oxtails and requested a substitution of white rice and gravy instead of grits, and it was AMAZING-; seriously, yummy, yummy, yummy! The portions were generous, and they gave me huge pieces of oxtail, which I was so grateful for. They were happy to accommodate my request, and everything came out perfectly. My friend ordered the smothered chicken, and it looked absolutely delicious. After seeing it, I definitely want to try it next time! Whether you're looking for a place to hang out with friends, enjoy a date night, or just relax and soak up the atmosphere, this spot is a great choice. I'll definitely be back! ❤️ Highly recommend! ❤️”
- A J
“Our first time visiting Houston and Taste Kitchen. All the food was good and had a lot of flavor . The service was good . We went on a Sat around 4 pm . They didn’t let us reserve a table ahead of time when we called in . So it was 45 …”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Highlights
“Late-night chicken & waffles menu plus fusion Southern fare & cocktails served in a casual space.”
- Has fast service
- Has great beer selection
- Serves great cocktails
- Has great wine list
- Has live music
- Serves local speciality
Amenities
- Has wheelchair-accessible car park
- Free of charge street parking
- Accepts reservations
- Has outdoor seating
- Dogs allowed outside
- Offers delivery
Show more amenities
- Offers takeaway
- Serves dine-in
- Serves vegan dishes
- Has bar on site
- Casual
- On-site services available
- Offerings· 12
- Serves alcohol
- Serves beer
- Serves cocktails
- Serves coffee
- Serves comfort food
- Serves happy-hour drinks
- Serves happy-hour food
- Quick bite
- Serves small plates
- Serves spirits
- Serves vegetarian dishes
- Serves wine
- Popular for· 2
- Popular for breakfast
- Good for solo dining
- Planning· 2
- Brunch reservations recommended
- Usually has a wait
- Dining options· 9
- Serves breakfast
- Serves brunch
- Serves lunch
- Serves dinner
- Has catering
- Has counter service
- Serves dessert
- Has seating
- Has table service
- Facilities· 1
- Has toilet
- Atmosphere· 2
- Cosy
- Trendy
- Accessibility· 3
- Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Has wheelchair-accessible seating
- Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
- Highlights· 7
- Has fast service
- Has great beer selection
- Serves great cocktails
- Has great wine list
- Has live music
- Serves local speciality
- Good for watching sport
- Crowd· 4
- Good for groups
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Popular with tourists
- Transgender safe space
- Parking· 3
- Paid parking lot
- Paid street parking
- Somewhat difficult to find a space
- Family-friendly· 1
- High chairs available
Location
Restaurants near Taste Kitchen + Bar
- The Pearl4.22240.1 mi$10–20Good for kidsReservations
craft cocktails at the bar, breakfast omelette and bacon, pork chop and cowboy ribeye
- Barbacana4.71320.2 mi$80–90Reservations
tasting menu with wine pairing, duck confit bao buns, chef's choice no reservations option
- The Nash4.32610.2 mi$30–90Good for kidsReservations
cauliflower hot wings, craft cocktails, steak and prime ribeye
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taste Kitchen + BarReservations | 4.46,879 | — | $20–80 | chicken and waffles, oxtail with rice and gravy, gouda mac and cheese |
| The PearlGood for kids · Reservations | 4.2224 | 0.1 mi | $10–20 | craft cocktails at the bar, breakfast omelette and bacon, pork chop and cowboy ribeye |
| BarbacanaReservations | 4.7132 | 0.2 mi | $80–90 | tasting menu with wine pairing, duck confit bao buns, chef's choice no reservations option |
| The NashGood for kids · Reservations | 4.3261 | 0.2 mi | $30–90 | cauliflower hot wings, craft cocktails, steak and prime ribeye |
The 3 nearest restaurants by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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