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Photo courtesy of Del Frisco's

Houston's Favorite Chain Restaurants, Mapped

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Last Friday, Eater readers provided their suggestions for Houston's best chain restaurants; the results are enshrined in the map below. Two observations. First, no one voted for Whataburger, which is odd considering the vigor with which people defend it when food writers are critical of the orange and white Texas institution. Second, Eater readers are entirely comfortable buying their Tex-Mex from restaurants with multiple locations. No idea what that says about the people who responded to the open thread or Tex-Mex, but perhaps someone else is willing to speculate in the comments.

Finally, Coal Vines in Sugar Land isn't on the map, but, according to this blog post, chef Steve Marques has brought the same skills he displayed at both the Burger Guy and The Tasting Room. It's definitely a restaurant to watch.


· Burger Friday: Whataburger Gulfgate [29-95]
· What's the Big Deal About Whataburger? [Eating Our Words]
· Soft Pairings [Dude, you going to eat that?]
· All Maps on Eater Houston [-EHOU-]

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Becks Prime

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This Houston burger institution has locations across the city. The burger benefit from being cooked over mesquite, and the eggy bun stands up well to the thick patty. [Image via Facebook]
Although some people love to hate this Austin import, there are many more people who love it. Every location is typically packed with diners slurping down Texas martinis and consuming their weight in creamy jalapeno salsa. [Image via Facebook]

Houston's Restaurant

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This upscale national chain serves a compelling mix of steaks, salads and seafood entrees. The prime rib is among the best anywhere, and the off-the-menu tempura chicken fingers are worth the calories. [Image via Foursquare]

El Rey Taqueria

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El Rey's mix of long hours and reasonable prices makes it a winning choice. Favorite dishes include the tortilla soup and cuban sandwich.

The Tasting Room

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This local chain features a large selection of wines by the glass and chef-driven menus. [Image via Yelp]

Pappasito's Cantina

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The Pappas family's Tex-Mex restaurant is the perfect embodiment of the family's winning formula: large portions, stellar service and tasty food. Fajitas here are always a good choice. [Image via Foursquare]

El Tiempo Cantina

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This upscale Tex-Mex restaurant is the only chain on the Eater 38. The Laurenzo family made fajitas a global movement at the original Ninfa's, and El Tiempo still serves the best version of that iconic dish. [Image via Facebook]

Barnaby's Cafe

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The original location of this Montrose mini-empire can be a little cramped and has terrible parking, but the food and service set it apart from the other locations. Barnaby's serves some of Houston's best salads, but the barbecue ribs are also a good choice.[Image via Foursquare]

Grand Lux Cafe

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This sister restaurant to the Cheesecake Factory rewards those who can cherry pick through its massive menu. Stick to the salads and sandwiches, stay away from anything that looks too fusion-y and save room for the baked-to-order chocolate chip cookies.

Skeeter's Mesquite Grill

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This family-owned local chain serves mesquite grilled burgers and solid Tex-Mex in a casual, family friend atmosphere.

Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse

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This Galleria restaurant serves thick slabs of prime beef to a fashionable crowd. It's not unusual to see visiting professional athletes chowing down the signature wagyu long bone ribeye.

James Coney Island

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This local institution has tried to spiff up its menu with an all-beef hot dog on a Slow Dough bun, but the classic chili cheese coney is the real reason to eat here. [Image via Yelp]

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Becks Prime

This Houston burger institution has locations across the city. The burger benefit from being cooked over mesquite, and the eggy bun stands up well to the thick patty. [Image via Facebook]

Chuy's

Although some people love to hate this Austin import, there are many more people who love it. Every location is typically packed with diners slurping down Texas martinis and consuming their weight in creamy jalapeno salsa. [Image via Facebook]

Houston's Restaurant

This upscale national chain serves a compelling mix of steaks, salads and seafood entrees. The prime rib is among the best anywhere, and the off-the-menu tempura chicken fingers are worth the calories. [Image via Foursquare]

El Rey Taqueria

El Rey's mix of long hours and reasonable prices makes it a winning choice. Favorite dishes include the tortilla soup and cuban sandwich.

The Tasting Room

This local chain features a large selection of wines by the glass and chef-driven menus. [Image via Yelp]

Pappasito's Cantina

The Pappas family's Tex-Mex restaurant is the perfect embodiment of the family's winning formula: large portions, stellar service and tasty food. Fajitas here are always a good choice. [Image via Foursquare]

El Tiempo Cantina

This upscale Tex-Mex restaurant is the only chain on the Eater 38. The Laurenzo family made fajitas a global movement at the original Ninfa's, and El Tiempo still serves the best version of that iconic dish. [Image via Facebook]

Barnaby's Cafe

The original location of this Montrose mini-empire can be a little cramped and has terrible parking, but the food and service set it apart from the other locations. Barnaby's serves some of Houston's best salads, but the barbecue ribs are also a good choice.[Image via Foursquare]

Grand Lux Cafe

This sister restaurant to the Cheesecake Factory rewards those who can cherry pick through its massive menu. Stick to the salads and sandwiches, stay away from anything that looks too fusion-y and save room for the baked-to-order chocolate chip cookies.

Skeeter's Mesquite Grill

This family-owned local chain serves mesquite grilled burgers and solid Tex-Mex in a casual, family friend atmosphere.

Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse

This Galleria restaurant serves thick slabs of prime beef to a fashionable crowd. It's not unusual to see visiting professional athletes chowing down the signature wagyu long bone ribeye.

James Coney Island

This local institution has tried to spiff up its menu with an all-beef hot dog on a Slow Dough bun, but the classic chili cheese coney is the real reason to eat here. [Image via Yelp]

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