While French cuisine is known for its refinement, elegant presentation, and emphasis on technique, one of its most famous dishes is decidedly humble. Steak frites, or steak and fries, is quintessential comfort food—especially here in Texas, where meat and potatoes are a way of life.
We’ve rounded up places around Houston serving variations of this classic combination, from neighborhood bistros to upscale steakhouses. Some feature premium cuts of beef, while others put their own spin on the dish with signature sauces and creative seasonings.
Whether you prefer crispy shoestring fries, thick-cut wedges or traditional pommes frites, these local restaurants prove there’s more than one delicious way to enjoy steak frites.
Annabelle Brasserie
With its opulent interiors and distinctly Parisian spirit, Annabelle Brasserie is a natural stop for steak frites. Its Parisienne Steak Frites keeps things classic with a 6-ounce New York strip, sliced and topped with garlic-herb butter, alongside a generous pile of parsley pommes frites. It’s a straightforward take on the French bistro staple that fits right in with Annabelle’s lavish brasserie setting. 811 Buffalo Pk. Dr., #100
Houston, annabellebrasserie.com
Brasserie 19
This buzzy River Oaks hangout may be best known for its prime people-watching and lively Sunday Funday brunches, but at its heart is a menu of modern French-inspired dishes such buttery escargot, trout almondine, and duck and foie gras terrine. The filet frites doesn’t stray far from tradition—a prime cut of steak is served with crisp, thin cut pommes frites and a peppery au poivre. Paired with a glass of wine from the extensive list makes for a perfect Parisian meal. 1962 W. Gray St., Houston, brasserie19.com
Toulouse Cafe & Bar
Few dishes feel more at home at Toulouse than steak frites. The polished River Oaks District restaurant leans into its French brasserie roots with a 10-ounce grilled New York strip accompanied by crisp pommes frites, a petite salad, and creamy béarnaise. It’s an unfussy, traditional preparation that lets the classic combination of steak, fries, and buttery sauce do the talking. 4444 Westheimer Rd., Ste. E100, Houston, toulousecafeandbar.com
State of Grace
Executive chef Ryan Lachaine is at the helm of this River Oaks restaurant, which blends the appeal of a classic steakhouse with the charm of a European bistro, all infused with Gulf Coast flair. Among its offerings is Le Entrecôte, a nod to the iconic French steak-frites tradition. The dish showcases entrecôte, a boneless cut from the rib, served with State of Grace’s take on classic sauce verte—a rich, herbaceous butter sauce. The thick, hand-cut frites nearly steal the spotlight: crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside and perfectly seasoned, they’re an ideal companion to the flavorful steak and signature sauce.3258 Westheimer Rd., Houston, stateofgracetx.com
Brasserie du Parc
Steps from Discovery Green, Brasserie Du Parc brings a classic French brasserie experience to Downtown. Its steak frites keeps things traditional with an 8-ounce flat iron served alongside pommes frites and a spring mix salad, with a choice of béarnaise, Bordelaise, au poivre, or maître d’hôtel butter. 1440 Lamar St., Houston, brasserieduparc.net
Agnes and Sherman
This eclectic Heights area restaurant is chef Nick Wong’s celebration of diner comfort food with an Asian influence. There are creative combinations such as savory scallion waffles with sambal honey butter; shrimp toast with iceberg lettuce and candied pecans; and egg foo young smothered in crawfish gumbo gravy. The restaurant’s version of steak frites features a marbled bavette steak paired with crispy fries seasoned with salt, pepper, and basil—a nod to the signature flavors found in Taiwanese and Cantonese cooking. The result is a dish that feels familiar and distinctive. 250 W 19th St. A, Houston, agnesandsherman.com
Hudson House
Hudson House may channel an East Coast neighborhood restaurant more than a Parisian bistro, but its steak frites earns a place on the list. The dish pairs steak with truffle-Parmesan fries and herb compound butter, finished with fresh herbs. It’s a richer, more indulgent spin on the French staple—and one that Houston diners have specifically singled out when discussing their favorite steak frites around town. Pair with one of the restaurant’s ultra cold martinis. 1964 W. Gray St., Houston, hudsonhouse.com
Kirkwood
This Energy Corridor-area newbie features elevated American fare in a striking setting. Executive chef and director of culinary Stephen Chiang brings experience from notable kitchens including Per Se and Del Posto in New York. Locally, he spent time at the Blind Goat and (now shuttered) UB Preserv. At Kirkwood, Chiang lends his touch to starters like hamachi crudo and French onion soup, as well as mains including pappardelle ragù and fish and chips. His steak frites pairs prime bavette with golden, crispy fries, while a velvety brandy-peppercorn cream sauce brings the dish together. 11720 Katy Fwy. Ste. 140, Houston, kirkwoodrestaurant.com
Maison Pucha
Maison Pucha Bistro brings a polished French touch to the classic steak-and-fries pairing. Its steak frites features a generous 12-ounce Certified Angus Beef New York strip served with Maison fries, béarnaise sauce, and fresh chives. 1001 Studewood St. #A, Houston, maisonpucha.com
Chardon
The Thompson Hotel’s modern French bistro is far from your average hotel restaurant. Refined without feeling stuffy, the space pairs traditional Parisian fare with local, seasonal ingredients. The kitchen is led by E.J. Miller, a veteran of Houston’s dining scene whose résumé includes stints at (now shuttered) Riel and International Smoke. Among standouts like beef cheek bourguignon and duck l’orange, Miller’s steak frites is a must-order. An expertly prepared steak is paired with pommes frites and a flavorful au poivre sauce, adding a rich finish to the classic dish. 1711 Allen Pkwy. Ste. 101, Houston, chardonhouston.com
Café Rebalais
This cozy, long-standing café has brought a taste of Paris to the heart of Rice Village for more than two decades. Its charm lies in the details, from the chalkboard menu to the thoughtful, extensive wine list. The menu features rustic Parisian dishes like soul-warming French onion soup, a refreshingly simple salade Niçoise, and airy profiteroles for dessert. The l’entrecôte features a perfectly pan-seared bone-in ribeye served with crisp pommes frites, roasted garlic, and a choice of Bordelaise, béarnaise, or peppercorn sauce. While you can’t go wrong with any of them, the Bordelaise adds an extra layer of beefy richness that begs to be soaked up with the pommes frites. 2442 Times Blvd., Houston, caferabelais.com
Medium Rare
Located in Midtown’s Mix development, Medium Rare is known for doing one thing and one thing only: steak frites. At dinner, it offers a very straight forward one choice prix-fixe menu that includes warm artisan bread, a fresh green salad, a culotte steak (top sirloin) and crispy fries, with a signature top secret sauce—a creamy, peppery accompaniment that hints at the classic au poivre. All diners have to do is let their server know how they want their steak cooked and be prepared to leave satiated because every meal comes with a complimentary second helping. 3201 Louisiana St., Houston, mediumrarerestaurant.com
Uchiko
Uchi’s sister restaurant, located in the Post Oak Place development near the Galleria, takes a fiery approach to Japanese cuisine, bringing smoke and char to the clean flavors and refined techniques that define Uchi. Steak frites certainly isn’t the first dish that comes to mind when you think of Japanese cuisine, but Uchiko’s version is a standout. Wagyu is paired with bright scallion chimichurri and crispy fries cooked in beef fat. While the steak is excellent, it’s the rich, indulgent fries that truly set this steak frites apart. 1801 Post Oak Blvd., Houston, uchiko.restaurants.com
Etoile
French-born chef Philippe Verpiand and his wife Monica Bui opened Étoile in Uptown Park in 2012, and it has since become a destination for authentic French fare. The understated elegance of the dining room is the perfect backdrop for Verpiand’s interpretations of traditional dishes such as duck confit, beef bourguignon, and coq au vin. The filet de boeuf au poivre is served just as it would be in a French brasserie—an 8 oz. beef tenderloin is accompanied by a black peppercorn-Cognac sauce, pommes frites, and a fresh green salad. End the meal on sweet note with the apple tarte or Tahitian vanilla crème brûlée. 1101-11 Uptown Park Blvd., Houston, etoilecuisine.com
