Review last updated October 21, 2007
Red Lion Pub
Red Lion is a great English-style pub, run by a bona-fide Englishman (hi, Craig!). With dark wood throughout, red leather booths, and a fireplace in the back, it's elegant and homey at the same time.
As in most pubs, they offer table service, and service is reasonably attentive, at least during the day. A few biggish televisions are there for watching sports, but they aren't overwhelming when you just want to drink and chat. They also hold special events such as annual Christmas and Halloween parties.
The bar is fairly large, and there is ample seating on the patio, as well as lots of booths. However, it does get really crowded (standing room only) & therefore very loud late at night, especially on the weekends. We prefer to go during the day.
Speaking of the patio, I finally tried it out the last time we were there, and it was just like heaven. It was a gorgeous, windy late summer afternoon with perfect blue skies, and they have willow trees and a fountain out there, plus comfortable seating and spacious tables, and wow, it was just great.
Their menu is ample, with wonderful (not inexpensive) food, like a pan-seared sushi-grade tuna salad for $12, a $10 cheeseburger, or veggie-stuffed chicken for $14. They feature several Indian-style English dishes such as Chicken Tikka Masala and papadoms, as well as traditional English pub fare like fish & chips and shepherd's pie.
Everything I've had at Red Lion has been excellent, but when I really want to indulge, I go there for the English fry-up breakfast, served only on Saturday and Sunday. It is a huge traditional feast, featuring 2 bangers, Irish back bacon, 2 fried eggs, sauteed mushrooms, baked beans, tomatoes, and all the lightly toasted white bread and butter you could want. It's amazing, and pretty expensive ($15 per person, if I recall correctly).
By:
Hilary
Address
2316 S Shepherd Dr, Houston TX 77019 (map)
Additional Information
(713) 782-3030
Hours: Mon-Thurs 3pm to 2am, Fri-Sun 11:30am-2am.
Directions
Located on South Shepherd, between the Galleria area and downtown, just north of Fairview on the west side of the street. The pub is a stand-alone English-style building with parking on all sides.