Houlihan's

Dionysus · #1 02-27-2003, 11:36 PM

IMO this is one of the best restaurants in the country.

What's your favorite appetizer, entree, and/or dessert from there?

My favorites are the chicken fingers and nachoes.
No one makes them better.

sororitygirl2 · #2 02-28-2003, 12:25 AM

I don't think we have Houlihan's (it sounds familiar, but I can't remember eating at one). Is it just like a Bennigan's chain?

Betarulz! · #3 02-28-2003, 12:37 AM

It's a tad bit nicer than a Bennigans...more upscale in my view, no tacky decor, lots of dark woods, stain glass, and everything they have on the menu they do well. They have a pretty good sunday brunch.

One of the best steaks I ever had was the Houlihan's at Union Station in St. Louis.

The oriental lettuce wraps are really good. And they have a really good baked Potato soup (not as good as a place called Houston's in KC).

Peaches-n-Cream · #4 02-28-2003, 02:02 AM

I don't think we have that here, either. We have TGIFriday's. I rarely go there.

#5 02-28-2003, 05:57 AM

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Kitso
KS 361 times i've watched Super Troopers since Christmas

xo_kathy · #6 02-28-2003, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Cream
I don't think we have that here, either. We have TGIFriday's. I rarely go there.

Cream, we totally have Houlihan's here! They are run by the same people as Margaritaville. I think there is one by GCT, and a few others. Of course, no self-respecting New Yorker would set foot inside a Houlihan's!!! Sorry everyone, but when you live in one of the cultural culinary centers of the world, Houlihan's just don't cut it anymore...Although a "dirty water dog", now that's another story!!!

Dionysus · #7 02-28-2003, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by xo_kathy
Cream, we totally have Houlihan's here! They are run by the same people as Margaritaville. I think there is one by GCT, and a few others. Of course, no self-respecting New Yorker would set foot inside a Houlihan's!!! Sorry everyone, but when you live in one of the cultural culinary centers of the world, Houlihan's just don't cut it anymore...Although a "dirty water dog", now that's another story!!!

Excuse me?

What is considered as "good" up there? Just curious (in case I ever go to NYC one day).

Houlihan's has no connection to Bennigan's or TGI Fridays.

lifesaver · #8 02-28-2003, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by xo_kathy
Cream, we totally have Houlihan's here! They are run by the same people as Margaritaville. I think there is one by GCT, and a few others. Of course, no self-respecting New Yorker would set foot inside a Houlihan's!!! Sorry everyone, but when you live in one of the cultural culinary centers of the world, Houlihan's just don't cut it anymore...Although a "dirty water dog", now that's another story!!!

If I remember correctly there used to be one one the ground floor of the Empire State Building. Of course, its been years since I was in that area of midtown.

We used to have one in San Antonio in North Star Mall. I think it close circa 1995. The cheescake factory is now there.

xo_kathy · #9 02-28-2003, 12:48 PM

Good memory, life! Although I think it's kitty-corner or something, not exactly in the building...but maybe!

Dionysus - I'm sorry!!! Sad, but true. I used to be a chain food lovin' girl myself. But being here, there are just so many choices for food (in all price ranges and varieties), you feel like you are cheating yourself by going to a chain. Yes, I have become a food snob...

Too many restaurants to list. If you do come to NYC someday, let us NY GCers know and we will have lots of suggestions!

lifesaver · #10 02-28-2003, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by xo_kathy
Good memory, life! Although I think it's kitty-corner or something, not exactly in the building...but maybe!

Yeah, I am all random like that. And have the best memory for stupid shit. I can remember where a restaurant is that I have passed by once in 1995 ina city I dont live in and have only been to twice in my life, but I cant remember the girls name I spoke to for an hour last night or ANY of our new members names, lol.

Peaches-n-Cream · #11 02-28-2003, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dionysus
Excuse me?

What is considered as "good" up there? Just curious (in case I ever go to NYC one day).

Houlihan's has no connection to Bennigan's or TGI Fridays.

There are dozens of elegant restaurants in NYC. I can't really list all of them. You could go to a different restaurant every night and never go to a restaurant twice. Of course, that can very expensive. I probably go out to dinner once or twice a week in Manhattan. Fine dining is a way of life here.

If you want to come to New York, you can check out the best restaurants listed by Zagat's or www.citysearch.com and see what is around.

DWAlphaGam · #12 02-28-2003, 03:32 PM

mmmmm...baked potato soup...*drool*

They also have these fun Blue Whale drinks that come with a big plastic whale perched on the rim of the glass.

AlphaSigOU · #13 02-28-2003, 03:53 PM

For those who like Houlihan's Houli Fruit Fizz, here's the recipe (source: Top Secret Restaurant Recipes: Creating Kitchen Clones From America's Favorite Restaurant Chains by Todd Wilbur) Available on Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...747411-8218225

HOULI FRUIT FIZZ

1 12-ounce can cold Sprite (or 7-up)
1/2 cup cold pineapple juice
1/4 cup cold orange juice
1 cup cold cranberry juice

Combine all of the ingredients in a pitcher and pour into two glasses over ice. Be sure all the ingredients are cold when combined. Serves 2.

Sorry, no recipe for the potato soup, but they do have 'clone' recipes for their famous 'Shrooms and Smashed Potatoes.

The book also has 'cloned' recipes for some favorite items from TGI Friday's, Planet Hollywood, Hard Rock Cafe, Red Robin, Cracker Barrel, etc. etc.

Dionysus · #14 02-28-2003, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DWAlphaGam
They also have these fun Blue Whale drinks that come with a big plastic whale perched on the rim of the glass.

As for drinks, I heard that their Long Island Iced Teas are pretty popular too.

valkyrie · #15 02-28-2003, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by xo_kathy
Dionysus - I'm sorry!!! Sad, but true. I used to be a chain food lovin' girl myself. But being here, there are just so many choices for food (in all price ranges and varieties), you feel like you are cheating yourself by going to a chain. Yes, I have become a food snob... Too many restaurants to list.

I have to agree with this. I can't remember the last time I went to a chain restaurant (aside from Panera for lunch). There is too much awesome stuff in the city for me to even consider going to a chain, and they're all out in the boonie suburbs anyway. Plus, in my experience, they all have next to NOTHING for vegetarians, and if they do have anything, it's usually not that good.

Of course, the Cheesecake Factory is an exception (great selection), but I never really go there, either.