Red Lion Pub

Its been years since I've visited the Red Lion Pub, but I was reminded about the place when it was featured recently on an episode of Diners, Drive-ins & Dives on the Food Network (watch the segment here).

My wife and I went for lunch on Saturday and arrived around 1:00pm. We were told there was a wait for a table, so we grabbed a seat at the bar. I swear the tap selection hasn't changed since I was there last. I remember the selection because it was the first place that I ever tried a Bridgeport IPA and I saw that it was still on tap. I had the Bridgeport while my wife had a coffee with Baileys. The pub was filled with an obvious combination of first-timers who came here after seeing the episode of DDD and longtime regulars who eyed the newcomers with suspicion. We briefly contemplated just eating at the bar, but were seated at a table in the far corner after only 10 minutes.

We surveyed the menu, but we had already decided on the Chicken Tandoori Quesadillas after watching the chef make them on the show. I also ordered the Fish & Chips which seemed to be the quintessential thing to have in a British pub. The quesadillas are made with chicken baked with Tandoori spices and then shredded and served with mozzarella, pickled onions and peppers between two soft layers of naan. The whole thing is then dusted with Parmesan cheese and cilantro. It was good, but not as flavourful as we had been expecting. The chicken could have been more spicy and I would have liked a little more cheese in it. We were basically underwhelmed by what looked like an exiting and original dish. The fish on the other hand was fantastic. Two big fillets with a light puffy batter with fries and green peas. The fish was flaky and moist but not oily and the batter was thin and not greasy. Definitely one of the better fish and chips that I've had in Houston.

We both noticed that the prices for food and drinks were high. All of the draft beers were $7 a pint and despite what the beer menu indicates, my beer was not a True 20oz Imperial Pint. The fish and chips were $16 and the quesadillas $15. Like I said, I haven't been there for years, so I don't know if the prices have always been that high or if that's a recent change after being featured on a national TV show. I might stop by if I happen to be driving by, but their limited selection of craft beer and the higher then average prices doesn't give me a reason to make an effort to get back over there again.