Treebeards

Mediocre at best. I ate here twice while on Jury Duty. I gave them the benefit of the doubt the second day, but was just as disappointed. This is Cajun meets Luby’s. The chicken friend chicken and the pot roast were very bland, but salty. However, the chocolate chip cookie was perfect for an afternoon snack. The environment is nice and the employees are very friendly, which is why I give them 3 stars instead of 2.

I finally was able to come here when I was in Houston for a couple of weeks. The parking was horrible since it was in downtown and it was also pouring that day, but it was so worth it.
The restaurant is cafeteria style. You basically go down the line, pick out your food, pay, then get you cutlery and bread.
I ordered to go since I was running errands and decided to get some lunch for my family. I got the duck gumbo, crawfish étouffée, and read beans and rice with andouille sausage.
The staff was super friendly and the food came out quickly. The food was delicious. The duck gumbo was full of duck meat and was super flavorful. I ordered the red beans and rice with cheese and onions. Super flavorful. Most places just have regular rice and some red beans with sausage, but not here. My favorite was the crawfish étouffée. It was hands down the best I’ve had in Houston. Tons of crawfish and flavor.
This is now my go to place for Cajun food when I’m in the downtown area. Definitely going to come back here again.

Cafeteria style Cajun food– my husband got the chicken fried chicken with mashed potatoes and cream gravy (delicious) and squash casserole (delicious). I had the red beans and rice with sausage (cheese and onions on top!) and it was awesome! It had really good flavor but not authentic Cajun if that’s what you’re looking for. Seating was less than desirable. Don’t sit by the chalkboard/​bathrooms. Every one stands there to look at the menu and has no regard for your personal space! Overall great food and good environment. PS get the Italian cream cake! Amazing!

This was my first visit. I had the meatloaf with dirty rice and red beans and rice. The food was good, we’ll seasoned and the service was good as well. The only issue was my fork had dried food on it so I had to locate a clean one. Overall, pretty food experience.

Definitely one of my favorite lunch spots. Their carrot cake is out this world amazing. Although it’s been pretty busy the past several times I went there, I love love love the ambiance of the whole place, you can sit and eat outside on the porch, or inside or upstairs.

This location is a lot better than their express locations for two reasons: bigger portions and unlimited bread! For once, I was actually full with one of their meals. I ordered the stuffed pork chop this particular visit and it was very good. It wasn’t very crowded at all and was very easy to find seating during noon lunch. They also have balcony seating for those who like eating outside with elevator access.

What a pleasant surprise! I made my trek to this establishment as I have heard various co workers rave about it. I dont usually do cafeteria style places but decided to give it a try. I had first tried the desserts at a business lunch so it was about time I tried the food as well. As I scrolled through the Unilocal pics I decided to try the red beans and rice with a sausage, jalapeño cornbread, and bread pudding. Yes, I know that it is a lot of carbs but I just really wanted to try it! The red beans/​rice with a side sausage was really just flavorful. The best I have tasted in awhile if not the best I have tasted period! When you pair it with the cornbread it is just so darn good! I chose the small portion and was definitely full by the time I finished. I also ordered a bread pudding because they stack those desserts and the end of the line and they are all begging to be chosen. I have tried the cakes and the cookies so felt that bread pudding would be a wise chose. It was definitely very good. What is even more amazing was the pricing. I ordered all the food and a drink for $ 10.82. I just cant believe it!!! The pricing, the atmosphere, and the quality of the food just really makes it worth it coming here. I cant wait to try other options!

Place is good, but not GREAT. Cafeteria style Cajun food. Real interesting! The environment could use an update. This place kind of reminds me of Luby’s. There’s everything from beans and rice, gumbo and jambalaya. You grab a tray, drink, silverware and head on down the line to pick your meal. Comes in two sizes: Small and Large. Weird because what if I wanted a medium?! I got a small jambalaya for about $ 4. This was the size of a cup of soup. Ordered a jalapeño cornbread to go with it because it just seemed like the right thing to do. My friend said to not skip on the buttermilk bar– so of course we grabbed two.
Once you’re done you pay at the register and there’s a side table with condiments and baskets of French bread. Pick a table and seat yourself!
Overall:
Food was good. Jambalaya — ok; added more spice since it wasn’t as flavorful as I thought. Jalapeño cornbread — good! Texture was there and a hint of that jalapeño rounded up the flavor well. Buttermilk bar — AMAZING! If you don’t go here for anything else at least do your co workers a favor and bring some to the office! :)
Service was great — super friendly.
Environment — so so

I really like the staff at Freeboards and the food never disappoints. My favorite is the chicken fried chicken with a side of red beans and rice. They could use wifi for guests but overall I would recommend.

Cafeteria style service: stand in line, grab your drink, tray, napkin, silverware and then your meal before you pay. So bummed my phone died before I could take a photo of my first ever gumbo and jambalaya. I can tell you though this place will not disappoint! My husband and I came hungry and left satisfied. We both got the chicken fried chicken with mash potatoes and gravy (the best!) and 2 sides (lots of sides to choose from)
If its a nice sunny day like it was today and you have time you should definitely eat on the second floor outside on the patio, the view is beautiful! Enjoy the simple things like watching people walk by, the blue skies and when we were there lots of construction was happening, I thought that was cool.
We paid 3.50 (1hr) for street parking.

So glad I finally got to try this place. Most of my reviews are pretty disdainful of Houston’s version of some of the simplest cajun items, like red beans and rice. So the beans and rice were definitely what I was hoping for — mostly. The main thing is the thickness or consistency of the beans as well as the flavor and they definitely nail the consistency here. I will say the red beans were a bit spicy here, but it didn’t mask the flavor of the beans. And while I love cheese and have been known to give bad reviews for the use of processed cheese at some establishments, it shouldn’t be on red beans and rice.
I also got a small gumbo. I have to admit that it was good, but just a bit too heavy. I’m sure many people like their gumbo with a ton of meat and veggies in it, but it is essentially a soup and should look like one. Making it this heavy also means you run the risk of not even being able to taste the roux over the meat etc, so a good head of «broth» is important.
I would come back maybe, but since I don’t work downtown and this place is only open during the work week? It will be probably be a while. Who knows though — downtown Houston is really changing and new apartments and condos are going up right now. Maybe Treebeards will change their hours, at least at this location, to reflect this.

I would never say Treebeards has the best cajun food ever, but honestly, it ain’t bad. I think that they have the better red beans and rice in the town and their sides are typically wonderful. I am generally OK with most of their entrees. I have been underwhelmed by the etouffe and their gumbo, but I’m really a snob when it comes to those two dishes, having cajun family and having lived on the border with Louisiana most of my life. For downtown lunch, I will say this is really one of the best choices you have. Try their cakes. I had yellow cake with chocolate frosting that tasted just like my grandmother’s, and that was a wonderful thing.

I honestly don’t see why people rave about this place. I work downtown and I have been to this place several times with coworkers and colleagues. I have had good cajun food and this simply is not it. First of all, the atmosphere is uninspired. I understand that this is a busy and popular place for professionals to frequent, but the general ambiance could use an update. However, I suspect that because of how busy they are, it isn’t realistic to except that any time soon.
The real issue I have is with the food. I don’t mind the cafeteria style presentation. I just find the food not at all that interesting. I think the food is over-​hyped amongst downtown professionals, which is a shame because of all the other interesting and fun options available to them. I think the food is just too bland to qualify as good cajun cooking. I have a lot of family in Louisiana and I grew up eating lots of good cajun food, so perhaps I am just picky when it comes to cajun cuisine, but the food really needs some help. I have tried the gumbo, the fried chicken, and various other dishes. Nothing I have had is all that good. I ate it because generally some attorney took me there for lunch and I wanted to be polite, but it is not all worth the money spent on it.
If you are downtown and looking for some good food, there are plenty of good options that are reasonably affordable. Treebeards is not one of those places.

So I went to the other downtown location for lunch today near market square. Everything I had was bland. Veggie Plate with fried green tomatoes (they were crispy but the cornmeal lacked flavor) red beans & rice (you really can’t mess that up) & a chicken veggie soup dish. I had to mix cheese onions hot sauce (like every condiment they offered) to make it taste decent. The one in the tunnels must have «different» cooks in the back or something. I’m just shocked at what other reviewers have been eating beforehand to be this excited about bland Cajun food. How sway?!

Red beans and rice baby… and many other Cajun dishes like gumbo and étouffée! It’s a great place for lunch and it’s cafeteria style. You go through a line and say «I want some of that and some of that, and that too!» It’s good home cooking comfort food. And of course, the dessert pies are right before the checkout! Hit me when I’m weak. Can’t say no.
Treebeards has several locations in downtown Houston (in the tunnels I believe), but this is the only location I’ve ever been too. You gotta try this place out.

Easy in and out spot for lunch with a great selection. I had the chicken and sausage gumbo but ate it too fast to snap a pic. I lunched on the patio with a view of market square park.
The greens are awesome and so is the in house got sauce.
I picked up a big cookie for later. All their desserts are yum. I’ve ordered the pan of bread pudding at Christmas for a family gathering. Stop by if u get a chance.

On the seventh day, G-​d went to Treebeards to rest. He sat down, tried their étouffée, and said THIS is damn, damnation good.
And if it’s good enough for G-​d to show up and enjoy some étouffée, it’ll be good enough for anyone. If you don’t believe me, check out the Bible. You’ll see Treebeards mentioned. I promise.
This is my favorite restaurant to eat in Houston. It’s one of the most unassuming and simple restaurants downtown for tourists and business folks alike. Sumptuous, no-​nonsense Southern & Cajun specialties served cafeteria style in a great space. No attitude, no judgements. I saw a lady’s tray overflowing with two entrees, a couple sides, a dessert, iced tea, and a bread basket. Go for it, honey!
Excellent étouffée (the roux was just the right thickness), gorgeous salads with a higher fixins-​to-​lettuce ratio. Divine little fruit cups with – ready for this? – KIWI! Why not? A nice twist on typical fruit cups. The hot entrees are amazing. Jambalaya, a different gumbo offering each day of the week, chili, red beans & rice, vegetable & chicken soup and meatloaf (a hit or miss with some people… it looked good to me). Sides you won’t believe – try the squash casserole. And the desserts – is that red velvet cake? Why yes it is… and chocolate cake, carrot cake and cookies and brownies. BREAD PUDDING? Oh, yeah. Infused with whiskey. The best.
This is definitely a holy ground for good, basic Cajun/​Creole food for reasonable prices. Show up hungry and enjoy a slice of heaven.

A Houston classic. Just wish the hours were longer. I’m at work when they are open. Living 2 blocks away I long for the yummy food.
6 hallo Halley puppies with Paws up.

I’m not one of those people who loves sausage, red beans and rice, but when my coworker picks up Treebeards for lunch and the smell just waifs in the air, I give her a hard time for not asking me if I wanted to order anything. So finally after suffering a year, we make it to Treebeards.
Located right across from Market Square Park, Treebeards is known for their Southern food, especially their red beans and rice. They are only open during the weekdays for lunch and are a popular lunch spot for people who work in downtown. It’s a cafeteria type set up. The lines are long, but move quickly. The salads looked amazing. I had cheesy grits, sausage, red beans and rice. The cheesy grits were awesome. I added cheese to my red beans and rice and it was pretty good. Sliced French bread was complimentary and soft. One of my coworkers had the carrot side dish and raved about how great it was. I also got a brownie, but apparently I should have spent my calories on the chocolate or Italian cream cake, which are supposedly amazing.
Service was friendly, food was good and prices were reasonable. Overall, I really liked this place though I wished they had better hours.

This is one of the best places to eat in Houston! It’s a must visit if you are looking for some good down home southern/​creole cooking. My favorite thing to get is the red beans & rice with sausage (it’s spicy) which they top with shredded cheddar cheese and green onions. They have several other items including vegetables, étouffée, gumbo, cornbread and the list just goes on and on.
Notes about going: Unfortunately, they are only open during the week for lunch. It gets very packed around 12, so go early. Food is served cafeteria style and then you seat yourself. There is bread and crackers available after the checkout line. Meter parking is available on the surrounding streets and there are some lots as well.
The staff is super friendly too! Love this place!