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Zelko Bistro
Categories: Restaurants Canadian (New) Restaurants Southern Canadian (New), Southern [Edit]
705 E 11th StHouston, TX 77008
Neighbourhood: The Heights
(713) 880-8691
- Hours:
Tue-Sat 11 am - 10 pm
Sun 10 am - 9 pm
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street, Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Trendy, Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
206 reviews for Zelko Bistro
Review Highlights
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"Best fried pickles I've ever had." In 24 reviews -
"The lemon icebox was divine and the mousse was perfect." In 8 reviews -
"Indeed, the wine list is quite good." In 20 reviews
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206 reviews in English
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Review from Vicky A.
Houston, TX
5/6/2012
Ohh my taste buds.
Zelko's is wonderful! The food here is delectable and has that perfect fusion mix. I personally love their fish tacos which come topped with mango salsa and a side of fried plantains. I assure you that their great wine selection and creative menu will keep you coming back for more!
The parking is a bit limited so you may want to leave a little earlier than planned...overall though, this place is great! Their tasty food, prompt service and relaxed atmosphere are perfect for a nice date night or GNO. -
Review from Lauren T.
4/7/2012
We had a great dinner at Zelko. I was a bit worried about the "comfort food" label, but the 2012 menu had many lighter things to choose from. We split the bruschetta, which was tasty if not exciting, then split two fish dishes: grouper with asparagus, arugula salad, and pineapple/tomato salsa and slow-baked salmon with spinach and caramelized fennel. Both dishes were a fantastic combination of fresh, well-seasoned, expertly cooked fish with fresh local veggies--I would order either again in a heartbeat. We split the vanilla tres leches for dessert, which was also top notch.
The restaurant interior is really cute, but a bit loud when full. Service was competent but a little chatty for my taste. Our waiter went on and on about the sommelier's expertise, but unfortunately the first two bottles of wine we tried to order were unavailable. The wine we ended up with (our third choice) was excellent and well-priced, so that makes up for a lot. I will give Zelko the benefit of the doubt since the waiter said they are "transitioning" the wine list, but it would be better to print out an updated list--or, after two swings and misses, to send the sommelier to the table to help with selection. But honestly, these are small gripes about a great meal and experience! -
Review from Mark J.
3/28/2012
We swung by here last week for a quick brunch.
My GF ordered the breakfast special with scrambled eggs and some roasted potatoes - both of which were yummy. I had a physical coming up on Monday, so I tried to stay in the healthy section and ordered the Seared Tuna Salad.
As much as I would like to be I am really not a salad guy - in fact I hate vegetables.
This salad, however, (speaking as a non-vegetarian) was the best I have ever had. The salad was a mixture of cucumbers, carrots, parsnips, jicama and ponzu over pickled ginger slaw, add to this some seared Ahi and you got one mean salad.
I can't wait to come back here and try another dish - but the Ahi salad will definitely be my default healthy dish in the future. -
Review from c n.
Houston, TX
5/15/2012
We love Zelko's casual atmosphere in the middle of the Heights! We have been approximately 10 times. Needless to say, the food is always good and service is super friendly and attentive. We love to take our friends and family here- but no more than 4-6 people as it is a tiny place that could not accommodate a big party easily. If any more than 4, you would probably have to get there early. The menu is wonderful, but we have now tried just about everything on the menu. :)
Pros: Truffle-oil fries, fried chicken, salmon, and Bolognese. Wine selection is good. Service is welcoming and friendly.
Cons: Parking, small space so depending on your table - you may be elbow-to-elbow sitting next to strangers. -
Review from Love T.
Houston, TX
3/14/2012
This restaurant has made me a fan for three reasons: (1) prompt service; (2) good food; and (3) great price. My date and I came to the restaurant on a Thursday night and found it to be near capacity. Despite that, the hostess seated us quickly and the wait staff promptly acknowledged us. As an appetizer, we ordered the Parmesan truffle fries (freaking awesome!). Within minutes of ordering it, the staff brought it to us. That promptness continued throughout our meal.
Next, we ordered the captains chicken and the meat loaf. Again, the staff brought the meals to us shortly after we ordered. And please, don't confuse promptness with lack of freshness, because all three items we ordered tasted as if they had just been made - not reheated.
My date enjoyed her chicken. I thought it was good. I was more impressed with the mashed potatoes that we both had with our meals. They had a smooth, creamy texture, while still maintaining enough lumps to remind you that you were eating mashed potatoes made from scratch.
I enjoyed my meatloaf. But I was disappointed that it still had a pink tint to it. I like my meat cooked until it's gray all the way through. Unfortunately, this meatloaf didn't meet my personal preference. It was, however, tasty nonetheless. The tomato sauce that topped it had the right balance of seasoning and sweetness so that it paired well with the potatoes. Although I don't enjoy "pink meat," considering the meal's good taste, perhaps I might need to allow some variety in the "doneness" of my red meat.
Finally, the meal was appropriately priced. The two meals, including the appetizer and an okay dessert, cost under $40.00. And that, combined with prompt service and good food, will lead to us coming back to try more of Zelko's meals. -
Review from Cobalt Z.
Houston, TX
3/23/2012
Wow, pleasantly surprised by this place. The food is a full notch above what I was expecting, and the service and creative menu will keep me going back. Ribs were outstanding, as was the corn beef and the famous crunchy chicken.
On the higher side price-wise for the Heights, but I'm fine with a broader spectrum of restaurant settling in. There will always be places with $2 Lone Star and $1.99 tacos. Zelkos fits in a niche with Shade- great neighbourhood restaurant with lots of devotion to the food, with attention to detail, without being stuffy or pretentious.
No-reservation policy makes some of us nervous, but that was a good excuse to go early and settle in before the mob! -
Review from Miranda J.
Houston, TX
3/9/2012
I am in love with this place.
We tried this place out because Houston Press said they have the best fries in Houston - they weren't kidding. I am still dreaming about those parm fries, weeks later...you MUST get them. I also had the fish tacos which were to die for! They were so full of flavor and just perfect.
The ambiance of this place is nice. It's small and intimate indoors, but there is a generously-sized patio which would be nice in the warmer months. Our waitress was incredibly friendly as well. -
Review from Sims B.
Spring, TX
5/9/2012
Went to Zelko for the first time today (we are new to Houston). It definitely lives up to the early reputation established! We started with the fried pickles. Normally we don't like fried spears but these were very different as they had the breaking that includes Captain Crunch cereal. The pickle itself held up to the deep frying process and was not oily or soft. Every bite had a special sweet and savory crunch. Best fried pickles we have ever eaten.
For entrees we had the fish tacos and the ZB meatloaf. The flavor profile on each dish was outstanding. Rather than repeat the menu I will just say, " go there and experience it for yourself". You won't be disappointed if you like depth in flavor and a spin on some of the comfort food classics. -
Review from May N.
3/11/2012
I'm glad I read David N.'s review so I had an idea of where to find this little restaurant. It's off the northeast corner of 11th and Beverly so if you're westbound and you hit the mini-mart, you've gone too far. It's a little Heights house that was renovated into a restaurant. Parking is available in their tiny lot and on the street.
The focus here is on locally-sourced ingredients to reflect New American / Southern comfort food. My friends brought us here and I'm glad they did. They love the corned beef and cabbage and their meatloaf, but I saw the shrimp and grits and had to try it. The shrimp was sauteed kind of Cajun-style and served over a white cheddar polenta with a sauce made from garlic and soy agave. It was so delicious! A hint of spice from the shrimp's seasoning with the creaminess of the polenta and the salty sweetness of the sauce. My mouth is watering now as I reminisce on the dish. The menu is not quite as heavy on offerings for vegetarians. Instead, they offer their "veggie pile" and let you add whatever other sides you'd like. Our vegetarian member was pretty happy and stuffed with his option.
They have a wine list that has won several awards and beers, mostly bottled. The service was excellent, very attentive. The atmosphere is casual and intimate. Prices are moderate, but not bad considering the quality of the ingredients and offerings. I also really like how they are involved in community projects like their bee-keeping. I will definitely come back to try other things on the menu....or I'll just keep having the shrimp and grits and get other people to order things I want to try. -
Review from Alex L.
Houston, TX
5/6/2012
Great neighborhood dining in the Heights isn't easy to find, but this place gets it right! Delicious food, excellent service, nice outdoor patio dining available. Ate with a group of six and the waiter didn't mind when my wife's friend sent her food back because she didn't read the menu correctly. Embarrassing, but the waiter handled the issue with a high level of professionalism.
Would definitely come back! -
Review from Chris H.
Houston, TX
5/18/2012
Have eaten here with family and friends many times and it never fails to please. Love the food,wine,and staff! Have eaten almost everything on the menu and look forward to doing so again.
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Review from Stephanie P.
Houston, TX
2/26/2012
My first experience at Zelko was during a first date, which earned the boy extra points - this place was a great choice!
The menu is thoughtful, touts local fare and is fairly priced for Houston. It's an intimate restaurant, so you'll be sitting close to your dining partner as well as the people at the table next to you. Service is top-notch and our waitress was very familiar with the menu. We ordered dessert based on her recommendation and was not let down.
I will definitely return to Zelko, date or not. I'd also like to try their brunch! -
Review from Alison L.
1/23/2012 1 Check-in Here
Typical date spot in the heights (small, intimate, difficult to locate) but nothing about it really made it stand apart from other places. Came with a group and we ordered quite a few items but the only thing that really stood out was the captains chicken - it's fried chicken made with a captain crunch breading, how creative!
Great service, interesting dinner specials, and outdoor seating available.Listed in: Houston Outdoors
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Review from Melissa S.
Houston, TX
2/20/2012
Great location! Great Food!
Husband and I have wanted to stop by for a while now.....after trying the Chef's chili at a Chili cook-off....delicious!
We ended up going for a Sunday evening dinner (around 7:00) the restaurant had a good buzz but not overly crowded and no line. Be prepared to wait if you go on a Friday or Saturday night! They have a nice patio are as well with plenty of heaters for chilly nights!
Everything we ordered was delicious. Started with with a salad (Split the small, which was plenty for a small dinner salad) and the chicken samosa appetizer. In describing the special of the night my husband casually mentioned his favorite fish was Grouper. The waiter said they might actually have some Grouper and went to check in the kitchen. Hubby ended up getting grouper cooked to his liking and it was delicious! Pan seared.... I had the crab cake which was good as well.....more crab than stuffing...always a plus.
Dessert was the lemon box pie which we also split....so very good!
Great atmosphere......location is a little hard to find if you are not familiar with the area. We live in The Heights so we had no problems finding it as we have driven by before.
Some people's earlier reviews compare Zelko to The Glass Wall, Stella Solla or Reef commenting Zelko is not these palces....they are exactly right......Zelko is not these "other places" but I don't think they are trying to be these "other places"...Just as those "other places" are not Marks or DaMarcos..... (Food is also about 1/2 the price as those "other places." -
Review from jessica g.
Houston, TX
1/22/2012
smeh. the service is really the best part of this place. From the hostess to the waitstaff to the busboys, they've hired great people. And that's really meaningful. But the food doesn't really cut it.
Mediocre crabcake. Good salad. Undercooked chicken (which we sent back). Okay fried pickles.
I'd go back and give it another shot because I think that a place that holds such a great staff has to be good, but it can't really measure up to the other places within a stone's throw. -
Review from Nhi Q.
2/11/2012
It pains me to write a lukewarm review of this place, but Zelko just doesn't do it for me. Aside from the service, there's not much else that tempts me to return.
The interior is small, so if you come on a Saturday night, expect a wait. And by that, I mean expect to hover in the cramped space between the bar and the front door while waiters/hosts awkwardly maneuver around you. There's a table right by the door that is first come first serve, but that's pretty much the extent of the "bar area".
They only serve beer and wine. Wine is obviously the main attraction, but they have several bottled craft beers available as well.
Here's the breakdown:
Fried Pickles ($6) - Crunchalicious. Mini spears fried to crispy perfection and topped with cheese, with ranch served on the side. I'd order it again.
Bah-Hah Tacos ($14) - Meh. To be honest, the dish bemused me: ground lamb tacos topped with a cucumber raita and served with a side of fried plantains. Hell, they could have made it with plain ol' hamburger meat and I doubt I would have known the difference.
The Rocky Road dessert ($8) - I can't even begin to describe the disappointment I felt when I laid eyes on it. It was TINY. While I enjoyed the dessert, it was nothing more than glorified brownie bites (that I could have easily devoured in a single bite).
Perhaps I set the bar too high, but I definitely expected better. For all the wonderful things I'd heard about Zelko, the dinner was just a-okay. -
Review from Nadia L.
Houston, TX
4/11/2012 2 Check-ins Here
The fish of the day is great, the wine list is exciting and reasonably priced, save room for dessert! it is a small place so It does get crowed quickly so it's hard to get a table, that's the only downside.
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Review from Joanna A.
Houston, TX
2/18/2012
My wife and I decided to return to Zelko Bistro after a disappointing lunch there a few moths ago. We decided to return based on gushing reviews from The Houston Press, whom we usually trust and who usually do not steer us wrong. We eat-out several times a week and are familiar with many good restaurants in Houston.
Unfortunately, we got the same waiter as before, and he was as horrible as we remembered. He took our orders wrong, never checked with us after we received our food, never refilled our wine glasses or checked on us after our bottle was empty...
The appetizers were very good, albiet my wife was brought the wrong food. Our entrees were disappoinitng- my wife order the Captain's Chicken and I ordered the Meatloaf. One would think these would be safe choices considering Zelko won for Best Comfort Food from The Houston Press. The Captain's Chicken was so forgettable, the breading was too thin; and left me wishing I'd ordered anything else on the menu. The meatloaf was the worst ever, unflavorful and without any spice. When I asked our waiter what was in the red sauce on the meatloaf, his glib reply was, "Tomato paste and sugar, I guess- I don't really know." Wow! The mashed potatoes were nothing special, I'm left with resorting to describing this food as "nothing special" because I need more synonyms for "plain" and "unforgettable" but I don't have a thesauras handy...
The food was not horrible, it was just so forgettable that it was disappointing- especially for a place given so much praise by the local press, and a place given to so much self-praise and adulation.
In order to give Zelko Bistro and The Houston Press the benefit of the doubt, my wife and I went twice, and were diappointed both times- hence, we will not be back. Fool me once, shame on you Zelko Bistro.... fool me twice, shame on me... -
Review from David N.
11/13/2011 1 Check-in Here
One of the hardest things to find in Houston is a BRUNCH on saturdays. Yeah brunch on sundays are a dime a dozen but saturdays, for some reason it barely exists...well you can enjoy it at Zelko. The only harder thing to find is the actual restaurant.
I put this place in the GPS and swore we drove past it like 5 or 6 times before I said forget it and just parked and looked for it on foot. It's a quant little house in the middle of the street. They have a private lot on the back.
It's very small so seating is limited. On this afternoon we just decided to sit at the bar. The bar is cool because it gives you a chance to converse with the manager. We started our meal with an order of the parmesan fries. It's a good serving size.
As far as entrees I stuck with my default chicken and waffles, and these are by far some of the most flavorful in town. My gf had the shrimp and grits! Damn this is slowly becoming my 2nd favorite dish to get for brunch. The shrimp were big and flavored well, the grits were up there with breakfast klub, and that's saying a lot.Listed in: Best American Food, Best Breakfast
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Review from Nancy K.
Richmond, TX
12/25/2011
Oh my, Zelko Bistro has won my heart and my stomach.
My boyfriend took me here for my surprise birthday dinner. We were sat right as we go there. The place was packed, but not to the point where there was a long wait. The place is very small and cramped, but I like the closeness to my boyfriend. ( just not the couple next to us lol ) The waiting staff is so attentive. They even packed our food at the end for us. We ordered 2 dishes, 1 side of fries, and 1 appetizer for about $50.
Shrimp and Grits: The best tasting and perfectly cooked shrimp ever. They only come with 5 medium-large shrimps on top of fluffy, buttery grits. This dish had so much flavor! Just thinking about it makes me drool. My boyfriend eats like a pig, but was full off three shrimps and grits, because of how flavorful and satisfying it was. The shrimp were not overcooked at all. The grits were not gritty; it was very smooth and fluffy.
Captin's Chicken: Opposite of the shrimp and grits. It is not packed with a punch of flavors. It is nice and simple, but made very very well. The chicken was cooked perfectly and not dry. The crust was thin and crispy. The ratio to chicken and breading was perfect. The mash potatoes were nothing special. the green beans were cooked the way I like, but not the way my boyfriend likes. It was a simple, but delicious dish.
The fries: They have so much flavor. It is crazy! We had leftovers, so we baked them in the oven. They still had that delicious flavor, and some pieces had the crispyness of chips which was awesome.
Fried pickles: There was a lot of fried pickles. These didn't taste like the fried pickles we had at other places. These tasted so good. The breading was amazing. The pickles itself tasted like it they were homemade maybe? They had so much taste unlike other places. I like the fact that they were crunchy and not burnt and the pickles were hot even near the center.
All in all, I love this place sooooo much! I will be back very soon! -
Review from Brewer C.
Houston, TX
12/4/2011
To be honest, I found Zelko by accident. I was just searching around on the internet for a different place to have dinner with my wife. So my first set of thank you's go out to Google and Yelp.
We arrived at 7:45 on a Saturday, the place was packed, but we were told we would be seated in 15 minutes. That quote was dead on correct. The place is quite small, but that was actually a good thing. Tables turned quickly while we were there, so there was never a long wait for anyone.
When we were seated, we were greeted by our server within moments. It just so happens that my wife and our server worked together at a restaurant a few years back. What a nice surprise! We were given plenty of time to peruse the wine list and menu.
Once we ordered appetizers, they appeared in mere minutes and were fresh and, to be honest, completely delicious. My wife had the house salad, which was divine. I had the fried pickles. Wow, just wow. Homemade pickles, amazing breading, nice and hot without burning your mouth. Highly recommend.
Entrees. My wife had the Captin's Chicken. Chicken done perfectly, the mashed potatoes were delicious, but her favorite were the green beans. Super fresh, barely blanched, crispy, and delicious. I had the crab cake. I was eating and thinking, "Is licking the plate REALLY all that bad?"
Desserts. I had the macerated berries, which was like eating a great homemade jam without being overly sweet. My wife had the pumpkin cheesecake, which was off the charts good. Even the coffee was phenomenal.
All that food, plus a bottle of organic wine, was just $100.
I cannot recommend this hidden gem enough. We will definitely be back, and we will be bringing friends. -
Review from Sadia R.
Houston, TX
3/13/2012
Loved the place. they have great outdoor seating, wonderful/cozy ambiance, and delish food! our servers were fun and attentive. the only problem i had was the oong wait n lack of a waiting area..the bar is super small and in a congested area of the restaurant...i loved it nonetheless!
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Review from Jose C.
Houston, TX
10/3/2011
Somewhat bad experience here for brunch.
I'll start with the good - I ordered the chicken and waffles. Very tasty, creative dish. The waffle was a little dry but overall a very good dish. Everyone I was with seemed to like their food as well.
The bad: Service was SLOW! One of our appetizers never arrived at all, but we could not ask about it because our server was nowhere to be seen for 10-15 minutes at a time.
Worse still, one person in our group ordered the tacos and was overcharged ($14 instead of $12). We told our server this and he was oddly defensive, and made it seem like it was somehow our fault (we checked the menu to make sure we weren't wrong). Very odd. Finally they fixed it, but only after the server made it seem like he was doing us a favor. Wonder how many others were overcharged?
Overall, I'm wiling to give this place another try but they need to polish their act.Comment from Jamie Z. of Zelko Bistro 10/9/2011
Hi Jose...could you please describe what the waiter looked… More » -
Review from Roger W.
Houston, TX
3/17/2012
Great place but be careful when ordering wine by the glass.
Live nearby and have been going since it opened. Good food and friendly atmosphere.
The only problem we encountered is the price of a single glass of wine. Usually you would expect $10 - $12 max in the more upmarket restaurants and lower in this type of restaurant. There are no single glasses listed on the wine list and the server does not offer a price when taking your order. Last night the red was $14 a glass and previously we have been charged upwards of $12.
Suggest you go for a bottle of do the tacky thing and ask the price. -
Review from Sam M.
The Heights, Houston, TX
3/10/2012
Good food, cozy atmosphere and they serve Bombshell Blonde so you know they know what's up
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Review from Barb B.
9/9/2011 1 Check-in Here
I just started spending time in Houston and I must say so far I am so impressed by the restaurant scene here! Zelko is just the kind of place I would hope there is in Houston. I love the design, it is like being in someone's very tastefully decorated bungalow. The food was delicious, I had the tacos made with mahi instead of the lamb and I could not get enough of them. They came with plantains which were sweet and well-cooked. My coworkers got dishes that came with fries and they looked amazing, if you're into the skinny fry thing. Our waiter was quite gregarious and I loved him but I could see him being a bit much if you're not into that type of service. I just wanted to be friends with him, he seemed like a good time!
I will definitely be back for maybe dinner at the bar or on the patio (I must say it was way too cold inside), I want to try something on the dessert menu. The desserts looked awesome. I am definitely a fan!Listed in: Houston Spots
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Review from Krashaunda G.
Houston, TX
11/21/2011
Love, love, love.
The atmosphere was warm and there was a nice buzz in the restaurant. Great wine, beer, and mixed drink selections. Comfort food done JUST so right. We tried the fried pickles, fried green tomato salad with crab cakes, and meatloaf. I will definitely go back!! -
Review from Meg N.
Houston, TX
2/26/2012
Cute place in a great part of Houston. The brunch menu is exponentially better than their dinner, but have the southern and slaw sand and you will go back. Wish they had bloody Mary's though, that'd perfect their Sundays.
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Review from carmen C.
10/19/2011
I met a girlfriend here one Sunday evening for wine/dinner. This was my first visit but she had been before and spoke highly of the wine list. I loved that they had wines made by female growers, and indeed, overall, the wine list was pretty great! By far the best perk was being able to take our bottle home so we ordered two bottles and shared:-)
I am a lover of hummus so ordered the bruschetta and it was ok. This is a filling appetizer that can be shared. It's served cold....I like all the ingredients but I think the bread needs to be toasted so as to add a texture. As is, it's one mushy bite after another....
My friend had the BBQ sandwich that looked really good. I had the crab cake plate and it was more like an appetizer....ridiculously tiny cakes that weren't good at all...I was very disappointed in my meal.
Our waiter was attentive and knowledgable and the patio was a perfect spot for dining, actually, it was the best part of the meal -
Review from Brian B.
Houston, TX
8/8/2011
1st timer for a dinner here last week. Initial impressions are the obvious- it's small and loud inside. unless you have the picnic table in the front, you'll be elbow to elbow with the tables next to you and will unfortunately overhear every conversation from the surrounding tables.
one word of warning, if you suffer from seizures do not sit in one of the tables against the back wall under a ceiling fan. I'm joking, but the flicker of the halogen light from the fan blades directly over us gave me a huge headache and made looking anywhere other than the ear hole of the people next to me almost unbearable.
food wise - the table starter of cubed bread with grated cheese and olive oil was nice. we ordered the bruchetta as a true starter and thought it was great. Entree wise - my shrimp and grits were good, but I didnt read the description fully and saw grits but got polenta which was in the description. shame on me. Wife ordered the short ribs and thought they were ok as she said there were pockets of salt underneath the greens. got most of it to go and when I ate it for lunch the next day, boom- sodium jab to the face.
overall i was hoping for much much more and will go back again to try a couple more things. i think the combination of nearly vomiting from the flickering lights and the conversation of the fedora wearing hipster next to me just did us in for this experience. when it cools down, grabbing an outdoor spot will lighten the mood and we can hopefully see what the fuss has been all about.
does anyone really read any of these reviews? -
Review from Sweetkiks R.
Houston, TX
2/12/2012
I was headed to dinner last week and we passed by Zelko... I had heard great things so we busted a u-turn and went to eat. The weather was nice so we sat outside. The rosemary bread they put on the table tasted good but was very messy to eat -- it was pretty crumbly.
I ordered the sangria - it was a strawberry sangria, nice and refreshing.
For dinner I had the crab cake - and oh my, it was wonderful. The plate was small so if you are super hungry, this probably won't cut it but I thought it was great. My friend go the corned beef and cabbage and he thought it was good.
The place is small and cozy / intimate but not stuffy. This would be a good date restaurant.
I've already made plans to go back next week with some other friends who've never been... plus it is great that they had a Voice Daily Deal - - - I've already decided I am getting the crunch chicken!!! I think I might check out the desserts on my next visit!!!!
Another great find in the heights!!! -
Review from Sami A.
Houston, TX
7/15/2011
I remember being a kid and arguing with friends for hours over if Professor X or Magneto were right about how mutants should interact with humans. They both had good points. Professor X wanted humans and mutants to get along, for mutants to benefit humanity, and for everyone to get ahead in the long run. Magneto wanted mutants to dominate humans before humans had a chance to destroy them.
Well, I have the same arguments about organic food in my late-20s. Only Professor X is chain restaurants who usurp "organic" to charge extra for their garbage food and Magneto is plucky upstarts who sources organic locally and is crushing Professor X.
Zelko epitomizes the Magneto mindset of organic restaurants. It doesn't push it like Ruggles Green does where everything has a sticker that says "organic", instead Zelko just shows you why organic food tastes better. It experiments with flavor and can control magnetism by covering chicken with Captain Crunch so what else do you need?
tl;dr: Go to Zelko, bring comics.Listed in: Long & Fun Reviews
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Review from SHARON W.
Houston, TX
2/26/2012
Food is okay but not spectacular. The worst part of the lunch is the air conditioning system that blows directly on you (if you are sitting on the side tables). The waitstaff knows this, but "hey what are we suppose to do!".
Too loud to have a business lunch in this restaurant.
I doubt if I will go back for dinner...there are too many great restaurants in the Heights! -
Review from Jodi M.
7/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
Unfortunately, I thought Zelko Bistro was very average along with the rest of my dinner crew last week.
We got there and were told we had to wait 15 minutes for the table (no problem). So, we went to the bar and waited, and waited, and waited until 45 minutes went by and our table popped up. They were out of Sauvignon Blanc (every kind they had on the menu) so we tried something else which was alright and satisfactory.
A couple people got the Fish Tacos, one got the Market Catch Halibut, and I went simple and got the Bolognese Bowl. Everyone thought that it was 'fine' no one was excited over their food. Mine was ok, really nothing special but I ate it because at that point I was starving.
Our waiter looked like he was rushing to get us out at one point, but the actual ambiance was really nice. Im in no rush to try it again unfortunately....Listed in: Dinner Spots
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Review from Margie Z.
Houston, TX
7/6/2011
Everything I've been told was true! Praise the Baby Jesus!
The Cap'n Crunch coated chicken was divine and the short ribs, oh snaps, just heavenly. The service was truly impeccable. I would love to sing the praises of Zelko Bistro 24/7 if I could sing. Do yourself a favor and stop on by. -
Review from karen c.
Houston, TX
12/28/2011
Not impressed. Food is fine, but nothing exceptional. Best fries? Methinks not. Also overpriced, terrible parking, average service.
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Review from Liz V.
Houston, TX
2/9/2012
Our favorite find in the heights- the staff and service are second to none!
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Review from JIMMY N.
Houston, TX
5/24/2011
This cute little bungalow is snugged tightly in the Heights area. Better look carefully, or you'll whiz right past it. The on going construction covers up their itty bitty sign. The parking situation is tight and awkward. Hopefully that can get resolved soon.
First off, the menu is limited and doesn't seem very exciting at all. The food here is comfort-fare... sandwiches, salads, meatloaf, etc. (think Barnabys). Despite all that, the price point is reasonable. Especially when co-owner and chef, Jamie Zelko (former exec chef of Bistro Lancaster), is at the helm. During downtime, she walked around and greeted us.
I read great things about their Boss burger. This burger is huge and piled high with toppings. Large hunks of grilled ground beef smothered in cheddar cheese, crispy strips of bacon, caramelized onions, fresh lettuce, and slices of red tomato all nestled inside a brioche bun. My burger came out medium well. I asked for medium. Even though it wasn't cooked to my liking, it was still tasty. One bite and everything was dripping and oozing out messily. The brioche bun was sweet and fluffy. Good bun to burger ratio, the brioche absorbs the meat's juices as it should.
Now for the disappointing aspect of the meal... my friend's St. Arnolds short ribs dish. Angus beef short ribs braised in rootbeer over a bed of seasonal greens (spinach, swiss chard, mizuna) and cheddar polenta. It is topped with fried leeks. The edges of the meat were unfortunately dry. Maybe from too much searing. Also it wasn't fork tender that you would expect from braised meats. The slightly sweet taste from the soda really didn't work for me. I was anticipating a more robust flavor. For me, I felt the seasoning didn't penetrate through the meat enough. It was in need of something, something saltier. On the other hand, I like the sides more than the short ribs. The polenta was creamy, the greens were sauteed and buttery.
Zelko has some hits and misses. I'm not going to let one dish deter me from coming back. The minimal contempo decor is a big plus. Doesn't have that Height-sy eclectic look. The cramped space and loud noise are some of the minuses. Doesn't matter really, residents will continue to come out and support. Therefore it'll remain busy and noisy, just have to grin and bear it.Listed in: The Burger Pursuit
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Review from Maureen I.
Houston, TX
6/16/2011
Super-love this darling bungalow up in the Heights. It's easy to drive right past it, but the massive amounts of construction on 11th street actually help in slowing you down and letting you see it.
While it is a bit crammed and you'll most likely be dining with your neighbors, the food is delish and homey. Shrimp and grits? You betcha! Fried pickles? Meatloaf in a can? It doesn't get much better than these jazzed-up basics. Jaime Zelko brings a great spin to each of the dishes. And at the price offered, you really can't go wrong.
Throw in a bottle of extremely reasonably priced wine and you can go out on a nice date (appetizer, dinner, dessert, and wine) for under $100 easy. Guys, take note.
I'd love to see the menu diversify a bit (more seasonal, perhaps?) and have a bit more table room, as I'm left-handed and usually end up sticking my elbow into someone elses' food. However, Zelko Bistro has quickly become one of my favorite places to take out-of-town guests. -
Review from Alice T.
6/4/2011
Zelko's another one of those cute restaurants in a house, which Houston seems to love. They pack the tables in here like sardines, so be ready to squeeze yourself in between two other tables. Each table has a little blue vial with sprigs of rosemary- mmm, refreshing.
The food:
Bread- focaccia bread with more rosemary that comes out in these cute little metal tins. The bread is really cold though- like it had been in the refrigerator. Warm bread would be a nice touch.
Bruschetta- not your average tomato and basil bruschetta. This one came with four pieces of warm and crunchy pita bread piled high with red peppers, olives, feta, herbs, and hummus.
ZB meatloaf- The meatloaf isn't chunky- it's more like a meatloaf that would come out of a can. It was good though- reminds me of Chef Boyardee- doesn't always taste like the best quality meat or anything, but there's no denying that it's still mighty tasty. The tomato sauce on top looked like regular stewed tomatoes, but it was really candied tomatoes- yum. The spinach was clean- sauteed in just olive oil, and the mashed potatoes were pretty standard.
Bolognese bowl (or as I say, bologna, but with an -ese sound)- Huge. Pile of noodles topped with lots of meat sauce and oil. The meat sauce wasn't that sweet (as advertised), so don't worry, my salt-loving friends. I liked the whole stewed tomatoes that were thrown in.
The food here is simple, comfort food. Simple, but they do it well. The food probably deserved more like a 3.5 or even a 4, but there just aren't that many items on the menu that would make me want to come back. My bf really liked it, but he likes easy food (you know, normal stuff) like McDonald's. So I don't really know what that says.
And just as a note: I've noticed that a lot of these upcoming places like to use recycled cardboard material for the take out boxes. (Thanks for avoiding the styrofoam.) But at the same time, when you pack up your hot, steamy, wet bolognese bowl in essentially paper, the box does not hold up well. All I'm saying is be careful.
