Texas Tradition The rib-eye steak with baked potato is a customer favorite. ($26.95)[/caption]

Texas Tradition restaurant owners Mike and Denise Phillips said they have a philosophy of providing great customer service in a family-friendly atmosphere and serving simple, satisfying meals on a daily basis.


The husband-and-wife team worked in several restaurants while growing up. Those early experiences defined the down-home offerings in their restaurant’s menu, they said.


Denise learned to make homemade desserts, such as peach cobbler and apple crisp pie, while growing up in Chicago where her parents owned a restaurant. Mike worked with his dad and brother at various family restaurant locations throughout Texas.


Mike said despite changes in the Katy area throughout the years, several things have stayed the same at Texas Traditions: a desire to make high-quality food and a tradition of interacting with customers on a personal level.


“When we opened in August of 2002, we wanted to provide homemade food with great service and just have a place for families to come and be themselves,” Mike said. “A lot of places are stuffy; we can do stuffy, too, but that’s not who we are. We just want people to be comfortable, have a good time and eat some great food.”


In addition to handmade burgers and chicken-fried steak, the restaurant offers all-you-can-eat fried catfish on Friday nights and a large patio on which the restaurant hosts weekend entertainment and live bands. 


Denise said the most satisfying aspect of running the restaurant is interacting with her longtime customers.


“A lot of people know everybody. Joan, our day manager, recognizes people and will greet them by name at the door. For me, I love being able to visit and to talk with the customers who have been coming here since we opened,” she said.


One aspect of the business the couple said they are proud of is their commitment to give back to the community by sponsoring local school teams and working with Katy ISD.


“That’s who we give back to,” Mike said. “We give back to the little leagues, we give to the booster clubs and athletic clubs. The community we live in is where we are. It’s the most crucial part of being in business—supporting the people that support you.”







Owner  recommendations


Dinner entrees and seafood dishes come with two sides. Side order options include the house salad, corn on the cob, french fries, sweet potato fries, white rice or mashed potatoes.


• Steak salad $12.95
• Taco salad $9.95
• BBQ bacon cheddar burger $7.95
• Chicken-fried steak Small $11.95   Large  $13.95
• Rib-eye steak $26.95







Specials


Thursday and Saturday nights
Pit prime rib-eye steak
Available in 12- and 16-ounce sizes


Friday evenings
All-you-can-eat fried catfish
6 p.m. until closing