South Houston

South Houston

West Broadway @ Grand Street

212-431-0131

Last week a group of friends and I checked out South Houston, formerly Lusso and a new spot supposedly serving up some great Southern Soul food in Soho. For days my friends and I were excited about trying “Chicken n’ Waffles,” we even planned our binge at South Houston for the day after The Box’s beach party so that we could properly gorge. I have to say we were disappointed. I think we were expecting some huge place with picnic tablecloths full of pitchers of beer. Instead we got the same same same that’s getting old in New York. A trendy bar with menu items that nobody hanging out on West Broadway would be caught dead eating. Actually, South Houston reflects the neighborhood fairly well; Ironic decorations (a picture of bricks mounted on a brick wall, a bathroom completely tiled with those metal “employees much wash hands” signs…) and slow service at best.

The food wasn’t terrible, just not calorie worthy. We shared nachos, mac n’ cheese, pulled pork sandwich, crab cakes, and chicken n’ waffles. I just think Southern soul food is one of those things that should be immune from “the New York twist.”

The drinks/beer list was the best part about South Houston. With several unique beers on draft and a selection of beer can sizes, this part doesn’t come up short. The cocktails are creative and served in a fun way as well.

South Houston is a good, not too crowded drinking hole for Soho, but only if you’re already in Soho. The group I was with was awesome, so it was inevitable that we ended up having a great time… However, I think we felt shorted on the food… blame it on overexcitement and Box Beach Party starvation.