Tucked away on Westheimer Road inside a nostalgic building topped with a blue-and-white lighthouse, Christie’s Seafood & Steaks is a certified staple of Houston’s culinary scene. “Established before you were born”, the third-generation, family-owned institution serves century-old recipes as the oldest continuously operating restaurant in Houston.
Christie’s Seafood & Steaks traces back to 1905, when Greek immigrant Theodore Christie began selling fried fish sandwiches on the Galveston waterfront. In 1934, he moved the business to Houston, where it grew into a full-service restaurant operation with several locations.
Opened in the 1960s, the location at 6029 Westheimer Rd. in Houston became the family’s permanent anchor. Today, it stands as the landmark’s sole surviving outpost, continuously operated by the Christie family ever since.
In its longstanding legacy, Christie’s Seafood & Steaks has attracted numerous celebrities coming through Houston. Past clientele have included baseball legend Joe DiMaggio and former president, George H.W. Bush.
Christie’s menu combines Texas Gulf Coast seafood with traditional Greek dishes. Although they have expanded their offerings over the years, they continue to make their soups, salad dressings, and signature sauces from scratch every day.
If you are making your first visit, there are several historic staples on the menu to look out for. The Famous Fish Sandwich continues to use the original 1917 recipe, served simply on a fresh roll. You can also try the fried Wild-Caught Texas Gulf Shrimp, which some longtime locals recall as the first place they ever tried the dish in Houston.
Christie’s Pride, an item that has been on the menu for a century, consists of a fish fillet baked in foil with wine, butter, and a seafood stuffing. The family’s Mediterranean background is reflected in Greek dishes like taramasalata (a cured fish roe dip), whole grilled branzino with lemon and herbs, and brizola (an herb-coated 12-ounce ribeye).
Finally, The Presidential Oyster Stew is known primarily as a frequent order of former President George H.W. Bush.
In maintain its traditional dining atmosphere, Christie’s enforces a strict dress and etiquette policy. As such, the restaurant requires neat, appropriate attire.
Christie’s Seafood & Steaks is open from 11 am – 8 pm Sunday through Wednesday; from 11 am – 8:30 pm on Thursdays; and from 11 am – 9 pm Friday and Saturday. Christie’s is closed on Mondays. The restaurant is located at 6029 Westheimer Rd.
