Was just visiting Pittsburgh for the weekend seeing a friend and we decided to eat here after coming down from the incline. It was going to be our last meal before heading back to New York, so we were hoping for a good last meal, and it was a great choice! Located in the Station Square mall, it's easily accessible and looks pretty nice from the outside (and it's clean inside too). The food is pretty traditional American fare, though the name kind of threw me off because I thought it was going to be an Irish restaurant. If you have FourSquare, DON'T FORGET TO CHECK IN because you get free fries with a check in! And it's not just the regular fries, you can get any of them (though I'm not sure about the poutine). We got the Truck Stop Fries (Chipotle Cheddar fries) and it was delicious! The fries were crunchy and savory and the toppings of cheese and scallions made it pretty enjoyable. I saw the prices for the Long Island Iced Teas and was really confused. One glass for $5.95 and a liter pitcher for $6.65? WHAT? How can it be less than one dollar more to upgrade? I pulled over our waitress and asked about it because I thought it might have been a typo. She smiled and said it wasn't, so I asked her to recommend one of them for me. I wanted to get the Jack and... something one, but she said that the Georgia Peach was her favorite so I went for it. Didn't realize the drink was going to be so freaking pink though... I think maybe the entire drink had one/two shots in it and was pretty weak. It tasted really good though. The rest of the food... to be honest, my chicken alfredo fettuccine was not impressive at all. I was disappointed by the arrangement of the chicken, which looked like they shoved it through a food grater and dropped it all on my plate with no aesthetic intentions at all. The pasta and sauce were also pretty bland and was nothing special. The sauce was somewhat watery and had no taste. It wasn't even cheesy, which is the worst thing alfredo sauce could do without just being terrible. My friend's sliders looked pretty good, though I'm not sure how they tasted. My other friend ordered the poutine, which seemed pretty standard though a bit lacking in the duck meat department. The large drink kind of just made my day. I think overall it was a pretty standard chain restaurant. The FourSquare deal, large drink, and calm atmosphere are what sold it for me. The mediocre food and weak alcohol content pulled away the star. I'd definitely be back, though I'll definitely avoid the pasta next time.
(3)
Rebecca G.
So houlihans is one of those wonderful restaurants that gives you free birthday dinner if you sign up for their mailing list. I got the fajita with shrimp (not actually on the menu). It wad good, but they ended up charging me close to $20 for it... I think $5 more than the steak version is a little steep for shrimp but whatever. Sarah S. says the mushroom enchiladas are good too. Happy hour doesn't include half price apps anymore. Sad-ness.
(4)
Nick F.
An okay place to go if you are looking for a cheaper place to eat in Station Square. The food is decent and they have a large variety of liquor at the bar.
(3)
Lance R.
This is a decent place to grab bite to eat. Food is not fantastic, but it was very goo for the price you pay. It's attached to the Station Square shopping mall - that gave us something to do while we waited for our table - plus they send you a text when your table is ready, so there is no worrying about being out if range.
(3)
Bill T.
Do I look electrified? I should because I was shocked at how much I enjoyed a meal here. In town for a couple of days and wandered over to Station Square and decided to drop in here for a meal. I'd eaten here once before and it was unmemorable but figured it was worth another shot. Sat at the bar where I received fast and friendly service. My glass of club soda was never empty, which I appreciated. I ordered a pasta dish and it came out looking like a Kraft Mac n Cheese reject, but then I tasted it and it was very good. The sauce was nice and spicy and the chicken was tender and moist. They talked me into the brownie sundae for dessert and like a strong wind, it blew me away. Okay, so this isn't fine dining but if the food is good, the service is great and the price is reasonable, then that means four stars in my book.
(4)
Ian R.
Went here for lunch. Food was acceptable. I had a burger. It wasn't huge, but cooked well. Server was nice and food came out fast. I there were more people working there than people eating there. Place was clean and location is convenient.
(4)
Laura M.
Why is Laura M., PGH's intrepid reviewer of hidden gem, hole-in-the-wall restaurants, reviewing a chain casual dining restaurant like Houlihan's? Well, like many people, I ended up at Houlihan's at the behest of a friend (who I hadn't seen for months) for her birthday, along with a large group. (Said friend received a $15 off coupon for her birthday, hence her incentive to come.) Quite frankly, I came for the company, with low expectations for the food, and those expectations were met. As soon as we walked in, I noticed a strange, slightly unpleasant smell that I couldn't quite put my finger on, which I later determined to be emanating from the restroom. We stood at the hostess stand for several minutes before someone acknowledged us, and then we waited several more minutes while she put some tables together, during which time we were awkwardly greeted by another hostess. When we were finally seated, we inquired about the happy hour, and our waitress told us that we had to go to the bar to purchase drinks and apps at the happy hour price. So, we awkwardly got up a few at a time to get our drinks, and ended up getting regular apps. Per the bartender's recommendation, I got the raspberry long island iced tea ($5.75, HH price), which I thought was a glass, but turned out the be a liter. Though I've never had a long island before and don't have any standard of judgment, it was cloyingly sweet and wasn't strong at all, since I didn't feel tipsy in the slightest even after drinking the entire liter. I tried several different variants ordered by my friends, and they were all very sweet and not very strong--the only drink I thought had a better balance was the angry orchard cocktail. For food, we ordered several appetizers to share between us: parmesan frites, "shrooms," and pretzel sticks. They were all predictably mediocre and salty, with little depth of flavor. In particular, I was not a fan of the bier cheese, which had a strange aftertaste, or the horseradish sauce incorporated into the shrooms. For my entree, I ordered the quiche Lorraine with a cup of potato soup, which came with it ($11.95). To my surprise, the potato soup wasn't salty--if anything, it was bland and underseasoned, such that I added some salt and pepper to spice it up. The quiche was okay, but nothing very special--I'd definitely had much better renditions elsewhere. I felt that the amount of food that I received for the price was lacking. Several other members of our group ordered flatbreads, including my friend who sat next to me, who ordered the gluten free version. Her flatbread was served at room temperature, such that she sent it back to the kitchen to be warmed up. To their credit, the kitchen remade it and the manager comped it--but at the end of the day, this shouldn't have happened in the first place. Needless to say, I was less than impressed with the quality of food and drinks that I received from Houlihan's, especially given the price (total check: around $20 w/ tip), not to mention that you have to pay for parking (you're looking at around $5 for a couple of hours). I'd never been to a Houlihan's before, and to be honest, I doubt I'd return. There are many restaurants with more character and better--and less expensive--drinks and bar food not far away on East Carson St., including Piper's Pub, Fat Heads, and the Smiling Moose, to name just a few. Experiences like this are why I always try to talk my friends (and boyfriend!) into trying somewhere new, and avoiding chain casual dining whenever possible, esp. given the richness of the dining scene in PGH. 2.5 stars.
(2)
Pauline T.
Went here for a friend's birthday, chosen because it was food allergen friendly. The lettuce wraps were good, but overall still felt overpriced.
(3)
Chardae J.
I absolutely love this place. The food, drinks and the location are equally amazing. My favorite is their peach long Island ice tea and the chicken avocado egg rolls. The service is always fast and the servers are always caring. Good service and good food always brings me back.
(5)
Kristen H.
Houlihan's is probably my favorite restaurant in Station Square for lunch. The power greens salad with chicken blows my mind! Its seriously the only time I like kale, and trust me, I've tried all the Pinterest recipies! They've got an excellent lunch menu. I haven't been there for dinner so I haven't had any of the entrees. I do know that the food here is consistently good, and so is the service. And its QUICK. Houlihan's is not the cheapest restaurant for lunch, but it's a go to on pay day when I feel like spending money. The salad and a drink end up being $17.00. You also get a really good cookie with your bill. Also, try the tortilla soup, because it is DELICIOUS.
(4)
Mike B.
Very average on all levels.
(2)
Susan D.
Chains like Houlihan's have their place. They're generally reliable, no surprises, and they're good "go-to" places if you're meeting up with friends. Such was the case when I was out with a couple of friends the other night. After forgoing appetizers for some soup, my friend Lisa settled on the Brentwood Chicken sandwich (could it be because she once lived in Brentwood), while my friend Maryann went for the salmon. I opted for the pot roast, which I had to admit was pretty good. This Houlihan's has been here for many years--ever since I was a kid. I'd give it 3.5 stars.
(3)
Elizabeth B.
Before a recent night out with a large group of friends, we came to Houlihan's for drinks and appetizers. The atmosphere felt a little traditional and dated. Even though it was Saturday evening, the restaurant was practically empty, and our party of 15 or so really had an entire wing of the place to ourselves. Both the service and food were unimpressive. We had two waitresses helping out the table, and the waitress helping my end of the table had an odd personality. As soon as someone would join the table - literally as they were still saying "hello" to the group - she would dash over and ask for their order. I'm pretty sure that everyone had to tell her to give them a few minutes before they could order. Her pouncing tactic made the new arrival feel awkward and start searching the menu quickly before they could even settle down. She seemed nice enough otherwise but just needed some common sense and better training. I ordered a liter of Long Island Iced Tea to share with my husband, but since he wasn't a fan of the flavor, he ordered an additional liter. I normally would be tipsy after 3 drinks, but this entire liter didn't even get me buzzed. We also ordered the White Bean & Artichoke Hummus, which wasn't very special. It all tasted like something that I could've gotten in an average grocery store.
(2)
Bev L.
In my hometown to visit my mom. This place was within walking distance from our hotel. Upon arrival, the place was deserted. Our party of 3 arrived around 4:30. The staff that greeted us were friendly. We ordered the chicken nachos appetizer and it was delicious! Huge! Enough for all 3 of us. I then ordered the So. Cal Fish Tacos and they were just ok - I've had better. The tilapia was had a bit too much breading on it. Generous portions though. My son ordered the chicken tenders with fries and a bowl of tomato bisque soup. He said the soup was buttery! I was surprised at the amount of tenders he had, like 8 or 9 huge pieces. However, they appeared to be left in the grease too long as they were dark colored. He seemed to like them. My other son ordered the fish and chips - again dark colored batter but tasted good (I stole one!). Our server was friendly, attentive and patient with our questions. Service was excellent. I'd probably return to this restaurant.
(4)
Dave M.
man, i feel bad writing this b/c our waiter was great and the host was friendly as well but the food was disappointing. the lettuce wrap appetizer was soooooo salty. what in the world. the burger was good but the fries were old and looked unappetizing. the ribs were good but the pineapple fried rice was dry and almost lacked pineapples. the salmon came out burned and black on one side so we had it taken off the tab. the thai chicken was so thin and small but cost $14.25. the asparagus was so burnt it left black streaks on my plate. didn't eat those. the manager came and apologized but i'm guessing this isn't the first time he had to deal with this issue by the look on his face. i wouldn't recommend this place.
Overall, just okay. The food was decent, but not for the prices. The wine flight was my favorite part of the restaurant (though none of the wine was actually 'good'). Good bar service, though it wasn't very busy when we went. Ahi tuna was fairly dry and not very flavorful; you really had to use the sauces to get a decent tasting of food.
(2)
Deborah N.
If you like chain sports bars that look like they were built in the 80s you will love this place. This is not my type of place at all but I was starving and parched, having walked for miles. I was happy to stop there just the once for a lemonade and some fries. Both of which were fine, but this is not my sort of place.
(2)
Aaron A.
Flat bread pizza was pretty good. Clean restaurant and the staff is very attentive. Not much of chain restaurant person but I don't mind dining here. It's always nice to come down to Station Square and get a change of scenery.
(4)
Melanie Z.
I'm going to start off by saying I hate chain restaurants. That said, Houlihan's really surprised me. We were entertaining a prospective student and Houlihan's seemed like an American enough option that would please any palate, so we went for lunch on a Saturday. I got the grilled shrimp and the parmesan frites, and damn, they were pretty good! The shrimp were cooked perfectly, seemed fresh, and came with guac (love!). The fries came with three awesome sauces--the garlic aioli was the best but there was also a ranch and a spicy barbecue. Other folks got fish tacos and the veggie burger, and they were also pleasantly surprised. Service was attentive, interior was pretty classy, and a good enough value that I'd go back again if I find myself in Station Square. If you have a picky eater but still want to find some decent selections for yourself, Houlihan's is a solid option.
(3)
Jeff A.
We stopped in for dinner after a Duck boat tour of Pittsburgh! We were sat at a table right away, after a few min were greeted and ordered drinks and a app. I then checked in on four square and was given a special offer for free fries, I asked about it and yes FREE ! So I order fries and we ll ordered of dinners.... My fried pork sandwich was out of this world good... But when the bill came the FREE fries were still on the check but my other half had already paid the check. :-( On our way out 2 employees and a female manger talking at the hospo desk never said goodbye or asked how things were.... So food A but service and overall staff D.. Hospitality and service employees don't know what service really means anymore!
(3)
Amara Z.
Overpriced and small portions, but oh so delicious. Nice location. Not so friendly staff though.
(3)
Joe D.
Many years ago I was in love with the idea of restaurants like Fridays, Chili's, Applebee's and the like. Not so much today as my tastes in food matures. Besides cooking at home, I'd much rather spend my disposable income on family owned businesses, people who put their heart and souls into their business. Houlihan's was never my to go to place, even when I was frequenting these so called casual dining spots. The food was never well done in my opinion. But then again, these restaurants always seemed to copy each other's menus. Houlihan's just never caught their niche. They basically just serve dishes that are nothing special. I've had the salmon, completely under seasoned, overcooked and dry. Served with green beans and rice. Is that Beaver Cleever's mother cooking back there? It was pretty unremarkable. Houlihan's will always be like taking your cousin to the prom. It doesn't excite me at all.
(2)
Kate K.
I typically really like Houlihan's, but my recent experience at this location left a lot to be desired. We wandered in on a Tuesday night and managed to get a table right away as it wasn't crowded. After perusing the massive menu, my brother and I decided that we'd get some appetizers to share. We started with the nachos - they were just OK. They were topped with ground chicken that seemed to be completely unseasoned. We both ate around the chicken. It was also an odd gray color, but I won't dwell on that. Then we opted to try a couple of sliders and the Houlihan's version of the "poutine." The sliders were decent, but the poutine was awful. It's fries topped with their pot roast and gravy and some cheese. The fries were obviously straight out of the freezer and hadn't been cooked quite long enough so they weren't crispy at all. They also appeared to not have stuck the entire dish in the oven, but just topped the undercooked fries with the gravy and pot roast, and then some cheese. So the cheese wasn't melted, and it was all just kind of gross. It was really disappointing. And then finally we got the bill - we each had 2 glasses of wine, and 3 appetizers and it was $70? No thanks. I can think of many other places to spend less of my money on much better food.
(2)
Lauren P.
I'm not much of a restaurant chain person but we were going for a friend's bday. I was pleasantly surprised as we had a large party, were seated right away and had 2 waitresses. This place is huge inside and great for a large gathering. The private room in the back looked really nice to have an event in. I started off with an Angry Orchard-one of my favorite ciders. I def. recommend getting one of the large glasses of long islands as they are huge and come in all different flavors. This is the place to go for happy hour as all the drinks are half off! For dinner I ordered the meatloaf with mashed potatoes and green beans. It was really tasty and enough for two meals.
(4)
Karla D.
Mediocre food. Terrible customer service. Stood at bar for seven minutes to pick up order to go. No one manning bar. Several servers passed by; no offer to assist. Chain establishment-typical.
(2)
Teena V.
Absolutely terrible management! We were told there was a 10 minute wait. 10 minutes was 1 hour. Why? The kitchen told the hostess not to seat tables because they couldn't keep up. There were 1/2 of the tables empty. I feel terrible for the hostess and wait staff. This manager should be fired.
(1)
Julie S.
I don't come here often because it's pricey and you have to pay to park, but I ADORE the stuffed chicken breast meal. I've never had anything here that I didn't like - even the freshly brewed iced tea is delicious. Just wish their prices were a bit better.
(5)
Casey B.
Must try the mushroom appetizer - stuffed with Parmesan cheese and a horseradish sauce. We ordered ahi tuna salad - too much banana (props for their creativity though) & seared scallops with risotto. Quality of food was great and they had a good cocktail menu. Beer selection was ok.
(4)
Meredith B.
For our first visit to Station Square, we were looking for a place to grab some dinner before a night out at Whim. There is no shortage of restaurants in Station Square, but they're all (I think) chains and franchises and nothing really caught our fancy. I remembered Houlihan's from my childhood back in Michigan, and the menu looked tasty, so we stopped in to check it out. Boy, is this NOT the Houlihan's from my childhood! A glance at their Wikipedia page shows that back in 2002, Houlihan's revamped their concept from a cozy family restaurant to a still cozy but more trendy restaurant fit for both families and for other groups of folks. It's still pretty casual and we felt overdressed in our club clothes! They have a large drink menu with some interesting options, like a "martini flight" that lets you try smaller portions of cocktails. I ordered the X-Rated Flirtini which I was a little embarrassed to say out loud, but it ended up being a tasty, sweet, and strong concoction of champagne and vodka with some exotic fruit juices. Unfortunately, our server forgot to bring it out. I did remind him, after our appetizers had already come, and then he went off to get it, but I was disappointed that the whole thing took about 15 minutes. By the time I got it, our entrees were out. There is a FourSquare deal here for a free order of fries when you check-in, so we took advantage and ordered the Truckstop Fries, which were covered in "chipotle cheese sauce." They were tasty, and we observed that they were less salty than we expected, which was a good thing. I definitely didn't get the "chipotle" flavor, which to me is smoky and rich. They were clearly going for a southwestern vibe, I think there were scallions and such on the fries, but the chipotle flavor was missing. We ordered some mini-sliders that were tastier than we expected - I think the pulled pork in particular we enjoyed, and we split the Brentwood Chicken Sandwich which was simple but fresh and well-prepared. It was a good amount of food for two people and we were way too full for dessert. I wouldn't go out of my way to return here, but I feel like this is a good option if you are down in Station Square and need to grab a bite. The menu is creative, you will absolutely find something that satisfies a craving. Even the unhealthy options taste a little more fresh, because they don't overdo the salt. Still, service was a bit slow and forgetful, and the food really wasn't memorable. But sometimes you don't need memorable, you just need dinner.
(3)
Melanie E.
It's bar food. The server was friendly, but it's definitely more of a bar than a restaurant. Crawl for Cancer was there and the Ohio game was on, so it was packed, but fun.
(3)
Betsy H.
I am typically not a "chain restaurant" fan, but Houlihans is one of my exceptions. Oddly enough, I didn't find this one to be as awesome as the one we typically frequent. Food was just a little different. Service was a little rough. However, I must say the manager more than made up for it when we said something to her. As a past waitress, I am more than tolerant of waiting, etc. but it was a bit ridiculous. All that said, If your in town in need a decent meal (chicken wrap, fish tacos, burgers, salads) then I definitely recommend stopping by.
(3)
Holly T.
Our server was extremely inattentive to our table's time and needs. My table felt our 2 hour meal for 2 of the 4 ordering was a bit excessive. Upon asking for a GF menu out of need and not preference I was served a drink containing gluten (yes, I had to find out the hard way). Boo on service.
(1)
Gene X.
OK so if you are stranded at Station Square in Pittsburgh and can't get out, then Houlihan's is the best option. Good food and reasonably priced plus the service is solid and they even have a 15-minutes-or-it's-free deal during lunch on the weekdays. The soundtrack they play is even pretty good so if you need to eat and can't get outta the complex, take yourself to Houlihans!
(4)
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Address :125 W Station Square Drive
Pittsburgh, PA, 15219
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Garage Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : No Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Music : Background Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Best Nights : Mon, Wed, Fri Coat Check : No Smoking : Outdoor Area/ Patio Only Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Justin Y.
Was just visiting Pittsburgh for the weekend seeing a friend and we decided to eat here after coming down from the incline. It was going to be our last meal before heading back to New York, so we were hoping for a good last meal, and it was a great choice! Located in the Station Square mall, it's easily accessible and looks pretty nice from the outside (and it's clean inside too). The food is pretty traditional American fare, though the name kind of threw me off because I thought it was going to be an Irish restaurant. If you have FourSquare, DON'T FORGET TO CHECK IN because you get free fries with a check in! And it's not just the regular fries, you can get any of them (though I'm not sure about the poutine). We got the Truck Stop Fries (Chipotle Cheddar fries) and it was delicious! The fries were crunchy and savory and the toppings of cheese and scallions made it pretty enjoyable. I saw the prices for the Long Island Iced Teas and was really confused. One glass for $5.95 and a liter pitcher for $6.65? WHAT? How can it be less than one dollar more to upgrade? I pulled over our waitress and asked about it because I thought it might have been a typo. She smiled and said it wasn't, so I asked her to recommend one of them for me. I wanted to get the Jack and... something one, but she said that the Georgia Peach was her favorite so I went for it. Didn't realize the drink was going to be so freaking pink though... I think maybe the entire drink had one/two shots in it and was pretty weak. It tasted really good though. The rest of the food... to be honest, my chicken alfredo fettuccine was not impressive at all. I was disappointed by the arrangement of the chicken, which looked like they shoved it through a food grater and dropped it all on my plate with no aesthetic intentions at all. The pasta and sauce were also pretty bland and was nothing special. The sauce was somewhat watery and had no taste. It wasn't even cheesy, which is the worst thing alfredo sauce could do without just being terrible. My friend's sliders looked pretty good, though I'm not sure how they tasted. My other friend ordered the poutine, which seemed pretty standard though a bit lacking in the duck meat department. The large drink kind of just made my day. I think overall it was a pretty standard chain restaurant. The FourSquare deal, large drink, and calm atmosphere are what sold it for me. The mediocre food and weak alcohol content pulled away the star. I'd definitely be back, though I'll definitely avoid the pasta next time.
(3)Rebecca G.
So houlihans is one of those wonderful restaurants that gives you free birthday dinner if you sign up for their mailing list. I got the fajita with shrimp (not actually on the menu). It wad good, but they ended up charging me close to $20 for it... I think $5 more than the steak version is a little steep for shrimp but whatever. Sarah S. says the mushroom enchiladas are good too. Happy hour doesn't include half price apps anymore. Sad-ness.
(4)Nick F.
An okay place to go if you are looking for a cheaper place to eat in Station Square. The food is decent and they have a large variety of liquor at the bar.
(3)Lance R.
This is a decent place to grab bite to eat. Food is not fantastic, but it was very goo for the price you pay. It's attached to the Station Square shopping mall - that gave us something to do while we waited for our table - plus they send you a text when your table is ready, so there is no worrying about being out if range.
(3)Bill T.
Do I look electrified? I should because I was shocked at how much I enjoyed a meal here. In town for a couple of days and wandered over to Station Square and decided to drop in here for a meal. I'd eaten here once before and it was unmemorable but figured it was worth another shot. Sat at the bar where I received fast and friendly service. My glass of club soda was never empty, which I appreciated. I ordered a pasta dish and it came out looking like a Kraft Mac n Cheese reject, but then I tasted it and it was very good. The sauce was nice and spicy and the chicken was tender and moist. They talked me into the brownie sundae for dessert and like a strong wind, it blew me away. Okay, so this isn't fine dining but if the food is good, the service is great and the price is reasonable, then that means four stars in my book.
(4)Ian R.
Went here for lunch. Food was acceptable. I had a burger. It wasn't huge, but cooked well. Server was nice and food came out fast. I there were more people working there than people eating there. Place was clean and location is convenient.
(4)Laura M.
Why is Laura M., PGH's intrepid reviewer of hidden gem, hole-in-the-wall restaurants, reviewing a chain casual dining restaurant like Houlihan's? Well, like many people, I ended up at Houlihan's at the behest of a friend (who I hadn't seen for months) for her birthday, along with a large group. (Said friend received a $15 off coupon for her birthday, hence her incentive to come.) Quite frankly, I came for the company, with low expectations for the food, and those expectations were met. As soon as we walked in, I noticed a strange, slightly unpleasant smell that I couldn't quite put my finger on, which I later determined to be emanating from the restroom. We stood at the hostess stand for several minutes before someone acknowledged us, and then we waited several more minutes while she put some tables together, during which time we were awkwardly greeted by another hostess. When we were finally seated, we inquired about the happy hour, and our waitress told us that we had to go to the bar to purchase drinks and apps at the happy hour price. So, we awkwardly got up a few at a time to get our drinks, and ended up getting regular apps. Per the bartender's recommendation, I got the raspberry long island iced tea ($5.75, HH price), which I thought was a glass, but turned out the be a liter. Though I've never had a long island before and don't have any standard of judgment, it was cloyingly sweet and wasn't strong at all, since I didn't feel tipsy in the slightest even after drinking the entire liter. I tried several different variants ordered by my friends, and they were all very sweet and not very strong--the only drink I thought had a better balance was the angry orchard cocktail. For food, we ordered several appetizers to share between us: parmesan frites, "shrooms," and pretzel sticks. They were all predictably mediocre and salty, with little depth of flavor. In particular, I was not a fan of the bier cheese, which had a strange aftertaste, or the horseradish sauce incorporated into the shrooms. For my entree, I ordered the quiche Lorraine with a cup of potato soup, which came with it ($11.95). To my surprise, the potato soup wasn't salty--if anything, it was bland and underseasoned, such that I added some salt and pepper to spice it up. The quiche was okay, but nothing very special--I'd definitely had much better renditions elsewhere. I felt that the amount of food that I received for the price was lacking. Several other members of our group ordered flatbreads, including my friend who sat next to me, who ordered the gluten free version. Her flatbread was served at room temperature, such that she sent it back to the kitchen to be warmed up. To their credit, the kitchen remade it and the manager comped it--but at the end of the day, this shouldn't have happened in the first place. Needless to say, I was less than impressed with the quality of food and drinks that I received from Houlihan's, especially given the price (total check: around $20 w/ tip), not to mention that you have to pay for parking (you're looking at around $5 for a couple of hours). I'd never been to a Houlihan's before, and to be honest, I doubt I'd return. There are many restaurants with more character and better--and less expensive--drinks and bar food not far away on East Carson St., including Piper's Pub, Fat Heads, and the Smiling Moose, to name just a few. Experiences like this are why I always try to talk my friends (and boyfriend!) into trying somewhere new, and avoiding chain casual dining whenever possible, esp. given the richness of the dining scene in PGH. 2.5 stars.
(2)Pauline T.
Went here for a friend's birthday, chosen because it was food allergen friendly. The lettuce wraps were good, but overall still felt overpriced.
(3)Chardae J.
I absolutely love this place. The food, drinks and the location are equally amazing. My favorite is their peach long Island ice tea and the chicken avocado egg rolls. The service is always fast and the servers are always caring. Good service and good food always brings me back.
(5)Kristen H.
Houlihan's is probably my favorite restaurant in Station Square for lunch. The power greens salad with chicken blows my mind! Its seriously the only time I like kale, and trust me, I've tried all the Pinterest recipies! They've got an excellent lunch menu. I haven't been there for dinner so I haven't had any of the entrees. I do know that the food here is consistently good, and so is the service. And its QUICK. Houlihan's is not the cheapest restaurant for lunch, but it's a go to on pay day when I feel like spending money. The salad and a drink end up being $17.00. You also get a really good cookie with your bill. Also, try the tortilla soup, because it is DELICIOUS.
(4)Mike B.
Very average on all levels.
(2)Susan D.
Chains like Houlihan's have their place. They're generally reliable, no surprises, and they're good "go-to" places if you're meeting up with friends. Such was the case when I was out with a couple of friends the other night. After forgoing appetizers for some soup, my friend Lisa settled on the Brentwood Chicken sandwich (could it be because she once lived in Brentwood), while my friend Maryann went for the salmon. I opted for the pot roast, which I had to admit was pretty good. This Houlihan's has been here for many years--ever since I was a kid. I'd give it 3.5 stars.
(3)Elizabeth B.
Before a recent night out with a large group of friends, we came to Houlihan's for drinks and appetizers. The atmosphere felt a little traditional and dated. Even though it was Saturday evening, the restaurant was practically empty, and our party of 15 or so really had an entire wing of the place to ourselves. Both the service and food were unimpressive. We had two waitresses helping out the table, and the waitress helping my end of the table had an odd personality. As soon as someone would join the table - literally as they were still saying "hello" to the group - she would dash over and ask for their order. I'm pretty sure that everyone had to tell her to give them a few minutes before they could order. Her pouncing tactic made the new arrival feel awkward and start searching the menu quickly before they could even settle down. She seemed nice enough otherwise but just needed some common sense and better training. I ordered a liter of Long Island Iced Tea to share with my husband, but since he wasn't a fan of the flavor, he ordered an additional liter. I normally would be tipsy after 3 drinks, but this entire liter didn't even get me buzzed. We also ordered the White Bean & Artichoke Hummus, which wasn't very special. It all tasted like something that I could've gotten in an average grocery store.
(2)Bev L.
In my hometown to visit my mom. This place was within walking distance from our hotel. Upon arrival, the place was deserted. Our party of 3 arrived around 4:30. The staff that greeted us were friendly. We ordered the chicken nachos appetizer and it was delicious! Huge! Enough for all 3 of us. I then ordered the So. Cal Fish Tacos and they were just ok - I've had better. The tilapia was had a bit too much breading on it. Generous portions though. My son ordered the chicken tenders with fries and a bowl of tomato bisque soup. He said the soup was buttery! I was surprised at the amount of tenders he had, like 8 or 9 huge pieces. However, they appeared to be left in the grease too long as they were dark colored. He seemed to like them. My other son ordered the fish and chips - again dark colored batter but tasted good (I stole one!). Our server was friendly, attentive and patient with our questions. Service was excellent. I'd probably return to this restaurant.
(4)Dave M.
man, i feel bad writing this b/c our waiter was great and the host was friendly as well but the food was disappointing. the lettuce wrap appetizer was soooooo salty. what in the world. the burger was good but the fries were old and looked unappetizing. the ribs were good but the pineapple fried rice was dry and almost lacked pineapples. the salmon came out burned and black on one side so we had it taken off the tab. the thai chicken was so thin and small but cost $14.25. the asparagus was so burnt it left black streaks on my plate. didn't eat those. the manager came and apologized but i'm guessing this isn't the first time he had to deal with this issue by the look on his face. i wouldn't recommend this place.
(1)Laurel M.
Each time I visit Houlihan's I am reminded of how much I enjoy it! The menu is excellent and the taste of the food is even better. All of the prices are quite reasonable, especially during happy hour, which is one of the best! The half-price deals on drinks and good deals on delicious apps makes visiting Houlihan's from 5-7pm an irresistible deal. I always visit each summer for my birthday, when I am offered a buy one, get one deal on entrées, which is a great deal. As someone who lives in the city, I most often visit the Station Square location, which has a nice view of the city and an outdoor seating option that I like. The only downside is having to pay for parking in the garage. Years ago Houlihan's validated parking and that was a nice perk for that location.
(4)Amanda W.
Overall, just okay. The food was decent, but not for the prices. The wine flight was my favorite part of the restaurant (though none of the wine was actually 'good'). Good bar service, though it wasn't very busy when we went. Ahi tuna was fairly dry and not very flavorful; you really had to use the sauces to get a decent tasting of food.
(2)Deborah N.
If you like chain sports bars that look like they were built in the 80s you will love this place. This is not my type of place at all but I was starving and parched, having walked for miles. I was happy to stop there just the once for a lemonade and some fries. Both of which were fine, but this is not my sort of place.
(2)Aaron A.
Flat bread pizza was pretty good. Clean restaurant and the staff is very attentive. Not much of chain restaurant person but I don't mind dining here. It's always nice to come down to Station Square and get a change of scenery.
(4)Melanie Z.
I'm going to start off by saying I hate chain restaurants. That said, Houlihan's really surprised me. We were entertaining a prospective student and Houlihan's seemed like an American enough option that would please any palate, so we went for lunch on a Saturday. I got the grilled shrimp and the parmesan frites, and damn, they were pretty good! The shrimp were cooked perfectly, seemed fresh, and came with guac (love!). The fries came with three awesome sauces--the garlic aioli was the best but there was also a ranch and a spicy barbecue. Other folks got fish tacos and the veggie burger, and they were also pleasantly surprised. Service was attentive, interior was pretty classy, and a good enough value that I'd go back again if I find myself in Station Square. If you have a picky eater but still want to find some decent selections for yourself, Houlihan's is a solid option.
(3)Jeff A.
We stopped in for dinner after a Duck boat tour of Pittsburgh! We were sat at a table right away, after a few min were greeted and ordered drinks and a app. I then checked in on four square and was given a special offer for free fries, I asked about it and yes FREE ! So I order fries and we ll ordered of dinners.... My fried pork sandwich was out of this world good... But when the bill came the FREE fries were still on the check but my other half had already paid the check. :-( On our way out 2 employees and a female manger talking at the hospo desk never said goodbye or asked how things were.... So food A but service and overall staff D.. Hospitality and service employees don't know what service really means anymore!
(3)Amara Z.
Overpriced and small portions, but oh so delicious. Nice location. Not so friendly staff though.
(3)Joe D.
Many years ago I was in love with the idea of restaurants like Fridays, Chili's, Applebee's and the like. Not so much today as my tastes in food matures. Besides cooking at home, I'd much rather spend my disposable income on family owned businesses, people who put their heart and souls into their business. Houlihan's was never my to go to place, even when I was frequenting these so called casual dining spots. The food was never well done in my opinion. But then again, these restaurants always seemed to copy each other's menus. Houlihan's just never caught their niche. They basically just serve dishes that are nothing special. I've had the salmon, completely under seasoned, overcooked and dry. Served with green beans and rice. Is that Beaver Cleever's mother cooking back there? It was pretty unremarkable. Houlihan's will always be like taking your cousin to the prom. It doesn't excite me at all.
(2)Kate K.
I typically really like Houlihan's, but my recent experience at this location left a lot to be desired. We wandered in on a Tuesday night and managed to get a table right away as it wasn't crowded. After perusing the massive menu, my brother and I decided that we'd get some appetizers to share. We started with the nachos - they were just OK. They were topped with ground chicken that seemed to be completely unseasoned. We both ate around the chicken. It was also an odd gray color, but I won't dwell on that. Then we opted to try a couple of sliders and the Houlihan's version of the "poutine." The sliders were decent, but the poutine was awful. It's fries topped with their pot roast and gravy and some cheese. The fries were obviously straight out of the freezer and hadn't been cooked quite long enough so they weren't crispy at all. They also appeared to not have stuck the entire dish in the oven, but just topped the undercooked fries with the gravy and pot roast, and then some cheese. So the cheese wasn't melted, and it was all just kind of gross. It was really disappointing. And then finally we got the bill - we each had 2 glasses of wine, and 3 appetizers and it was $70? No thanks. I can think of many other places to spend less of my money on much better food.
(2)Lauren P.
I'm not much of a restaurant chain person but we were going for a friend's bday. I was pleasantly surprised as we had a large party, were seated right away and had 2 waitresses. This place is huge inside and great for a large gathering. The private room in the back looked really nice to have an event in. I started off with an Angry Orchard-one of my favorite ciders. I def. recommend getting one of the large glasses of long islands as they are huge and come in all different flavors. This is the place to go for happy hour as all the drinks are half off! For dinner I ordered the meatloaf with mashed potatoes and green beans. It was really tasty and enough for two meals.
(4)Karla D.
Mediocre food. Terrible customer service. Stood at bar for seven minutes to pick up order to go. No one manning bar. Several servers passed by; no offer to assist. Chain establishment-typical.
(2)Teena V.
Absolutely terrible management! We were told there was a 10 minute wait. 10 minutes was 1 hour. Why? The kitchen told the hostess not to seat tables because they couldn't keep up. There were 1/2 of the tables empty. I feel terrible for the hostess and wait staff. This manager should be fired.
(1)Julie S.
I don't come here often because it's pricey and you have to pay to park, but I ADORE the stuffed chicken breast meal. I've never had anything here that I didn't like - even the freshly brewed iced tea is delicious. Just wish their prices were a bit better.
(5)Casey B.
Must try the mushroom appetizer - stuffed with Parmesan cheese and a horseradish sauce. We ordered ahi tuna salad - too much banana (props for their creativity though) & seared scallops with risotto. Quality of food was great and they had a good cocktail menu. Beer selection was ok.
(4)Meredith B.
For our first visit to Station Square, we were looking for a place to grab some dinner before a night out at Whim. There is no shortage of restaurants in Station Square, but they're all (I think) chains and franchises and nothing really caught our fancy. I remembered Houlihan's from my childhood back in Michigan, and the menu looked tasty, so we stopped in to check it out. Boy, is this NOT the Houlihan's from my childhood! A glance at their Wikipedia page shows that back in 2002, Houlihan's revamped their concept from a cozy family restaurant to a still cozy but more trendy restaurant fit for both families and for other groups of folks. It's still pretty casual and we felt overdressed in our club clothes! They have a large drink menu with some interesting options, like a "martini flight" that lets you try smaller portions of cocktails. I ordered the X-Rated Flirtini which I was a little embarrassed to say out loud, but it ended up being a tasty, sweet, and strong concoction of champagne and vodka with some exotic fruit juices. Unfortunately, our server forgot to bring it out. I did remind him, after our appetizers had already come, and then he went off to get it, but I was disappointed that the whole thing took about 15 minutes. By the time I got it, our entrees were out. There is a FourSquare deal here for a free order of fries when you check-in, so we took advantage and ordered the Truckstop Fries, which were covered in "chipotle cheese sauce." They were tasty, and we observed that they were less salty than we expected, which was a good thing. I definitely didn't get the "chipotle" flavor, which to me is smoky and rich. They were clearly going for a southwestern vibe, I think there were scallions and such on the fries, but the chipotle flavor was missing. We ordered some mini-sliders that were tastier than we expected - I think the pulled pork in particular we enjoyed, and we split the Brentwood Chicken Sandwich which was simple but fresh and well-prepared. It was a good amount of food for two people and we were way too full for dessert. I wouldn't go out of my way to return here, but I feel like this is a good option if you are down in Station Square and need to grab a bite. The menu is creative, you will absolutely find something that satisfies a craving. Even the unhealthy options taste a little more fresh, because they don't overdo the salt. Still, service was a bit slow and forgetful, and the food really wasn't memorable. But sometimes you don't need memorable, you just need dinner.
(3)Melanie E.
It's bar food. The server was friendly, but it's definitely more of a bar than a restaurant. Crawl for Cancer was there and the Ohio game was on, so it was packed, but fun.
(3)Betsy H.
I am typically not a "chain restaurant" fan, but Houlihans is one of my exceptions. Oddly enough, I didn't find this one to be as awesome as the one we typically frequent. Food was just a little different. Service was a little rough. However, I must say the manager more than made up for it when we said something to her. As a past waitress, I am more than tolerant of waiting, etc. but it was a bit ridiculous. All that said, If your in town in need a decent meal (chicken wrap, fish tacos, burgers, salads) then I definitely recommend stopping by.
(3)Holly T.
Our server was extremely inattentive to our table's time and needs. My table felt our 2 hour meal for 2 of the 4 ordering was a bit excessive. Upon asking for a GF menu out of need and not preference I was served a drink containing gluten (yes, I had to find out the hard way). Boo on service.
(1)Gene X.
OK so if you are stranded at Station Square in Pittsburgh and can't get out, then Houlihan's is the best option. Good food and reasonably priced plus the service is solid and they even have a 15-minutes-or-it's-free deal during lunch on the weekdays. The soundtrack they play is even pretty good so if you need to eat and can't get outta the complex, take yourself to Houlihans!
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