Carrabba's - The Original On Kirby
Italian restaurant · Upper Kirby
3115 Kirby Dr, Houston, TX 77098
Highlights
Italian eatery with handmade pasta, wood-fired meats, and Chicken Bryan
Italian eatery with handmade pasta, wood-fired meats, and Chicken Bryan
"Carrabba’s may be a household name today, but the original restaurant, which opened nearly 40 years ago on Kirby Drive, is a Houston institution. Along with a well-rounded menu of antipasti, pasta, pizzas, and steaks, the restaurant is known for its excellent service and lively bar. Kick off a meal with the Carrabbellini, a playful take on a traditional peach bellini, and then settle in with a heaping bowl of linguine and clams or chicken cappelletti." - Brittany Britto Garley
"Starting in Houston over 30 years ago, Carrabba’s now has over 200 locations nationwide. And even though the food isn’t going down in culinary history books, this solid Italian restaurant stays full night after night with decades-long regulars from the nearby River Oaks neighborhood. Carrabba's food is consistent, another reason why it's packed with families and couples. The menu rarely, if ever, changes. Think no-nonsense dishes like alfredo pasta and fried calamari. Or the dish “chicken Bryan,” made just a little by Texan with the addition of cream cheese slabs and peppers—with pasta, of course, because, you know, it’s an Italian restaurant. Food Rundown Pasta Carrabba Peas are the main star of this pasta, along with chicken and heavily sauced fettuccine alfredo. It’s simple and a cheesy enough vehicle to convince would-be pea-haters to turn into immediate fans. Chicken "Bryan Texas" You’ll love this dish if you enjoy cream cheese, green peppers, and moist chicken. Referred to as “chicken Bryan,” this dish smashes together Italian with Tex-Mex. The result is an inside-out version of a jalapeño popper, heavy on the cream cheese, but with a side of pasta. Rosie's Italian Cream Cake This cake is layered with tons of pecans, walnuts, and coconut flakes but remains sweet with just the right level of cream cheese frosting tang." - Chelsea Thomas
"This family-owned restaurant, which bred the national chain of the same name, features salads and stuffed pasta made fresh daily; meats grilled over oak and pecan wood; and combinations like the grilled chicken “Bryan Texas,” topped with goat cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and basil butter, then served with a side of fettuccine Alfredo. Leave room for a slice of dessert Rosa — a butter cake topped with pastry cream, bananas, strawberries, pineapple, and whipped cream." - Marcy de Luna
"Perfect for casual gatherings or family celebrations, the Original Carrabba’s on Kirby offers a relaxed, family-friendly Italian meal with an approachable vibe. A staple since 1986, the restaurant offers classic dishes like chicken marsala and handmade pizzas and a lively energy further fueled by its open kitchen and wood-fired oven." - Marcy de Luna
"This family-owned establishment, which bred the national chain of the same name, features salads and stuffed pasta made fresh daily; hearty meats grilled over oak and pecan wood; and combinations like the grilled chicken “Bryan Texas,” which is topped with goat cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and basil butter, then served with a side of fettuccine alfredo. Leave room for a slice of dessert Rosa — a butter cake topped with pastry cream, bananas, strawberries, pineapple, and whipped cream." - Megha McSwain, Brittany Britto Garley
