VIBE

It may be–whisper it–a chain restaurant (don’t be fooled by the name, it’s actually a Houston’s) on a famously “chain-free” island, but that hasn’t seemed to dim the Palm Beach Grill’s popularity in the least. During The Season, it’s perpetually mobbed, thanks to a winning combo of comfort food and a buzzing bar. Scoring one of the dining room’s deep leather booths can be nigh impossible on weekend evenings, but weekdays are marginally more low-key. Fortunately, there’s usually space at the bar (provided you take “space” to mean “barely standing room”).

CROWD

Just about everyone in town pops by! A Palm Beach mix.

WHAT WE WOULD WEAR

Trendy upscale casual. We’d go with dressy jeans and a stylish top.

GO HERE WITH

Friends; parents

WHY WE LIKE IT

The food is consistently good, the scene is fun, and even when it’s packed to the rafters, the service manages to keep up. Plus, it’s got relatively reasonable prices (by Palm Beach standards, anyway).

WHAT WE WOULD CHANGE

During The Season, waits are loooong (you can expect to wait for your table even with a reservation–this drives us insane) and it can get really noisy.

GOOD TO KNOW

Complimentary valet parking and takeout are available.

OTHER LOCATIONS

Major cities nationwide (most locations called “Houston’s”)

CLOSEST COMPS

Michael R. McCarty’s (Palm Beach)

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