Raoul's Italian Grill

Update: They have closed and a family member reopened the restaurant as Fratellini Ristorante Italiano at 8905 Louetta.

Original Review: We really like this restaurant - a local favorite. We have been there several times and each time, the service has been excellent. The live music is nice and the wait staff is very attentive and helpful. Tonya's Favorite is absolutely creamy and delicious. Tortellini Portabella and Rigatoni Melanga were both really good also. The one night that I got something I didn't love was a special they had - it was pasta with marinara and seafood. Strangely, the reason I didn't care for it was because it had so much seafood on it. The taste was great other than that. Lastly, the bread they serve at the table is delicious. Don't miss out on this gem just because it's in the corner of a tiny strip mall. You'll be pleasantly surprised.

Don't be fooled by the fact that this incredible restaurant is located in a strip center/shopping center on Louetta Rd!!!!

The food prepared at Raoul's will rival any meal you have ever eaten. The service staff are some of the most professional I have ever seen, in any place I have ever been.

Our waiter has been waiting on us for about 7 years now. We went for about 2 years we did not make it in, and when we went back in, we did not even have to order, he walked up and called off to us what we had always usually ordered, down the "salad dressing on the side, with no Tomato's".

They also have a small dance floor, and very appropriate live music from a piano and sax player.

They also will take reservations where few will anymore.

Check this place out ASAP!

Raoul's is another stop among the many Italian eateries on Louetta in Spring. This place has been around for quite awhile with a good reputation, so thought I'd check them out. The restaurant is dimly lit inside with decor that reminds me of an outdated lounge from the 1960s. To me, it doesn't feel cozy here, I just feel old eating here, I don't know, maybe it's just me. I ordered a pepperoni pizza and classic spaghetti with meatballs. Service here is excellent and food comes out promptly. The pizza was thin-crust style. Tasted like a generic pizza. Wasn't bad, wasnt great. The spaghetti was full of sauce with nice sized meatballs. I got a cup full of extra grated cheese to add on. Tasted a bit on the bland side. Wasn't bad, but I wasn't wowed either. Maybe I'm not ordering the right things.

I'm not sure why the reviews here are so lackluster, but I had a great time at Raoul's. It looks like absolutely nothing on the outside, but has a very nice dinner atmosphere inside. It was dimly lit and a guitarist added to the ambiance. Our server was very nice, thoroughly described the many specials to us, and was always available.

I had a simple dinner of spinacci salad and the lobster and crab bisque. I strongly recommend both. The spinacci salad is cooked tableside with garlic, bacon, and mushrooms, with balsamic vinegar and served warm over a bed of spinach leaves. It was marvelous, the perfect blend of savory and fresh. The lobster and crab bisque was the best I've ever had, with bold flavor and nice chunks of meat. It is extremely rich, though. I ended up taking half home and enjoying it the next day. The complimentary bread they serve is very good as well, a nice complement to the soup.

Since I made a meal out of appetizers, the price was pretty low compared to the regular entrees. I'd love to come and do the same thing again!

My wife and I have been going her for lunch frequently. We accidentally waked in one day before they had opened and told them we could come back and they wouldn't even hear if it seated us, took our order, food is out of this world, service is impeccable and prices are reasonable.
If you judge a restaurant by the outside looks, you will be missing a great dining experience! Their dishes are not what most people would prepare at home (unless you are a chef)!

Raoul's had joined the rotation of restaurants we enjoyed on regular basis. Nothing fancy, but the food was consistently pretty good. Until Valentine's Day, that is.

We arrived at 8:00, the time of our reservation. Not being seated immediately, we were asked to sit in the overflow area far from the piano player. Having reservations, we naturally said no, and our "hostess" proceeded to grunt and take us to a makeshift wobbly table crammed against a wall, indicating it was the only other option. Immediately thereafter, she proceeded to seat an elderly couple at one of the best tables near the bar/music. I guess we weren't good enough for that table.

We tried to put that behind us, but it was rather hard because right off the bat, the bread they brought out was burned/black on top, and our pathetic salads appeared to come directly out of a bag in the freezer. Not to be outdone, my wife's "steak" which had been ordered "medium" came out with an unknown substance on top and was very rare. We of course told them of the problem and they took her plate to correct it. Strangely enough, when her plate returned no more than about three minutes later by the aforementioned "hostess" I asked her if they had microwaved her steak - she stuttered, said "I don't know" and ran off!

In short, this was the single worst dining experience we've ever had. Normally, we'd just move on and not return. But, this was so bad, I couldn't in good conscience not post a review. If 0 stars was an option, it is certainly what Raoul's deserved. Whatever you do, don't go to Raoul's.

I have never been disappointed here. Raoul's looks like a typical strip mall Italian restaurant but it is not! The prices are reasonable. The wine selection is good. Service is impeccable and the food is great. Great for a romantic dinner or to bring the family. They will make you any pizza you can imagine for dine in or take out!

We are done with this place. Even with a limited Valentine's dinner the food and service was horrible. We ordered two appetizers. When those finally came out, it was combined into one. They put escargot on top of our cheese plate. WTF? That was sent back and then the escargot came back to the table the regular way. Then the entree and then the other appetizer. ....after the entree and then with all of that, it was cold. Ice cold. Not once during the meal were we asked if we needed anything. No fresh parmesan, no drinks no fresh pepper....nuttin'. Oh, then the entree. That red snapper must have been on a diet because it was crack ho skinny. It was dry and lacked any noticeable flavor. I've had TV dinner fish sticks that tasted better. Pass on this place if at all possible. You are supposed to shine on Valentine's not take a gigantic dump.

Certainly there needs to exist a place besides a cafeteria you can take your 80 year old grandmother to, but that's not the place we were hoping for when we set out for dinner. Seriously, out of the five tables seated, 2 had patrons who left aided by walkers. I can see why the clientele skews this way-tired decor, menu. Wine list with high marked up grocery store wines, and, for legitimacy (?), a $900 bottle of Lafite. Lettuce in the salad was browning. Alfredo in desperate need of some salt. But then the sauce for the veal dish was no doubt made from some commercial soup base, so it was crazy salty. Eggplant parm tasted heated from the freezer. Having said all that, do need to mention the service staff were all very friendly, professional.

This was a very disappointing experience. The lasagna tasted old and the meat felt processed. The only thing that was descent was the wine which was very over priced. 15 dollars at HEB 45 dollars st this place. Unfortunately I dont5 recommend this place