After a long work week and running on fumes, my wife and I stopped in for a late dinner date at Elsa’s Italian Grill in Vidor—and it hit the spot.
We were seated quickly and welcomed with a warm bread basket and olive oil that set the tone for a comforting meal. We were hoping to unwind with a glass of wine, but unfortunately, they had lost their liquor license. That was a bit of a letdown—wine and Italian just go hand-in-hand.
I ordered the Chicken Parmesan and my wife had the Eggplant Parmigiana. Both dishes were excellent—fresh, flavorful, and generously portioned. Classic Italian comfort food done right.
Our server seemed a little new, but she was kind and tried her best. Service was a bit slow at times, but nothing that took away from the experience.
Elsa’s is a charming local spot with great food and a cozy vibe. We’ll definitely be back—just hoping the wine list returns soon to complete the experience.
— Mike “Big Chief” Hiatt, Host of The Whiskey Trip Podcast
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Thomas Goodman
Poor service
Service: 1
Mike Banwo
5/5. Food was perfect. Service was top notch.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Rebecca J
Food was average however, the prices were good. A lasagna from the lunch menu was just $9.50. The server was very nice.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
Owen Roberts
Food was great. There was a bunch of rich snobby people that would stare and give dirty looks
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 5
Service: 4
Betty Long
Ordered the Chicken Aristocrat. It was delicious. Cannot wait to have it again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mariane Moreira
I’ve been a loyal customer of this restaurant’s Beaumont location for years and have always had a great experience. Unfortunately, my recent visit to Elsa’s in Vidor Texas location was disappointing and concerning.
I ordered a beef kebab, but they served me a lamb kebab instead. When I kindly asked the waiter if it could be corrected, he was extremely polite, kind, and professional but visibly hesitant and scared to even bring up the issue to the kitchen. I was told they wouldn’t replace it because I had already removed the meat from the skewer. Frankly, that reasoning makes no sense I don’t eat the stick, I eat the meat.
What bothered me even more was witnessing how the staff is afraid to speak up because of how strict and unapproachable the owner is. It’s unacceptable for a business to treat its customers like this and even worse to create a working environment where employees feel intimidated.
I’ve always believed good customer service starts from the top, and this location clearly lacks leadership that values its guests or its team. Disappointed and won’t be coming back to this location.
Laramie Potts
Excellent gyros and traditional Italian dishes made how they're supposed to be
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Joyce Zapatier
We stopped here by chance during a road trip heading to Louisiana. After having been eating fast food during the trip, this was such a great place for a change. The food was delicious, fresh and priced fairly. I greatly recommend it!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Seth Mize
Great food at great prices! Check out the Greek menu. We go here regularly, never been disappointed.
Pros- the food was good and the waitress was super kind. Cons- the restaurant could use a really good cleaning. This is the second time I have been here and I thought the first time must have been just after a rush or something. But no, it was dirty again in the late afternoon. The salt and pepper shakers are sticky and so is the oil bottle. The floor on the way to the restroom is sticky as well. The blinds and window sills are caked with food and crumbs. I just don’t get how they have such high reviews on food alone. Is t anyone paying attention to the atmosphere around them. So disappointed that I am sure I won’t be back.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 4
Service: 4
Harvey Hammond (Barbwire)
I will say this; as a person who generally does not like fish what so ever, i asked the server if the fish was more of a pungent/robust flavor like other fish they did not know but they were prompt at getting me the answer. They probably do not let the servers taste the specials so they can properly upsale, but that's fine. The grouper special they offered was phenomenal, that's coming from a person who has not had a lot of fish dishes that appealed to my picky tastes, when it comes to fish. The server was very attentive to our needs and served us well. Only down side was the lighting was too bright. I wanted a nice mildly lit atmosphere for a date night with the wife, but I don't blame them for that. I had the grouper fish special and caprice salad. Both of them were excellent. My wife had the Veal parmesean and it was stupendous. We shared the tiramisu and neither of us were overwhelmed by the sweetness nor coffee. It came to a perfect balance and harmony.
Overall, I would recommend this place 100%.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tiramisu, House Salad
Mitchel Friend
Spectacular. I hate Italian food, but I love this place! Everything my wife and I have tried has been superb! The pizza is perfect and the Greek menu is an awesome alternative when you are vibing with the Italian side of things. The service and staff are very hospitable and attentive too. Couldn't ask for a better experience.
Getting the meal was slow but satisfactory Paid my bill started to leave waiter came running to the car said I short changed them Knowing I hadnot went in &told this waiter you came &took the little tray with the money you saw what I paid which was the correct amount I had tipped pretty well He had nothing to say when I told him he had the right amount no apology just walked away Will not go back their again
After a long work week and running on fumes, my wife and I stopped in for a late dinner date at Elsa’s Italian Grill in Vidor—and it hit the spot.
We were seated quickly and welcomed with a warm bread basket and olive oil that set the tone for a comforting meal. We were hoping to unwind with a glass of wine, but unfortunately, they had lost their liquor license. That was a bit of a letdown—wine and Italian just go hand-in-hand.
I ordered the Chicken Parmesan and my wife had the Eggplant Parmigiana. Both dishes were excellent—fresh, flavorful, and generously portioned. Classic Italian comfort food done right.
Our server seemed a little new, but she was kind and tried her best. Service was a bit slow at times, but nothing that took away from the experience.
Elsa’s is a charming local spot with great food and a cozy vibe. We’ll definitely be back—just hoping the wine list returns soon to complete the experience.
— Mike “Big Chief” Hiatt, Host of The Whiskey Trip Podcast
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Poor service
Service: 1
5/5. Food was perfect. Service was top notch.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Food was average however, the prices were good. A lasagna from the lunch menu was just $9.50. The server was very nice.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
Food was great. There was a bunch of rich snobby people that would stare and give dirty looks
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 5
Service: 4
Ordered the Chicken Aristocrat. It was delicious. Cannot wait to have it again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I’ve been a loyal customer of this restaurant’s Beaumont location for years and have always had a great experience. Unfortunately, my recent visit to Elsa’s in Vidor Texas location was disappointing and concerning.
I ordered a beef kebab, but they served me a lamb kebab instead. When I kindly asked the waiter if it could be corrected, he was extremely polite, kind, and professional but visibly hesitant and scared to even bring up the issue to the kitchen. I was told they wouldn’t replace it because I had already removed the meat from the skewer. Frankly, that reasoning makes no sense I don’t eat the stick, I eat the meat.
What bothered me even more was witnessing how the staff is afraid to speak up because of how strict and unapproachable the owner is. It’s unacceptable for a business to treat its customers like this and even worse to create a working environment where employees feel intimidated.
I’ve always believed good customer service starts from the top, and this location clearly lacks leadership that values its guests or its team. Disappointed and won’t be coming back to this location.
Excellent gyros and traditional Italian dishes made how they're supposed to be
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We stopped here by chance during a road trip heading to Louisiana. After having been eating fast food during the trip, this was such a great place for a change.
The food was delicious, fresh and priced fairly.
I greatly recommend it!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great food at great prices! Check out the Greek menu.
We go here regularly, never been disappointed.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Pros- the food was good and the waitress was super kind.
Cons- the restaurant could use a really good cleaning. This is the second time I have been here and I thought the first time must have been just after a rush or something. But no, it was dirty again in the late afternoon. The salt and pepper shakers are sticky and so is the oil bottle. The floor on the way to the restroom is sticky as well. The blinds and window sills are caked with food and crumbs. I just don’t get how they have such high reviews on food alone. Is t anyone paying attention to the atmosphere around them. So disappointed that I am sure I won’t be back.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 4
Service: 4
I will say this; as a person who generally does not like fish what so ever, i asked the server if the fish was more of a pungent/robust flavor like other fish they did not know but they were prompt at getting me the answer. They probably do not let the servers taste the specials so they can properly upsale, but that's fine. The grouper special they offered was phenomenal, that's coming from a person who has not had a lot of fish dishes that appealed to my picky tastes, when it comes to fish. The server was very attentive to our needs and served us well.
Only down side was the lighting was too bright. I wanted a nice mildly lit atmosphere for a date night with the wife, but I don't blame them for that.
I had the grouper fish special and caprice salad. Both of them were excellent. My wife had the Veal parmesean and it was stupendous. We shared the tiramisu and neither of us were overwhelmed by the sweetness nor coffee. It came to a perfect balance and harmony.
Overall, I would recommend this place 100%.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tiramisu, House Salad
Spectacular. I hate Italian food, but I love this place! Everything my wife and I have tried has been superb! The pizza is perfect and the Greek menu is an awesome alternative when you are vibing with the Italian side of things. The service and staff are very hospitable and attentive too. Couldn't ask for a better experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pizza, Gyro, Garlic Cheese Bread, Chicken Gyro, Meatball Parmigiana
The food is so (unnecessarily) greasy!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 4
Getting the meal was slow but satisfactory Paid my bill started to leave waiter came running to the car said I short changed them Knowing I hadnot went in &told this waiter you came &took the little tray with the money you saw what I paid which was the correct amount I had tipped pretty well He had nothing to say when I told him he had the right amount no apology just walked away Will not go back their again
Atmosphere: 1
Loading...