HOUSTON — A local pub’s been serving up a taste of the UK for two decades now, but it’s largely still a bit of a Hidden Gem.
"I’m very, very fortunate. I’m going to keep saying that," said Craig Mallinson, owner of the Red Lion British Pub. "I’m very fortunate."
He's fortunate for the regulars who’ve kept his pub along Shepherd Drive open for 20 years and the staff who’ve been there almost that entire time.
"Between Rachel and Juan, I can’t do this place," Mallinson stressed.
Server Rachel Goodman started working at the pub 18 years ago.
"It’s a job, but it’s also very sociable," she answered when asked what kept her around for nearly two decades.
Juan Ascencio, the executive chef, came on board just a few years later.
"The rule here is if you’re doing something, make sure you do it right," he said.
Crafted by Ascencio and Mallinson, the menu features Indian and Mexican flavors, as well as the standard pub fare, such as shepherd's pie and fish and chips.
"You can’t miss that one. It’s very popular," emphasized Ascencio.
The dish is so popular, the staff at the Red Lion fries up about 200 pounds of it every week.
"Our fish and chips is probably what we’re most famous for," Goodman said.
Food-wise, at least. The pub’s also known for its iconic phone booth imported from England, the hardwood tables, chairs and bar, the leather-wrapped booths and the gold plaques adorning just about everything.
"I started doing it when we first opened up because I thought it would be nice for people to have identity here, so they feel part of something," said Mallinson. "It’s just my way of saying to people, ‘Thanks for coming here. We appreciate you. Now you’re a part of the pub.’"
Talking to staff and regulars, there’s one comparison that came up over and over again, that the Red Lion is kind of like Houston’s own "Cheers."
"Houston is just the biggest small town in America, right?" Mallinson said. "Everyone knows your name."
And for that, he is fortunate.
"Thank you, Houston, I really appreciate you and, hopefully, to another 20 years," smiled Mallinson.
For more information about the Red Lion British Pub, click here.