History
Welcome to Jimmy Wilson’s Seafood and Chop House where sharing great food with your friends and family is our top priority. It is our pleasure to offer you the finest Creole-Cajun dishes, the freshest of fish, as well as steaks and chops.
The history of Jimmy Wilson’s actually began in the late 70’s when, in Houston, oil was king and two childhood friends from Louisiana had a dream. Denis Wilson’s and Billy Landry’s memories of black iron skillets, deep brown rouxs, thick Creole gravies and spicy Cajun dishes inspired them to open Willie G’s and Landry’s. Together, these restaurant mavericks would influence and help create the dining scene still known today. Dishes found on our menu, including crawfish etouffee, shrimp creole and seafood gumbo, are recipes passed down from those early days in the kitchen.
When Denis opened Denis’ on Westheimer in 1988, he continued to serve his famous gumbo – the essence of soul satisfying Cajun cooking, spicy crabs cooked to perfection and fresh, filleted fish of numerous varieties. Denis insured his diners that “nobody does it fresher” by having grouper, red snapper and angel fish made available.
Once again a great friendship would influence Houston’s restaurant scene, when Jim Jard and Denis Wilson teamed up to open Babin's, named after Denis’ mother. Jim, a native Houstonian, and Denis, with his southern Louisiana heritage, delighted in serving their diners only the finest and freshest seafood found in the area. Babin’s quickly became a highly acclaimed dining establishment for friends and families to gather as they enjoyed “home cooking”, Louisiana style.
Denis took a short sabbatical from the restaurant business until Jim convinced him to return to the kitchen with the creation of Jimmy Wilson’s Seafood and Chop House. Once again, the partners opened their doors so diners could enjoy fresh seafood as well as juicy steaks and chops.
Over the years, customers had grown to be loyal dining friends and they encouraged Jim and Denis to return to the Galleria area with their restaurant.
And so today, 30 years after it all began on Post Oak Drive, Jimmy Wilson’s Seafood and Chop House is proud to be serving Houston diners with only the freshest fish, the tenderest of steaks and it’s famous gumbo.
Thanks ya’ll for your continued support and for appreciating the difference. From both of us, we wish you the definitive dining experience, from your first step in the door to your very last bite.
Mes chers amis …. Come again, come often and laissez les bons temps rouler.