What is Christie’s Seafood & Steaks?
Christie’s Seafood & Steaks is a seafood restaurant at 6029 Westheimer Road in Houston. It traces its history to 1917. The National Trust for Historic Preservation calls it the oldest restaurant in Houston, in continuous operation since 1917.
Who founded Christie’s?
Theodosios Christofidis, a Greek immigrant, founded the business. He changed his name to Theodore Christie. He began by selling fish sandwiches and Gulf shrimp on the Galveston waterfront.
In 1934 he opened a restaurant on South Main Street in Houston, across from what is now St. Luke’s Medical Center. He later opened locations on Bellaire Boulevard, South Post Oak and Main Street.
How did the Christie name pass to a new family?
Christie had no children. In the 1960s he offered the business to a longtime employee, James Priovolos, on the condition that he change his last name to Christie. Priovolos agreed. He took over running the restaurants after Theodore Christie died.
The two families are not related. Houstonia describes the restaurant as a third-generation, family-owned business.
When did it move to Westheimer?
Jim Christie acquired the Westheimer location in 1969. The other locations later closed. The original South Main site became part of the Texas Medical Center’s expansion.
The current building is white with blue accents and a mock lighthouse on the roof. It was built for the restaurant in the late 1960s.
In 2024 the restaurant received a Backing Historic Small Restaurants grant from American Express and the National Trust. The money paid for new front doors, sign and neon repairs, and parking lot work.
What is it known for?
The restaurant still serves the fish sandwich and Gulf shrimp from its founding. The menu also includes butterflied fried shrimp and crab balls. Greek dishes include shrimp santorini, taramasalata and a village salad served without lettuce.
Is it still open?
Yes. KPRC reported in November 2025 that the family continued to run the restaurant on Westheimer Road.