Went there for the first time today. Ordered the shrimp cocktail, grilled oysters and the seafood gumbo with potato salad to go.
Wine was tasty. 4/5
Shrimp cocktail: Shrimp were small to medium and the sauce tasted like something from a bottle. 2/5
Grilled oysters were tasty but the oysters were about the size of a nickel. Not something you would expect from a company that specializes in oysters 2/5
Seafood gumbo and potato salad to go: Got home and discovered there was no potato salad. Gumbo was bitter and salty.
Maybe just a bad day for the restaurant but I won't return.

Didn't blow my socks off either. Heck of a view though.

Gulf oysters?

Little early still, if not gulf then not surprised about the size.

Disappointing review though.

Unfortunate....it's been a few years since we've been but we enjoyed it. We were just talking about taking the kids there when it gets cooler...

1st visti- past Spring. Liked the view, and idea of getting out of HOU for 1/2 day
2nd visit- couple weeks ago. Not sure we go back. Confident most food came from Sysco. Lobster rolls...

Cool place. Food is good. Service can be lacking at times.

The two times I've been, the oysters were huge. The food I had was great. But yes the service can be a little slow

I haven't been, but the photos of the place remind me of some of the tourist trap restaurants in San Diego.

Haven't been back since they made us wait over 45 minutes for a table with a reservation on my birthday. No excuse.

Our favs are Pacific Seafood and Number 13.

I've always thought that given our close proximity to the coast Houston and it's surrounding areas have a major lack of quality seafood options.

Not that there aren't any good options but I've always thought we should have way more than we do.

Bummer. I've been there several times and the oysters were great.

Maybe it just depends on the time of year? I know nothing of oyster harvest seasons.

The best deal, is to go during the happy hour during the week. (Tuesday or Wednesday, I don't recall) It's half price bottles of wine and 50c oysters on the half shell.

Ag_07 said:

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I've always thought that given our close proximity to the coast Houston and it's surrounding areas have a major lack of quality seafood options.

Not that there aren't any good options but I've always thought we should have way more than we do.

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This. I love seafood, and we don't have near enough. We have way too many Mexican places. And I guess the sushi places on every corner are kind of seafood. But my dad is from Florida, and I want some of what they have. Waterfront stuff like there will obviously be tough not being right on the water in Houston proper, but no excuse why there can't be a good fish shack somewhere. It doesn't have to be fine dining. And it doesn't have to be fried everything to satisfy the Cajuns.

Spore Ag said:

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Go to Gilhooleys, sit with camo and slug cold beer

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This. Grilled oysters and shrimp are great. But it is a dive. And no kids allowed under 18 iirc.

Try Topwater Grill.

https://www.topwatergrill.com/

I was always a fan of Gilhooley's until a couple of years after Ike hit. Ordered a platter of raw oysters. They came out 40 minutes after placing the order and the oysters were sitting in water because all the ice had melted.

And there were dozens of tiny worms swimming around in the water. Sadly had to cross one of my favorite places to dine off the list.

AgLA06 said:

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I haven't been, but the photos of the place remind me of some of the tourist trap restaurants in San Diego.

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Just spent a week in SD. This is dead on.

Agasaurus Tex said:

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I was always a fan of Gilhooley's until a couple of years after Ike hit. Ordered a platter of raw oysters. They came out 40 minutes after placing the order and the oysters were sitting in water because all the ice had melted.

And there were dozens of tiny worms swimming around in the water. Sadly had to cross one of my favorite places to dine off the list.

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Nightmare fuel. I actually had always wanted to try this place out but now can 100% guarantee that I will never go.

reminds me of this classic

I lived & ate everything in the northern bay area for 30+ years. P6 had a hot start, but went downhill after a few months. Top Water has been the most consistent, just not great. Gilhooleys was sold a few years ago & the vibe & oyster quality dropped.

Schaeffers (Clear Lake Shores) & Katie's (Galveston) are solid seafood options. Both have good ceviche, Katie's is the best I've ever had, including great options from the west coast.

maroon barchetta said:

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Katie's?

Oh boy. Here we go.

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Great thread OP

TRIDENT said:

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Try Topwater Grill.

https://www.topwatergrill.com/

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2nd This. Been going for years.

Agree that Schaffers is a solid option, too.
https://schaferscoastalbarandgrille.com/

Agree on Schaffer's and Joe Lee's, too. Screw Katie's.

I know this sounds crazy, but if you haven't tried the fried shrimp at Joe's BBQ in Alvin you need to add that to your to do list.

We usually hit Top Water or Shafers' as top picks.

Joe Lee's is solid but the menu is mostly fried food.

Tookie's Seafood in Seabrook and opus Ocean Grill in Watergate Yacht https://opusoceangrille.com/ also are good options.

Whoop Delecto said:

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Joe Lee's is solid but the menu is mostly fried food.

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I haven't heard that name in years. I waited tables at Landry's during the summers when I was at A&M and "Joe Lee's" was the worst table assignment you could get on the patio. It was the longest walk from the kitchen and one of the last to get shade. You'd pissed someone off if that was your assignment.

RIP Windswept in Oyster Creek