Wondering where best seafood on island is? It can be a dive if clean (for wife) and has great food. Coming back after 38 years, when I left it was Jetties and Palmetto Inn.

Dirty Al's for fried fish if you want the dive atmosphere. Or if you want the same food with a cleaner atmosphere go to Pelican Station in Port Isabel. For something different check out Zeste for tapas. The GF and I ate there for the first time this weekend and it was very good. Gabriella's has good Italian and Kranztlers has good American bistro type stuff.

[This message has been edited by EagleFordEarl (edited 6/24/2013 10:38p).]

Thanks.

Joe's Oyster Bar in Port Isabel.

RIP Palmetto Inn.

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RIP Palmetto Inn.

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Dirty Al's and Pelican Station

Go across the bridge to Joe's.

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Go across the bridge to Joe's.

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Joe's is average. Not bad, but not great. It's a hole in the wall place that has consistent food, but don't get your hopes up for finding your favorite oysters or ceviche, etc..

^^^^^That and the beers are expensive for such a crummy place

(my deal breaker)

Thanks, hit most of them and new Hacienda for some Mex and seafood combos. Bought shrimp in PI and just cooked them at Condo for really the best meals we had. Went one day back home to Harlingen and ate at Pepe's--4.95 plate there would be 10-12 dollars in Tyler and Dallas area.

Regarding Joes in PI.I always thought it was a great value for the money (Joes special) grilled shrimp&fish, Have run into a few Ags I know there ,some came from Brownsville for the Ceviche as does my daughter when she is @SPI,and their specials on 1/2 shell oysters and fried oysters on Sundays plus beer by the pitcher were hard to beat anywhere and he sent his son/grandson to A&M out of that place and as someone said it is a hole in the wall. I have eaten in a lot good eating places in my lifetime but I still love the Hole in the walls when I find them,but they never seem to last long because success makes them want expand and change locations which is often a death knell.

Agree with Aggie59. Joe is good people. I have known him for 25 years, even when his shop was on the Island in the old Palmetto Inn plaza. He is a very proud Aggie father and a hard ass worker. He worked 7 days a week for like 35 years.

The best time to eat there is during the off season for tourists. They can't handle crowds very well. The food there is nothing spectacular, but it is good and it is fresh. Get him to deep fry you a couple of the crab cakes he sells, those are very good. I don't care for his ceviche, but that is just me. I prefer the oyster specials when they are available.

Mexquito's has very good friend shrimp and caldo de mariscos's/camaron. They are across the street from White Sands. I also like White Sands for whole flounder, it is good. Fisherman's in PI is hit and miss, if they get some decent shrimp their fried shrimp is excellent. I am loyal if nothing else, and the place I like best in the area is Blackbead's, it has gotten more expensive nowadays, but their food is still good. I always like their fried oysters. The split stuffed jalapeno is a favorite of mine as well.