So, I've never really spent any time in Galveston in the many years I've lived here. My sister's dating a dude who owns a house in Sea Isle, so we've been making it down there more often, but we always go straight to the house. We're headed there Sunday for the day, but I want to stop in town and grab lunch/brunch beforehand. Anyone have any recommendations? Preferably somewhere that will have oysters, but something for the non-seafood eater (unless it's a battered fish taco). Well-behaved-kid-friendly too. Gracias.
If you want oysters Fisherman's Wharf is the way to go that has other options as well. It is off Harborside near the Cruise ships. Gaido's on Seawall is decent option but not as good as it used to be. I really like Bennos on Seawall, kid friendly, and good Cajun food. They have oysters also.
We have a place on the west end, so we eat in Galveston quite a bit. (of course, not as much in the past year or so because we've been living out of the country for a while). Anyway, I've found Galveston to be a relatively poor place to consistently get good seafood. Benno's used to be a place I enjoyed, and the second to last time we went there, it was fairly poor. We gave it another shot, and the last time we were there, it was downright HORRIBLE. Gaido's, Casey's, and Clary's can all be hit and miss (of the three, I'd have to recommend Clary's). Two locals casual spots that are decent, but not consistently great are the Cajun Greek and Shrimp & Stuff. I've also been usually happy with the Saltwater Grill and the Gumbo Bar. And of course, there's all of the Landry's owned places and all of them are consistently marginal. We'll be back in town in October, and I can't wait to have some seafood, but honestly, I'm heading straight to Pappa's seafood in Webster. In general, Pappa's has better seafood than anything in Galveston, but that particular location has been consistently good for 20 some-odd years. Outside of seafood, you might want to grab a burger in Jamaica beach at the blue water grill. We ALWAYS have Mexican breakfast at Mi Abuelitas---nothing that is truly stand out, but consistently good (there's something about that place that really makes us feel "at home," and it is definitely a local's spot). Mosquito cafe is pretty good if not a bit eclectic, but their sister establishment next door--Patty cakes--is a flat out wonderful bakery.......probably one of the better culinary destinations on the island (in terms of establishments that could make it in the big city). If you're up for Italian, I've never had a bad meal at Luigi's, and I like the Greek food at Olympia (prefer the pier 21 location, and the views are nice too). If you're up for something off the beaten path and a bit different, try the Courtyard Caffe.
Oops..........somehow forgot to mention Rudy and Paco's. No oysters, but it's typically a darn good restaurant. But to be honest, with all of the great restaurants that Houston has to offer, we typically dial down our expectations in Galveston. We don't dial them down as much as we do in Calgary, but our expectations are most certainly lowered.
Cajun Greek was better when they were in the old building. For Italian, Gino's on Stewart was my spot. Ole man Gino makes marinara everyday from scratch. I agree with almost everything you said. Dial down the expectations. Bennos isn't great but it is a spot, of course it used to be better before the storm. Queens BBQ was good when I lived there also. I like lunchbox cafe. Fresh local food. Rudy and Pacos is decent. I used to cook for the owner sometimes when he came into our restaurant. I cooked for four years at Moody Gardens' Shearns fine dining restaurant and also did banquets there also. Shearns is the best restaurant on the island. I used to like a few of the burgers at Cafe Michael. And for breakfast get a bronco burrito at the donut shop on broadway. Best breakfast burritos I have ever had, that i haven't cooked myself, and I have had a few in my day.
I personally really like The Spot which is on the seawall, they have quite a few seafood dishes, as well as some pretty damn good burgers on their menu. Can't say I've tried their oysters though...but the calamari isn't too bad.
Been here for 10 years-- 1. Rudy and Pacos 2. Luigis 3. Ginos 4. Gumbo Bar 5. Cajun Greek 6. Dibellas (very good) For a hidden gem, check out recently opened Jimmys on the Pier. Great views, solid food/drinks/prices. Also a new microbrew bar opened near 28th and R (I believe the name is "Beerfoot").
The Spot on the seawall. Not sure if they're still doing this, but the bar has 1/2 price appetizers, which you can really consider a meal. When I lived there I would go at least once a week, order a pitcher of beer and appetizers. Super cheap especially compared to some of the tourist-trap pricing you see at some places in G-town. It's also very kid-friendly and you can sit outside and look at the water. Also keep in mind that every place in Galveston gets their fish/other seafood stuffs from the same place.
Dibellas is a good little Italian place. Luigis is a good little place, homemade pasta FTW. I almost started working for him while I lived there. Gumbo Bar is a new place since Rita. Off topic but, while I lived in Galveston I would drink heavily after work at Mollys and many other little places in Gtown. Well the next day my girlfriend at the time wanted to go out for lunch at Rudy & Pacos. I was hungover pretty massive, but went anyway. I ate some pasta special that had asparagus and chicken and right afterward calmly walked into the bathroom and divulged it all. I walked out and sat down and acted like nothing ever happened. Oh Galveston! Oh Galveston! Oh how I used to act a fool.
Rudy and Pacos is great, owners are awesome. When I was waiting tables at Pappasitos I dropped a tray and covered the owner in food. He was cool about it. Gaidos and Bistro Lacroy ( I think that's how it's spelled) are good also.
We have a place on Pirates Beach and even if we plan to grill all weekend (which is usually the case), we still NEVER skip out on getting a burger at the Blue Water Grill. Place is a dump but surprisingly serves one of the best burgers I've had in the Houston area. Who would have thunk it? It's only practical if you're on the West end, though. The Spot is basically like Fuddruckers on the Seawall, but I DO like to go sit on their deck, have a shrimp poorboy and drink lots of beer. Not necessarily in that order. Mosquito Cafe is good if you're around The Strand. Patty Cakes is awesome too. Wife loves it. Any Galveston regulars remember the Seaside Bistro (across the street from Woody's)? Best breakfast on the island. Too bad it got washed away by Ike. I was really hoping they would come back but I guess that ain't happening.
I'll also cast a vote for the Spot if you want something reasonably priced and informal that isn't primarily seafood.
Wow. Benno's is by far my favorite restaurant in Galveston...I've been fortunate enough to never have a bad meal there.
