If you’ve had a chance to flip through the current December-January edition of My Table magazine that hit newsstands last week, you noticed a theme: oysters and caviar. We were inspired after a day trip to San Leon where we toured the facilities of Prestige Oysters and went out on the water to see how oyster fishermen spend their working hours.
In the current issue, we also did a round-up of noteworthy cooked oyster dishes offered at Houston restaurants. (See Shuck & Cover on page 50.) In the magazine, we mention Gilhooley’s in Dickinson for its signature oysters Gilhooley, legendary atmosphere and faithful customers and we visit it often when playing hooky from the office. When working on the current issue, we realized that we were bypassing a lot of great oyster-centric restaurants in the area by sticking to our tried-and-true favorite.
If you’re looking for restaurants closer to the water that feature fresh-off-the-boat oysters – raw, grilled or fried – here’s your list. We asked My Table readers along with Laura Elder, managing editor at the Galveston County Daily News, for oyster-eating recommendations on Galveston Island and in the Bay Area.
Black Pearl Oyster Bar
327 23rd St, Galveston, 409-762-7299, galveston.com/blackpearl
What Texas Monthly had to say: “This popular pub isn’t the place for quiet conversation, but the food and the friendly ambience make us willing to get by with smiles and nods. Our oysters on the half shell, though small, were fresh and sweet.”
Gaido’s Seafood Restaurant
3828 Seawall Blvd, Galveston, 409-761-5500, gaidos.com
From the website: “Today, we still peel our Gulf shrimp, shuck our Galveston Bay oysters and fillet our fresh fish, by hand, the same way [founder San Giacinto Gaido] did more than 100 years ago.”
Shrimp ‘N Stuff
3901 Avenue O, Galveston, 409-763-2805, shrimpnstuff.com
What the restaurant has to say: “We have affordable, delicious seafood dinners, po-boys, gumbo and salads and have been an island tradition since opening our doors [in 1976].”
Little Daddy’s Gumbo Bar
2105 Postoffice Street, Galveston (second location in League City), 281-524-8626, littledaddysgumbobar.com
From the website: “Little Daddy’s Gumbo Bar is a unique dining concept created by the Galveston Restaurant Group, bringing expertise in steam kettle cooking with offerings such as traditional gumbos, seafood stews and cioppino.”
Little Daddy’s Gumbo Bar. Photo courtesy of restaurant
Willie G’s Seafood & Steaks
2100 Harborside Dr, Galveston, 409-762-3030, williegs.com/locations/galveston
Willie G’s was rated One of the 10 Best Seafood Restaurants in Galveston on USA Today’s 10Best.
Tookie’s
1106 Bayport Blvd, Seabrook, 281-942-9445, tookiesseafood.com
Tookie’s features a selection of grilled oyster varieties, fried oyster dishes and freshly shucked Gulf oysters on the half shell. Don’t miss the 49-cent oysters on the half shell all day every Thursday.
Outriggers
101 Bath Ave, Seabrook, 281-474-3474, facebook.com/OutriggersSeafoodGrillBar
What the restaurant has to say: “Outriggers
Tommy’s Restaurant & Oyster Bar
2555 Bay Area Blvd., Houston, tommys.com
From the website: “At Tommy’s Restaurant Oyster Bar, it is all about the oysters. Ours are served up on the half-shell, grilled to perfection or incorporated into delectable seafood creations … Harvested fresh from Galveston Bay using the most sustainable techniques.”
Topwater Grill
815 Avenue O, San Leon, 281-339-1232, topwatergrill.com
When Prestige Oysters fishermen take you to lunch at this restaurant, you know Topwater is doing oysters right. Raw oysters are incredibly fresh, and grilled varieties like garlic butter and parmesan are juicy and rich with flavor.
Number 13 Prime Steak & Seafood
7809 Broadway St, Galveston, 409-572-2650, number13steak.com
Number 13, located in the new, upscale Pelican Rest Marina, believes in sourcing their food from the best vendors, many of which are independent family farms. Take a look at all of their partners here.