"Authentic Southern-Fried Seafood Done Just Right" 08-04-2025 A huge shoutout to the cooks at Baffin Bay Seafood! These guys seriously know how to throw down in the kitchen. If you're craving fresh, authentic southern fried seafood, look no further; this is the spot. My husband and I stumbled across Baffin Bay on our way back to Houston from Edinburg, Texas. We were starving, craving some good ol' fried seafood, and after scouring the web, this baby popped up about an hour's drive away from Edinburg. By the time we arrived, our appetites were in high gear, and let me tell you, the wait was worth every mile. From the very first bite, we knew we'd hit the jackpot. Hubby and I were beyond satisfied that we chose this place over all the other options that Yelp had to offer. The rave reviews are well-deserved, and those food photos online? They don't lie. I could practically smell and taste the fried black drum fillets through the screen, and the real thing delivered even more flavor than I imagined. The atmosphere had that warm, small-town vibe where everyone knows everyone, reminded me a little of that series, "Dawson's Creek." We were greeted by the nicest woman (wish I had gotten her name), and right away we felt at home. Now, don't be fooled by the outside of the building, it might not look like much, but we all know the saying, "Looks can be deceiving." Inside, it's cozy but not cramped, with patio seating option that overlooks the bay. The view is calm and peaceful, the perfect backdrop for good food and drinks. Sadly, we didn't have time to sit and linger, but believe me, I was eyeing that bar! They had some of my favorites stocked on the shelf, Tito's Vodka, Apple Crown Royal, and 1800 Silver. Next time, I'm planting myself on a barstool and unwinding with a cocktail or two. Food Ratings: Fried Red Fish- 5/5 - Fried to Crispy-Golden-Brown Perfection! Fried Shrimp - 5/5 - Fried to Crispy-Golden-Brown Perfection! Redfish Po'Boy - 5/5: Fully loaded, fresh veggies, golden-brown toasted hoagie: mouthwatering. Fried Onion Rings - 5/5: Authentic and hand-cut, not the frozen stuff. Fried Okra- 5/5 - Tasted super fresh like they had been picked straight from the garden. Steamed Broccoli- 5/5: Perfectly cooked, tender but still with a crunch. Tartar Sauce- 5/5: Tangy, bold, and packed with flavor (a little strong on the onion, which I loved). Hubby went with the fried redfish Po'Boy and fried okra. He originally wanted black drum, but since they were out, he settled for the red, and he swears it was the BEST Po'Boy he's ever had. We both agreed that they are very generous with their portion sizes. I ordered the Take Two Fried Platter which comes with shrimp and your choice of fish (red, cat, or black drum), accompanied by two sides; I opted our for steamed broccoli and fried onion rings with the red fish. Everything came out hot, fresh, and fried to absolute perfection. Not a single bite disappointed. Bottom line: this place is the real deal. If you're near the Gulf of Mexico and want authentic, down-in-the-Valley, southern fried seafood, make Baffin Bay Seafood your go-to because this is the place to get it! I'm already planning my return visit. Highly, highly recommended; you will not be disappointed! Guaranteed. read more

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Waited forever. They didn't have any drum. Out of dr pepper. The food was bland. The coleslaw was warm ugh. The avocado salad barely had any avocado. The ribeye was the thinnest steak i have ever had. Ordered medium rare and came out will done. Fried fish and shrimp had the smallest portions for $24! We won't be back unfortunately. read more

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Great people and great food. Freshest shrimp around! Will definitely go back. This was 30 minutes from the hotel read more

Baffin Bay Seafood - Seafood Near Me - Riviera, Texas

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Great seafood restaurant, definitely the best in the area, great service too, parking is great I recommend you check it out read more

The black drum plate was excellent as was the gumbo. Wife had the fried shrimp, oysters, and fish which she enjoyed. The young lady who served us was outstanding Very pleasant and helpful. The restaurant was clean and has a great view. read more

Went for lunch on 7-3-25 and had the seafood platter and crab poppers. Seafood platter was awesome but the poppers were just okay in my opinion. The homemade tarter sauce is great and overall great service. I will definitely be back to try other things. The views of the bay were amazing. read more

Their seasonal drum ribs lunch special is awesome. Not to mention all you can eat. Their hush puppies are also really good.

The food was delicious I had drum & shrimp, onion rings Margie ate frog legs This place is definitely the best restaurant in Baffin area and worth the little extra drive The staff and management Where a pleasant change from the other seafood restaurant in the area read more

Baffin Bay Seafood - Molly - Seafood Near Me - Riviera, Texas

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My wife found this place and it is along the gulf of Mexico. It is in the middle of nowhere and a couple of miles off the high way. Be aware that they do charge 4% if you are paying card, but will not add that extra fee if you pay cash. I ended up paying up cash as I had enough to cover for tip and food. They have a lot of seafood, but they do not serve fresh oysters, but they serve fried which is good. I ordered the frog legs which comes with sides. I got coleslaw and fries for $15 dollars. They also have a dip that was good with the crackers. I ended up getting full off of that, but I ended up eating the meal. I had some of my wife's shrimp and oyster. The fried frog legs were excellent as well. Service was good too, it does take awhile to get your food, but you come here to enjoy the ocean. read more

Baffin Bay Seafood - Seafood Near Me - Riviera, Texas

Service was the best, food was great and they had everything we wanted, and of course the beer was cold.

I had the seafood platter, and it was exceptionally good. Very good quality and quantity of seafood for the money. I wish I was still there, but I'll be back! read more

Was going to go to Kings Inn but after reading the reviews of BB, decided to come here instead. Staff was friendly and helpful but atmosphere was a little dreary, especially when I saw the nasty looking ac vents. Moldy and gross looking. Decided to stay and go for it anyway. Big, plump juicy shrimp were pretty much ruined by being oversalted. Hard to eat. Fish was overcooked but not terrible. I was expecting a cornmeal type coating but was disappointed that it was floured. However, onion rings were pretty tasty except I would have preferred no pepper on them. Grilled chicken was okay and green beans were bland. Hush puppies and Cole slaw were very good. I thought the tartar sauce was an inferior copy of what they serve at Kings Inn. It was okay but I would have actually preferred a more traditional tartar sauce with my seafood. Tea was sickeningly sweet. So, some hits and some misses. Don't think we will return. Sorry. read more

Really enjoyed this small place on the bay. We had never had Black Drum and that is some of the best fish I have tasted. Of course, my hubs ordered and I ordered a Sr Fried Oyster plate thinking it would come with 4 oysters. WRONG. More like 8 of the freshest oysters I have had in 3.5 years. Fried in Corn Meal like they should be. A small salad with Blue Cheese Dressing (homemade) and hushpuppies for hubs. The tarter sauce aioli is not a favorite so I asked for cocktail sauce...never in my life on oysters, but I ate all of them. The bay was so nice to view while dining. Service was awesome. Waitress and Manager were so helpful and friendly and the view was gorgeous. We would go again . I am having Black Drum. read more

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Good was fried shrimp and fish frys , I think coleslaw, we are tartar sauce fans with all fried seafood. This spread/thick sauce stuff (trying to be like the Kings Inn) no comparison in flavor or texture could not eat it. Server never came back for refills or ask if food was ok ? She stayed by the bar. Only 5 customers in cafe. Overall a 3 + smelled of old grease but food did not ( maybe just cleans grease trap normally we would leave before seating , but wanted to try 1st time , will try again read more

Great service, but the food was awful. Fish overcooked, oysters so greasy they couldn't be eaten, even the Caesar salad was wilted. While the service was great, I'll never go back. The food was awful. read more

Great food and love looking out at the water! Usually order the Seafood Platter. Drum ribs are really good.

The food was outstanding and the service was as well. We were traveling through the area on Monday so we knew the other more famous place would be closed. Our first time to Baffin Bay Seafood and it was great. The fried shrimp and black drum was delicious. The salads, sides and drinks were all very good. We are still fans of the other place but Baffin Bay Seafood is a winner. Oh yeah we took a picture of the seafood gumbo like we were millinials or something. It was excellent. read more

Baffin Bay Seafood - Seafood Near Me - Riviera, Texas

absolutely Delicious food!! Great service, we had a late lunch around 2:30 and between arriving and ordering we got food so fast! read more

I so enjoyed this entire meal. Way off the "beaten track". Filling up on a Friday night. Definitely the vibe and views of a hidden gem. Great service. Great food. This should definitely get more business as it is worth the drive to enjoy the food and setting. Started out with the seafood gumbo and knew I had a great spot. Then went to the grilled drum with onion rings & slaw and it was a sure thing: great food can be found in out of the way places! I highly recommend this spot and will try what I can to go out of my way to visit when on the lonely backroads of Texas. read more

Baffin Bay Seafood - Black drum was exceptional! Great slaw & onion rings as well. - Seafood Near Me - Riviera, Texas

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Great seafood with a view and definitely worth the short drive from Kingsville. Service was good and staff is friendly. read more

Baffin Bay Seafood - Fried shrimp with onion rings and hush puppies - Seafood Near Me - Riviera, Texas

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Great seafood & small CFS is huge & was excellent! Shrimp & oysters fantastic Great view of Baffin Bay. read more

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I lived in Kingsville for 4 years and in Corpus for 9 years, years ago. Our go to place was the King's Inn. But now, it will be Baffin Bay Seafood. Service was excellent, courteous and prompt. The food was delicious. I had the fried shrimp, with onion rings. The shrimp were breaded just right and the onion rings were delicious. My wife's blackened redfish was excellent also. The tea was homemade and strong.... We will definitely be back, when we are in this area again. Worth the 30 mile side trip. read more

Best largest fried gulf shrimp I have ever had!! Seasoned right cooked right, it was AMAZING. Loved their cocktail sauce. Onion rings and fries were my sides. Onion rings are 5 star. I did not like whatever seasoning they use on the fries. So many other side options I'll just get something else next time. I posted pics of the shrimp. Highly recommended I have found my seafood place when in this area. Some may think a little divey looking, don't let it scare you, you want to eat here! read more

Baffin Bay Seafood - Fried shrimp dinner, onion rings, French fries and cocktail sauce. - Seafood Near Me - Riviera, Texas

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Found this little spot headed back from South Padre. The food was very good. The fried shrimp was some of the best I have ever had. Don't let the building discourage you because the food and service are fantastic. read more

Baffin Bay Seafood - Same fried shrimp - Seafood Near Me - Riviera, Texas

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Josh was very nice and hospitable. You got a lot of food and it was all delicious. We were headed back from South Padre Island and wanted some good seafood and this spot was well worth it. read more

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Love the place. Food is generous portions at a reasonable price. Usually go to another place near by but this replaced it in my book.

On a recent daytrip to Kingsville, my dad and I had a specific craving we assumed only one place could tame: the legendary King's Inn in nearby Riviera, Texas (see my laudatory five-star review). As we drove down the lonely stretch of road leading to the bayside restaurant, we planned meticulously what we would order, salivating at the promise of plump Gulf Coast shrimp, crispy fried oysters, and locally caught black drum. Then, as we neared the parking lot, our hearts sank; even at 1:30 in the afternoon (surely an "off" time, we assumed), the place was teeming with customers waiting outside in the humid Texas Gulf Coast heat. The exasperated, overworked hostess informed me that the wait for a table could exceed two hours, something Pappy and I were unable to endure given our hunger and long drive back to San Antonio. Daunted and dejected, I consulted Yelp in the faint hope that something else -- anything else -- might be open nearby. There it was: Baffin Bay Seafood Co., a coastal seafood restaurant with a beachfront aesthetic comparable to the King's Inn. It had an overall 4.5-star rating and was only six miles away, but would it compare favorably to the experience to which we had set our minds? In this case, "serendipity" is too weak of word to describe our late lunch at Baffin Bay Seafood Co. No, I propose "serendipity-doo-da!" Yes, that was silly, but please indulge me. This exiguous, unpretentious place was every bit the King's equal. If you read my reviews, then you know I hold the mighty onion ring to a high standard. I consider the ring a litmus test for how a restaurant will perform overall. If a kitchen -- especially one with a preponderance of fried items -- can execute the perfect ring, then other fried items will likely fare just as well. "But Ryan, what is 'the perfect ring'?" you ask, Dear Reader. The perfect ring comprises a crispy gauze of flour speckled with cracked pepper and onions that teeter between soft/caramelized and crisp/astringent. The large appetizer portion (a steal at only $4.50) at Baffin Bay rose to that lofty standard, ranking among the best (possibly *the* best) I've had outside of the Hungry Horse restaurant in Boerne, Texas. I am proud to say that Yelp's algorithms chose my photo (a perfect shot, I say immodestly) as the featured photo for Baffin Bay Seafood Co. When the "family style" main courses arrived (one pound each of shrimp, oysters, and drum), I knew by appearance alone that the fry cook at Baffin Bay was indeed a magus of the Maillard reaction, a thaumaturgist of toasty treats. All three selections were perfectly crisp and well seasoned with salt, pepper, and what tasted like a liberal pinch of Old Bay Seasoning. The shrimp were indubitably wild caught, as evidenced by their firm texture, slightly sweet meat, and pronounced "shrimpy" flavor. The plump cornmeal-crusted oysters were fried to a golden brown, while the drum was crispy on the outside and flaky and moist within. The drum, once unfairly maligned as a trash fish bordering on offal, was a treat in and of itself but paired well with the homemade tartar sauce, a peculiar but nonetheless delicious concoction of mayonnaise, hard-boiled eggs, paprika, and Saltines that was likely "inspired" by the legendary "sauce" at the King's Inn. Pappy and I consumed nearly five pounds of food between us that fateful afternoon. We both agreed upon leaving that both restaurants (King's Inn and Baffin Bay) warrant repeat patronage, but we gave the latter a slight edge given its underdog status and comparatively short wait time. Locals and tourists alike flock to the King's Inn based on reputation (well deserved) and name recognition, but the lesser known Baffin Bay is no slouch. Will the "King" one day abdicate his throne to the humble Baffin? Only time will tell, but in the meantime, check this place out before word catches on and the line extends outside the door. read more

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I always love the food and service. If you're a shrimp or seafood lover, this is the place to go in Kleberg County. The atmosphere is nice and clean and the food is always cooked to perfection, best onion rings too. Hattie, of course, is the best waitress. I'll keep coming back! read more

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Delicious delights at the edge of Texas. The Calamari was light and crisp. The Gumbo...flavorful and packed with tender shrimp. The Black Drum fish -- fresh. Oysters, perfectly prepared in a crisp cornmeal batter. Onion Rings, lightly dredged, sweet and succulent. APPROVED! read more

Found this little gem on our way to South Padre. Great menu with many options....fried, grilled or blackened. Food came out quickly and was very good! read more

Baffin Bay Seafood - 1/2 pound Baffin Bay Shrimp Plate - Seafood Near Me - Riviera, Texas

Great catfish plates on the bay. Excellent service and atmosphere. Will definitely be going again.

Great place to eat! Great staff. Good view. Food was excellent. Try to tater sauce. Take your catch!!! read more

Baffin Bay Seafood - Brought our catch!! - Seafood Near Me - Riviera, Texas

2nd time here. Still the best off the beaten path restaurant to go to. From San Antonio. Great food and great service. Tried something new today. Highly recommend! read more

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When my dad was alive, we went to this restaurant anytime we were in Victoria! He loved it and never wanted to eat seafood anywhere else! I always had the shrimp. There was a little too much batter on it, but some people like it like that. The tarter sauce was not to my liking either, but some people like it... read more

Food delicious. Service wonderful! We went on our way to south padre and it was about 20 minutes off the highway, but worth it! Priced fairly, doesn't look like much when you pull in, but food is fresh and yummy! read more

Baffin Bay Seafood - Fried shrimp, onion rings, dip - Seafood Near Me - Riviera, Texas

We love the place the FOOD & the people! Best dining experience in miles! Keeps us coming back for years! read more

We went to the famous King's Inn at Baffin Bay two nights ago for a very disappointing meal. Today we tried Baffin Bay Seafood and it was awesome. The dining no area is clean and faces the bay. Fried seafood will rival any you have eaten. Grilled seafood and vegetables were seasoned and done to perfection. The special tarter sauce is as good or better than the rival. Service was very friendly and quick as a wink. If you are interested n the Baffin Bay Area, give this place a try. It is sure to become your favorite! read more

We are traveling with our dogs, and we'll just say they aren't small, so that alone makes eating out hard in itself and very few places seem to allow dogs anymore but the Baffin Bay seafood restaurant was more than accommodating, they not only have an outdoor seating area, it was shaded and had the breeze from the bay making the 100degree weather hardly noticeable while we enjoyed fresh native items from the bay. Everything we had was great and our waiter was top tier, even though we felt bad for how many times he had to fight that exterior door, he never acted like we were a bother, all the food we had was great, the red drum and black drum from the bay was amazing and the gumbo was one of the best we've ever had!! Their signature tartar sauce was the best I've ever had, although it does have a little kick so likely not for everyone, but I like a little heat so it was amazing to me. This place is a Diamond in a remote area for sure! read more

Baffin Bay Seafood - Our daughter and the little one looking out over the bay at Baffin Bay seafood restaurant! - Seafood Near Me - Riviera, Texas

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We tried this place tonight and I really wanted to like it. The service was good, but the food was all overcooked. The onion rings were burned as were the crab stuffed jalapenos and the hush puppies. The shrimp tasted frozen , not fresh and the blackened redfish needed seasoning. Sorry guys, but we left super unhappy for the price we paid. read more

I'm so happy that this restaurant is here. We have been coming to this area for years and always went to Kings Inn but they are closed today Mondays. Besides the last couple of times the staff has been surly. So to find this little gem was wonderful. It's not much to look at but had shaded outdoor dining area, a welcoming staff and a very good server. The food was plentiful and reasonable washed down with a good amber ale on tap. I prefer my fried seafood lightly battered and this had a cornmeal coating not to my liking. The gumbo was delicious however. Next time I'll try a grilled or blacked fish. read more

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