I had a wonderful early lunch at Freda's with a friend on a recent weekday. We arrived around 11:30…read moream and left around 1 pm. During that time, only a few tables were filled. I certainly hope they got more customers later in the day, because (based on my limited experience) the food, service, and atmosphere are all great. Freda's has been around for about 25 years. Longevity like that is earned. We opted to order from the lunch menu, which has enough choices to suit most people. I got the trout and shrimp ($19), which was nicely plated over seasoned rice and green beans. The lemon/butter/caper sauce was scrumptious. The trout was lightly breaded and crispy, and the shrimp (while slightly overcooked) were very tasty. The green beans were fresh and perfectly cooked. The overall portion size was just right. Before the meal arrived, a wonderful warm homemade cornbread was served with whipped butter. Service was excellent, and everyone was very friendly and welcoming. The interior of the restaurant is on the dark side. There's a separate bar area, and outdoor seating is available in better weather. I look forward to my next visit to Freda's!

Had a good meal at Freda's! We'd come back for a nice evening. The meal was a bit more expensive…read morethan we'd hoped for and at times felt like some of the items ordered didn't meet the expectation. The surf and turf was solid. 5/5. Medium rare steak, nice potato, big shrimp. Crawfish dishes were good too, but you could tell they weren't fresh. What do you expect when you order crawfish in February. However, the portion was good size and garlic bread was delicious. The miss of the evening was the gumbo. It was significantly thicker than usual and had large pieces of pepper in them. Didn't enjoy it for the price point. Service was friendly and advised nicely on what to do.

Recently reopened under new ownership. I'm 99% certain that the new owners used to run the now…read moreclosed Mandala Kitchen on South Lamar. They brought a lot of their old menu with them which is great because I loved their viet food. The banh khot (turmeric pancakes) are still delicious, and their "chef's special" which is a very generous portion of fried fish filets in a tamarind sauce is a phenomenal dish, one that I'd come just to eat. The fish is fried super well and the sauce is incredibly flavorful. Don't sleep on the wings either. Good size, cooked perfectly (crispy and not dry). They're still transitioning from the old juicy claws menu so not everything on the old menu is available yet. But what is available is fantastic. The service is also friendly and kind. They're still clearly working out some kinks at the moment but give them some grace and you'll be rewarded with a really fantastic meal.

My girlfriend and I have been coming here for the last few weeks and it is officially our new…read morefavorite restaurant. It's a small family owned place with charming service and a staff that shows genuine care and passion for what they do. We always get a seafood boil. Either crab or crawfish or both, and we absolutely love it. It's reasonably priced, and they have a fully stocked bar so we very much enjoy coming here for a seafood boil and day drinking. We ordered takeout from here today and received the biggest crawfish we had ever seen. The quality did not range whatsoever from dining in vs. taking out. We will be back very soon!!

Surf & Turf has become my family's favorite restaurant. The food, the service, all the staff,…read moreeverything is always 100%. CJ is hands down our favorite server at Surf N Turf! Every time we come in, CJ remembers us, treats us like family, and makes sure everything is perfect. The energy, the kindness, and the attention to detail never go unnoticed. It's the kind of service that keeps us coming back again and again. We appreciate you so much, CJ! If you go to Surf N Turf, ask for CJ, you won't regret it!

I had the most terrible experience in the hospitality field today. This place has great food and a…read morecool atmosphere, but the problem is their service is awful. They were understaffed which makes no sense because they're making good money.. so there's staff. We're working three jobs instead of having just one roll. I tried to get service they wouldn't give me service and then in the end. JP said I was drunk even though I had two beers and they would not serve me anymore and I was trying to get them to serve me and they just would not I am a disabled man. I draw social security. This was discrimination in its worst example. I suffer from bipolar disorder and I've been manic. I can be hard to be around in America. I might make people uncomfortable but I can't help it. It's my illness. I will never support a business that discriminates against people's illnesses

Had the catfish, shrimp, Mac and cheese, and yams. Best meal I've had in a long time. It was…read moreamazing. I'll definitely be back

My husband and I have been dining at Whip My Soul since it first opened. Why? Whip My Soul, one…read moreof the top comfort food restaurants, has consistently great food. The portions are generous, which means count on bringing a doggie bag home. The flavors are bold, authentic, and the food comes out hot and fresh. Standouts include the wings, fish, oxtails, and their soul food egg rolls. Some of our favorites include the sweet potatoes, greens and grits. While the standout for us is the food, the service is exceptional. The owners, family members and servers are Texas friendly and super kind. It is not uncommon for you to see the owner cleaning tables or mopping. We love their work ethic. Whip My Soul delivers traditional Southern comfort with heart, soul, and consistency. If you're craving satisfying soul food in Austin, this restaurant should be #1on your dining list. The atmosphere is always friendly and welcoming.

Me and my boyfriend decided go when we saw they had the $8.99 a pound crawfish deal . The minimum…read morewas 3lbs so we got 6lbs and the boudin ballz Togo. Right when we pulled into the parking lot you could smell the aroma of garlic and spices . I love the seasoning here, you can't go wrong with Veit Cajun boil. The crawfish itself were decently sized & so juicy . We added boiled potatoes and eggs when we got home to soak up all that sauce . Boudin ballz were crispy but also had a good amongst of seafood as well. I liked the sauce that came with it .

We tried HappyRito Seafood and were really disappointed…read more Food: The food was overpriced for what you get, and the portions were small. Ours wasn't very hot and didn't have much flavor. Service: Service felt slow and unorganized. We waited longer than expected and it just didn't feel worth it. I've also seen some questionable things on social media about how customers have been treated by the owner or managers, which made me a little hesitant to try this place in the first place. They weren't there when we visited, but it definitely left me with concerns. Ambiance: The place felt crowded and not very clean, which made the experience even less enjoyable. Overall: Not a great experience, especially for the price. We won't be back.

Nice staff.good selection.nice layout.good prices.goid yummy food.would highly recommend it .read more

We came in for a Saturday lunch and ended up spending $250 after tip, so yes -- this meal needed to…read morejustify the splurge. We chose to sit at the bar, which ended up being the best seat in the house. From there, we had a full view of the oyster station, watching tray after tray of fresh East Coast oysters being shucked in real time. There's something about seeing seafood handled that confidently -- clean cuts, no hesitation, no wasted motion -- that immediately tells you the kitchen takes its product seriously. We started with the crab + lobster stuffed mushrooms, and these were rich, savory, and beautifully balanced. The mushroom caps stayed tender, and the filling had that buttery, ocean‑forward flavor you only get when the seafood is actually fresh. The crab brought a natural sweetness, and the lobster brough the depth, and the whole bite felt indulgent without being too heavy. It's the kind of appetizer that sets the tone for the rest of the meal! For my entrée, I ordered the crab‑stuffed lobster tails ($56), and these were the undeniable highlight of the afternoon. The lobster was perfectly cooked, firm, sweet, and naturally briny. On this dish, blue the crab stuffing added a richness without overpowering the lobster itself. Every bite tasted like someone in the kitchen respects seafood and understands restraint. Nothing was drowned in butter, nothing was over‑seasoned. Overall, this was well execution. My partner ordered the ribeye, medium, and it was cooked exactly as requested, it was warm red center, clean sear, and seasoned with a steady hand. No theatrics, no overthinking, just a solid steak done correctly. And of course, I had my signature Hendrick's & tonic, crisp and refreshing with no flat tonic or sad garnish. A proper cocktail, poured by someone who knows what they're doing. Service was warm and attentive without hovering, and the space leans "Cedar Park coastal chic" (yes, I just made that a thing) bright, polished, and just upscale enough to match the pricing. Sitting at the bar added an extra layer of experience, it was a whole vibe, the oyster shucking and people watching was something to see. It felt like the right way to enjoy this place. Would I return? Absolutely -- but this is not a casual lunch spot. This is a "we're treating ourselves" (#treatyoself) lunch spot. And when the food hits like those stuffed mushrooms and lobster tails did, the splurge feels justified.

Had a great Saturday lunch at Salt Traders. The food was really good across the board, and the…read morevalue for the portion sizes stood out. The tuna tacos (a special) were easily the best thing we had--so good they should be a permanent menu item. The ceviche was fresh and flavorful, and the $1 oysters during Saturday happy hour were an awesome deal. The Gulf shrimp cocktail was solid and exactly what you'd expect, while the burger was filling and a great value. Service was fast and friendly, and the whole experience felt smooth and easy. The ambiance is clean and modern with a relaxed coastal oyster bar vibe, making it a great spot for a casual lunch. Overall, a very good meal and definitely a place I'll be coming back to.

Salt Traders in Round Rock has become one of our go-to spots, and it never disappoints. The food…read moreand service are consistently excellent, which keeps us coming back. From the amazing sourdough bread to the smoked fish appetizer, everything starts off strong. For mains, you really can't go wrong--whether it's the shrimp and lobster roll or the classic fish and chips, every dish hits the mark. We also highly recommend the crab fried rice. I can't remember a visit where we haven't ordered andextra one for leftovers. It's a great spot no matter the time of day. Whether you're stopping in for brunch, lunch, or dinner, Salt Traders is always a solid choice when you're craving delicious, well-prepared seafood.

LOVE Stuffed Especially on Wednesdays! That's Jambalaya…read moreDay and it is soooo GOOD Got it to go and they had it all ready when I arrived.

Had gone to check out Interstellar bbq on Friday at about 130 but they had run of just about…read moreeverything. Fortunately for us, we looked across the street and saw this spot which turned out to be a gem. It's a cajun meat market that doubles as a cajun kitchen. They offer simple, no frills dishes that are pretty tasty and true to Louisiana cuisine. There's limited seating and while there's a steady number of folks coming in, didnt see anyone not grt a table so the flow is pretty steady for geoups of 4 or less. If you're bringing a group larger than 4, you may have a hard time seating everyones. We had the shrimp po boy and the roast beef boy. The french bread on both was amazing: warm and soft on the inside and crunchy on the outside. Both were loaded pretty generously and came with lettuce, tomato pickles and mayo. The side we chose were fries which were pretty spectacular: thinly cut and well seasoned. The only sad part is that it's way north for us. We'd probably be there more often if ot were closer.

Very fresh seafood selections. The paella had chorizo so it…read morewas a tad on the greasy side for my gut. You get a small cup of soup to start. And chips. I'll try the ceviche next time. David had great drink suggestions.

Holiday party #4 tonight...we met a friend of ours for a holiday party being held at Simar. While…read morethe Mexican seafood restaurant has been open for 4 years, this is the first time we have visited. The hostess provided tortilla chips along with ceviche, guacamole and salsa. We ate lightly as we were heading to a dinner holiday party. The appetizers were absolutely delicious. I got to speak with Chef Manny and and Carina, the general manager to gain some insights about the business. Mexican Cocina is based on the cooking method and seasonings. The foods can be cooked over fire, oven or in the stove. Their unique value proposition is that you can choose your seafood from the case and the restaurant staff prepares the food to your liking. The restaurant is very large with different size rooms for rental. For large party rentals the spend minimum is $1000 and during the week it is $800. Such a nice find relatively close to home...definitely will return...

They have the best crawfish in town in my opinion! Their seasoning is so different .. leans closer…read moreto Mexican spices than your traditional Cajun. ITS SO good. Service is always friendly and they treat you like you've been going there for years.

This place must have a cult following of those who really enjoy the food; however, it's just not…read morefor me. I was looking for a whole catfish meal and this place came up. I ordered it and the gumbo and the crab claws. The gumbo isn't gumbo or at least the kind of gumbo in Louisiana. It's far from it and definitely not good. The other food was just overwhelmingly salty to the point it was not edible. I was hoping for more but let down. There's too many other seafood places in Austin to eat here.