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    On the River Restaurant

    3.9 (159 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 8:00 pm

    Order On the River Restaurant Takeout or Delivery

    Services - On the River Restaurant

    Gluten-free catering

    Vegetarian catering

    On the River Restaurant Photos

    ON THE RIVER RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - On the River Restaurant

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    Daniel G.

    Great, amazing ambiance and all the staff were so friendly tha you really do feel right at home. Now for the semi down side...the food. We had the fried cheese sticks with salsa. Salsa was definitely out of a can, not freshly made. Cheese sticks, we could tell, we're from frozen stock and not great. I ordered the grilled shrimp and flounder. Flounder was good though the shrimp was overly salty to both of us. She order the beef tips over rice and it had so much gravy that it was more like a beef stew. The beef tips were falling apart, not like how a good barbecued meet falls off the bone but almost mushy as if it has been cooking in the gravy since yesterday. Corn bread in an iron skillet? Now that was very good. Great menu but not fresh, no love in the food. Too bad, beautiful place and wonderful staff.

    Coleslaw--delicious! Comes with meal.
    Rudolph Lewis S.

    Food was delicious but a little pricey. Can't afford to go very often. Maybe once or twice a year. Service was great! Everything super clean! Great view of the Brazos river levy.

    Cole slaw and big skillet of cornbread that came with lunch special
    Mike M.

    This has got to be the best place in Freeport to eat. I had lunch here last week and thoroughly enjoyed it. While it is very close to a branch of the river you can't actually see it from the restaurant due to the levee but that's ok because you will enjoy the food instead. On The River has its own dedicated parking lot and inside offers a casual country vibe to it that includes several dining rooms in the old building that also includes a full bar. From the lunch menu, I chose the beef tips over rice that came with a side of cole slaw and cornbread for $11. First to arrive was the slaw and cornbread. All I can say about the cole slaw was that it was as good as any that I have ever had. Light and slightly creamy it was simply perfect! I loved it. The cornbread is served in a skillet and is large enough for 3-4 people to share. By the way, it tasted very good too. This was a great start to the meal. About 5 minutes later the entree arrived with a bonus. The kitchen decided to add a small bowl of pinto beans as a lagniappe. The beef tips and brown gravy over the rice were very good tasting. The beef was tender, the gravy flavorful and the rice properly cooked. The beans were also flavorful and rich in taste. I really enjoyed both items. Jessie waited on the table and provided excellent service. On The River is where I will eat again whenever I am in the area. I think this is a 4-5 star restaurant and wish they were located in Houston.

    Blackened flounder and shrimp with veggies

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    26 days ago

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    28 days ago

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    2 days ago

    Excellent food!!!! Very impressed!!!! Great fried shrimp, everything excellent!!!! Wait staff awesome!

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    Drew R.

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    5 days ago

    We love their fried shrimp, coleslaw, and cornbread so much that we never try anything else!

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    2 years ago

    Our go to when we see in town! The corn bread and Cole slaw are a must have! The seafood is fresh and the staff is great!

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    2 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Great small town restaurant with excellent food perfect for a family dinner outing. Located close to old town Freeport.

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    4 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Food was good service was great house was clean I recommend for the whole family to come and enjoy!!!

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    8 years ago

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    Page 1 of 4

    Ask the Community - On the River Restaurant

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    Surprised for sure. It's a big old tiki bar in the middle of Surfside…read more But someone forgot to tell the chef that, because that group knows how to put stuff on a plate! Appreciated an assortment of non alcoholic beer also! Had the tuna which had a Greek/Mediterranean flare with Kalamata olives, peppers, plum tomatoes and feta as well, the grilled shrimp entree. Both served with asparagus and rice. Both fantastic. Would definitely be in trouble 20-25 years ago as I may have just sold grass skirts on the ocean and called it a day. Within walking distance from Surfside jetties and beach. Would not recommend doing one without the other. Two different patio bars. Clean and highly attentive staff. 3 different servers participated in our meal. They know they get it done when they have the confidence to serve your meals with plastic silverware. Keep a fresh catch on the menu as well. Just terrific. WELL DONE!

    Unfortunately, we came during a huge event and the wait times were outrageous. Sitting and waiting…read moreto see a waiter for an hour and about hour and a half just to get food. When the food came out, it was lack luster. The fried pickles were just fried air- not a single pickle in there so i don't really know what was fried. The red fish was bland, the grits lacked flavor, and the salsa on the fish tacos completely overpowered all other flavors in the taco. I don't plan to visit this restaurant again. I offered two stars because our waiter, which was the bartender, was kind and the best part of our experience.

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    On the River Restaurant - seafood - Updated August 2026

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