Sonny&#x27;s Place

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11 months ago

Kinda embarrassed that I have missed Sonny's for years. It has a long and rich history. We arrived right at opening. Tables started filling in quickly. Our waitress was really sweet and advised us against ordering a whole muffuletta. She was right because our 1/2 was so ginormous. It was delicious. I left stuffed, happy, and did not break the bank!!!! read more

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Sandra K.

Elite 26 All-Star

203

1471

2703

9 months ago

So yes I know all the food I posted is brown or yellow. Listen, you aren't coming to this place to stick to a diet. You're coming here for the vibes. It's a local place and has been around since 1944. It's a dive-y place and has old pictures up and plaques on booths. I grew up in Galveston but didn't come here until I was an adult because Galveston was integrated but not at certain places back in the day. Now it's open to all and easier to blend in but it's still a place where locals come. Fridays are gumbo nights and theirs is special. The spaghetti with meat sauce is also a classic as well as the grilled muffuletta which is huge if you get more than 1/4 piece. Service is friendly and fast which is much appreciated with a three year old. You're coming for the ambience and the vibes and good prices and easy living. Street parking is usually available. read more

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Dan B.

92

85

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1 year ago

What an amazing hole in the wall diamond! The grilled muffalta is insane!! So worth a stop while on the island read more

Sonny's Place - That's half of a grilled muffalata!!! - New American Near Me - Galveston, Texas

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M G.

0

2

1

7 months ago

I've lived here all my life and never realized this place existed. After seeing the positive reviews, I decided to give it a shot, and I'm glad I did. The atmosphere was nice and laid-back, the decor and environment itself was unmistakably that of a well-frequented local gem. With countless photos strewn on the walls and firefighters and police officers being present, you get the vibe that this is a neighborhood spot that's been serving the community since most of its patrons were kids. The food was simple yet satisfying. I got a bacon Swiss patty melt with fries and enjoyed my meal, though I will say that compared to most burger joints nowadays, it might seem a bit plain. The service was quick and friendly, in an unobtrusive way. Didn't really talk much or check on me but made me feel welcome nonetheless, and truth be told I kind of prefer it that way. I enjoyed a simple, fairly priced meal at about $14 bucks and some change. Will definitely be coming back with some friends. P.S. Didn't get a chance to snag some photos this time as I'm on my way to home to get ready for work, but will definitely include some in my next review. read more

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Tropical M.

0

11

9

5 months ago

We tried Sonny's and it was FANTASTIC!!!! My husband and I split a 1/4 muffaletta and a reuben sandwich and they were both PHENOMENAL!!!!! It was my first time ever trying a muffaletta and it did not disappoint!!!! Service was great and our waitress was super kind! read more

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Joe S.

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5

0

1 year ago

Best grilled muffuletta ever. Order a whole and you will have leftovers for days! It could feed 4 people. Once a month must in our house!

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Douglas B.

0

19

1

1 year ago

Sonny's is a Galveston staple... it is legendary and one of the spots that locals love. The food is good, the atmosphere hasn't changed in years, it is a neighborhood gathering spot and the food is always served with a smile. read more

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Earl J.

53

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1 year ago

Awesome old school burger joint. One of the best burgers I've had. Wife had the Muffuletta. Fantastic. Prices were very fair. Just a really cool old school diner. read more

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Katherine C.

88

245

432

3 years ago

Sonny's is an island treasure. Sonny's is Galveston's oldest bar and restaurant. As a local, I have tried many things on the menu, but nothing compares to the Muffelatta and Grilled Muffelatta. You can order it 1/4, 1/2 or whole. If you order it whole, hope you are hungry or have a partner to share. The atmosphere is casual and you can watch sports on multiple flat screens. You can also just come here to hang out with friends while playing pool, shuffle boards, and pinball. You'll meet locals and get a true feel for the island life. Christmas decorations are up year round, so bring the cheer. Be careful because all patrons are expected to abide by the southern way: watch your language and behave. read more

Sonny's Place - Inside - New American Near Me - Galveston, Texas

Sonny's Place - Grilled Muffuletta - New American Near Me - Galveston, Texas

Sonny's Place - Menu about the Muffelatta. - New American Near Me - Galveston, Texas

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Sarita O.

6

10

0

9 months ago

Sonny's a great place, however, they do not have a good way to get a wheelchair inside, so we will have to order from Uber or DoorDash

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Susan W.

3

16

3

3 years ago

We ate here tonight. We were a bit hesitant as it looked like just a bar from the outside. I ordered the grilled ham and cheese it was really good. My husband ordered the burger, he said it was great. My grand daughter ordered the chili cheese fries and the Parmesan cheese pasta, she said it was awesome. I did try her food as well and it was really good too. After dinner we played pool and pinball. It was one of the best nights we have had in a long time. The staff was amazing, very kind, considerate and fun to talk with as well as doing a great job. We will definitely come back here again on our next visit to Galveston. Don't let the outside of this place keep you from coming into a great place......take a chance! Thank you for making our night! You all are the best! read more

Sonny's Place - Pinball machines - New American Near Me - Galveston, Texas

Sonny's Place - Playing pool - New American Near Me - Galveston, Texas

Sonny's Place - Me playing pool - New American Near Me - Galveston, Texas

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Michael Amy H.

61

3

0

2 years ago

The best on Hamburgers on the island. Great service I've cold beer. Really cold beer

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Preston I.

Elite 26 All-Star

736

691

1502

7 years ago

It took me over two years of living in Galveston, but I finally made it to Sonny's Place. This restaurant has been around forever, so it has become a very well-known establishment among Galveston locals. I came for a Friday lunch and ordered a bowl of the seafood gumbo and the dressed shrimp bun. Both were really good! The gumbo came out hot and was very flavorful. It also had a respectable amount of shrimp. I'm definitely ordering the large bowl next time. The shrimp bun was a decent size and filled with fried jumbo shrimp, veggies, and their homemade tartar sauce. The bread was nicely toasted and tasted great. The sandwich might fall apart while you're digging in, so ask for a fork if you're too modest to pick up the falling shrimp with your hands. The service was fast and attentive. And the owner came by our table to tell us a funny dad joke. I loved that a lot. I can see why this place has withstood the test of time. read more

Sonny's Place - Seafood gumbo - New American Near Me - Galveston, Texas

Sonny's Place - Dressed Shrimp Bun - New American Near Me - Galveston, Texas

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Larry T.

6

87

3

3 years ago

Tried the grilled muffalata, it was disgusting. Tried the chili cheese fries greasy and disgusting. Water was the best part of the meal. Not impressed with the food in Galveston one bit! read more

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Greg P.

0

16

1

3 years ago

Came here about 4 years ago on a suggestion. Ordered 1/2 muffeletta. Could only eat 1/4. But man it was good. Came to Houston for a visit and made it a point to come back for another Muffeletta. Not disappointed. The place is definitely a hole in the wall but if you come to Galveston make sure you stop in for a Muffeletta. Besides, who's ever hear of a Muffeletta??? You won't be disappointed. read more

Sonny's Place - Grilled Muffeletta. - New American Near Me - Galveston, Texas

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Mohit L.

2

44

48

3 years ago

Definitely a hole in the wall restaurant. Staff is super nice and the menu has some very nice sounding options. I had a half grilled muffuletta (good enough for 2 people) can't recommend it enough read more

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Windy G.

0

62

9

2 years ago

Part of me doesn't even want to tell you about this place. It's incredible. Get the muffaletta. Get the grilled one. Don't be scared by the signage, go in order a drink and get the muffaletta. This is five star and the history in this little tiny building is astounding. Meet Richard. He's the last of the lineage and is keeping his grandfather's memory alive. He's also lovely. This place is just awesome. Watch your language. Behave or leave. You'll get it when you go in. You're welcome. read more

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Dora S.

78

29

32

4 years ago

So glad we checked this place out. We had a rental for the weekend and this was a half mile walk from it. From the outside I thought it was just a bar, but after looking for somewhere to eat that was close enough to walk to we found out they had food. My daughter devoured the double cheeseburger. I was lucky enough to have gotten a bite, and it was amazing. I had a chili cheese dog and it too didn't disappoint. My daughter had a soda, and I had a soda with a little whiskey in it and the total was around $20 or so which in my opinion was well worth it. We will be stopping by next time we are in town. read more

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Eric C.

26

359

233

5 years ago

This is a hole in the wall dive bar and restaurant. I was leery based in the drab, rundown curb appeal, but inside is a welcoming, spacious atmosphere. It's apparently a hotspot for locals and the oldest continuous operating bar in Galveston. We got burgers and fries to go. They were delicious and reasonably priced. I'd definitely go back if in the area looking for a quick meal with a lively interior atmosphere. read more

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Eric W.

0

1

0

2 years ago

Richard and staff make some very delicious food. Whenever I'm in Galveston I make my way there for toasted muffuletta!

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Jayne C.

0

5

0

2 years ago

Reasonable prices but double the internet prices. McDonald's has thicker burgers. Schlotzsky's has a better sandwich. They didn't bring silverware. No one refilled the water. There are too many amazing local places on the island to return to this. read more

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Rhetta C.

4

54

5

3 years ago

Bartender/server is rude. Pretty sure she rolled her eyes as we walked in. Food came out separately .... First 2 orders and the about 5-7 minutes later, 3 more orders and then fries after that. Husband said beer was hot. read more

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Pam N.

106

13

51

3 years ago

Great place, service was good and food was great. The vibe is old school cool, it's a place you feel like you're with family

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Kathy W.

21

67

78

4 years ago

Wowza, we thought this place looked a little divish from the outside, and it seemed to always be closed when we walked by, but the menu and the reviews looked good,and it was only a block or 2 from our b&b. We arrived shortly after they opened, and we were the only people there. We were greater promptly, and seated ourselves. Our server was amazing. We ordered a half dozen mug oysters, and the full sized grilled Mufaletta to share between 3 people. The oysters were fantastic, and a great price, and we could have easily ordered the half Mufaletta, because we ended up takin mor than half home. It was so good! Don't let the outside scare you off, this is a great place that has been in the same family for generations! read more

Sonny's Place - Full sized Grilled Muffuletta - New American Near Me - Galveston, Texas

Sonny's Place - 1/2 mug of oysters - New American Near Me - Galveston, Texas

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John S.

3

133

63

4 years ago

Cool historical place. Beer selection is a bit limited. The grilled muffuletta was pretty good.

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Jacob M.

0

9

8

3 years ago

This spot will take you back in time when things were a bit more simple. Full bar with some of the best prices in Galveston County. Extensive menu with some excellent options, some even made with grandmas own special recipes. Service is always friendly and fast. Screens for the game as well as pool and arcade for the gamers. read more

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James W.

32

1

0

3 years ago

So glad we found this hole in wall Great food, chili is worth 2-3 visits along with muffallata , very friendly, atmosphere was fantastic with chance to visit with Sonny read more

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Tom C.

20

394

270

6 years ago

Not sure why it took me so long to finally try this place, but now I have. For years, I've heard people rave about this place. It's one of the more well-known Galveston restaurants, and also the oldest. We went in the other night, sat at the bar next to a hilarious gentleman who turned out to be the previous owner and the current owner's father. A really nice girl took care of us. The drinks were stiff and at a fair price. You don't see that very often these days. It's a divey-looking place with a fun atmosphere and excellent juke box. Cool people all having a good time. My bowl of chili was perfect and beer was cold. My friend's chicken salad was also perfect. We saw all these giant muffulettas, pasta dishes, and burgers being served. We're definitely going back to try these other dishes. Thank you Sonny's for a great time. We can't wait to come back. read more

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Mike G.

0

6

2

2 years ago

Great place, food and service was excellent. Marvelous atmosphere. Grilled muffuletta was amazing

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Elizabeth G.

0

30

45

4 years ago

Don't go on looks when you get to Sonny's! It's just good people and honest good food! We were trying to decide where we were going to stand in line for dinner when I found the reviews for Sonny's and realized it was about 4 blocks from our rental house! We both just wanted "something that we would make at home"- we had plenty of Seafood all week and decided to wander over after the hubby heard they had frito pie! I had a chili dog and fries both were just what we were hoping for! Great prices and good food - you really can't beat the service either! read more

Sonny's Place - Outside sign for Sonny's - New American Near Me - Galveston, Texas

Sonny's Place - Menu - New American Near Me - Galveston, Texas

Sonny's Place - Chili cheese dog and fries - New American Near Me - Galveston, Texas

Sonny's Place - Frito pie - New American Near Me - Galveston, Texas

Sonny's Place - Menu 2 - New American Near Me - Galveston, Texas

Sonny's Place - Bar area - New American Near Me - Galveston, Texas

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BP A.

3

10

0

3 years ago

Delicious food no matter what you order. If you are lucky Sonny Jr (92 yo) will come by your table to chat!

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David D.

0

56

74

7 years ago

How can you rate this place 4 or 5 star OMG is mediocrity food, establishment and service. Please if you're not a good critic food person shut you're mouth. Sunny's is Chinese management with no idea about food. If you're eat just anything this is you're place. Super bad grill chicken sandwich and old taste oil soaking fries. Establishment old stinky mold odor please owner get help on management. Health and clean place first, then food then service. read more

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Deidra B.

237

447

1840

7 years ago

We had a great time here on a Friday night. We came right after work and had the raw oysters in a mug, a cup of gumbo and split a half Muffalata(huge) Everything was very tasty. The bathrooms were clean. This is an old burger style joint. But they have a lot of food choices. We had a young guy waiter that was a really gracious and provided excellent service this place is well loved by the locals so it can get packed! read more

Sonny's Place - Drink menu - New American Near Me - Galveston, Texas

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Charlene H.

30

208

656

7 years ago

Local place. Great raw oysters in a mug. Seriously good. Fresh, tasty. Muffulettas were great. Grilled wasn't necessarily better though. Lots of locals, to be expected. Waitress did not smile at us and zero small talk...unless you were a local. No worries though. read more

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Zeke D.

0

40

0

2 years ago

Disappointed! Server was lazy. Never came back to my booth, no silverware, no water refill. Website prices are about half the price of the actual menu. Cheese nachos were dryer than a popcorn fart. Shrimp sandwich was OK. Got to watch Gunsmoke. read more

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Chris K.

Elite 21

1

83

66

7 years ago

My first time at Sonny's. Wow the Muffuletta was huge and delicious. First time I tried a grilled one. It took a little longer to prepare but it was worth the wait. I barely finished 1/4 of it. Next time I will come back with friends that want to share one. 8 of us could have shar The picture does reflect the size of the sandwich. It is LARGER than the plate. read more

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Carissa F.

0

4

1

3 years ago

My husband and I chose to eat here based on their website, famous for their burgers & history. First impression was disappointment, there was a swarm of flies populating this place. The menu was jumbled to me so, I asked the waiter what she recommended. She took us all around this cluttered menu and got to the burgers last. I asked about showing a picture of my ID since I forgot my hard copy (I'm 25). The waiter went to ask the manager but the locals through in their opinion and I guess talked him out of it.. he never said anything to me, I never saw him leave his stool at the bar- he seems like douche bag. The place was dusty, disorganized and dull. The burgers weren't bad but fries and garlic bread were soaked in grease. I'd have to be starving to come back to this mess. read more

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Geraley T.

42

18

0

5 years ago

It is so refreshing to see that some places never change! I was a frequent visitor with my parents. So when I came to town for a girl's weekend, we stopped by on a Friday night. Food was tasty as ever! Gumbo was on point! Make sure to try the grilled muffaletta! Previous owner was at the bar, feisty and sassy...LOVED it! read more

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More info about Sonny's Place

1206 19th St
Galveston, TX 77550
Directions
(409) 763-9602
Call Now

Full menu

Hours

What time does Sonny's Place open?

Sonny's Place opens at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.Sonny's Place opens at 5:00 PM on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

What time does Sonny's Place close?

Sonny's Place is closed on Monday and Sunday.Sonny's Place closes at 1:30 PM on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.Sonny's Place closes at 9:30 PM on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.Sonny's Place closes at 10:00 PM on Friday and Saturday.

Mon, Sun ClosedTue-Thu 11:00 AM - 1:30 PM, 5:00 PM - 9:30 PMFri-Sat 11:00 AM - 1:30 PM, 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Payment methods

Does Sonny's Place take credit cards?

Yes, Sonny's Place takes credit cards.

Food & Alcohol

Does Sonny's Place have catering options?

No, Sonny's Place does not have catering options.

Does Sonny's Place serve alcohol?

Yes, Sonny's Place serves alcohol. Beer & Wine Only

Indoor Amenities

Does Sonny's Place have TVs?

Yes, Sonny's Place has TVs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does Sonny's Place have bike parking?

Yes, Sonny's Place has bike parking.

Does Sonny's Place have outdoor seating?

No, Sonny's Place does not have outdoor seating options.

Does Sonny's Place have parking?

Yes, Sonny's Place has parking options. Street Parking

Other Amenities

Does Sonny's Place have free WiFi?

No, Sonny's Place does not have free WiFi.

More Info

Health Score

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4.6(360 reviews)

0.5 mi

We had a perfect happy hour sort of late lunch at Fish Company Taco. For me: six oysters on the…read morehalf shell, the daily crudo, and a Captain Johnny's shrimp taco washed down with a generously poured Chardonnay. For Dan: a dozen oysters on the half shell dressed to the nines - the man uses every add on available. Had I not paced myself, I would have been through with my six before he even started! He also had the crudo and he helped me with the crispy delicious fries that accompany Captain Johnny's shrimp taco. His drink of choice was a Red Stripe. Y'all it was so, so good. The oysters were perfect in size and flavor, the crudo had a punchy Asian sauce with sesame seeds, and the oddly delightful shrimp taco and fries knocked it out of the park. My advice, go and prepare to be sated (autocorrect wanted this to be dated!) and pleased!

The food was decent, but the service was good. I tried the Captain Johnny it was crispy and…read moresatisfying, especially with a side of fries. The Vietnamese taco stood out the most for me, while the Baja and Korean flavors were just okay, not really my favorites. Overall, it's a chill spot with a relaxed vibe and not too crowded. I'd recommend coming during happy hour to get the best experience.

Garnishes Omar the counter for the fresh drinks!!!!

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Coconut lime Fresca and rose guava frozen

Shrimp N Stuff

3.9(1.6k reviews)

1.5 mi

First of all I'm bias. I remember coming here as a kid, tween, early teen, punk high schooler, 21…read moreyear old dumb butt and now back with my family. Could be nostalgia but I doubt it. What we ate: Fried shrimp po'boy side of hush puppies 2 pints of gumbo 1 bowl of gumbo A create a platter with boiled shrimp coconut shrimp potato's and hush puppies. Fried Shrimp po boys - it's good. A long time favorite and barely out of first place for my all time favorite. Shrimp perfectly fried. Bun just right. Lettuce and sauce hard to beat. I hate tomatoes but they are probably pretty good. I like mine with a few cracks of black pepper and some malt vinegar soaked into the bun. Gumbo - couple two tre splashes of hot sauce and it is just as good as any of them. We came in a day when it was in the 40's and it sure hit the spot against the cold. Highly recommend crumbling up some hush puppies in it. We got a lot and probably could have made it work with just 1 pint. The platter - (keep in mind my wife is a yankee from Oklahoma) coconut mid- did not like the sauce "too sweet". Boiled shrimps - good would eat another helping right now. Boiled potatoes "these are the best I have ever had" "I could eat these till I keeled over" she ate all of her plate and after sharing and mixing we maybe had 1/2 a bowl of gumbo left. The service is friendly and efficient. Ambiance is some kinda something. Diner? Dive? Are we in Maine? It's cool and homey and feels like a local secret. Not on the beach but beach feeling. With three locations this one on avenue o feels like where the locals still go? Idk it still makes me happy like it has all these years!

We made a stop here for dinner on the way to the Bolivar Peninsula and were warmly welcomed by the…read morestaff. It was our first time here, and the staff member provided helpful recommendations. We ordered the coconut shrimp (with hush puppies, coleslaw, bean relish), fried shrimp, and a chicken tender kids' meal. Being a fan of coconut shrimp, I was excited to dig in but was met with disappointment upon realizing that the outer layer was over-fried, too dry, and with very little shrimp (not fresh shrimp) inside. The fried shrimp was better but didn't have much flavor. I also took a bite of the kids' chicken tender, and it was also very dry. Restaurant was clean and well-maintained; service was fast. This restaurant can benefit from significant improvement in food quality.

Pick up window

Fish Tacos

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Seafood Platter

Benno's Cajun Seafood Restaurant

3.4(795 reviews)

0.5 mi

While the prices have gone up (duh), we still love to stop here for the memories and the spot on…read moremeals. And they still have the same friendly service. They specialize in fresh seafood, especially in the fried variety. But don't discount their Cajun plate! Made was that good eats. Some local brew in a cold mug made it just about perfect. And you cannot beat the gulf view.

Bennos is a casual seafood spot with walk up ordering and fast service. I got the Cajun seafood…read moreplatter which came with blackened tilapia,oysters, shrimp,potatoes and coleslaw on the side. All were very good and I would highly recommend it as it was a ton of food you could probably share between 2 people. My girlfriend had the fried shrimp platter which was also great and she especially loved the fries which were nice and crispy.

Counter service

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Pirate Island Bar And Grill

4.7(134 reviews)

Great local bar run by Spike. Great espresso martini and crispy calamari. We really enjoyed the…read morepai Thai. Service was excellent friendly and customer forward. Nice bar with 2 levels and quirky decor

This was a tough spot to rate. Came because they were so…read morewell rated, but I am not sure they deserve the high marks. The food was good, so the reviews were correct there. The pho was freshly made and the Bahn mi was delish. The bar "cannon balls" were obviously from frozen. I can accept it his but was disappointed with the price for something they just warm up. The pricing was a sticking point. I can accept that venues on the seawall need to cover more costs, but this quality didn't match the charge. Finally, the building in general just felt off. The layout was odd. All high seating (bar stools) makes it difficult for anyone with mobility issues. The theming is thorough, going with the pirate motif, however they also just phoned it in for most of it. The tabletops are screwed into the barrels beneath, with the exposed heads sticking above the table top. The sparse decorations placed inside are mostly from a Halloween store or Pirates of Caribbean props.

At least the TVs are cool

Banh mi with grilled pork

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Huge big screens everywhere!

Fisherman's Wharf

3.9(1.3k reviews)

Keelan an is the MAN!! Fast, friendly, and a job very well done!…read more We got the seafood platter. Delicious!

Our food was amazing and Chrissy was the best. Great view of the tall ship and the carnival dream…read more Had dinner last night and had to come back for lunch.