The food was amazing. Prices were exceptional and service was the best we have seen in a long time!!!!

If you are from the Gulf Coast, you're likely to be unimpressed with The Bayou Shack in Round Rock. The service is great, but the execution of the menu is just okay. As Cajun/Creole transplants, we just had to give this place a try for Saturday lunch in November 2024. I suspect we'll stick with our other reliable sources for "a taste of home". If I lived nearby, I could see coming back for the cheap beer ($4 Dos XX at the time of purchase; with today's inflation & tariff talks, that price may not hold) and tavern ambiance, sticking to the pub-fare menu items. We always test a new Louisiana-inspired joint by 3 things: seafood boil, po-boy, and gumbo. By comparison, our longtime genre faves in the area that succeed on all 3 include Stuffed Cajun Meat Market, French Quarter Grille, Crawfish Shack, Deckhand Oyster Bar, and Cypress Grill. Right off the bat, the $7 cup of gumbo at Bayou Shack was a headshaker. Seasoning was weird, and it had a thick, gravy-like consistancy more like an etouffee. Strike 1. Next up, hub's $14 fried catfish poboy with Cajun spice-dusted fries. Nothing terrible here, but it was the typical not-in-LA poboy that tastes like a sandwich made by someone who does not eat poboys. Bread was a right-out-of-the-bag hoagie roll, not the crispy-on-the-outside, light-and-fluffy-on-the-inside Leidenheimer, Gendusa, or Langlinais-style, toasted french bread loaf that it should be. Strike 2. My $21 "Build Your Boil" half-pound "Bottom of the Bayou" flavor snow crab boil was pretty good, although I was offended to pay an extra $3 for the addition of a single red potato. The nicest part was the provision of proper boil-eating tools, including gloves, a bib, shell crackers, and crab leg pick, plus lemons and melted butter for dipping. I'll have to come back during crawfish season to see what I think of their offerings for that kind of boil, since the boil is where they seem to do best. Our waiter was wonderful but we didn't have the heart to tell him the truth when he asked what we thought of each dish. Our total for 3 meals at lunch before tip was $75, a bit over-the-top. $15 for chicken tenders and $5 for Sysco fries? Yikes! read more

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[[HIGHLIGHT]]It's a small but busy location, I would rate this as a smaller version of a Hook and Reel with a New Orleans twist to it![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]The Wait staff was super friendly, music playing was great[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] , food was better than good, in fact you received a lot less of it than Hook and Reel, but good, I would consider this a great spot for lunch than dinner. read more

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We finally got to eat here and so I am updating the review based on that experience. Service was friendly, but slow. Some food was great, while others were just okay or lacking. Ultimately, a place we'd happily try again. We ordered: Boudin Balls Gator Bites #5 bag with Bottom of the Bayou seasoning Fried catfish and shrimp basket Gumbo Beignets Here's the breakdown: The boudin balls were flavorful and served with ranch and honey mustard. The gator bites were delicious with well seasoned batter and fried well to keep it tender. The gumbo had a thinner roux, but was extremely flavorful. Fried catfish and shrimp were okay, and fries were really tasty with a great batter. The crab and shrimp bag with corn and potatoes was so very yummy. Lots of food to feed the table. Beignets were not cooked well. The middle was gooey. We would not order this again. read more

The Bayou Shack - Beignets - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Round Rock, Texas

[[HIGHLIGHT]]Atmosphere, service, seasoning and quality on point.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I dream of this sauce. Great prices, can't ask for anything more. This place does its job and more. Fire sauce spice friendly for spicy lovers. Scorpion risky if you dare. Love spice but scorpion had me sitting out for a bit. Will def numb your mouth read more

I'm a little heartbroken writing this review. I loved loved this place the first time I went and I've been trying to get my friends to come try with me. The first time I tried to go back was such an awkward experience it made me a little bit unsure about going back. We walked in and the someone came up and told us they were doing togo only. I was confused because we were still within their business hours, but after talking with my party we agreed. I walk to the front to tell them that we will do takeout and would like a menu. 5 workers are standing and the counter just looking at me and then at each other not saying anything. I'm confused, until someone sitting at a table near the front tells us that they are actually closed because the AC went out and they need to send the cooks home. Communicate is key and this felt so messy and clunky. Oh well, I understand and make time to go back with my friends again. I get a chance to come back and get the crawfish. The flavors are good but the crawfish is ROTTEN. Literally bites that I eat I physically can't swallow because I'm gagging. It taste like they tried to freeze it and then thaw it out but then it went bad during that process. I also go clams and it was okay. Kind of small but not bad. I also ordered takeout of beignets, fries and cajun wings. I know they fry stuff really well here which is why I liked this place so much so the fries and beignet were TOP TIER. So hot and crispy. The wings texture wise was good but the seasoning was too seafood boil in my option that it was odd having it on a meat that wasn't from the ocean. Overall I'm more wary about returning... maybe stick to only fried food. read more

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Did not go to the restaurant in person. Used Door Dash recommendation. Do not understand the number of items given, different from menu. 3 very mushy boudin balls. Not sure if old or just under cooked. Ate half of 1. All I could do. The gumbo had so much salt I added a potato in it to see if that will help to eat tomorrow The catfish and shrimp plate with fries. Photo on site shows garlic bread. Nope-none in the container as you can see. 3 shrimp, supposed to be 4. The catfish are so small they should be on a kids plate. I requested cocktail sauce for my shrimp and fish and only got ketchup. I hope tomorrow I can attempt to eat the gumbo. Very disappointed! Will not order from again. read more

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We were a large group manger was upset to try and seat our group very poor attitude on the management. Host and waiter had a great attitude But shit service on the mangers part read more

I had the Cajun spiced catfish with carrots, broccoli, yellow squash and rice. it was a nice well rounded lunch. Go have some good food there. read more

The Bayou Shack - My lunch was delicious! Cajun spiced catfish with carrots, yellow squash, broccoli and rice. Staff was very attentive and nice. - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Round Rock, Texas

We are celebrating a couple of family birthdays this weekend and both requested to come back to The Bayou Shack. This time, we ordered The Kracken, and all of the food was just as savory as our last visit. Dennis welcomed us back when we came in, and provided the same warm hospitality to us. [[HIGHLIGHT]]We enjoyed the amazing food once again with Jackson 5, Stevie Wonder, and Etta James hits playing in the background.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Needless to say- this is our happy place. read more

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Lucky and the food was amazing!!! The drinks were fire. I'm sooo excited to live in Hutto thank you!!!

We found this place online (fortunately) and didn't know what to expect. We ordered the 3 most popular items, according to our waitress. The photo is the shrimp poboy! They know how to do it right. I tend to be wary of jumbo shrimp bc they get tough so quickly, but these were hot, crispy, and perfectly tender. The fried catfish and shrimp had roughly 5 or 6 jumbo shrimp and 2 large catfish filets. The catfish stayed hot for the entire duration of our stay which impressed me. Finally, our bag turned out to have potatoes, corn, and about 10 jumbo shrimp and at least an entire crab, if not more. They cook it how you like it, and you can always add sausage. Everything was delicious & we will back soon! I will also mention that the location was nice because it was quiet and unassuming, perfect for a seafood shack, and the staff was very friendly and welcoming. read more

The Bayou Shack - Shrimp poboy - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Round Rock, Texas

I went here with a group of friends for my boyfriend's birthday. I love it and I'm definitely coming back! I had the Shack #5, which consisted of Dungeness Crab and Shrimp. If you're a crab leg connoisseur, you know that crab legs can get a little pricey, but I felt like I got a lot of food for the money I spent. The food came with hand wipes, gloves, and a bib. We also had the alligator bites, catfish nuggets, Cajun fries, oysters, and boudin balls. All of the appetizers were great. I especially liked the Cajun fries. The service was great! Our waitress took great care of the table. The vibes were casual and I loved the playlist playing in the background. They played a lot of Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson. Overall, this place has great vibes and good food. I'm looking forward to my next visit. read more

[[HIGHLIGHT]]Delicious food, atmosphere and service.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Jaiden was great! Super sweet and knowledgeable! Loved the hush puppies and fried shrimp basket. So good I didn't get a picture! [[HIGHLIGHT]]Great music, too![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] My husband eats a 5 at Thai and almost died eating the fire sauce. He loves spicy and let me tell you... it's delicious and HOT!!! read more

The Bayou Shack - Shack #1 added sausage - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Round Rock, Texas

The food was outstanding. Can't say enough about how good the shrimp po boy was. The service was just as good as the food. We will be back

The seafood boils here are really great! Awesome flavor and cooked well. I'm scared to try the Scorpion heat level as the level below already packs some good heat. The staff is really friendly, though the few times I've gone I find that the service can be a bit slow. Limited to beer and wine margs on the bevvys. They do have a couple of TVs at the bar area. They have an outdoor area, but I've never seen anyone out there. read more

You are treated as one of the family and the food is great! Fresh and great taste. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Fast service and relaxed casual atmosphere.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

The Bayou Shack - Fantastic Food! Fresh and served like u r one of the family. Shrimp Basket! - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Round Rock, Texas

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Great service, great food. No happy hour unfortunately to complete with other restaurants near by. Draft Beers $6/ea. Food prices were expected. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Place was comfortable and clean having both booths and tables.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

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This is not our normal Cajun spot but we wanted to try this one out and let me tell you this may trump our usual! Cute vibes inside there was an outside area available to eat with lights hanging. Inside area was nice and neat and clean. Food was hot and steaming and delicious I can't wait to come back! read more

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The food here is yummmm. Super fresh and tasty. They were so nice upon us entering with everyone greeting us. And the food comes out quick without sacrificing quality. We got the hush puppies and they're fluffy and crunchy little balls of tastiness. The shrimp po boy is delicious with big, meaty and crunchy shrimps. I also liked the tartar sauce that it came with. And the beignets are delicious - soft yet crunchy and full of powdered sugar. Support your local restaurants and check this place out. The food is great. I'm excited to try the seafood boil next time! read more

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Great seafood, everything on the menu is amazing! [[HIGHLIGHT]]Great atmosphere, good drinks & great service![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]

I finally was able to check out the Bayou shack... And the only thing I can say is why did it take me so long super friendly staff and bartenders, a warm welcome goes a long way. The menu has countless delicacies to try... This trip I checked out the Bodin ball appetizer- which consisted of four large beer and balls that appeared to be handmade. They were very tasty and delicious... Super hot temperature wise out of the fryer, but oh my goodness they sure hit the spot. I was tempted to go with a crab and shrimp boil package, but I decided to leave that for my next trip... Lots of great things to put in their cornon the cob, potatoes, in addition to the seafood choices. This trip stuck with the fried oyster basket combo and threw in two fried shrimp with onion rings as my side. The onion rings had a very sweet tasting batter, and were long and thin, but very tasty the fried oysters were good, next time I will just get a couple to add to a basket rather than having them as the primary entrée... There was still very good but for me, I want them to complement rather than be the main dish. The fried shrimp were very good. I really like the breading on the fried items... Not Overly breaded but very well seasoned and a nice coating to the item being fried. The restaurant is in a strip center like space... They do have several TVs space throughout, but carefully placed so that if you didn't want to watch sports on TV... You could sit at a table and not even though they were present. My only real complain about my visit was the TV placement, so if you know, that's my biggest complaint this place has a lot of things going for it. I will be more selective on my seat placement next time in but the food and service were outstanding and for most of the time that's the real reason you go to a place to eat... Right? Good food, cold, beer, friendly service, not overly crowded in a place you can easily kick back and enjoy everything. If you haven't checked them out, you need to give them a try. read more

i think i might have just ordered the wrong thing; i know they fry stuff really well. their beignets are some of the best i've had in my life. however, their crawfish is abysmal. their sauce is amazing, but unfortunately it's used to coat rotten crawfish. the picture i took doesn't even begin to show how black and rotten some of the crawfish were. the meat crumbled easily, probably a sign of frozen crawfish and some were straight up sour or foul tasting. i probably only ate 40% of the available meat due to the freshness. if they only chose a good quality crawfish, they could do so much more with that amazing sauce. read more

The Bayou Shack - rotten crawfish - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Round Rock, Texas

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Food was good prices were above my liking. I havent been back so I guess it wasnt that good.

Not Cajun. Not Southern. Not good. Gumbo not that good not the flavor. Shrimp is from Ecuador. Salad is iceberg lettuce - just said side salad. Didn't know where the catfish is from. Waitress is nice, but surprised I asked where things are from. Catfish breading isn't southern- more of a light breading. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Ambiance is ok.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Nope. read more

The food was great but the manager was very unprofessional. The way he talked to the servers ( young ladies) and when one said not to talk to her like that he continued to talk down to her and told her what are you gunna do about it.. Will definitely not return because of this. Ruined what would have been a nice date night. read more

The food was even better than it looked! The service was top tier and a very pleasant experience. The establishment was clean and well kept throughout. The bayou aesthetic matched the menu very well. We ordered snow crab, shrimp, catfish, and hush puppies. All were very delicious! read more

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How dare you charge $11 for a cup of light gumbo and by light I mean the roux. The catfish was lightly seasoned which was disappointing. Catfish / Shrimp plate was supposed to be seasoned with Cajun fries and special sauce. None of those were true about our meal. :( read more

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Food was really good not too spicy just the right amount and its a big portion Service is excellent. The waitress was so friendly and helpful. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The place is really nice and quiet.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Thank you so much read more

Check mark on all the above. The service and food were great and the atmosphere was cute as it could be. Prices were fair and reasonable, we plan to make The Bayou Shack a regular stop read more

Food was delish. I had soft shell crab poboy with hush puppies. My husband had fish n shrimp. We started with boudin ball's. beignets to go. Service was great. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Very nice n cozy place.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We'll be back. read more

Was visiting friends and they took us here and said everything on the menu is good. We tried the "dirty balls", I almost didn't want to share and totally recommend this appetizer. I followed up with the pasta and absolutely recommend this plate. The place is really cool and worth the visit if you're in the area. read more

The Bayou Shack - Bayou pasta - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Round Rock, Texas

Highly recommend! I had low expectations since there was no Yelp page, and it seems the Louisiana Crab Shack that was here previously had ok ratings so I wasn't sure if it was the same restaurant. I decided to wing it anyway since there were five stars on Google with raving reviews and pictures of menus with the Bayou Shack name. My friend and I came here around 5:30PM. There was plenty of parking and it was easy to find. We were seated pretty quickly since there were a lot of booths and tables open. They were playing a lot of oldies and I loved that the music was not too loud. We saw people of all ages coming in so I think it'd be a great spot for food with family and friends. The waitresses were all super welcoming and sweet. Our waitress let us know they no longer had fresh crawfish - only frozen. This was my first time dining in but the fresh crawfish I'd gotten for takeout before was clean, meaty, and flavorful. My friend and I ordered the sweet tea, dozen oysters, catfish with onion rings, gator bites, gumbo, and beignets. -Sweet tea: good and nothing out of the ordinary. -Oysters: super fresh and came with horseradish sauce, cocktail sauce, and lemons. I'm happy to report there was no terrible stomach aches afterwards. -Catfish and onion rings: Delicious and fish was soft but not mushy. Batter was perfect on both the catfish and onion rings. Catfish was crisp on the outside too and onion rings were the perfect bite sized pieces. -Gator bites: Yummy! Batter was also great on these and I loved the sauce. -Gumbo: Delicious and perfect size of you're not super hungry. I ordered this so I could have room to try the rest of the appetizers and dessert. Even though it was 90 something degrees outside, it was perfectly cool inside the restaurant so I could actually eat a piping bowl of soup without melting. -Beignets: I hadn't had these in years so I looked forward to them the most. They came out with all of our food initially but were still fresh and warm when we cracked them open. It was a bit messy with the powdered sugar getting all over the table but so with it. The inside was super fluffy and I loved that it wasn't oily. Our waitress gave us the dipping options for the beignets (strawberry, honey, chocolate, and caramel) and said we could get all of them if we wanted to, so we did. They didn't charge us extra so that was great. Our bill came out to a little over $90 with tax but I'd say it was worth it for the delicious food. Would definitely come back again! read more

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[[HIGHLIGHT]]We walked in and immediately felt unwelcome.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The host/waiter was rude right away, and [[HIGHLIGHT]]the environment didn't feel inviting.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We ended up leaving before ordering. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Not sure if it was because we had a child with us, but the energy was off from the start.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

Best place for crab legs ever!!!! This business is family owned and the owner always comes over and says hello to us. Him and his wife are very awesome people and they run a very good business. I love the Micheladas from here and I always get the shack number one flavor, fire, and bottom of the Bayou sauce, which is a mixture of all the seasonings together. read more

The Bayou Shack - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Round Rock, Texas

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Always perfection! Have to brag on The bayou shack every time we come. Brought a really good friend and she loved it! So good! read more

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Best Louisiana-style fried shrimp in Round Rock! Recommend TAKE-OUT. Everything was hot, tasty and crispy! Will definitely go back!

I love this place. I was surprised by the quality of the seafood. Shrimp are always big and cooked to perfection. The clams and mussels are excellent. They don't skimp on the Poboys like some places do. The service is fast and friendly. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The place isn't big but it's comfortable.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

Wow...totally amazed. Went at slow time. The manager served us and cooked the food. Food was amazing. I'm vegan I only ate the fries but my wife had the catfish. It was light and fluffy. I recommend for those who like seafood. read more

Service? Terrific. They're helpful, but not overbearing. Ambiance? It's in a strip mall, so there's that. Inside is charming. Nautical vibe. As it should be. Food? The catfish, shrimp, and blue crab we ate were all tasty and cooked perfectly. The Boudin Balls were fine. The coleslaw was crispy, just like it should be, and you get plenty of it. Overall, our party of three enjoyed the food and the service. We'll be back. Improvements I would suggest: 1. Lay off all the plastic. If we're eating in house, give us real utensils and ramikins that aren't going to get tossed in a landfill. 2. Expand the non-alcoholic options with seltzer waters, mineral waters, n/a beer, etc. As I said, we'll come back. Terrific little Cajun joint and the prices aren't obscene. Our party of 3, with tip, was $80. read more