It's been several years since I've ventured to South Padre, and The Wife and I decided to spend a few nights down there next week. Any good eating places above the usual "Sea Ranch" level of tourista joints?

Amberjack's was always good but they went out of business.

Amberjacks was good.

It's been a while but I liked their Padre Island Brewery.

Blackbeards is old reliable to me, I think their food is very good.

I am more parcial to PI, as prices are cheaper and IMO food better. If you want to visit the last remnant of what old school places were in SPI/PI, try Isabell's cafe in PI. Good solid, reasonable old school STX Mexican food. Le Papa's in PI is really good as well as is Los Tortugos.

Dirty Al's

AggieArchitect04 said:

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Amberjacks was good.

It's been a while but I liked their Padre Island Brewery.

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Second for Padre Island Brewery. Pretty good place.

Swarely said:

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Dirty Al's

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This is the answer.

Swarely said:

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Dirty Al's

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It's good, but it is aptly named. Don't worry about dressing up to go there.

Cap'n Roy's is good.

Pelican Station in Port Isabel is good. Right on the bay and owned by the same guy who owns Dirty Al's.

Newer place on the bay side called Viva is good. But, it's open air and can get hot as hell during the day. Nice place for a drink and appetizer at sundown.

Liam's Steakhouse and Oyster Bar is pretty good.
Dirty Al's as well.

Los Tortugas followed by Dirty Al's for fried seafood.

Pelican station is owned by Dirty Al's but a nicer place with a few more menu options. We always hit up Gabriella's while we are there and grab some Italian or a good pizza.

Still a fan of SPI brewing but stick to burgers or pizza there.

If you're a fan of ceviche get some at Los Tortugas opt for the chips instead of crackers. They fry their own chips. You'll be the only honkey or bolio in there.

I still like the buffet at Louie's Backyard

Sea Ranch , Liam's and Viva - Cafe on the Beach for breakfast , lunch - Long Boards or Bobs evening , music - Just back yesterday .

F&B. It's a pricier joint, but really good. Get the rack of lamb and the key lime souffle.

https://www.fandbspi.com/

Mahi Nic is great for lunch. Really good fish sandwiches.

RGV AG said:

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Blackbeards is old reliable to me, I think their food is very good.

I am more parcial to PI, as prices are cheaper and IMO food better. If you want to visit the last remnant of what old school places were in SPI/PI, try Isabell's cafe in PI. Good solid, reasonable old school STX Mexican food. Le Papa's in PI is really good as well as is Los Tortugos.

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Doesn't Corpus have, Blackbeards?

B-1 83 said:

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It's been several years since I've ventured to South Padre, and The Wife and I decided to spend a few nights down there next week. Any good eating places above the usual "Sea Ranch" level of tourista joints?

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Go to Mahi Nic's...

You're welcome.

Aggie Class of 2026 said:

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RGV AG said:

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Blackbeards is old reliable to me, I think their food is very good.

I am more parcial to PI, as prices are cheaper and IMO food better. If you want to visit the last remnant of what old school places were in SPI/PI, try Isabell's cafe in PI. Good solid, reasonable old school STX Mexican food. Le Papa's in PI is really good as well as is Los Tortugos.

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Doesn't Corpus have, Blackbeards?

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I think we have one on North Beach.

It's not on the island so I'm not going all that way.

Oh...and our bartender said that the Shark Tank Lounge in PI has great food. He's a local, so....

Sea Ranch
Meatball Cafe

Thanks for all the suggestions! I'm anticipating one evening of music and two stepping. Any insight on an Italian place called "Gabriella's"? The Wife saw it and was interested.

The restaurant at the Palms hotel is really good also.

Grapevine for breakfast.

I used to really like the Sea Ranch, but the last two times we have gone, we have been severely disappointed. Hope they have fixed their issues.

The Blackbeard's at SPI is not connected to the ones in the Corpus area.

We were very close to the couple that opened Gabriela's, and actually Gabriela herself. But they sold it years ago and if I remember correctly the cook and manager bought it. That was a big time "to go" place for us, especially when it opened in Port Isabel, was there first. Their pizza's were the best on the Island by far. Honestly, years ago we never had a bad meal there and most were excellent. They had a salad on the menu back then that was incredibly good.

Gabrielas has lasted in a high rent location for many years so they have to be doing something right.

I've never been there, but Meatball Cafe is decent for Italian.

Also, The Grapevine Cafe is good for breakfast/brunch, but the parking sucks.

B-1 83 said:

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Thanks for all the suggestions! I'm anticipating one evening of music and two stepping. Any insight on an Italian place called "Gabriella's"? The Wife saw it and was interested.

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Fantastic pizza and pasta.

Gabriella's is excellent for pizza and pasta. They make a seared tuna pasta dish with sun dried tomatoes that I get almost every time we go.

If you're feeling frisky order the clams casino pizza.

Dirty Al's
Mariscos Playa Azul Cafe
Josephine's Kitchen
Laguna BOB
Grapevine Cafe
The Meatball Cafe
Daddy's Seafood & Cajun Kitchen
Gabriella's
Nautico Island Grill

I hear the Chili's is really good but there's usually a bit of a wait

Capn roys is now nautica. Same food but added some more dishes and it's better than when the captain owned it our favorite.

toucan82 said:

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I hear the Chili's is really good but there's usually a bit of a wait

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Do they give back all your change if you pay cash?

They don't exist

B-1 83 said:

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toucan82 said:

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I hear the Chili's is really good but there's usually a bit of a wait

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Do they give back all your change if you pay cash?

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I don't know, I usually use giftcards

Go to Nautico and get the Poblano Fish Enchiladas. We brought our own trout from that morning for them to use but I imagine they're still pretty good using their stuff. They were incredible. Went there at the guide's and a lot of other people's recommendations and it didn't disappoint.

Gabriella's was outstanding last night. Had Grapevine Cafe for brunch, and Almost went into a sugar coma with the Bananas Foster pancakes. Nearly five dollars for two pieces of bacon for a side was a bit much. The Wife is looking over the seafood suggestions for tonight.

OP, do yourself a favor, on your way home, stop at Angels in Los Fresnos for their breakfast tacos, you won't be disappointed…it is on your left right after the light at the main intersection in Los Fresnos.

Lots of good recs here. Blackbeards is great. Buffet at Loui's Backyard.

Parrot Eyes is amazing to take your fresh caught fish to. They make fish enchiladas, fish tacos, etc out of your catch.