South Padre

C

CottonEyedHorn

1,000+ Posts
Heading there for a week in late July. Not sure exactly where we'll be staying but I know it's someone's house on the beach. I have not been to Padre in a looong time. What's there to do there, esp. w young kids? Any must-hit eateries? Is there any decent scuba in the vicinity? Anything else?
 
Whaddaya know! Me and my 2 girl friends will be taking our trip down there at that time too! We're trying to figure out where to stay at right now. Any suggestions?? We stayed at the Island Inn last time, but thinking of somewhere else this time. As for what to do... they had people riding this banana-looking thing that I think you can pay to ride somewhere along the beach. Not sure about price, but that may be something fun for the kiddos. I know we'll be doing that. I think you can also rent dunebuggies too! As for food places... we went to De Luna, which was really nice. Other than that.... couldn't tell ya. Sorry. I've only been once, so this will be my 2nd trip. All I know is Louie's Backyard was GREAT!!
 
Mexican place is Palmetto Inn. You should go to Dirty Al's if it is open for seafood. Also, Blackbeards Grill is really good food and they have a great house margarita. You can usually rent the banana thing in front of the radisson or sheraton. They are really close. Those are probably two of the more popular places in the middle of the action. There is a new hotel that is almost done that is right by them, not sure on the name. Go to Rovan's also, pretty good restaurant/bakery.
 
Love SPI. Gone there most every year for ~28 years.

Blackbeard's is ****. If you go there, don't blame me.

Breakfast:
-Ted's-greasy spoon. Fajitas and eggs rule.
-RoVan's-more of a bakery, but great spot
Both are excellent.

Lunch
-any place bayside (not Louie's) for good views.
-Amberjack's is ok, not great, but great views (bayside)
-Bonefish - in the KOA Campground. On the fishing pier. (bayside, south of bridge)
-avoid Louie's unless you just want to act like you're in college on spring break. Food blows.

Dinner
-best restaurant is Sea Ranch, by far. Good place. (marina, south of bridge)
-Scampi's is a close second (bayside)

There's a few other decent spots like Jesse's Cantina, some microbrewery etc. Basically every place has fried shrimp. I haven't ventured Palmetto Inn since one bad experience, but that was like 15 years ago. I'm sure it's fine. Some good spots in Port Isabel too.

Kids
-Schlitterbahn
-Waver Runners on the bay
-Horseback riding
-pool
-beach
-go karts
-mini golf
-ride the banana
-parasail

Great family vacation place. Fun to rent a condo on the beach and grill out a few nights too. You'll have a great time.
 
Ralphie is correct for most of that. The wife & I just got back from there Friday.

Amberjack's was ok, but overpriced.
Sea Ranch was great.
Blackbeard's was mediocre.
 
Amberjacks sucks ***. Seriously. Overpriced? yea, but it'd be overpriced if it was free. I'm pretty sure most of their food is just prepackaged frozen meals. I actually had a grilled chicken sandwhich, because my instinct told me to, and it wasn't bad, but the seafood was crap.
Padre island Brewery was good, their pizza was great, though not traditional style pizza.

Bring some kites, depending on old the kids are that could keep them busy for hours.
 
A nice beach bar is Wanna Wanna. You can park there, the and go from the beach to the bar very easily. It has a beach shower to wash off the sand. The shrimp basket is very good if you get the munchies. Take boogie boards, a volley ball, paddle ball, and sand castle toys and you'll be set.

Dirty Al's is where to go for great seafood grub, Sea Ranch for great upscale(ish) seafood.

I discovered a great newer place in Port Isabel called Pelican Wharf of something. Used to be a train depot. It overlooks the causeway. On the nicer side (for the island anyway.)
 
I'll probably get roasted for saying this, but don't bother with Joe Cotton's in Robstown. I stopped there and was very very disappointed recently.
 
I have to agree on going to Sea Ranch. It has been one of my favorite places to eat down there. There shrimp plate with the different kinds of shrimp rocks if you are a shrimp fan. You can't go wrong with the grouper or red snapper either.

I personally love Joe Cotton's and it was great the last time I was there, but then again my friend doesn't like that place so who knows.

Regardless, you should have a great time.
 
Sea Ranch is great - our boat's been docked there for 15+ years and it is really good (especially since I can walk to the bar and order it in my fishing clothes and eat there); Dirty Al's, also at the marina is good as well for hamburgers and shrimp baskets.

If you go fishing, bring your catch to the brewery and they will cook it up right for you.

Joe Buck's Oyster Bar, Wanna Wanna and Wahoo Saloon are my favorite places to grab a beer and enjoy the breeze.
 
When we go down, we leave on a Saturday and eat at King's Inn (outstanding), and grab some sausage from Joe Cotten's. I haven't dined in Cotten's in a while, but the sausage is still as good as ever.
 
Wanna Wanna for lunch. Especially if you are on the North end of the island and you can just walk there. The fried shimp are some of the best I have had and you can't beat the atmosphere.

I just got back from SPI yesterday. Fishing was good too. Lots of trout and I got a couple of keeper reds.
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Nothing like hanging out at Dolphin Cove or Parrot Eyes, in shorts and flip flops, letting the sun and wind hit you, drinking cold beer, maybe eating some boiled gulf shrimp, just letting the afternoon turn into evening and staying to listen to the live music....I am not sure that there is anywhere else where I am happier.
 
There's a sports bar on the main hwy in Port I. that has okay grill cook stuff. Mainly, though, the owner has compiled an amazing sports memorabilia collection. He's got old boxing stuff, all kinds of sports, and even cool things from the '05 Rose Bowl signed by VY, Reggie B, and Matt L. all on the same item. So, if you are looking for a TV to see a game, maybe try it.
 
Amen to sausage from Joe Cotten's!!!! Wanna Wanna fried shrimp is just okay...its frozen. But some nights, what the hell!
 
Parrot Eyes is now closed, but it will re open this summer as a new place.
I like the Buffet at Louies, its overpriced, but its still pretty good, and all you can eat to boot! The price goes up a dollar on weekends.

Free internet coupon for desert if you go to Louies site most of the time.

Wanna Wanna rocks, but kinda dirty if you look close.
Wahoo Saloon sells fru fru drinks with not much liquor in them , lots of Malibu and Midori liquor which is only 40 proof. And they are also pricey.

They sunk a Ship off South Padre last fall, its ready to dive on, but I have not been as of yet...
 
Palm Street Pier Bar & Grill is one of my favorite spots in SPI...worth checking out for the sunsets and Friday night fireworks.

Anyone know if Dirty Al's has reopened after the fire about a month ago?
 
They haven't even started working on Dirty Al's. Wont be open for a LONG time:

Dirty Al's Fire

His kid opened up a place on the other end of the Island - Big Daddy's. Great place with even more great food.
 
My girl friends and I ended up going to Port A instead and had a hell of a time! After hearing and seeing what Hurricane Dolly did to SPI, we were definitely not going there, but wanted to still hit up a beach. Had a blast!!
 
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