Taking the fam for a quick trip next weekend to Galveston, staying in an AirBNB on O street. and am in need of a few recommendations:

A nice dinner place for seafood. Currently looking at Gaido's and Katie's, but am open to suggestions. Water view would be nice but food quality comes first.

A casual lunch place,

Best place to set up for beach hangout?

Fishing advice. Younger son would like to do some fishing.

We have enjoyed taking the ferry to Bolivar when we went years ago with the kids but with a short trip I don't want to spend a bunch of time waiting in line.

We like Rudy and Paco's for a nice place. One of the owners (not sure if Rudy or Paco) is always there. Admittedly, we quit going to Gaido's several years ago after it became run-down- so I don't have any recent experience.

For a Very casual lunch, we like Shrimp N Stuff (cheap, but tasty seafood- mostly locals).

La King's is an old school soda fountain, candy shop- good for a stop-in with the kids while walking around the Strand.

Sonny's for lunch

BLVD Seafood, Katie's, and Waterman's are great upscale seafood restaurants. For casual seafood, the original Shrimp N Stuff on Ave O is tough to beat. Maybe the best shrimp in town are at a food truck, Darlene's. Other good non-seafood options are the historic Star Drug Store and Gypsy Joint. Jimmy's on the Pier is surprisingly good, but I wouldn't fight that crowd in the summer. And finally, if you head to the west end, Hummel's General Store & Deli makes excellent and low-priced breakfasts and lunches, but it's a dive and the employees can be, um, grouchy ;-).

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Best place to set up for beach hangout?

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Look at driving out and setting up on east beach. You use to be able to drive right up to the water but the fun police might have shut that down.

Katie's is always a good choice. And that little walk on Harbourside by Tillman's stuff is actually nice in evening.

I used to love Gaido's but it's really gone downhill. We were there two years ago and I was sorely disappointed. Still expensive too.

I've heard good things about Sugar & Rye.

Take your kids to Cordray Drug Store for rolled ice cream. Good stuff.

RAB87 said:

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And finally, if you head to the west end, Hummel's General Store & Deli makes excellent and low-priced breakfasts and lunches, but it's a dive and the employees can be, um, grouchy ;-).

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I've been to Hummels many, many times over the years, sometimes multiple times a day. Can confirm the grouchy part.

The Sunflower Bakery & Cafe... https://thesunflowerbakeryandcafe.com/

Maceo Spice and Import Co... https://maceospice.com/

Maceo spice is the jam.

Don't support Katie's those folks think they own all the fish in the gulf.

Is mosquito still around? They were fantastic. Samemwith sunflower as mentioned above.

Star drug and black pearl are both good places, star drug much more casual.

My wife and I used to go to happy hour at saltwater quite often but she was there this weekend and said it just wasn't the same.

The spot burgers is HIGHLY over rated.

Sea Speed said:

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Maceo spice is the jam.

Don't support Katie's those folks think they own all the fish in the gulf.

Is mosquito still around? They were fantastic. Samemwith sunflower as mentioned above.

Star drug and black pearl are both good places, star drug much more casual.

My wife and I used to go to happy hour at saltwater quite often but she was there this weekend and said it just wasn't the same.

The spot burgers is HIGHLY over rated.

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This!

chick79 said:

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I used to love Gaido's but it's really gone downhill. We were there two years ago and I was sorely disappointed. Still expensive too.

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One of the most overrated restaurants I've ever been to.

maverick12 said:

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Sea Speed said:

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Maceo spice is the jam.

Don't support Katie's those folks think they own all the fish in the gulf.

Is mosquito still around? They were fantastic. Samemwith sunflower as mentioned above.

Star drug and black pearl are both good places, star drug much more casual.

My wife and I used to go to happy hour at saltwater quite often but she was there this weekend and said it just wasn't the same.

The spot burgers is HIGHLY over rated.

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This!

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this again. support the Landry owned places that only serve frozen seafood!

We did eat at Katie's even though we had to cross the picket line of TexAgs fishermen.

It was dang good. Ate outside on the deck and it was actually not stupid hot with the ocean breeze, and we all had different types of fresh caught fish. I sampled a bit of everyone's and it was all quality. Really good waiter as well. The only disappointing thing was their cocktail menu was all overly sweet stuff. Should have stay away from the specials.

Ate at Fisherman's Wharf for another meal which has more of an upscale atmosphere. Good food, but not as good as Katie's. Better drinks though.

We did Pirate's Beach once and a beach a couple of exits before Pirate's another time. No riff raff, clean beaches, no seaweed, and not overly crowded.

Overall a really enjoyable quick trip to Galveston which left me kicking myself a bit for not doing it more often with the family. I think we've only done three family trips there over the years and it's such an easy, inexpensive trip.

I have a beach house on Bolivar (Crystal Beach), and several folks on here have stayed there. Although I do a good peak season (June/July) business on Airbnb, it's a huge win for everybody when I can rent directly to trustworthy people, like 25% savings, and peace of mind for me knowing that my vacation home isn't getting trashed.

The home has a water view (3rd row-ish), with a large vacant lot on the beach side, sleeps 12, 3BR, 2 BA (plus downstairs shower), about a mile east of the Big Store, for people who know the area.

One of my biggest challenges (other than trying to keep anything nice in that climate) is off-season rentals. Spring Break does okay, but April/May and September-November are usually beautiful down there, but it's either not on peoples' minds, or the kids are in school, etc. Labor Day was packed (we were there), but even the second half of August is slow (Humble ISD started on 8/9).

Anyway, if you're looking for an affordable get-away (e.g. a full week for under $1000), send me an email:

atm94unc98 at the google

DTP02 said:

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We did eat at Katie's even though we had to cross the picket line of TexAgs fishermen.

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Timing is hilarious.

Last night I was talking to my landlord who is a commercial fisherman and was wearing a Katie's hat.

He clued me in on Landry's and why to not go there but instead, go to a local place with fresh fish. I had no idea.

sent you an email

Sea Speed said:

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Maceo spice is the jam.

Don't support Katie's those folks think they own all the fish in the gulf.

Is mosquito still around? They were fantastic. Samemwith sunflower as mentioned above.

Star drug and black pearl are both good places, star drug much more casual.

My wife and I used to go to happy hour at saltwater quite often but she was there this weekend and said it just wasn't the same.

The spot burgers is HIGHLY over rated.

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Mosquito Cafe is nice. Stayed at an Airbnb downtown, walked over to Mosquito Cafe for a late breakfast, then walked down to Devil and the Deep Brewery (about 20 minutes) for their noon opening and some beers. There is a pizza place next door that never seems to be open, though.

My absolute favorite restaurant in Galveston is Trattoria La Vigna. It's Italian but also has some seafood dishes.

Any of you Humble ISD people, I still don't have anybody booked for most of the fall break, which starts this Friday evening! Bolivar in early October is a really nice place to be. atm94unc98 at the google

Question about Bolivar bc we've never been. Are there many restaurant choices on the island or is it more of a cook every meal in your house type place?

WorthAg95 said:

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Question about Bolivar bc we've never been. Are there many restaurant choices on the island or is it more of a cook every meal in your house type place?

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Bolivar is a work in progress since 2008. The two best restaurants are Stingaree (Pappa's Seafood type place), and Tia Juanita's (regional chain Tex Mex). There are several other decent places like Crystal Beach Cafe (Asian), G's Molcajete, and Hardheads, and Jose's Cantina, Nauti's Beaver Hut. Here's a FB group you can check out:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/2921865514501690

The biggest problem is that all of them are super busy during peak season, and even weekends this time of year.