Star Rating: 3.0
Anyone who’s been to South Padre Island knows there’s no shortage of seafood eateries to choose from – proximity to Laguna Madre Bay and the Gulf of Mexico should make this region of Texas ideal for anyone who prefers eating “boat-to-table” fare. And with such a geographical advantage you’d figure that all the restaurants on SPI would serve nothing but the “freshest” of seafood on their tables, but they don’t!
Apparently, the local fishing industry is equally influenced by the same laws of supply-and-demand, and because outside market forces demand more of this regions product – what’s sold locally is often harder to get and more costly to purchase - hence the reason you can spend up to $30 dollars for a dozen jumbo fried shrimp. In most cases, unless you specifically ask the restaurant whether their seafood is “fresh” or “frozen” – you won’t know. So, we suggest you ask or you won’t be told.
As for us, when it comes to seafood, the only reason we make the drive to SPI is for the fried fish and shrimp. There’s a lot of choices, but one of our stops is Cap’n Roy’s. Owner, Lee Roy Summerlin opened shop in 2006, and thirteen years later his doors are still open for a good reason: He runs a quaint little spot, with decent, inexpensive food, and friendly service. Though the menu is varied, and offering a selection of fish that’s “frozen” but of good quality, you’ll appreciate why we recommend their fried shrimp platter. The shrimp is “boat-to-table fresh” and damn good. The breading on the shrimp is both crispy, and crunchy – the perfect complement to this worthy crustacean. The platter is also served with seasoned fries, and a “fumi” salad; their “house specialty” made with cabbage, sesame seed, and toasted almonds tossed in a sweet and sour vinaigrette. The platter comes with 6 shrimp, but if you’re really hungry, you can order two platters for a total of 12 shrimp that’s priced at a fraction of what you would spend at a nearby popular competitor that charges $30 dollars for a dozen of their shrimp.
Common sense dictates, nothing is for free, and you get what you pay for: This is why we patronize Cap’n Roys - an establishment that serves a good meal at a fair price, and in today’s economy, you can’t ask for anything more.
