Rudy & Paco Restaurant and Bar — Restaurant in Galveston

The food is WONDERFUL. We had the crab cakes, blue cheese wedge salad, and the Filete De Pargo Elegante. Everything was delicious including the plantains and Chimmichuri and especially the bread before dinner.

We were here about a month ago. Unfortunately the experience was less than enjoyable. We called earlier in the day to confirm our reservations for our anniversary dinner and the lady that we spoke with was so nice and very helpful. We even asked her about the dress code and we understood that it was a higher end restaurant. When we walked in we were immediately greeted with “I’m sorry there are no shorts allowed during dinner only at the bar” we both looked at each other and said “he’s not wear shorts.” We then realized host was talking about my outfit. I was wearing a romper with heels. I understand the rule and I honestly wasn’t even thinking about them being shorts because it was a single piece and I felt like it was flouncy enough to be considered a dinner outfit. The problem for me wasn’t that I was wearing the shorts, that was totally my fault. The problem was that I called out and embarrassed in front of the entire restaurant (because it’s not a very big space). It was such a commotion at three other waiters/ staff walked over to us because they heard what was happening. We decided to go outside so we could discuss our options because we didn’t want to sit at the bar. It was supposed to be a nice meaningful dinner for us. When we stepped outside the host followed us and told us that she was informed that Paco allows rompers during dinner. It was such a quick turn around that we didn’t have a moment to ourselves to discuss a decision, so we followed her back into the restaurant to our table. If it were up to me, I would not have gone back in. I felt embarrassed to be seated in the middle of the room with all the other patrons watching us because the had just heard everything that happened with us. Continuing on with dinner it felt like because we were a young couple that we were being treated as if we didn’t belong there. To be fair we were the youngest people there, but that shouldn’t mean anything. We obviously knew it wasn’t a dive bar or a McDonald’s. We wanted to treat and celebrate ourselves. The rest of the dinner just felt so rushed. There was a moment I was eating the plantain chips off of my personal plate, and I wish I was exaggerating— I was mid bite and one of the bus boys took my plate with my hand still dipping into the sauce. However we both work in the high end restaurant and events industries and work with wealthy clients on a daily basis. We understand the level of respect and costumer service needed in that environment. We were prepared to spend a healthy amount on our meal and leave a high gratuity to reflect it, but the whole experience just left a bad taste in my mouth and ate only a salad for dinner so we could leave faster. I do wish I could remember our bartender’s name. He actually was really nice to us and made amazing cocktails. Our waiter also remembered that it was our anniversary and brought us the cutest dessert. That was such a nice touch at the end.

The food and the cocktails are amazing. The experience is why I’m leaving a single star. Which is a bummer because we loved the concept and the intimacy...

After hearing from my wife how amazing the lunch service is, we decided to make reservations for our 1 yr anniversary on a Saturday night here. My experience at R&P was less than stellar. The service was terrible for what is supposed to be one of the more upscale dining experiences on the island. It took a very long time for the server to visit us each time we needed something.

Drink orders took a very long time for a place with a front of house as small as theirs. The wine choices are very good ranging from modestly priced to very fine. We did not feel like having wine tonight however. We ordered two mixed drinks. I wouldn't recommend anything too difficult for these bartenders to mix. They made a good mojito for my wife, but the old fashioned I ordered was awful. Filled with way too much fruit and slathered in sugar, there was little room for bourbon. I had to physically get up and walk from the rear of the restaurant to the front at the bar to get them to make me one that was acceptable.

After about 20 minutes of waiting for drinks and our water to be refilled, we finally ordered our meals. Both meals had some really brilliant parts to them but had a good amount of horribly married flavors too. I had the chef special parmesan crusted grouper toped with an uncleaned, sandy scallop. My wife had the red snapper topped with pico and avocado. Both dishes come served on the same bed of sautéed haricot vert and red onion. Does not matter if it mixes with your sauce on your fish, it's going to be there. Fish is also served along side a cube of scalloped potatoes. They tasted excellent with my parmesan crusted grouper drowned in a cajun caper sauce, but terrible with the pico laden snapper.

At the serving of the main course I ordered a gin and tonic never to be seen the whole night. I would have reminded the service if they bothered to check on us even once. Which would explain my empty water glass next to my dinner plate and empty old fashioned.

Overall this place is probably spectacular at lunch, but at dinner, the service is completely lacking and the food is not what you would expect from such a highly rated place. They should be ashamed of their service and the chefs should really taste their food and maybe brush up on their culinary practice. $112 for 2 pieces of soggy fish with sandy scallops and 2 mixed drinks all brought with less than acceptable service for...

If you're looking for an upscale dining experience with some of the best Gulf Coast and Latin American cuisine in town, Rudy & Pacos is a must-visit place. This restaurant in Galveston, Texas, combines exquisite flavors and fantastic atmosphere with friendly service and attention to detail. From the moment you step into the restaurant, you'll be greeted by a warm and inviting ambiance, with dimmed lights and stylish decor. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion, out on a date, or just want to indulge in some fine dining, Rudy & Pacos makes you feel welcome and relaxed. Now, let's get to the food. The menu is extensive and varied, offering seafood, steaks, pasta, and more, with a fusion of flavors from Mexico, South America, and the Caribbean. You can start with hand-crafted cocktails or wine from their impressive list, then move on to appetizers like the crab cakes, the ceviche, or the empanadas, which are savory and flavorful. For the main course, you'll find plenty of options that are sure to please your palate. The grilled red snapper, for instance, is perfectly cooked, tender, and accompanied by a tasty jumbo lump crabmeat sauce that adds a nice touch of richness. The Chilean sea bass is another favorite, as it melts in your mouth and combines well with the sweet plantains that come on the side. If you're in the mood for meat, the beef tenderloin is a winner, cooked to perfection with a truffle sauce that elevates the dish to another level. But wait, there's more! Don't miss the house-made desserts, such as the Tres Leches cake, the flan, or the chocolate volcano, which are indulgent without being too heavy. Overall, Rudy & Pacos is a top-notch restaurant that delivers on taste, presentation, and ambiance. If you want to treat yourself to a memorable dining experience,...