Bruce's Seafood Deli — Restaurant in Port Arthur

Champagne tastes on a beer budget, and 5 Star fresh seafood for the blue collar worker.

I am originally from this area, but have since moved away to the Austin area. Ever since I have learned about this great place from my family (word of mouth advertising is the best) I make it a primary stop to get great fresh fast seafood at an affordable price EVERY TIME I visit.

THE LOCATION: Aesthetics, don't fuss over them, because this is where the locals eat simple great tasting seafood prepared by a talented Vietnamese family. The place is a re-purposed building that has simple seating, laminated menus on the wall, and the specials written on paper stuck on the same wall. There is no fancy advertising, catchy theme, or trendy dishes. Just find what you like, tell them the number and wait for your freshly prepared meal. The most modern things they have in there are the TV's to bide your time, and drink coolers to get a beverage from while you wait. One of the great things about the atmosphere itself are the people who go there. This a pure blue collar hard working town, and the lunch time crowds on a payday can be large, and don't be fooled into thinking this is a job site by all the large trucks and contractors hanging out in the parking lot... they are all there for the food.

THE FOOD The 2 main items I always eat, depending on my flavor mood and reasoning, are the Salt & Pepper Chicken wings or the Salt & Pepper Shrimp. Personally I prefer the shrimp since wings are not always my favorite thing to eat. From talking to the family members who work the front, the items are prepared simple. A hot wok fire, oil, your items lightly breaded in corn starch, then tossed in the wok/pan. Inside the searing pan they toss in: a few seasonings, red pepper flakes, and finish off with julienned cut green onions. The oil is so hot that it fry's the green onions almost stiff with a slight crunch at times (tasty and nice). In the finish, they lightly coat the shrimp/chicken choice with fresh sea salt to complete the fresh taste. Your main selection is rested on a bed of french fries, white bread, and a small salad (on the side) then all presented to you in open to-go container for your approval. Personally, the presentation is a great touch for a small place that ensures you that you get what you ordered each time. I ordered 3 portions to-go for my family and they opened each and every box for my approval.

THE PRICE The average price for the Salt & Pepper Shrimp is about $10 (plus tax). That includes 12 medium/large shrimp. Well worth the affordable price. I challenge another restaurant to come close for the taste, food, and value. They keep their costs simple and low in overhead to pass on the great flavor to you.

THE FINAL WORD So the next time that you are in the Port Arthur, Texas area either for work, family, or because you wanted to see a hard working town recover from 3 major hurricanes in the past years. Give the great family at Bruce's Seafood Cafe a visit, and see how and why they have endured the hurricanes, trendy restaurants, and fly-by ideas of other businesses to provide great tasting, fast prepared seafood at a low cost for a community that celebrates is heritage and diversity. And if you happen to eat something else on the menu.. let me know, because there is always room in my heart for more to love than just Shrimp...

I was really surprised to see that the staff was letting people wait for there food with out wearing a mask which happens to be mandatory as of for know. three to be exact, it was if they were scared to tell them anything I and two other customers who were also waiting for our food had to tell them which is not our job we are the customers. We all have family's to go home to and I feel if you do not want to comply with regulations they should be told no service for you until you come back with your mask. I manage a hotel and I send my guest there all the time and me and my family go all the time as well. but after seeing there response to the customer's who are trying to be safe and following the rules I will no longer be referring my guest or be going myself. Covid-19 is spreading and the Bruces Seafood in my eyes does not respect the majority of the people that I saw waiting...

All around bad. To start they don't give you ANY refunds, that's basically saying no matter how bad we are, enjoy! Of course i didnt see the sign until after the purchase. Then, It's a mandatory 15 minute wait on chicken which they don't tell you unless you ask why it's taking so long. Oh, not to mention, The salt and pepper wings tasted like pure grease nothing else,to top it off, the fries were either burnt, or crumbs of whole fries, which I don't understand how I get crumbs if the order was made fresh? It's time for them to pack it up and try again. I'll never go back here, even though they've been around for years, the brand has went way down since its glory days. No stars...