Sea Island Shrimp House — Restaurant in San Antonio

Well, The economy has finally struck in full force at Sea Island. I can understand that you have to raise prices to keep up with growing costs of labor, food, property, etc. So, I accept the higher prices, but it's now gone way too far maybe a bridge too far. On our last visit this past weekend at the Huebner location the food quantity and quality are seriously lacking and need to be corrected ASAP. Here's the rundown: I ordered the Aransas

The fried shrimp are now like 40ct, they are seriously small on the fried platters. My fried fish filet was considerably smaller, perhaps 2 oz. smaller. The stuffed shrimp, not only is the shrimp tiny but the stuffing is reduced, I'd estimate 25% less easy and maybe even more. My french fries were a smaller portion, about 1/2. But guess what, to my surprise the fried hushpuppies grew to about 2 times their original size, Kudoos Sea Island for giving us more fried batter.

My wife had a Greek Salad and Charbroiled Shrimp. Super heavy on the dressing and super salty on the shrimp. Portions ok as the shrimp got smaller about a year ago. But management needs to get in the kitchen and sample things a bit more.

Overall, when you raise prices and cut quality to the degree which you have you are literally putting nails in your coffin. I have been going to Sea Island over 45 years in San Antonio and this is by far the worst experience to date. I am saddened and disturbed that if these things are not corrected I will not be eating there much longer. The chain will fail their customers and their employees most assurred if this is allowed to continue.

I'd strongly suggest going back to the old ways and perhaps introduce new plates that go for a month or so with very high profits. Maybe shrimp or oyster poor boys, shrimp enchiladas, broiled lobster tail, caesar salad with shrimp, etc. People will be willing to pay a bit more if you get out of your comfort zone and switch lanes every once and a while.

Honestly, I hope someone reads this that actually has some authority to address these problems. Profits margins will not outpace diminishing sales, not now, not ever. You need volume and you will only get that by resestablishing your high standards and maintaining your integrity.

Get back to the doing things right and stop doing...

This has to be one of the worst experiences I have ever had as a new customer to a restaurant. My husband and I were visiting the city the week prior to Thanksgiving First, when we walked in there was no clue to how it all worked. There were some menus sitting on the top of a wall so we picked one up. Then we meandered around to stand in line. The cashiers/order person could not have been more rude. She was angry at me for asking questions on how things worked even after I told her it was my first time to visit. I was not taking up much time, I only had three questions about how to order and how to get the drinks and food after I ordered. The restaurant was very loud so I was having trouble hearing her as well. She actually yelled at me for no knowing where to go to get my drink. When I went to get the drink it was just as confusing as I did not know where to get a cup for a glass of water (I ordered a drink as well as water and they were out of the water cups.). No one explains the process, you are just expected to know what to do. When the beeper thing went off to go pick up the food I was not sure where to get it. I had to ask where to get utensils and condiments as well. The people behind the pickup counter were surly like they were tired of customers asking how and where to get things. The food was lackluster. It was not hot, just warm and the presentation of the food was sad. I have eaten the same type meal at other restaurants in the same city that were much better, better atmosphere and much nicer people. I think the atmosphere and staff made the meal even worse. It was just not a...

Ordered to go. Went inside to order, the lady didn't seem to know the menu, asked a take out girl and she didn't either.. had to show her their online menu to order what I needed.

Got their new "Diablo cakes"... still cold in the middle... got a Greek salad, a pint of coleslaw and 2 pints of cocktail sauce.. honestly I was just avoiding HEB on my way home to make a few pounds of shrimp I'd bought up in Austin at Hmart days prior.

The wait from ordering to receiving took over 30 mins, a lady walked out to the cars waiting and asked us if we'd been helped. That was about 12mins in to my wait. At 25 mins I called, 8 times it was busy, the 9th time they answered and I asked for an ETA... after finding my order she told me she'd look into it. End of call. The lady that checked on everyone outside earlier then came out maybe 10 mins later apologizing for the wait and gave me a voucher for a free appetizer. I thanked her, explained the voucher was not necessary and told her the wait wasn't too bad, just needed to know how much longer it'd be. I gave her a tip and thanked her.

Salad was great, Diablo cakes were cold inside, creamy coleslaw was decent, cocktail sauce had just the right amount of horseradish... drink was cold. Will return, I'll just ask for an ETA when I'm placing my order before I walk back out to my car. Always friendly service. Mad I didn't get their famous hush puppies. Meh, they're on my way home, so I can always grab some another time.

My 2 lbs of shrimp were perfect with their cocktail sauce. I've always loved their sauces. Enough to spend $10 on 2 pints!...