Gilhooley's Restaurant and Oyster Bar 18+ — Restaurant in San Leon

My wife and I went last Saturday night. It wasn't super busy and we decided to sit outside. Our waitress was very friendly and asked if it was our first time. We told her yes and she then explained some items that weren't on the menu. We ordered to oyster sampler and the Oysters Gilhooley. After 35 minutes, we still hadn't received our oysters. Our waitress came back and asked if we had gotten our food. We told her no and she said the kitchen was having "issues" tonight and she would go get them. Our oysters came out 10 minutes later. They where great, but the wait was extreme. We ordered our entree's of a shrimp po-boy and fried oysters. After 30 more minutes, the food came out. Both orders where incorrect, fried shrimp instead of oysters, and original shrimp po-boy instead of the sauté shrimp po-boy. The sides where incorrect as well. The waitress came by about 10 minutes after we received the incorrect food and said she would go take care of it. We thanked her and she went to the kitchen. In about 10 minutes, someone came out with a bag in a to go box and set it on the table. The waitress came back and asked why they put it in to-go boxes. We said we didn't know. I opened the top box and it had "EAT THIS" written across the inside of the lid with no oysters, just what looked like a bitten hush puppy. The waitress apologized and said how disrespectful and rude that was. We asked for our check, left the boxes on the table and left. $100 check and lots of apologies. I am sure the owner wouldn't appreciate the writing on the box or the numerous mistakes. It is a shame, the oysters we did get were good, just took too...

1st time at Gilhooley's Restaurant and Oyster Bar! We arrived at 11:30am Sunday. WE LOVED IT! 4.5* Pros & Cons below.

PROS:

1. The Service - was fast, friendly & efficient. All customers seemed to be enjoying themselves!
2. The Menu - was fantastic! We had already decided to come back before even tasting the food. It is country seafood cooking!
3. The Bar/Restaurant - was clean & orderly.
4. The Oysters Gilhooley & Oysters Picante - were delicious & decently priced. You could taste the smoke from the grill!
5. Chicken Livers - tasted great & were cooked perfectly!
6. Pickled Green Tomatoes - were slightly spicy/sweet/salty & surprisingly crisp! I wish I could buy a jar of them!
7. Everything Gumbo - was perfect. I would order it again.
8. Oyster Stew - was good and contained a large helping of oysters.
9. Cheesy New Potatoes - were simple, hot and fresh.
10. NO KIDS UNDER 18 ALLOWED!! PERFECT!

minor CONS:

1. The Oysters Gilhooley could use more parmesan. I barely saw any on the Oysters.
2. You NEED more specialty oyster options. I was slightly disappointed you only had 4.
3. I would love an option of brown gravy instead of country gravy for the Chicken Livers.
4. The Oyster “Stew” name was misleading. I was slightly disappointed to have received an Oyster Chowder not a Stew.
5. The cheesy new potatoes lacked seasoning. It was a little too simple for my taste.. maybe consider sour cream, chives and bacon?
6. I wish you all had a location closer to Clear Lake, Webster, Seabrook or Kemah!!!
7. I would love it if you sold...

Gilhooley’s Restaurant and Oyster Bar is a cherished gem in San Leon, Texas, renowned for its authentic charm and delightful seafood. This local favorite has been serving up some of the best oysters in the state for years, drawing in both locals and visitors alike with its casual, laid-back atmosphere and top-notch cuisine. Here’s what makes Gilhooley’s stand out:

Freshness: Gilhooley’s is celebrated for its fresh seafood, especially the raw oysters and grilled oysters with garlic and parmesan cheese

Flavor: The fried oysters have been hailed as the best in the area, and the seafood stuffed jalapenos and marinara sauce come highly recommended.

Service: The service at Gilhooley’s is described as immediate, friendly, fast, and great, ensuring a pleasant dining experience every time.

Ambiance: With its old-school bar and eatery vibe, Gilhooley’s offers a unique dining experience with outdoor seating that perfectly complements the casual, coastal setting.

Whether you’re in the mood for a dozen plump, cold oysters on the half shell or some of the tastiest gumbo around, Gilhooley’s is the place to be. It’s no wonder this spot is known as one of the best oyster bars in Texas.

So, if you find yourself in the area, don’t miss out on the opportunity to visit Gilhooley’s for an unforgettable...