Kelly's — Restaurant in South Padre Island

I've been coming here since I was 21 I'm 29 now the elder gentleman that always bartends there has always served me and I always have my ID ready which I had prepared right now for him and I made a comment on hopefully next time he will not ID me... just trying to give myself a little kudos; that I look young,and he made a comment and said I'm not serving you. I didn't believe what I was hearing and then he said I'm not going to serve you guys and I asked him why did he id us and he said that that was before I was being "rude". I was in a complete happy mood greeted a local gentleman that goes as soon as I walked in. I had my ID out for him knowing the policies of needing to show your ID especially when I look as good as I do,at my age. I just let the gentleman know that hopefully he would remember the sunflower tattoo on my hand since I have been coming here for years back when the owners were the jeans and I went to St Joseph with Linda. New owners same bartender, bad energy, ugly vibe. And I kind of feel like he was being racist to my friend even though my friend is a local here but you know he's not Caucasian. . Utterly disgusted. I apologize to the bartender that he had obviously a bad day or obviously hates his job but I work from home across the street on Marlin and I had a bad day taking calls too and I wanted my shot and I had the bright idea to leave Isla grand... to get to Kelly's for degrading service...and the way he acted.... This is why every time I go throughout the years there's less and less...

The food here is a perfect ”10”. Probably the best Reuben sandwich I ever tasted; the corned beef melts in your mouth; topped with sauerkraut and Swiss cheese, served on a soft, buttery, dark rye bread that was light and fluffy; not “dark” tasting at all; I did not know this bread even existed. Same for the Loaded Irishman Potato; it was just amazing; huge perfectly baked potato; loaded with corned beef, sauerkraut, and cheese, and served with sour cream and butter on the side. The fish and chips was perfect as well; light and crispy batter on the outside, perfectly fluffy and moist white fish on the inside. And the banana bread pudding with whipped cream made for unbelievably delicious dessert finish that was plenty enough for two. I wish I could give this place 10 stars. It’s a friendly, laidback place, with a happy atmosphere, great service; and the owners take great pride in serving the best food and drinks possible. Parking in front and on the left. I would travel again from New Jersey just to enjoy this...

This is the 2nd time we tried to eat here. The first time we were treated very rudely and left because of it (2023) without eating. We tried to eat there again in 2024 and we were told to sit anywhere, so we went to the open table for 2 next to the pool table. My husband tried 4 times to get someone’s attention so we could get service. The younger, tall thin waiter (same man in 2023 and 2024), would not serve us. I went up to the bar to get a couple of beverages and asked for service again. We were told we were sitting in the wrong area to get service. How would we know that if we were told to sit anywhere? We have been coming to the island for years and have never experienced such poor service. That waiter is definitely in the wrong profession. We will not go back again and never even had the chance to try the food. Very disappointed especially in the waiter. This is the first negative review I have ever felt the...