Liam's Steak House & Oyster Bar — Restaurant in South Padre Island

We went here as it seemed like fine dining. But it's not.

It's faux-fine dining.

The look is great, the atmosphere is excellent. When you walk in, there's a case with some fine steaks and medallions on display. Inside, everything looks absolutely first rate.

Service from the wait staff is excellent. Not so much from the host. Put the menus down, smile and say welcome. Don't ignore us, sort your menus and say, "wait.". The place was less than halfway full, at dinner time. Be nice to your customers. In fact, be delightful to your customers. Don't be rude.

As a place that presents itself as a high-end restaurant, I expect nothing less. And for $133 bill, I expect the food to be excellent. And it wasn't.

For starters, the medallions I saw in the display case on the way in aren't even available on the menu. I suppose I should take some balls in not getting a steak, but I saw some of the other orders coming out, and I wasn't about to eat that much food. And since we're on an island, we though seafood was the way to good.

Cocktail selection is respectable.

Table bread was a nice baguette. No butter.

Shrimp cocktail was meh. Frozen shrimp. Little gritty, and not a fresh taste at all.

I had the Pasta Primavera. Noodles were cooked well, Alfredo sauce was a salty, paste of MSG. Clams were tough, salty and kinda gross. Needed a knife and fork to get them out of the shell. Ate one, spit the other out, and didn't even bother with the third. Mussels were decent, shrimp was the same as the shrimp cocktail. Pretty sure everything was frozen at some point. Or old. Or leftover. I ate about half of it and called it a day.

My wife had fries (undercooked, she only ate about half of them). She got crab legs (okay taste, but definitely frozen) . She also had the seared tuna, which was the best thing she ordered, but it wasn't fresh.

This seems like a once great place that is now run by someone trying to squeeze every penny out of the kitchen as opposed to making awesome food that keeps you coming back.

Want to pay too much for meh food in a beautiful place? Look no further. Me. I'm gonna look...

Ive been going to Liam's for the past 5 years whenever I'm in South Padre Island and I've always loved the quality of the food and service. I was disappointed on my last visit September 11, 2020. We went to the new location expecting to be impressed but it lacked the charm the original location had. The hostess were not friendly at all they need to be properly trained to greet the customers as they walk in and make them feel welcomed. The waiter was not the type of service we had in the past. He was not engaging and was reserved in answering our questions.

The price on the Rib-eye increased about 50%, I was surprised that it was $45 for a 8 oz steak 2 pieces of asparagus and a baked potato. My sister ordered 1/2 dozen of oysters and a side salad.

The order arrived my steak and potato was hot but the steak lacked the charred flavor I was looking for. It didn't have that smokey charred flavor. It was bland and that's because they poured a cup of butter on top. My sisters oysters were good for the exception for one that she said tasted nasty. She didn't eat and told the waiter who did bring another one out to her.

I noticed that we had a difficult time flagging down the waiter for more bread, tea and more salad dressing. I noticed that a customer next to me had some cracker black pepper from the pepper mill and I requested some pepper for my salad from my waiter and he brought out the salt and black pepper shakers. I just didn't want to bother him anymore. Later in the evening another couple sat next to us and the gentleman requested pepper and the waiter brings out the cracked black pepper in the pepper mill. Hmmmm.. I guess I have to be a MAN, in order to get his special attention?? Please be consistent with your customers because we DO NOTICE the difference in service

I would not go back to this place it's over priced and the TASTE of the food is gone. The service is mediocre and the people need more spark!! They all are...

Woe not Wow.. Went their for our 41 year anniversary and not impressed. We have been here in the past with inconsistent results and would rather spend our money elsewhere. This visit cinched it.. They were out of Prime Rib which is what we had wanted but settled for $45 rib eye and $25 lobster tail, which came with baked potato and 2 spears of aspargus. Plate presentation was just that, no garnish, no lemon for lobster but did have clarified butter. Potato came with sour cream, butter, a little sprink of cheese and chives but we were not asked what toppings we would want. Fresh soft loaf of bread warm with soft butter in plastic containers. Also we had calamari which was good with marina sauce that tasted like it was Prego inspired. We got lobster bisque which was not great - my husband thought it was curdled but I think they pureed the lobster pieces giving it a lumpy presentation. There was also smaller pieces of lobster. It did not have a sherry float which I think adds to the bisque flavor or anything else that would set it apart from a canned bisque- not very memorable. (Salad or soup extra). The ribeye was a cheaper quality than we had in the past - no melt in your mouth experience here. It was cooked as ordered. The lobster was grilled and was seasoned well. Also we had the key lime pie which was very good. $200 later with no alcohol or drinks - think we would have enjoyed Texas Roadhouse better for 1/2 the price. Don't get me wrong we don't mind paying for a good dinner and have paid more than this but I certainly felt let down and not planning on going back. We were seated near a window as requested in our reservation and they do have a great view. Service was okay. I usually take pictures but I was so disappointed in the presentation and food quality I did not. There are better places on the island - Cafe on the Beach, Sea Ranch or MARCELLO'S (Port Isabel) if you are looking for...