Top Of The Bay Tex Mex Bar and Bistro — Restaurant in Town of Alexandria

Sigh. I last came to Alex Bay 3 years ago. We had some time to kill and came to this restaurant, ordered a pitcher of Sangria and sat and looked over the bay that afternoon for a few hours. It was the best sangria I had ever had. I dreamt about it. Don't recall the food but that sangria....wow. So of course when we returned this year we came again. Same gorgeous view! But, no more pitchers of sangria. So I ordered a glass, or actually a plastic cup, of sangria. Sigh. Not the same at all. My husband had a margarita, they don't do frozen, and getting salt on a plastic cup rim was....interesting. Waiter was great, recommended the brisket. Had some trouble picking a meal because nothing really grabbed me. My husband had a brisket rice bowl, finished it and said it was ok. I had a brisket salad (brisket was awesome!) But it had little salad in it. The chips they stuck in the salad were from a store bought bag that tasted like they'd been out a bit. I didn't finish it but without the sangria I probably would have. We didn't stay for the view or more drinks because they weren't that great....

The BBQ is good. Really good, and that's coming from a southerner. I order the pulled BBQ pork quesadilla almost every visit. For $8.99, you can't go wrong. It's an impressive portion, and I always have leftovers. The other BBQ dishes, bang bang shrimp, and mussels are excellent. I've enjoyed most of the food tried here. So, that's the good. Now for the "needs improvement" category. The interior hasn't changed over the years even as the name and owners have changed, but it's functional. As others have noted, the outdoor areas have seen more improvement. The staff is friendly, although not that attentive. Locals definitely receive priority attention at the bar. The beer selection is minimalist for drafts, but the cocktails are decent. Prices are fair. All in all, Top of the Bay is surprising for the quality of the food and the...

I was just reading reviews and noticed something deeply disturbing. One review from a Danielle Pierone (aka KAREN) decide to bash this small business and try to ruin an they’re image over a water bottle that she couldn’t bring in. SO, with that being said. I can’t wait to give this place more of my business as long as we can keep entitled trash like her out. This business handled that review so well and people like her are the reason why you can’t bring in the water bottle. Honey, We know it’s vodka in so take your sorry story on how you are trying to recycle somewhere else. I wanna stress i have no affiliation with business but I’ve worked in the hospitality industry that I’ve had enough of it. Also, food and...