Every family has that one restaurant that they go to celebrate. Whether it is for a birthday, Mother’s Day or just a well-needed outing, you’ll often find my family eating at our local Sea Island Shrimp House.
I am going to steal a page out of Eric Moreno’s book and talk about this restaurant’s strong connection between food and nostalgia. Not only does this seafood joint have a rich history in San Antonio dating back to 1965, but the city’s seafood staple fosters a rich history with its customers. With seven locations sprinkled in Bexar county, it’s a family-owned restaurant that knows how to create a family-friendly environment.
I have discovered that I tend to say every food is my favorite—who can pick just one dish—but when it’s the honest truth when I say shrimp is my ultimate food in this world. If my taste buds had their own Olympic competition, shrimp would be Katie Ledecky in the 800m freestyle. With that being said, it is no surprise that one of my favorite dishes at Sea Island is the Shrimp Feast.
Its name is exactly what is served—a feast of fried shrimp, grilled shrimp, charbroiled shrimp and butterflied coconut shrimp, along with your choice of two sides. Leave the vegetables at home, for me, the two-sides option means more fries. Having those twenty pieces of shrimp laying across a bed of fries is an image of perfection. This meal gives you a taste of the different shrimp choices on their menu, each prepared with their own distinct flavor.
Another great shrimp dish is Sea Island’s Shrimp Linguine. Tossed in a creamy white wine sauce, it is topped with tomatoes and Parmesan cheese. The sauce is flavored with garlic butter and creates a high-end taste without the high-end cost.
What makes Sea Island ideal for family outings is its variety. While their menu consists of main courses sourced from the sea, it’s has an inclusive menu. Unlike my parents and myself, my sister hates seafood. However, the restaurant’s angus cheeseburger is so great that she looks forward to our Sea Island trips—heck, she’ll suggest for us to eat there!
Even though Sea Island functions similar to a “self-serve” model, it doesn’t take away from their customer service. Employees will stop by your table to offer a refill or make sure your visit is going well. Actually, one of the reasons my family enjoys our local Seafood Island location is because of the manager. The SW Military location’s manager is courteous, helpful and does anything he can to make your experience there exceptional—even changing the channel from the news to the Wisconsin vs. Michigan State football game.
Sea Island Shrimp House provides the city with the best seafood, but its consistency and deep roots make it all the more valuable. I cannot imagine San Antonio without this restaurant and I’m looking forward to enjoying meals with my family there for many years to come.
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