5 Texas Seafood Dishes You Can Skip & 5 That Are Totally Worth The Hype

Being a Texas foodie means I’ve navigated the vast ocean of seafood options across the Lone Star State.

From Gulf Coast classics to innovative fusion dishes, I’ve had my fair share of hits and misses.

Not every seafood dish deserves your hard-earned dollars or precious calories.

Let me share my honest take on which Texas seafood experiences deserve your attention and which ones you can confidently pass on.

1. SKIP: Chain Restaurant Crab Legs At Joe’s Crab Shack

Last summer, I paid $35 for what amounted to a wrestling match with some overpriced, underwhelming crab legs. The meat was stringy and lacked that sweet, ocean-fresh flavor you expect from quality seafood. These chain restaurant versions are typically frozen for who-knows-how-long, then steamed to submission and drowned in a butter-flavored substance that’s more chemistry experiment than actual food.

The quality simply doesn’t justify the hefty price tag. Save your money and crab cravings for locally-owned spots that source their seafood daily. Your taste buds and wallet will thank you for skipping this tourist trap masquerading as authentic seafood.

2. WORTH IT: Shrimp Campechana At Fish Tales In Galveston

My first bite of Fish Tales’ Campechana transported me straight to coastal Mexico without leaving Texas soil. This magical concoction combines plump Gulf shrimp, avocado chunks, and fresh tomatoes in a zesty cocktail sauce that dances with lime and cilantro. Served in a hurricane glass with tortilla chips for scooping, it’s the perfect starter to share—though you might not want to! I watched the sunset over Galveston Beach while savoring each spoonful, the flavors intensifying as the evening cooled.

The secret lies in their same-day-caught seafood and house-made sauce that strikes the perfect balance between tangy and spicy. At $16, it’s reasonably priced seafood heaven.

3. SKIP: Bland Fried Calamari Baskets

Remember that time I ordered calamari at a trendy waterfront spot in Corpus Christi? The menu promised “lightly breaded rings of tender squid,” but what arrived was rubber bands in flour. Generic fried calamari has become the seafood equivalent of elevator music—predictable, forgettable, and somehow everywhere. Most Texas restaurants serve the same frozen product, over-fried to disguise its age and quality.

The marinara sauce alongside is usually straight from a food service gallon jug. When calamari is good, it’s fantastic—but these assembly-line versions are just taking up valuable stomach real estate. Unless the restaurant specifically mentions fresh Gulf squid, keep swimming past this menu staple.

4. WORTH IT: Gaido’s Famous Pecan-Crusted Mahi-Mahi

Gaido’s has been a Galveston institution since 1911, and their pecan-crusted mahi-mahi proves why they’ve survived every hurricane nature has thrown their way. The fish arrives with a golden-brown crust that crackles under your fork, revealing pearly white flakes beneath. What makes this dish exceptional is the perfect marriage of textures—the crunch of Texas pecans against the buttery fish, all tied together with their signature lemon butter sauce.

My grandmother first brought me here for my 16th birthday, and I’ve been making the pilgrimage ever since. Yes, at $32 it’s a splurge, but the portion is generous and comes with seasonal vegetables harvested from local farms. This is Gulf Coast cooking at its finest.

5. SKIP: Touristy Fish Tacos With Mango Salsa

I fell for the Instagram trap. Those picture-perfect fish tacos with vibrant mango salsa that flood your social feed from trendy Texas seafood spots? Reality check: most are all style, zero substance. The fish is usually tilapia (rarely local) that’s been frozen longer than my last relationship. The mango salsa—often made from pre-cut, packaged fruit—masks the fish’s mediocrity with excessive sweetness.

Worst of all, they’re typically served on flour tortillas that turn soggy within minutes. Authentic Texas fish tacos should showcase our Gulf bounty on corn tortillas with simple, fresh toppings. Skip these overpriced tourist versions ($16-20 for two small tacos!) and seek out unpretentious taquerias where locals eat.

6. WORTH IT: Viet-Cajun Crawfish In Houston

Houston’s cultural fusion has birthed something magical—Viet-Cajun crawfish that will forever ruin traditional boils for you. I discovered this phenomenon at Crawfish & Noodles, where Chef Trong Nguyen’s creations earned him James Beard recognition. These fiery red mudbugs come bathed in garlic butter sauce infused with lemongrass, orange peel, and enough cayenne to make your lips tingle.

The Vietnamese twist adds complexity beyond the one-dimensional heat of traditional Cajun seasoning. Prepare to get messy—I wore their plastic bib with pride as I twisted, pinched and sucked every morsel from those shells. At seasonal market price (usually $10-14 per pound), this is an experience worth both the money and the napkins.

7. SKIP: Frozen Gulf Oysters On The Half-Shell

“Fresh Gulf oysters!” the menu proclaimed. My excitement quickly dissolved when the server couldn’t tell me when they were harvested. One bite confirmed my suspicion—these weren’t fresh at all. Many Texas restaurants serve previously frozen oysters but charge fresh prices. The freezing process destroys the delicate brininess and subtle sweetness that make Gulf oysters special.

These imposters are watery, mushy, and lack that characteristic mineral finish. True oyster lovers know to ask about harvest dates and look for clear liquor in the shell. If the restaurant offers only one variety with no information about origin, that’s your red flag. Save your oyster cravings for places that take sourcing seriously.

8. WORTH IT: Pan-Seared Scallops At Clark’s Oyster Bar In Austin

My first bite of Clark’s scallops nearly brought tears to my eyes. These aren’t just any scallops—they’re U-10 (meaning fewer than 10 per pound) beauties that arrive with a caramelized crust that should be illegal. The chef sears them in brown butter just long enough to create that perfect exterior while maintaining a nearly translucent center.

Served over a cauliflower purée with crispy pancetta and microgreens, each element plays its supporting role perfectly without overshadowing the star. While $38 might seem steep, these are sustainably harvested and flown in daily. The restaurant’s bright, nautical atmosphere and impeccable service complete an experience that turns a simple dinner into a memory worth savoring.

9. SKIP: Overstuffed Shrimp Po’Boys

The shrimp po’boy at that famous Kemah boardwalk spot looked impressive—until I took a bite and most of the filling tumbled into my lap. What remained was a sad ratio of too much bread to mediocre seafood. Many Texas restaurants stuff these sandwiches with tiny, over-breaded shrimp that were frozen long before meeting the fryer.

The bread often arrives either too tough or disintegrating under the weight of excessive mayonnaise-based sauce. A proper po’boy should feature plump, lightly breaded Gulf shrimp on crusty-yet-soft French bread with minimal dressing. Skip these Instagram-bait monstrosities and save your seafood sandwich cravings for authentic Louisiana-inspired spots that understand balance.

10. WORTH IT: Crispy Fried Catfish At Quality Seafood Market In Austin

Watching the counter staff at Quality Seafood Market fillet fresh catfish before coating it in cornmeal and dropping it into the fryer is like witnessing culinary poetry. This Austin institution has been serving no-frills seafood since 1938, and they’ve perfected the art of the humble catfish. The cornmeal crust shatters like glass to reveal steaming white flesh that’s sweet and clean-tasting—not a hint of muddy flavor in sight.

Their homemade tartar sauce has just enough pickle and lemon to complement without overwhelming. At $14.95 for a two-piece plate with hushpuppies and two sides, it’s affordable luxury. I’ve driven from Houston just for this catfish, and I’d do it again tomorrow.