You’ve spent the entire day waiting to land that perfect-sized Redfish, but what now? Well, how about hitting up a local South Padre Island restaurant and having them cook your catch for you?

You can always pack your catch and prepare it at home later but there isn’t a better feeling than rewarding yourself with freshly prepared fish after a successful fishing trip. And we’re here to help you with that! We’ll list several hook-and-cook places in South Padre Island that are known to take good care of your catch for you.

Hook and Cook Restaurants in South Padre Island

Sea Ranch Restaurant

Address: 33330 State Park Road 100

With over 35 years of top-notch service under its belt, Sea Ranch Restaurant is the perfect place for you to get familiar with South Padre Island’s food scene. Their menu caters to every taste, meaning you can find anything from juicy steaks to hearty pasta. Fresh seafood, however, is their forté.

They pride themselves on the fact that their seafood is sourced locally every day. Preparing your freshly caught fish from South Padre Island’s waters comes naturally to them. They also specialize in making delicious meals out of Red Snapper, so if you show up with one of these beauties, you’ll be in for a treat at Sea Ranch Restaurant. For more information on how to go about your hook-and-cook request, reach out to the restaurant directly prior to your arrival.

Parrot Eyes

Address: 5801 Padre Boulevard

Next up, we have a place that’s not only a restaurant and a bar, but also a watersport hotspot! So, if you’re seeking more adrenaline after fishing, Parrot Eyes can pair you up with anything from kayaking and jet skiing to parasailing! We, on the other hand, are more into their hook-and-cook service and refreshing cocktails after a long day on the water.

If you decide to bring your trophy fish to Parrot Eyes, expect it to be fried, grilled, or blackened. Their blackened fish tacos and enchiladas with homemade beans and rice (and their secret sauce) come at a price of $15.95 and $13.95, and are particularly sought after. Once there, don’t forget to take a sip of their signature margarita, either!

Blackbeard’s

Address: 103 East Saturn Lane

One thing South Padre Island doesn’t lack is places with tradition. One of those local long-running gems is Blackbeard’s. They’ve been around since 1978, and not even Hurricane Allen could stop them from making their residents and guests happy.

It started off as a burger-and-beer joint, but ever since they made their first blackened Redfish enchilada, Blackbeard’s became a go-to restaurant for seafood dishes as well. As you know, the area is famous for its angling opportunities, and many locals are anglers themselves, including the Blackbeard team. In other words, your catch will be in good hands as there isn’t a fish they don’t know how to cook!

Tom & Jerry’s Beach Club and Grill

Address: 3212 Padre Boulevard

If you’re after another family-owned restaurant that has a long history on South Padre Island, check out Tom & Jerry’s. It’s come a long way from being a tiny 80’s hamburger stand, but Tom & Jerry’s has withstood the test of time.

A perfect blend of different flavors dominates the cuisine, here. It’s no wonder Taco Tuesdays is the most popular day of the week! But they aren’t only famous for their Tex-Mex food. Tom & Jerry’s is well-known for serving the coldest draft beer in town, too. And there’s nothing more soothing than a cool beverage after some rod-bending action out on the water. Plus, it’ll pair up perfectly with your hook-and-cook meal!

Dirty Al’s

Address: 33396 State Park Road 100

Just across from Sea Ranch Restaurant lies the legendary Dirty Al’s. The place gathers shrimp and oyster enthusiasts, but their Red Snapper isn’t lagging far behind in attracting returning customers, either. So, where better than Dirty Al’s to take care of your catch?

While Al himself isn’t fond of cooking, his three sons are. They’re also the reason Dirty Al’s is on the gastronomic map, as they saw the potential in freshly made seafood. They’ve mastered the art of making oysters with spinach, bacon, and cheese, and blackening Snapper previously bathed in butter and spices. Shrimps, however, are their specialty. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to try Dirty Al’s shrimp pachanga for $8.99 along with your blackened fish.

Nautico Island Grill

Address: 1313 Padre Boulevard

The last restaurant on this list comes as a pleasant surprise. Nautico Island Grill isn’t your typical South Padre Island place. The restaurant is dressed to impress. It features seven local artists and combines groovy looks with a tropical vibe to create an inviting atmosphere. Needless to say, the same approach is applied to their menu, and the food is equally appealing.

Similar to the above-mentioned restaurants, Nautico Island Grill also has an interesting backstory. Even though it officially opened its doors in 2023, sisters Jenna, Briana, and Danni were inspired by a family-owned restaurant from their childhood. They wanted to keep that nostalgia alive by offering traditional meals but with a modern twist.

They’re now determined to become a place with a long-running history. So, bring your catch and let them fry, grill, or blacken it just the way you like, and watch yourself become their loyal guest.

South Padre Island: Where Hook and Cook Thrives

South Padre Island is famous for its angling opportunities. It comes as no surprise then that the restaurants on the island get the most out of it and specialize in making mouth-watering meals from freshly caught seafood. So, if you go on a fishing trip out of South Padre Island and end up with a brag-worthy fish, don’t hesitate to reach out to some of these restaurants and have them cook your catch for you. After all, you deserve a palate-rewarding experience after some back-breaking action.

Have you ever brought your catch to any of the above-mentioned South Padre Restaurants? How did they prepare it? Do you have any additional catch-and-cook recommendations for SPI? Hit the comment button below and tell us all about it. We’re all ears!

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