Gulf Oysters

[Jon G]

My lady and I love going to Big Shucks on Mockingbirds for Gulf oysters on the half shells. Looking for other spots where we can chow down on a couple of dozen with beers without breaking the bank.

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Big Shucks
6232 E Mockingbird Ln, Dallas, TX 75214

[twinwillow]

I realize this is a bit off topic but I went over to Hook Line and Sinker last night about 8:30 PM.
Not sure if it was because I missed the usual dinner crush or what. But, I had the best fried oysters-ever! And, the best fried shrimp and catfish, too. But it was the fried oysters that got me. Really huge, tender fried oysters that literally melted in my mouth.
The best meal I ever had at HL&S.

[DallasDude]

Sadly Pappadeaux is 9.95 a dozen now. But they are kickin' good.

[luniz]

That's still a good price imo, for good oysters. I can't think of a better deal anyway.

[twinwillow]

I had them at Pappadeaux a couple of months back at $5.99 and they were incredible. Went back a few weeks later and they were up to $9.95. But, still incredible!

[Barbara76137]

I hit "happy hour" at Oyster Beach which is here in Fort Worth about 2 weeks ago. Oysters were .50 and Margaritas were $2. I regret I only ordered a half dozen since they were very good. I also ordered the ranch ceviche which was a combo of white fish, shrimp and octopus so couldn't really eat more oysters.

[CocoaNut]

Where is Oyster Beach?? Google doesn't find it. How about Oyster Ranch???

[Barbara76137]

Oops, Oyster Ranch is what I meant. It is on Western Center just west of I35W.

[twinwillow]

Pappadeaux on Oak Lawn. Their oysters are top notch!

[luniz]

I had oysters at the Pappadeux in Richardson last year and they were really good. Just recently I had a dozen at S&D Oyster on McKinney and they were unimpressive and expensive.

[CocoaNut]

I went to S&D last week for the first time in well over a year. The oysters were very small, had virtually no taste (raw or fried) and the shrimp had taste, but not of shrimp. They've also changed their batter, which used to be nearly none, to a thicker coating of *something*. I asked our waiter (who's been there nearly as long as the restaurant) if they still used their Houma distributor. Nope! Seafood now comes from our own TX coast - don't remember if Beaumont or Galveston. So too bad, so sad, not good. Katrina drove them from their original Biloxi distributor, now the oil spill from Houma....... He said that in a few months, they may go back to Houma, but for now, the owner isn't yet comfortable (probably with the price is my bet) And ALL of their menu prices have nearly doubled in a relatively very short time. Bad quality, high prices......

[Jon G]

Thanks for the info. I worked around the corner from S&D and keep hearing about their high prices and low quality. Too bad. Looks like a trip to Papadeux for me. I have a natural aversion to chain types places that run several types of restaurants. I will check it out, though, for the ersters.

[DallasDude]

Pappadeaux's are generally 5 bucks a dozens and very good.

[twinwillow]

'Dude, Pappadeaux's are excellent! But, they've gone way up from that old price from last year.
Try Big Shucks or, Aw Shucks. They were much less for a dozen. I think $4.99
I like the Big Shucks on Mockingbird in between Skillman and Abrams.
And I think S&D is strictly for the tourists now.

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Aw Shucks
3601 Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX 75206

Big Shucks
103 S Coit Rd, Richardson, TX 75080

[DallasDude]

If they've gone up its recent. I saw the sign on the Richardson location a few weeks. Sad, they are really good. It was a loss leader for them.

[CocoaNut]

I heard from a friend who's been in touch with a Pensacola oyster house (restaurant) and they're getting $11/doz for oysters on the half shell - 1/2 price M-F during Happy Hour. Interestingly - or not - they are getting the oysters from a TX gulf distributor.

Now here in Dallas, S&D is charging something like $17/doz. for crappy product - supposedly from the TX coast also. Something smells of fishy price gouging .... and I really hate to witness that because I've cherished S&D's quality for as many years as they are old (just about).