Louie's Back Yard
South Padre Island, TX 78597-6952
Phone: (956) 761-6406
- Cross Street:
- Marlin Street
- Best of Citysearch:
- Steak 2005, Steak 2004
- Hours:
- Daily 5pm-2am
Editorial Review for Louie's Back Yard – by Maura York
The Scene
Grounded between a mini-amusement park and Laguna Madre Bay on a strip of neon-emblazoned watering holes, Louie's is the heartbeat of Padre's nightlife and it's almost always packed. Seniors and families pour in for the dinner buffet, while locals and young visitors get hopping at the upstairs party deck and adjacent indoor bar.
The Draw
It's huge, which allows for multiple social scenes. Early-evening crowds take in a bay sunset and pop standards from live bands at the outdoor bar; inside, sports fans hunker down around dozens of televisions to catch the game; the dining area and gift shop below buzz with hungry tourists. After 10pm, dance music pierces the night, a DJ spins for an alfresco audience, and the spacious indoor bar fills with pool enthusiasts, Golden Tee addicts and party people fresh from other bars.
Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. Any expenses are paid for by Citysearch.
Insider Tips
Save MoneyThe upstairs "locals" bar hosts happy hour from 5pm to 7pm, serving sandwiches, wings, ribs and more along with signature drinks.
When to GoLouie's really cranks up when thousands of college students invade South Padre each year. Bayside dinner and drinks give way to bikini contests, big musical acts and celebrity DJs.
User Reviews for Louie's Back Yard
06/02/2008 Posted by ezimmerman8
I had the seafood treasure chest. The shrimp was really good, fish had no flavor, the crab cakes were too spicy for me, scallops were okay. My fiance had the 10 oz ribeye. He said it was really good! Almost a filet type cut of meat. We sat downstairs outside around sunset. Nice view:) Prices were average...menu selection was lacking.
Pros: View
Cons: Food and prices just average...nothing special, menu selection
03/05/2008 Posted by txghia
I went to this tourist trap to try the all you can eat Seafood Buffett. It sounded like it had a little of everything, prepared in several ways-ie shrimp scampi, fried shrimp, peel and eat shrimp. The fresh fruit salad, fried shrimp and crab legs were the only edible things. AVOID the scallops??? if they are scallops-yeck and the crab cakes. I enjoyed the fresh seafood from the local seafood market that was cooked right there much more than this "buffett". The outside area of the restaurant was very appealing, sit by the bay and watch the sunset, but it was too windy to eat outside. Inside the smoke was overwhelming-not from smokers- but from their inside grill area. I had to wash my hair as soon as I left because I reeked of smoke! I heard a couple of ladies complain that they needed to sit away from the smoke and all they said was "this is non - smoking". Okay, those are the good points- the waiter (an aging beach bum who is looking for his next date), the "manager" and the goons in cowboy hats that are the "doormen" were rude, unfriendly, uncaring and crude (in the case of the doormen). They only nice server was the hispanic girl cleaning the tables. I can now understand why you see advertising for the joint everywhere. They need a new crowd of tourists every night-I'm sure repeat business is no big thing for them as they don't seem to make it a point to please customers when they arrive. Get em in, get em out and take their money.
Pros: Beautiful outside deck on the bay
Cons: Rude staff, mediocre food and weak drinks
Users Like You Also Viewed
Lantern Grill
3109 Padre Blvd
South Padre Island, TX 78597-7036
Dolphin Cove Oyster Bar
Channel View Rd
S Padre Island, TX 78597
