Best of the Bay Winners

May 1st, 2018

The Best of the Bay Awards were announced at a highly attended and anticipated ceremony at Water’s Edge Venue on March 22. The 2017 winners, voted by you, are:

Best Asian Cuisine: Merlion
Best Auto Repair: Space Center Auto
Best Bank: Allegiance Bank
Best Bartender: Sarah – Volcano Room
Best BBQ: Dickinson BBQ
Best Breakfast: Pelican Grill
Best Brunch: Sundance Grill II
Best Burger: Tookie’s
Best Cajun: Little Daddy’s Gumbo Bar
Best Car Dealer – domestic: Norman Frede Chevrolet
Best Car Dealer – foreign: Ron Carter Hyundai
Best Credit Union: JSC FCU
Best Café: Seabrook Classic Cafe
Best City to Live: League City
Best Contractor/Remodeler: Maverick Remodeling
Best Dentist: Tie – Dr. Farid Noie and Dr. J. Derek Tieken
Best Entertainment Spot – Jackie’s Brickhouse
Best Entertainment Venue: Kemah Boardwalk
Best Family Restaurant: T-Bone Tom’s
Best Gift Shop: Spruce Flowers and Home
Best Hair Salon: Brazil N Drops
Best Hair Stylist: Bonnie Wolcott – Heist
Best Hospital: Houston Methodist St. John
Best Italian: Grazia Italian Kitchen
Best Local Entertainer: Tie – Mickey Hobbs and Claudio Sereni
Best Luxury Car: Ron Carter Cadillac
Best Margarita: El Tiempo Cantina
Best Marina: South Shore Harbour
Best Mexican: El Tiempo Cantina
Best Oysters: Gilhooley’s
Best Pizza: Dan’s Pizza Co.
Best Pub: Scotty’s Pub
Best Realtor: Kimberly Harding
Best Resale Shop: Assistance League of the Bay Area
Most Romantic Restaurant: Opus Bistro
Best Seafood: Topwater Grill
Best Steak: T-Bone Tom’s
Best Sushi: Michiru Sushi
Best Web Design: Big Splash Web Design
Best Wine Bar: Chelsea Wine Bar
Best Women’s Apparel: The Clotheshorse
Best Women’s Boutique: Back Bay Boutique
Best Yacht Club: Lakewood Yacht Club

The legendary Gilhooley’s Restaurant and Oyster Bar

February 1st, 2018

By Rick Clapp

Gilhooley’s is a name that is as synonymous with the Galveston Bay Area as Joe’s Stone Crab is in Miami, Fla.

These two landmark restaurants are polar opposites — one being known as a world famous seaside dive located in San Leon, Texas that serves the freshest succulent oysters from Galveston Bay while the other is Joe’s, one of the top first class restaurants in the universe, serving the best indescribably delicious Stone Crab Claws, slaw and tangy Key Lime Pie!

No reason to head to Miami. Just take a short jaunt to San Leon to one of the Top 10 Dives in America.  Gilhooley’s was recently rated No. 1 by GQ Magazine, as well as No. 1 in other periodicals such as Trip Advisor and many others around the world.  Gilhooley’s is also popular with the Hollywood movie crowd.  A recent filming of the Bay House, starring Leslie Ann Warren and Barry Corbin, was shot on site at the eatery this past November.

Gilhooley’s serves, without a doubt, the freshest oysters, as well as a variety of seafood dishes such as large fried shrimp, fried oysters, oyster stew, mouth-watering gumbo, burgers, salads and much more.  Its daily specials are not only freshly made but tasty and extremely affordable.  Some of the daily specials include a whole stuffed flounder with two sides, beef vegetable soup (owner Misho’s favorite), delicious chicken fried steak, soups, salads, sandwiches and raw oysters. They also offer Boudin and Sausage, poor boys that are more than a mouthful and a full menu that is to die for!

The atmosphere at this seafood restaurant and oyster bar is very rustic with 70s style furniture, pictures, a bar and a comfortable outdoor patio with bar area.  This is reminiscent of the old Florida seafood houses like Capps near Boca Raton and Alabama Jacks, Jimmy Buffet’s former hangout in the Florida Keys.

Come casual, enjoy the food, drinks and the uniqueness of Gilhooley’s.  Most of the diners are locals who want to keep it a secret which it is not any longer!

The legendary Oysters Gilhooley’s will melt in your mouth, and Oysters Picante is served hot and roasted to perfection.  Try one of these delectable oyster platters with your favorite cold beverage. You will crave this euphoric experience each month!

Finally, the service is very good, starting with the manager, Cassie, cheerful servers such as Sherry, and their knowledgeable bartenders.  Gilhooley’s Restaurant and Oyster Bar has a national ranking of four out of five stars.  It is now family friendly.  Open 7 days a week, 11 a.m.- 10 p.m.  It is located at 222 Ninth St., San Leon, Texas 77539.  Telephone number is 281-339-3813.

Bay Area Houston Magazine