Grand Galvez

[kelkel2]

What is within walking distance of the Grand Galvez? It’s kind of hard to tell on the map. Any casual dining we don’t have to get dressed up for, but can sit down and eat (not takeout)? What about the pleasure pier, can you walk from there? I really want to stay there, it’s such a gorgeous property. Any recent reviews? 

[Galveston Cruiser]

Millers is a block away.  Local favorite.

Pleasure pier is 4 blocks from hotel

[MujerIsla]

On 4/13/2023 at 10:40 AM, kelkel2 said:

What is within walking distance of the Grand Galvez? It’s kind of hard to tell on the map. Any casual dining we don’t have to get dressed up for, but can sit down and eat (not takeout)? What about the pleasure pier, can you walk from there? I really want to stay there, it’s such a gorgeous property. Any recent reviews? 

What's your definition of walking distance? I like to walk and am still able to, so I'd happily walk a mile or more to a location, whereas others would balk if I'd suggest something 2 blocks away. 

[theotherchad]

On 4/14/2023 at 8:46 AM, Galveston Cruiser said:

Millers is a block away.  Local favorite.

Pleasure pier is 4 blocks from hotel

Yes, I highly recommend Millers Landing. Best shrimp and grits on the planet. 

 

Also, right across from the Pleasure Pier is Fish Tales. I would recommend Fish Tales over the Bubba Gump place on the Pier. The Monarch Restaurant in the Galvez is also quite good. 

[Galveston Cruiser]

1 hour ago, theotherchad said:

Yes, I highly recommend Millers Landing. Best shrimp and grits on the planet. 

 

Also, right across from the Pleasure Pier is Fish Tales. I would recommend Fish Tales over the Bubba Gump place on the Pier. The Monarch Restaurant in the Galvez is also quite good. 

Walk a few blocks more to Blvd. Seafood - excellent and locally owned,  Seawall & 28th.

Fish Tales is another chain restaurant.

[ssb]

Fish Tales and Bubba Gump owned and operated by same chain . 

[Liljo22]

31 minutes ago, ssb said:

Fish Tales and Bubba Gump owned and operated by same chain . 

Landry's owns everything in Galveston.  

 

San Luis Resort

Harbor House

Hilton Galveston

Holiday Inn Galveston

Pleasure Pier

Willie G's

Rainforest Cafe

Fish Tales

Bubba Gump

Fisherman's Wharf

Saltgrass

Joe's Crab Shack

The Steakhouse

Landry's Prime

Grotto

Brick House

 

 

[ssb]

21 minutes ago, Liljo22 said:

Landry's owns everything in Galveston.  

 

San Luis Resort

Harbor House

Hilton Galveston

Holiday Inn Galveston

Pleasure Pier

Willie G's

Rainforest Cafe

Fish Tales

Bubba Gump

Fisherman's Wharf

Saltgrass

Joe's Crab Shack

The Steakhouse

Landry's Prime

Grotto

Brick House

 

 

Yes we live in Galveston and you forgot a couple or so - International House of Pancakes and Chick Filet and the entire Pier 21 on the Port and much more real estate 

Edited April 18, 2023 by ssb

[Texas Tillie]

1 hour ago, ssb said:

Yes we live in Galveston and you forgot a couple or so - International House of Pancakes and Chick Filet and the entire Pier 21 on the Port and much more real estate 

 

Are you saying they own a Chick-fil-A (correct spelling) franchise and an IHOP franchise? Surprised about that. 

[theotherchad]

17 hours ago, Galveston Cruiser said:

Walk a few blocks more to Blvd. Seafood - excellent and locally owned,  Seawall & 28th.

Fish Tales is another chain restaurant.

Yes, BLVD is good, but the post I was replying to asked specifically about the Pleasure Pier. 

 

If someone wants to know specifically about locally owned or non-chain restaurants, I will answer that question, but that wasn't what they asked. 

 

With regard to the fact that Landry's (Tilman Fertitta) owns pretty much half the restaurants on the island, that is absolutely true, but some of those restaurants are also really good. They are definitely not all equal. We have tried a bunch of them over the years and have noted that Bubba Gump in particular is not good. Fish Tales is nothing special, but it's generally pretty ok. Fisherman's Wharf has been uneven at times, but generally good. Grotto has always been excellent. Willie G's has good food, but usually outstandingly bad service. 

 

Among our favorite local places, Millers Landing is the one I always mention first. The Porch Cafe out on the east end is a great brunch spot. The Spot (in particular, the four attached bars) has very average food, but good service and it's a fun place to hang out. Riondo's over on the Strand is outstanding for local Italian food. 

 

If you're looking for craft cocktails, Daquiri Time Out (also known as DTO) is excellent. Like most tourist areas, Galveston has a lot of places that are adequate but not great, but there is a lot of excellent food to be had if you do your research. 

Edited April 18, 2023 by theotherchad

[theotherchad]

7 minutes ago, Texas Tillie said:

 

Are you saying they own a Chick-fil-A (correct spelling) franchise and an IHOP franchise? Surprised about that. 

Never be surprised about what Tilman Fertitta owns. 🤣 It's a lot of stuff. 

[Texas Tillie]

Just now, theotherchad said:

Never be surprised about what Tilman Fertitta owns. 🤣 It's a lot of stuff. 

 

Oh, I know about Tilman, just surprised that large food operations would allow a "competitor" to own even one of their franchises. 

[Galveston Cruiser]

I was responding to walking distance from Grand Galvez.  Blvd. is 2 additional blocks from Pleasure Pier.

Few locals go to Fish Tales; view is good, food not so. Many of Landry's owned restaurants are excellent, but not all.

[Galveston Cruiser]

18 minutes ago, Texas Tillie said:

 

Are you saying they own a Chick-fil-A (correct spelling) franchise and an IHOP franchise? Surprised about that. 

No.  Just added additional restaurants.

[theotherchad]

On 4/13/2023 at 10:40 AM, kelkel2 said:

What is within walking distance of the Grand Galvez? It’s kind of hard to tell on the map. Any casual dining we don’t have to get dressed up for, but can sit down and eat (not takeout)? What about the pleasure pier, can you walk from there? I really want to stay there, it’s such a gorgeous property. Any recent reviews? 

I can give you a review from a few weeks ago. We absolutely love staying there in general. The service is good, but we've never really tested the limits. The bar gets quite crowded, so expect to wait for a drink a bit in the evenings, but we still love that bar. The property, as you noted, is really beautiful. They recently completed a renovation of the pool area, but I haven't seen that yet. The rooms are comfortable, and I believe they are almost done with all the room renovations. Please note, the rooms on each floor right in front of the elevators are extra spacious, but have a section of wood flooring on the elevator landing that really amplifies noise, so you will hear it every time someone gets on or off the elevator. We had one of those rooms last time. They also have a cute little boutique called LoLo's. We really enjoyed the food in the Monarch, the hotel's restaurant and the Sunday Brunch is a family tradition for us. If you plan on any weekend spa appointments, book in advance, as they do fill up. 

 

We love all the changes that the recent renovation has brought. 

[theotherchad]

11 minutes ago, Galveston Cruiser said:

I was responding to walking distance from Grand Galvez.  Blvd. is 2 additional blocks from Pleasure Pier.

Few locals go to Fish Tales; view is good, food not so. Many of Landry's owned restaurants are excellent, but not all.

Yeah, we have found a vast difference between some of them. Ironically, their flagship Landry's on the seawall has never been good for us. We have given them multiple chances over the years, but gave up on them sometime shortly before COVID hit. And as to Fish Tales, you hit the nail on the head. Good view, so so food. I'm not terribly picky when I'm on vacation, so they've always been adequate, but never excellent. 

 

Rainforest is super gimmicky and silly, but it can be fun if you've got littles with you (and prepare to lay out dough in the gift shop if you have grandkids), and the food has always been on the good side of just ok. Never terrible, but never great. 

 

I'm curious. As a local, what's your take on Gaido's? 

 

Edited April 18, 2023 by theotherchad

[Galveston Cruiser]

2 hours ago, theotherchad said:

I'm curious. As a local, what's your take on Gaido's? 

 

Miss the Pelican Club.  Gaido's is good, but pricey. I feel it operates on legend.  Don't like Nick's at all..

This my opinion of 40+ years

For seafood we go to Katie's, both to eat and purchase.  The other being Blvd/

Other high end restaurants we prefer are Rudy & Paco's, Vargas Cut & Catch, Number 13 and Steakhouse at the San Luis.

[theotherchad]

1 hour ago, Galveston Cruiser said:

Miss the Pelican Club.  Gaido's is good, but pricey. I feel it operates on legend.  Don't like Nick's at all..

This my opinion of 40+ years

For seafood we go to Katie's, both to eat and purchase.  The other being Blvd/

Other high end restaurants we prefer are Rudy & Paco's, Vargas Cut & Catch, Number 13 and Steakhouse at the San Luis.

I have heard good things about Rudy and Paco's and Katie's has become one of our go to places in the last year. I really should have mentioned them. I'm glad I haven't been to Gaido's in a decade if it is as pricy as you describe these days. The last time I was there, I was not impressed and the place seemed kind of shabby to be that expensive. I'm thinking that if you don't consider The Steakhouse at the San Luis too pricy, then Gaido's must be really gouging on price. Also, in another post, I recalled that we have enjoyed the Black Pearl as well. Huge portions at reasonable prices. 

 

Any opinion on the food at the Huli Huli Hut? We've only stopped in for drinks. 

[Galveston Cruiser]

4 hours ago, theotherchad said:

Any opinion on the food at the Huli Huli Hut? We've only stopped in for drinks. 

The best crawfish - ever!  All the food is excellent.

During the Covid shutdown, ordered crawfish from Huli Hul- still steaming when arrived home.  Granted, we live 3 minutes away!

 

Another favorite is Mama Theresa's Flying Pizza.  Everything is delicious and smells so good. Their Manicotti is to die for.  Same as above during covid.  In the winter, I put the order on the heated seat😅

 

The Steakhouse is pricey, but so worth it

Edited April 19, 2023 by Galveston Cruiser

[MujerIsla]

On 4/18/2023 at 8:31 AM, Liljo22 said:

Landry's owns everything in Galveston.  

 

San Luis Resort

Harbor House

Hilton Galveston

Holiday Inn Galveston

Pleasure Pier

Willie G's

Rainforest Cafe

Fish Tales

Bubba Gump

Fisherman's Wharf

Saltgrass

Joe's Crab Shack

The Steakhouse

Landry's Prime

Grotto

Brick House

 

 

Except for the 200 or so local mom and pop places you didn't mention. It's really really easy to avoid a Fertitta establishment and still eat well on the island.

[theotherchad]

1 hour ago, MujerIsla said:

Except for the 200 or so local mom and pop places you didn't mention. It's really really easy to avoid a Fertitta establishment and still eat well on the island.

I don't really see a need to avoid Landry's restaurants. It should be noted that they are a local business even though they have restaurants and casinos nationwide. Also, their Pleasure Pier draws thousands to the island annually, so it could be argued that the Landry's organization actually benefits family owned restaurants and businesses. 

 

I think you can have  a balanced perspective. Galveston Cruiser and I have been going back and forth on this thread about the virtues and failures of various mom and pop places as well as those owned by Fertitta. 

 

One interesting thing about the island is that a lot of the other locally owned businesses are part of small local empires. The Flores family own Yaga's as well as Tola Mo Bettah Market, Yaga's Sportswear and I believe 3 or 4 other bars. Dennis Byrd, owner of the Spot, has increased his business footprint by adding a couple of hotels. You can't talk about Galveston without including the Moody family and the Mitchell family, both of which have had a positive impact on the island for decades, the Moodys in particular for well over a century. 

[Galveston Cruiser]

Flores owns Shark Shack.

Mike Dean owns Tsunami. Yaga's, Blvd. Seafood and Yaga's Entertainment - responsible for Mardi Gras.

Galveston Restaurant Group has Saltwater Grill, Taquilo's, Sly Bar, Gumbo Diner, Mario's Seawall, Papa's Pizza and Gumbo Bar.

Dennis Byrd owns the Spot and has the Holiday Inn Express next door and 3200 block of Seawall.  He started as a dishwasher, worked his up to purchase in 2002.  Ha since expanded it to 5 venues and built a 5 story parking garage for the business.

Many interesting stories in and about Galveston

[kelkel2]

On 4/18/2023 at 8:51 AM, ssb said:

Yes we live in Galveston and you forgot a couple or so - International House of Pancakes and Chick Filet and the entire Pier 21 on the Port and much more real estate 

So I think we may be leaning towards staying at The Tremont. We will have our twins with us, they’ll be 5 going on 6. I saw there was a railroad museum nearby, they’d love that.  Is there a good locally owned coffee shop close enough to walk to from there? What about casual dinner? Any other must see’s in the area? 

[ssb]

15 minutes ago, kelkel2 said:

So I think we may be leaning towards staying at The Tremont. We will have our twins with us, they’ll be 5 going on 6. I saw there was a railroad museum nearby, they’d love that.  Is there a good locally owned coffee shop close enough to walk to from there? What about casual dinner? Any other must see’s in the area? 

Lots of that near by .  Try Star Drugs a couple of blocks away . 

Edited April 20, 2023 by ssb

[tytanbri]

We will be staying at the new Home2 Suites at 4302 Seawall. Is there anything decent down in that area?