My husband meticulously planned a romantic date at Drunken Oyster for Valentine's Day, as we both adore their seafood boil and the thoughtfully curated selection of mixed drinks they offer for special occasions. Typically, the restaurant creates a seasonal drink menu featuring five to seven unique cocktails, and we eagerly anticipate trying them all.
However, we were disappointed to find that the menu had been significantly limited, which hadn't been communicated to us in advance. If we wanted steak, we would have opted for Saltgrass, Big Texan, or even stayed home. We chose Drunken Oyster specifically for the seafood and cocktails, making it our go-to spot for special occasions and date nights. The reduced menu was disheartening.
For our appetizer, we selected oysters, which were unfortunately frozen to the ice, and the oysters themselves were also frozen. I had hoped this dish would compensate for the limited seafood options, but it fell short of expectations. To add to our disappointment, our server removed the appetizer while we still had some left.
My husband ordered a steak, which arrived undercooked, while I opted for the pasta. Though my dish was decent, it tasted remarkably similar to what I can easily prepare at home. We arrived at 8 PM and, by 8:43 PM, we found ourselves leaving, feeling quite disheartened.
Pricing was not the issue; rather, it was the anticipation of the usual menu that was replaced by limited selections. We ended up spending less than we typically do at Drunken Oyster. Will we return? Unlikely. While the restaurant may have profited this time, they risk losing loyal customers with such a restricted menu. I had initially planned to bring my mother here for her birthday dinner in March, but I will reconsider those plans.
Food: 1
Service: 2
esven sauceda
I hate to do this but we woke up this morning and we’re still outraged from what happened last night.
I made a reservation weeks in advance for our Valentine’s date. I’m an over the road truck driver. I drove EMPTY from Houston TX on Friday night just to make it here on time for this reservation. That cost was $300 alone in fuel. I initially thought I could change my reservation, but unfortunately they were booked full till the next day at 8:30 pm. So I opted to cut my losses and make it here for our date.
This was not our first time here. The menu was completely changed and limited. I know a pre prepped plate when I see one. The appetizers we ordered were shrimp and oysters. The oysters were stuck to the bed of ice. What does this mean? These plates were pre-made. The oysters were FROZEN.
If I wanted to eat a steak I would have stayed home and cooked it myself or gone to an actual steakhouse. This is literally the beef capital of the USA. My wife said her pasta tasted like something bought that you make in a microwave.
We were in and out in 40 min.
On a normal day we spend $300-$350 on our food and drinks at the Drunken Oyster. If you were trying to make some quick cash you definitely did. But this will be the last time we ever step foot here and everyone I know will hear about this.
We are truly heartbroken.
We
Gabriel Ortega
I really hate to write this, because we were genuinely excited for a special Valentine’s night out, but our experience at The Drunken Oyster left us feeling more disappointed and let down than anything else. We made our reservation weeks in advance and were never told there would be a special limited Valentine’s menu for $150, with limited options.
When we sat down and saw the menu, it immediately felt like a bait and switch with very few choices, no regular menu available, and a fixed price we hadn’t agreed to ahead of time. I don’t mind paying for a special experience, but that needs to be communicated clearly beforehand so we can decide if it’s right for us. Unfortunately, the food and service didn’t come close to making that base $150 feel worth it. Both of our steaks were severely undercooked for how we ordered them, and the overall flavor and quality of the dishes just weren’t there. My wife’s wine was short poured, which sounds small, but in the middle of everything else it added to the feeling that we weren’t getting what we were paying for. We ordered oysters and a couple of drinks that were good, yet shortly after our entrées sat in front of us while we had no cutlery to use, so we just watched our food get cold.
The staff seemed stretched thin and a bit erratic, and while I don’t blame our server personally, it felt like the whole restaurant was unprepared for the night. By the time the bill arrived, with the oysters, drinks, and the $150 set menu, it was over $300 with an automatic gratuity already added. I have zero problem tipping well, especially on special occasions where the experience grants it but given how off the entire night felt, from the surprise menu and price, to the undercooked steaks, to the scattered service, it was really disheartening. What was supposed to be a special Valentine’s dinner with my wife ended up feeling more stressful than enjoyable, and we left with the sense that we hadn’t been treated fairly or had our night respected.
Overall, the experience tonight left a bad taste in my mouth. For a restaurant that I've rnjoyed several times in the past it’s hard for me to recommend The Drunken Oyster for a special occasion after tonight.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 2
Sam Archer
Heard about this place for some time now and was also recommended by some friends. Decided to have a Valentines dinner with my wife to celebrate the occasion. Service was great and was treated well however the problem began at the fact there was no mention of a limited menu. Anyways what rose suspicion initially is there was no price listed for ANY of the food options. When we did receive our food, needless to say it was disappointing, pasta was overcooked and the chicken was okay at best similar to what you’d get out of pre made food in a warmer. Expected much more in both quality of food and portion size. Then comes the bill, for 4 drinks an appetizer, and entree came out to be 260 dollars? PLUS an automatic 20% gratuity? This is unreal, I expected to pay a little extra which was fine as I have had dinner at other restaurants on Valentine’s Day. However this is absurd granted their normal menu pricing. So to those who also had their dinner tonight how much did you spend this is Amarillo after all not Dallas. They say a first impression always lasts, this one will last for a long time. Do better.
Karl Haas
Absolutely amazing atmosphere and the food is delicious.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kashi_054
Wonderful food, great atmosphere
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Stephanie Gale
Absolutely love this place! The staff is wonderful and the food is top notch. One of my favorite spots to stop at in Amarillo
Marcelo Schmidt
Second time here. Everything was excellent.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
kathryn lawler
Really great experience.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Dyme Dade
I took a sip of my Hurricane drink yesterday and the server didnt let me exchange it for another without charging me for the first drink and they left it at the table after I asked them to take it away from the small table. The drink was water down and tasted like cherry syrup, which is nothing like the ingredients on the menu. The staff was unfriendly. Other than that the fried oysters and the catfish was good.
Good food! Great service! Nice atmosphere! I go often!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Jaecee Chadweezy
Very friendly, immediately helpful. Our drinks were never empty and the process of food and drinks came out fast. The place is clean and neat. Service was phenomenal and would recommend. Shout out to our server karson for doing an incredible job. He made sure we felt welcomed and taken care of!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
JJ
It was hard to decide, but we ordered the fried oysters, shrimp & grits, and the gumbo. We also had drinks and dessert. Everything was good and cooked properly.
Ryan Henkelman
Extremely small portions and high cost. Very drunk loud people and some oysters so the names not lying.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 5
Cory Traves
This place could be 5 stars but the one thing that keeps it from being a 5 is the furniture. The chair and tables are terrible. Higher end food and great service but man that furniture is uncomfortable.
My husband meticulously planned a romantic date at Drunken Oyster for Valentine's Day, as we both adore their seafood boil and the thoughtfully curated selection of mixed drinks they offer for special occasions. Typically, the restaurant creates a seasonal drink menu featuring five to seven unique cocktails, and we eagerly anticipate trying them all.
However, we were disappointed to find that the menu had been significantly limited, which hadn't been communicated to us in advance. If we wanted steak, we would have opted for Saltgrass, Big Texan, or even stayed home. We chose Drunken Oyster specifically for the seafood and cocktails, making it our go-to spot for special occasions and date nights. The reduced menu was disheartening.
For our appetizer, we selected oysters, which were unfortunately frozen to the ice, and the oysters themselves were also frozen. I had hoped this dish would compensate for the limited seafood options, but it fell short of expectations. To add to our disappointment, our server removed the appetizer while we still had some left.
My husband ordered a steak, which arrived undercooked, while I opted for the pasta. Though my dish was decent, it tasted remarkably similar to what I can easily prepare at home. We arrived at 8 PM and, by 8:43 PM, we found ourselves leaving, feeling quite disheartened.
Pricing was not the issue; rather, it was the anticipation of the usual menu that was replaced by limited selections. We ended up spending less than we typically do at Drunken Oyster. Will we return? Unlikely. While the restaurant may have profited this time, they risk losing loyal customers with such a restricted menu. I had initially planned to bring my mother here for her birthday dinner in March, but I will reconsider those plans.
Food: 1
Service: 2
I hate to do this but we woke up this morning and we’re still outraged from what happened last night.
I made a reservation weeks in advance for our Valentine’s date. I’m an over the road truck driver. I drove EMPTY from Houston TX on Friday night just to make it here on time for this reservation. That cost was $300 alone in fuel. I initially thought I could change my reservation, but unfortunately they were booked full till the next day at 8:30 pm. So I opted to cut my losses and make it here for our date.
This was not our first time here. The menu was completely changed and limited. I know a pre prepped plate when I see one. The appetizers we ordered were shrimp and oysters. The oysters were stuck to the bed of ice. What does this mean? These plates were pre-made. The oysters were FROZEN.
If I wanted to eat a steak I would have stayed home and cooked it myself or gone to an actual steakhouse. This is literally the beef capital of the USA. My wife said her pasta tasted like something bought that you make in a microwave.
We were in and out in 40 min.
On a normal day we spend $300-$350 on our food and drinks at the Drunken Oyster. If you were trying to make some quick cash you definitely did. But this will be the last time we ever step foot here and everyone I know will hear about this.
We are truly heartbroken.
We
I really hate to write this, because we were genuinely excited for a special Valentine’s night out, but our experience at The Drunken Oyster left us feeling more disappointed and let down than anything else. We made our reservation weeks in advance and were never told there would be a special limited Valentine’s menu for $150, with limited options.
When we sat down and saw the menu, it immediately felt like a bait and switch with very few choices, no regular menu available, and a fixed price we hadn’t agreed to ahead of time. I don’t mind paying for a special experience, but that needs to be communicated clearly beforehand so we can decide if it’s right for us. Unfortunately, the food and service didn’t come close to making that base $150 feel worth it. Both of our steaks were severely undercooked for how we ordered them, and the overall flavor and quality of the dishes just weren’t there. My wife’s wine was short poured, which sounds small, but in the middle of everything else it added to the feeling that we weren’t getting what we were paying for. We ordered oysters and a couple of drinks that were good, yet shortly after our entrées sat in front of us while we had no cutlery to use, so we just watched our food get cold.
The staff seemed stretched thin and a bit erratic, and while I don’t blame our server personally, it felt like the whole restaurant was unprepared for the night. By the time the bill arrived, with the oysters, drinks, and the $150 set menu, it was over $300 with an automatic gratuity already added. I have zero problem tipping well, especially on special occasions where the experience grants it but given how off the entire night felt, from the surprise menu and price, to the undercooked steaks, to the scattered service, it was really disheartening. What was supposed to be a special Valentine’s dinner with my wife ended up feeling more stressful than enjoyable, and we left with the sense that we hadn’t been treated fairly or had our night respected.
Overall, the experience tonight left a bad taste in my mouth. For a restaurant that I've rnjoyed several times in the past it’s hard for me to recommend The Drunken Oyster for a special occasion after tonight.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 2
Heard about this place for some time now and was also recommended by some friends. Decided to have a Valentines dinner with my wife to celebrate the occasion. Service was great and was treated well however the problem began at the fact there was no mention of a limited menu. Anyways what rose suspicion initially is there was no price listed for ANY of the food options. When we did receive our food, needless to say it was disappointing, pasta was overcooked and the chicken was okay at best similar to what you’d get out of pre made food in a warmer. Expected much more in both quality of food and portion size. Then comes the bill, for 4 drinks an appetizer, and entree came out to be 260 dollars? PLUS an automatic 20% gratuity? This is unreal, I expected to pay a little extra which was fine as I have had dinner at other restaurants on Valentine’s Day. However this is absurd granted their normal menu pricing. So to those who also had their dinner tonight how much did you spend this is Amarillo after all not Dallas. They say a first impression always lasts, this one will last for a long time. Do better.
Absolutely amazing atmosphere and the food is delicious.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Wonderful food, great atmosphere
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Absolutely love this place! The staff is wonderful and the food is top notch. One of my favorite spots to stop at in Amarillo
Second time here. Everything was excellent.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Really great experience.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
I took a sip of my Hurricane drink yesterday and the server didnt let me exchange it for another without charging me for the first drink and they left it at the table after I asked them to take it away from the small table. The drink was water down and tasted like cherry syrup, which is nothing like the ingredients on the menu. The staff was unfriendly. Other than that the fried oysters and the catfish was good.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 2
Restaurantji Recommends
Good food! Great service!
Nice atmosphere! I go often!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Very friendly, immediately helpful. Our drinks were never empty and the process of food and drinks came out fast. The place is clean and neat. Service was phenomenal and would recommend. Shout out to our server karson for doing an incredible job. He made sure we felt welcomed and taken care of!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
It was hard to decide, but we ordered the fried oysters, shrimp & grits, and the gumbo. We also had drinks and dessert. Everything was good and cooked properly.
Extremely small portions and high cost. Very drunk loud people and some oysters so the names not lying.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 5
This place could be 5 stars but the one thing that keeps it from being a 5 is the furniture. The chair and tables are terrible. Higher end food and great service but man that furniture is uncomfortable.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
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