Oysterpalooza: The Houston Scene’s Best Bivalves

La Cruderia is a renowned destination for oyster lovers, offering a wide selection of premium oysters sourced from various parts of the globe. If you’re a fan of oysters, you’ll love the selection at this restaurant. 

When we went to La Cruderia, we immediately noted their range of oysters. Their fresh & seasoned oysters seemed popular among tables near us, so we started with that. 

Upon our first bite, we liked the distinctively sweet and slightly briny flavor of their oysters. The sweetness lingered on our taste buds after each bite. 

We also tried their grilled oysters, which we must say were beautifully presented to us with a unique sauce—spicy soy sauce. 

Furthermore, we thought it was great that they had parmesan on top. In our opinion, it gave the oysters a delectable salty and savory flavor. 

It blended in well with the firm texture of the oyster meat. 

Food-wise, everything was great! However, we didn’t like that we experienced poor service as the waitress failed to acknowledge our presence—it took her thirty minutes just to come to our table. 

We also noted that La Cruderia is not the most kid-friendly spot, as there are hardly any kid-friendly meals on the menu. 

We visited Winnie’s on a Tuesday when they had their one-dollar gulf oysters–yes, it’s all day long. We also tried the oyster sliders and the chargrilled oysters. 

First of all, their one-dollar gulf oysters had an overwhelmingly fishy scent that we weren’t big fans of. They also had a rubbery texture that was a little difficult to enjoy. 

Perhaps, we just got a batch that wasn’t fresh. Because at the table beside us, they were enjoying their oysters just fine. 

Despite that, we liked their fried oyster sliders as they were perfectly crispy and complemented by the bacony mayo. We also thought that the gribiche added a tangy kick to it. 

The chargrilled oysters were equally delicious, with just the right amount of garlic, parmesan butter, and parsley. They were rich and still had a hint of brininess to it. 

However, one thing we didn’t love about our experience was the bar service. While the restaurant was busy, the bartenders seemed to be struggling to keep up, and it took a while for us to get our drinks. 

By the way, they only take card transactions—no cash is accepted. While knowing that beforehand would have been helpful, we had no problem using our cards. 

But for those who prefer paying in cash, make sure to bring your credit card when coming here! 

Christie’s Seafood & Steaks is known for its wide selection of seafood options, but it seems that the oysters are what really set it apart. 

Our team recently visited the famed restaurant to try their signature oyster offerings. We wanted to try their raw oysters, but sadly they were all out! 

So instead of starting off with raw oysters, we had an appetizer of their oysters rockefeller. With a mouthwatering blend of spinach, bacon, crab, cream, and parmesan, it was a party in our mouths. 

With each bite, we could taste the rich, salty goodness of the oyster. The presentation was also beautiful, so of course, we had to take a few pictures before we finished it. 

We also tried their oysters thermidor. While we weren’t the biggest fans of the wine cheese sauce that doused the oysters, we thought it made the oysters too soggy. 

Still, the oysters had a buttery and decadent taste that made us reach back to the plate for seconds. 

The last thing we tried off their menu was the Texas-fried oysters. We liked how the oysters were perfectly fried, but it was the added touch of fresh pico de gallo and chipotle ranch that made this the dish for us!

We had a team dinner at Liberty Kitchen & Oysterette and tried their raw bar selections. Which had our mouths watering with anticipation from the moment we read the menu.

From the Gulf of Mexico oysters to East Coast oysters, we liked how their raw oysters were rich, fresh, and cold. With a texture so firm and tender, we couldn’t help but savor each one.

We also thought it was great that Liberty Kitchen & Oysterette had a beautiful selection of Wellfleet, Blue Points, and Malpeques. All of which we found brothy, sweet, and smooth, with each oyster leaving behind a trail of mineralized brine. 

Furthermore, we liked the exquisite presentation of the Liberty Tower and the Liberty Stacked Tower. In the Liberty Tower, we noted that the oysters were plump. 

We also thought it was nice how the jumbo cocktail shrimp added a savory element while the avocado crab cocktail was creamy and flavorful. While we enjoyed the variety of flavors and textures, the tower was messy to eat, with juices running down our hands and onto the table.

Regarding the Liberty Stacked Tower, we found that the lobster was overcooked and overly dry, lacking flavor. It was also a bit heavy, with the shellfish overwhelming the delicate flavors of the oysters.

Almost everyone we spoke to about Bludorn bragged that Bludorn serves oysters in every way. They claimed the menu is promising, with a delightful selection of oysters, from raw to roasted to fried. 

For the most part, we thought the oysters at Bludorn were beautifully presented, making our mouths water in anticipation. 

We started with their “Oysters Everyway”—their raw oyster bar. We thought the raw oysters were fresh and briny, with a creamy texture that left us wanting more. 

Furthermore, we liked how the mignonette sauce added an extra layer of flavor, giving the oysters a tangy kick. The hot sauce made the oysters spicy, with hints of cayenne pepper. 

Although we enjoyed the spicy kick, the hot sauce did make the oysters a bit soggy, which made them less enjoyable.

Next, we ordered fried oysters. We thought it was great that the oysters were fried to a golden brown with a crispy, crackly texture. In our opinion, the gribiche sauce added a tangy, herbaceous flavor. 

We also tried their roasted oysters. We liked how delicate, creamy, and smoky these oysters were! 

The watercress was a nice touch, and the crisp bacon added flavor to the mix. However, we found the oysters a little salty and thought the dish lacked balance, with the flavors dominating the oyster’s natural taste.