Hush Puppies (4)
El Rey

El Rey

1721 S Commerce St, 78644, Lockhart, US, United States

Fish • Juice • Seafood • Cocktail


"The oysters on the half shell, however, are outstanding! The cocktail sauce is fine, but it would be preferable to provide the ingredients so patrons can mix their own—think ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco, lemon juice, and horseradish for the standard version, and perhaps a bit of mayo for a Creole twist. I also found the steamed vegetables puzzling; why season them with something spicy? They should just be cooked in butter! I am a fan of heat, but not when it comes to my steamed veggies. As for the gumbo, it’s far from authentic—tasteless with a blonde roux, which makes me wonder if it’s from a package. If cooking a proper roux is too challenging, just buy it pre-made! The dirty rice was also disappointing, extremely dry and lacking any form of liver. I wouldn’t recommend it at all; I experienced the same unpleasant dish three times. The fried seafood was decent, but I’m hesitant to try the jambalaya or gettuff given the poor quality of the gumbo and dirty rice. There’s definitely room for improvement in the kitchen. They need to look for authentic Cajun recipes for dishes like rubber bears and dirty rice, or perhaps hire a true Cajun chef! The drinks are adequate but there aren't many options for those who don’t drink beer, especially considering the prices. It’s nice to have Jameson or Jack, but I’d appreciate a bourbon option as well. After four visits, I’d rate this restaurant three stars. I’ll likely keep coming back for the oysters, but I'll probably stick to fish dishes. I didn't check out the other side where the billiards and live music are, so I can't comment on that aspect."