Captain Benny’s

My husband and I ordered a large seafood platter at Captain Benny’s. It had scallops, shrimp, fish, stuffed crab and oysters with fries if I remember correctly. Well when we started to taste everything, it all tasted the same, like old fish. I don’t know if it was all fried up together in old oil used to fry fish… I don’t know. We were disgusted though and have been unwilling to spend that much money to give Captain Benny’s a second chance. The atmosphere is fun though and again, great staff.

So to start off with the negatives, I came for a late lunch can during the week day because I needed my seafood and michelada fix. The bar was full as usual only the cook working in the kitchen and the bartender at the bar. The rest of the employees were on their break. So since the bar was full I sat in the dining area waiting for service for a good 10 min. The bartender had asked his employees if one of them could help us. They all shook their head and continued eating, so he ended up helping us out. It was kind of rude for the employees to do that in front of the customers. This explains why they lost a star from me.
Now for the positives! The food is bomb! I got the baked oysters and wow is all I can say! It was my first time trying oysters baked and they were awesome! I highly recommend the «parm» flavored and also «The Benny» 2 great appetizers!!! Their micheladas are soooo good!!!
Despite the incident with the coworkers not wanting to help us I must say that I will most def. be returning because the food and beer is that good. Their pricing is affordable and I leave full and satisfied. :)

I called in a to go order. To go orders are picked up at the bar. The cashier was really friendly on the phone as well as in person.
However, I wasn’t impressed with my meal. I ordered the fresh and shrimp combo and had to continually dip both in the tatar sauce and cocktail sauce to give them some type of taste. (I guess that is what people are referring to as fresh taste) Meeeeh, unseasoned fried fish. I would have preferred it grill instead.
The reviews lead me to believe the fried fish and shrimp were a MUST. I respectfully disagree. While I was eating I sort of wished I would have eaten at seafood across the freeway for half the price. But hey you live and learn! The fries were plain and needed lots of ketchup to eat. (And there was zero ketchup in my bag) The saving grace for the meal was the hush puppies and garlic bread. The hushpuppies were very small but tasty. The garlic bread was good as well. I do not eat cole slaw! As I think the best place for it is in the trashcan. I like cabbage, I just don’t care for coleslaw.
This place seems to always have a crowd of people here, so somebody likes this place, but my meal reminded me of a drive thru fish and shrimp combo with half the taste and double the price.

I at least go to this place 4x a month for lunch. Lol! Oysters are fresh, and the boudain balls are killer delish!!! You can’t go wrong with what you choose.

Capt. Benny’s Seafood has locations in literally every area of Houston and even one in Austin! They are located in Deer Park, Stafford, on the Gulf Frwy, Rankin Road, on Main St., and in the location we visited on the Northwest Freeway. No matter which one you visit, they all have in common a vibrant, friendly atmosphere, the freshest seafood on the Gulf, and the coldest beer in Houston!
If you have been living in Houston for any length of time and have never heard of Capt. Benny’s Seafood, then there is a problem. Well, if this is so, then I am here as your problem solver. Capt. Benny’s has been a Houston eatery and local favorite since 1967. The original location on Main St. has had many famous Texas patrons, including one of my favorite Houston icons, the late Bum Phillips.
Capt. Benny’s Seafood is known for the legendary boat you see just off the freeway. As a kid, I always wondered how it got there. I figured Benny must not have been such a great captain to get it stuck so far inland. But, at the end of the day, I thought it really didn’t matter because Benny was a darn good cook and I absolutely loved his fried shrimp!
I had been living away from Texas for a long time and it had been longer still since I had been at sea with Captain Benny. Needless to say, I was extremely excited to pay him a visit! Everything was just the way I remembered, with Gulf Coast décor throughout the restaurant along with fishing memorabilia and all. This place is definitely its own kinda cool. The type of place that really makes you feel like a man!
The Northwest Freeway location is awesome! As you can see in the photography, it has a large outdoor deck and even a small waterfall! Each location has a signature bar where you can get fresh shucked oysters and Top Texas Craft Beer straight from inside the deck.
Cold beer just isn’t the same without Gulf Shrimp. So, we asked for another bucket, but this time we had them fill it with shrimp. These tasty, mouthwatering shellfish were boiled to perfection and seasoned with Capt. Benny’s special spice blend — the same one they use for the crawfish. If you haven’t had shrimp prepared in this way, then you must try it. It is the perfect accent to the Texas Craft Beer.
Along with the shrimp, we enjoyed a bowl of Seafood Gumbo — definitely a must when eating on the Gulf. Filled with shrimp and crab, this gumbo is good and we are off to a great start!
We also got to savor the Combo Appetizer Platter, a seafood lover’s delight and a great way to try a little bit of everything. If this is your first time at Capt. Benny’s, then this combo is the way to go! The fried shrimp simply didn’t have a chance with my mitts acting like a casting net. By the time my buddy turned around after chatting with a new friend at the bar, they were gone. Ha! When you snooze, you lose, partner!
To top off this appetizer extravaganza, we had an assortment of Baked Oysters on the Half Shell. I am not a huge fan of baked oysters as I prefer mine raw, but man! The baked oysters here are incredible! The variety is exceptional and unique. We sampled the Parm — Parmesan cheese, bread crumbs and spices, the Blue — Bleu cheese, bread crumbs and spices, the Nacho — Cheddar Jack cheese and fresh jalapeño, and the Benny — Garlic butter and the Captain’s special seasoning. They were all good, but, because they were so unique, the Parm and Nacho were my favorites.
Now, it was time to move on to the entrees; we ordered two to share. First on the list was the Capt’s Specialty, the Whole Catfish: a whole catfish, fried and served with shrimp seasoned rice, coleslaw, and garlic toast. You just don’t see catfish done this way much anymore. Although you don’t have to, for me, the best way to eat catfish is with your hands. I guess it is just my animal instincts coming through and yet another reason why Capt. Benny’s makes me feel like a real man! This was my favorite dish of the night… well, along with the Fried Shrimp. Do I have to choose just one?
We also got the Crawfish Pirogue: yummy crawfish tails, sautéed with mushrooms, green onions and spices. This flavorful mixture was then baked in a French loaf, topped with jack cheese and served with French fries. If you are looking for a great sandwich, then look no further. The combination of fresh-​baked bread, delicious crawfish and melted jack cheese is something special.
So, with our bellies bursting, we had to say so long to my old buddy Capt. Benny. As a kid, I was amazed at this fine boat sitting on the side of the freeway. Now, as an adult, I admire this fine vessel which is still here after all these years. The only way a restaurant stands the test of time is by providing quality food and service. Well, at Captain Benny’s you will find both qualities at prices that won’t break your pocket book. For that Captain, I thank you!

If I could give 3 and a half stars I would. I didn’t have very high expectations going to Captain Benny’s, but they surpassed. First, I can get oysters on the half shell for $ 9.99 which is a great deal. Although I don’t feel their gumbo is authentic, I still enjoy the taste. It is more broth than roux, but still tasty. Their poboys are always good, but this time I didn’t want something friend, so I tried their grilled scallops. They were cooked slightly longer than I would like, but the flavor was very good. I had rice and cole slaw. I think for the price it is a good meal, and this location is very clean and the atmosphere is always fun when your in the boat!

Always great food and service. Most times I order the shrimp basket with crispy fries and extra toast. I’ve had their gumbo before and it was pretty darn good. The restaurant is much improved since the renovation last year. I wish they had a location closer to Brenham.

One of our go to places for good sea food and oysters, much nicer with the new remodel, and they always have a cold beer waiting for you, definately worth a try.

Let me start with the good. The service from the hostess that took my to go order was great. The place was clean from what I saw. However the taste of the food was just okay. But what really caught me off guard was the portions they give you. I ordered the combo basket for 7.99 plus .40 for To Go charge. I got a strip of fish, not even a whole filet. The shrimp were very small. It would be okay to serve these portions as a child’s plate at a lower price. No, not my cup of tea. I won’t be back.

Good place for fried seafood and seafood in general. It’s not awesome but tasty non the less.

This place is all about fresh seafood and casual atmosphere. This is my second time to dine here again the meal was great. The first time here I came with my wife and we started off with oysters on the ½ shell and the were cold, fresh, and delicious. My wife had stuffed flounder and I had stuffed redfish which I am having again it was so good. Both fish were fresh, moist, and the crab and shrimp stuffing was perfectly prepared and had great flavor. You can find seafood at several restaurants in Houston but you would be hard pressed to find one that delivers the goods at such a reasonable price.

I liked it!
Great setting for the locals it seems. I sat at the «boat» also known as the bar and it appeared the bartender knew most everyone that sat down. It wasn’t overly crowded on this Wednesday night and I was fortunate to have Reyes as the tender of the bar who was doing anything and everything to ensure everyone was taken care of, taking orders, serving up the food and shucking oysters like a pro.
I’ve eaten take out at another Captain Benny’s location and found this one to be close to my hotel so I thought I’d see if the first time I enjoyed food from Captain Benny’s was a fluke or the real deal. My conclusion is yep it’s pretty awesome for what it is which is a very causal come as you are type of place that serves ice cold beer and simply prepared fresh seafood.
There were several types of oyster offered tonight cold, fresh and clean. The jalapeño boudin app was excellent very spicy and great with a cold locally brewed beer. The shrimp diablos was a treat nice medium shrimp warped in bacon and stuffed with a slice of jalapeño then fried try that at your next party. I also had a sampling of the fried shrimp and fried catfish it was awesome as well, fried up Louisiana style and cooked to perfection. I am glad I found this place cause it will definitely be a place I frequent when I’m in town and just want to relax and have a beer and some excellent tapas regardless of what they call them. This isn’t a fancy place by any means of the word and I wouldn’t want it to be it has a purpose so I hope you get the experience.

It gets a three becuz that’s what it is, mostly fried (you can get broiled but why), c’mon! That said, if you going for fried seafood, come here. The oysters were fresh but gulf coast oysters just doesn’t look right anymore, SMH. Fried scallops, fried fish, hush puppies all rocked. Fried shrimp — meh.
STUFFED CRAB KICKS ASS!!! They should have a stuffed crab platter. If I come back, I’m eating nothing but fried scallops and stuffed crab.

First off, I like the new parking lot and the addition of the back patio seating. Second, food was better than in years past. Went on a Friday night about 7p, place was comfortablely busy.
The shrimp was very flavorful but the «jumbo» were small for the price of $ 19.99 for 12 jumbo shrimp, fries, Cole slaw, and garlic toast.
My husband had the soft shelled crab po boy with fries for $ 11.50 (two crabs come on the po boy). He also added 3 jumbo shrimp for $ 3.99.
The calamari was also good, good flavor just less portions for $ 5.99.

Long time customer (6 years) was told that I can’t substitute stuffed shrimp on an appetizer for shrimp diablo. Even offered to pay extra. They have been doing this for me for a long time but the manager felt it was not acceptable even with an extra charge. Love the restaurant but their management (current and past) have no idea what customer service is about. Won’t be returning for the simple fact that there are only a few hundred seafood restaurants to choose from.

Not worth it. Came in for the first time and very disappointed. Place is dirty and dark. Ordered some beers, gumbo, and 2 plates. Gumbo came out and took a big spoonful tasted good, second spoonful has a long brown hair in it. So show the server and he doesn’t say anything just takes it back, no sorry you had a hair in your food. Come back with one from «a new batch» um yeah doubt it, no thanks, still no sorry. This is when we should have left, waited another 20 minutes for our food and it was bland at best. Spent 36 dollars on shii. Will never go again.

Not too much on the menu… looks like they have a special on Tuesdays. Tilapia but unfortunately today is Wednesday. .the service is prompt. I just stopped in for lunch.

Wasn’t too shabby.
Dozen raw oysters to start off with. Can’t really ruin raw oysters. Only with too much cocktail sauce, thanks dad.
Then gumbo. Was actually really good. A little runny but was still really good. I ended up putting a crap ton of pepper in it but that’s just because that’s how I prefer my gumbo.
Then. The 10 fried shrimp and tilapia special. Yes I realize this is a CRAP ton of food but my dad was paying. Haha.
Spanish is preferred but not required. We ate at the boat bar. Which seems to be with the locals do.
Would I go back. Yeah. Sure. Why not.
4 starts because on the boat there was a draft and I get cold easily. And the fried fish could have been a little stronger.

Been going here for a while. Always get the half shell oysters and the shrimp diablos are awesome! The gumbo is great! Basically everything there is pretty good. Service is good and it’s one of the only places that make good micheladas!

Typical Captain Benny’s. My wife loves this place and I don’t mind taking her because the food is affordable.
Service is hit or miss and the seafood is always fresh. You definitely get your money’s worth but you also get what you pay for.