Pat O'Brien's

Reviews

• ★★★★½ Alligator Bites Crawfish Etouffee Visited Mar 31, 2017

  Service Was Good But Food Was A Bit Bland

  I wasn't overly impressed with the food. The portions were decent, and the overall experience was good, but the flavors were lacking in both of the main dishes I tried.
  
  I'd heard a lot about Pat O'Brien's, but since I don't spend much time downtown, I hadn't gotten around to visiting. When they recently offered a Groupon, I decided it was a good opportunity to make the trip and finally give the place a try with a friend.
  
  We were seated in the outdoor dining area, where live music was playing. It added to the atmosphere, although the volume made it a little difficult to carry on a conversation. Our waitress provided good service, was prompt, and our food arrived in a reasonable amount of time.
  
  I ordered the crawfish étouffée and alligator bites. The alligator bites were a decent size and had a nice, crispy coating, but the batter lacked seasoning and spice. Compared with alligator nuggets I've had at other Cajun and Creole restaurants, these were pretty bland.
  
  The crawfish étouffée was also decent, but it had the same problem with flavor. It was thinner and more watery than I expected, and the taste reminded me more of jambalaya or gumbo than the rich, flavorful étouffée I've enjoyed elsewhere.
  
  We finished the meal by sharing a slice of chocolate cake, which was actually quite good. It was a generous portion and easily enough for both of us.
  
  Overall, I enjoyed the atmosphere and service, and the food was acceptable, but nothing really stood out beyond the dessert. There aren't a lot of Cajun and Creole restaurants in San Antonio to choose from, so I was hoping this would be a standout. Unfortunately, the flavors didn't have the depth or kick I've come to expect from some of my favorite Cajun restaurants in other cities.

  — Paul