Captain Tom's

This is a good spot to eat and have a few drinks with your food, but not to stay long if there's a line of people waiting for you to leave so they can sit down. The deinks are cold and the food is not too expensive. A little crowed due to the shape of the place (a boat). Try a lime prepared cup with an oyster in it with your favorite beer 🍺 😋

I’ve been coming here ever since I was a kid before they built this current location. Prices have gone up over the years, but honestly, so has everything else. The gulf oysters are good and large, gumbo is rich, fried platters are generous and satisfying, and the micheladas are out of this world. Seating is limited… most people wait for spots at the inner bar, but if you notice open seats around the outer perimeter, just ask the staff. They’ll usually let you sit there and skip the wait.

Busy place, quick service, delicious food! The oysters were fresh and flavorful, served with all the necessary options, and the gumbo was hot and yummy! The atmosphere is very laid back, with a row of stools and a center kitchen where some very active and efficient people are meeting the needs of a crowd at top speeds!

Staple on the northwest side of town. This restaurant will survive with great or bad review. Just recommend to those who might be new and wanting to visit to prepare for a long wait if going during the peak hours. The show is definitely sitting around the bar, which causes a bottle neck of people waiting to sit. So if you want, just choose to sit around near the windows and the food will taste just the same. Just a lot of communicating and helpful hands from other patrons. If you never been, definitely a must try!

Captain Tom’s is easily one of my favorite restaurants. I come here all the time and it never disappoints I’ll gladly wait in line every single visit. The micheladas are a must (seriously, don’t skip them), and the food is consistently amazing. The menu is short, which makes ordering easy because you truly can’t go wrong. The gumbo is always solid and something I get every time. The staff is friendly, efficient, and always on top of things, even when the restaurant is packed. I’ve never regretted a single meal here.

Their seafood gumbo is fantastic (8/10), but with the price?? AMAZING (10/10). The amount of food you get that is so delicious for the prices they have is wild. Stuffed jalapenos were the worst thing on the menu, but still okay. Their stuffed crab, gumbo, and raw oysters were my favorite things on the menu for sure. Also I'm usually not a big tartar sauce person but theirs is so good I was dipping my fries in it and I saw people asking for it left and right. It's small and on a busy day you may wait a bit, but I promise it's worth it. I also love the inside boat bar vibes. 10/10 would recommend

This place has great food. Very tasty and filling at a good price. So much so that it’s normally pretty full and there may be a wait to be seated. Service is good considering the volume of customers that come through.

Well, it was on the freeze day Sunday Jan 25th. The entire restaurant was a sit up on a stool affair. Literally felt like I was sitting up in the bar in Matamoros on Spring break in the 80s... The locals were all drinking Cheladas. The Food. It was OK, not good. Not bad...just OK. A little greasy, do love fried food. But this food was off. The staff was friendly and nice.

I was in Houston for only 4 days and had to come back before I flew out! A dozen oysters is $15 and you NEED a beer to make the perfect meal. Micheladas are also super popular but it was too much salt for me personally. We also ordered the fried basket with oysters, shrimp and fries which were perfectly crispy. Gumbo is delicious with lots of seafood in it! Oysters are super fresh, shucked in front of you if you if you sit at bar. When I went around 2-3pm on Thursday, we could sit right at the bar immediately, but we had a 30 min wait for the counter seating on a Sunday at 5pm. The line is mostly for bar seating but counter is filled up because people wanted to sit while they wait for food. Restaurant could use better organization of the line for efficiency and quicker turnaround. :( but regardless this is one of my favorite spots in Houston now and I'll be back each time I'm here!

The restaurant is absolutely adorable with its boat themed design. Despite going in the middle of the day around 3 pm it was still packed. I definitely recommend going at this time if you don't want to wait or getting to go. The oysters were extremely fresh as they shuck it in front of you. They were incredibly sweet and juicy. My only critique would be that they weren't as cold as I'd like perhaps due to being run under tap water twice to wash out the oysters. The standout dish was definitely the fried plate as the shrimp and mussels were well cooked. We've been disappointed by fried mussels before but these were perfectly cooked without being too mushy on the inside. While my sister really liked the gumbo, I personally found it a bit bland and more like clam chowder than gumbo. Overall, it was an amazing meal and we'll definitely be back!

I used to eat here alot with dad growing up but seems like it's no longer the place for me. I got the gumbo and it was hardly warm. We had to ask for it to be heated up. Didn't taste any better, so wasted. I got iced tea and if you ever tasted tea that tasted old or sat out too long, that was it. The crab fingers were ok, I have had better. My party did enjoy their fried fish and oysters. So I would say try for yourself and decide. The place is small and crowded but they clean up fast for the next customers.

We enjoyed it so much that we went 2 days in a row. Service is definitely not the strongest point here but the food quality and reasonable prices overshadow that. Highly recommend the hush puppies and oysters . Sadly the dozen we ordered last night were barely cold. We later noticed they were being preshucked and plated during the dinner rush. Scary!

This is my go-to spot for oysters, gumbo, and fish! If you've never been, just know there's usually a line--though that's mostly for bar seating. There are a few stools outside the bar area, but not many. Also, all the seats are stools, so it's not the most kid-friendly setup. When they moved to a bigger space, I was excited! But honestly, they could have gone even bigger because it still fills up fast. Their prices for a dozen oysters are very reasonable, and the food is always on point. Some of my favorites are the Texas Mini (shrimp & fish) and the fried flounder--both are delicious! Plus, their micheladas are top-notch. Definitely worth a visit if you love fresh seafood and a laid-back atmosphere.

Food was wonderful! Service is also great. Ambiance was fun,casual, very relaxing. Loved the way the middle-aged Mexican servers handled so many orders at one time.

I love love love this place so much! The place is small, so gets crowded but there's always places to sit, believe you'll find one, or wait a small amount of time. The staff is super friendly and super efficient, very quick. Beers always cold, oysters super fresh. The gumbo, is delicious, very traditional! Chunky, creamy with a little lime, and saltines perfection! Stuffed crab comes with house fries, it's breaded and fried, stuffed with crab meat and shrimp, seasoned just right, you can the flavors and aromas of celery, onion, garlic, great stuffing! We also tried the stuffed jalapeños, with shrimp, the order comes with 3 big stuffed jalapeños, stuffed with shrimp and cheese, we couldn't get enough of this ! So good! If you ever come to Captain Tom's make sure you try at least the small cup of gumbo, you're not gonna regret it!

The seafood here is amazing, but the real gem is the bar. Shon is hands-down one of the best bartenders I've ever met. She's knowledgeable about the drink menu, makes fantastic recommendations, and has the kind of energy that makes the whole place feel lively. Between the fresh food and her incredible service, you can't go wrong.

One thing you can guarantee here is very fresh seafood! They had fresh flounder and we had it done salt and pepper style. Very minimal breading, maybe just a little corn meal. So fresh and light. We always get salt and pepper shrimp! No breading but deep fried. Hush puppies are my favorite side. They have just enough jalapeño and not dry like some can be. Always very friendly service and Very fast!! If it looks too busy, just wait. It's never too long and worth it!

Place was packed on a Sunday night. My friend and I ordered a dozen oysters, gumbo soup, and micheladas for a light dinner after watching a movie. The micheladas were SO GOOD! Highly recommend. Oysters were fresh as well and gumbo was tasty. Service was as good as it could have been considering how busy they were. Price point: affordable. Next time I'll need to try their fried catfish. I'm open to other recommendations

Awesome place that has fresh seafood. Never had a bad experience. We go there often and my wife loves the place. Love their gumbo too!

Captain Tom's looks kind of like a dive from the outside. It's in the shape of an old yacht. It's crowded and space is tight...but the food is outstanding! Best fried shrimp I've ever had. Not to mention the gumbo- which was also the best I've had. I'd give it 10 stars if I could!

Huge fresh oysters, some of the best gumbo I've ever tasted, and their broiled shrimp were cooked just right. The searing area is like sitting in a boat but service was outstanding. Definitely a spot you should check out.

Their servings have downsized a lot from what I remember, but the quality of the food and service has definitely stayed the same. It's beeen years since I've been back, but I've been coming here since I was a kid, and I honestly still recognize a few of the guys working there from the 90's. I feel like they were the originators of the micheladas with their signature raw oyster or shrimp! The ambiance has always been super busy, loud and noisy, which gave it that boat crew feel! The seafood has always been super fresh, and their platters always come out super hot and crispy! I always go for their seafood platters, a bowl of gumbo, and on occasion, a dozen or two of oysters! Extra lemon and cocktail sauce please!!! Omg salivating now....

Finally writing a review after years of coming here. And let me tell you, this place never disappoints! A small boat-shaped restaurant that's hard to miss. It's small inside, so expect a wait during dinner hours and on weekends. But man is it worth it! Anything you eat here will be fresh and delicious. My favorite is the fried shrimp. Tried the boiled shrimp for the first time and it was sooo good! My family usually gets the Texas Mini, a combo of fried shrimp and catfish, which also slaps. Gumbo also is great from what I remember. And for my drinkers, you have GOT to try their michelada! Cold & spicy with your beer of choice, it's seriously the perfect complement to the fried and fishy foods! Cannot wait to come back!

Been going here since 1997 and the Food is still amazing, the service is good, the atmosphere was good. We had Texas mini, stuff jalenpeno, who flounder and a couple dozen of oysters.

Service has that faced paced feel that keeps you on your toes. I didn't wait long for food and I KNOW the food is good when it's fresh

We recently purchased a dozen fried oysters- I should have taken a photo- They cut the oysters in pieces- May or may not have been an actual dozen, but in either case. I like whole oysters and not as much breading. I've never had a restaurant do this before-so I'll be sure to ask. They should call them oyster nuggets. Purchased the double fried catfish- It had the bones from both sides attached. I expect bones in my fried whole flounder-but not catfish.

Wonderful and fresh. Great team great place to get your seafood fix awesomeness in a boat that doesn't float.

Always fantastic experience--real seafood, real people, great prices...I'm also biased because my dad used to take me here, so naturally I love the place. Gumbo is spot on *chef's kiss

This was an amazing experience! The service was fantastic and the food was double fantastic. The oysters on the halfshell were wonder. This will be a must do again when we are in Houston!!

Good seafood, gumbo, and the seafood platter was pretty good. Sweet tea Is also very good.

Crap show of a place. Totally unorganized -- but attempts are half made to be organized. Someone at the bar gave us there seats. Allegedly there is a line of people mingling by the front door and to the side. So we were commanded to get up by a bartender/ waiter. Really felt targeted. Won't be coming back again. Better to go to a cleaner more organized seafood restaurant

The food is amazingly delicious and it's served quickly after ordering. I love that you eat at a bar. My favorite is fried shrimp and catfish. Reminds me of old times eating at oyster bars. The waitstaff is courteous and attentive. Menu prices are the bomb so affordable. Will dine here again.

Shame. This was a fabulous place when I first brought my mother here 14 years ago. Now, it's a sad facsimile of what it used to be. My husband's favorite meal is shrimp and I was really excited to bring him here, so it was disappointing that the quality of the shrimp didn't seem to be what it used to be, the place wasn't kept as clean as it used to be and the overall vibe wasn't the positive fun place it used to be. We won't be going back.

This restaurant is like NO OTHER and have the BEST seafood! I have come her many times, but just had to compliment them. Their service is superb from the moment you walk in. They greet their customers, get as many people seated as possible and accommodate you to find the best open space. The servers are very attentive and on top of making sure their clients are happy and able to enjoy their experience sitting inside a BOAT. The Micheladas are a MUST and are best with Oysters or a Seafood platter. I had the crab fingers with French fries. It is my fave and great if you do not want to go to heavy with the seafood. The Gumbo is a nice appetizer and very tasty with crackers while you wait for your order. Please note you can have your Michelada with your preference of beer. However, I have always liked mine with Dos Equis. Nevertheless, I will continue to come to this location as the food is always great and the service is excellent! Thank you Captain Toms for always putting your clients first!

Awesome oyster bar and more. Great food and service at a reasonable price. Seafood was fresh and tasty. Prepared with attention to cooking it just right. Moist, tender and hot. Perfection !

I love the food here. They have the freshest seafood, prepared the way I like and it is ALWAYS hot! Their gumbo is perfect, and the fried whole catfish is WOW! Shrimp and Oysters, too! One of my favorites is their Stuffed Jalapenos. A shrimp inside a jalapeno! Yum.

I took some friends of mine to Captain Tom's, and we all ate some of the hottest freshest seafood we've had in a long time. They prepare the food like I like it so I go there as much as possible. One of my guests talk so much about it too their friend that they called me to find out exactly where I went so that they could go eat there. You can't beat the food and if you like a michelada they make a good one they're famous for it. I got the catfish and oysters

This place is always on point food and service. But today this service was so disappointing. We got there, no wait walked up to 4 seats, the server said Oh that seat is taken, I said ok got back in line. So now I see 3 seats available. Walk up to sit down he says oh no that seat is taken. Too. Then I see a guy coming from parking lot to sit down. He heard me say that's crazy. He said you can sit as one in the group got up, they were just drinking I said no it's ok he said no really. Then my Dad which is handicap and his wife sat as we waited for a seat. The server seemed to be a bit rude when asking my dad to order. We got a seat and ordered our food came and it was missing fries so the the waiter argued we didn't order it with fries, My husband and I spoke to him in Spanish and said yes we did. He had such a poor attitude. He went to tell the cashier, so I got up and went to talk to him, Carlos and explained and also said Carlos you know we have been coming here for over 15 years and have never been treated so disrespectful. Thank you Carlos for taking the edge off. We love this place and will be back although we never want this gentleman to wait on us. Also my Dad just got here from south Texas to visit and always what's to it here but it was such a bad experience tonight

Not many menu options. It appeared most patrons were there for the drinks. Food was all fried & bland. I don't understand why it's so popular.... Will not go back.

This was a unique place to eat, it feels like one of the little shacks by the beach but it is in Houston. The food was so good just like one of the beachy shacks on Padre Island. Very fresh, very fast. A new favorite for me.

Really good, Sunday was super packed but the locals helped me luckily I was alone for easier seating at the windows. Super chill place

Good food hot out the grease. Grab a seat Server at the bar takes your order. Brings you your food. if you need anything let em know. Eat, pay your check ,leave a tip. It kinda like dining in the raw. I ordered the whole catfish. Love the way they fillet the fish on the bone. This place is not fancy it's like eating at the fishing dock. lol. Loud, bar back service. Sometimes you have to wait for seating. But once seated things usually move pretty fast. So hold on to your seat. Worth the experience.

I've been going to Captain Tom's for many years, and I took my daughter there for her first time, and we had the gumbo, raw oysters, fried shrimp, and fried fish. Everything was cooked to perfection in the oysters were super good.

Do I recommend this business? Absolutely! Captain Tom's is the Very Best Restaurant Anywhere, for Crazy Good Shrimp and Crab Gumbo, Fresh, Delicious Oysters on the Half Shell, Whole Fried Catfish, Whole Fried Flounder, Fried Shrimp, Fried Oysters, etc... Add a couple of the most amazing Micheladas anywhere in Texas, and you have yourself a truly amazing dining experience! My Wife and I can't wait to go there again...as soon as possible!

I am not certain as to how this place gets reviews over three stars. There is so much wrong with this place. Seating: It does NOT have tables and the only seating area is at the bow of the boat. That is where you will find 2 U- shaped bar seating options . One facing the outside/windows and the other around a middle bar --so you are sitting back to back with very very little space in between. Cleanliness: I'm not sure how often they clean but I can imagine that once they open there is not another opportunity to do a good wipe down or sweep- given the space. This was clear by the dirt on the floor and layers of stickiness on the bar. It would be impossible to sweep well in between diners or use any sort of cleaning spray when everyone is just within an arms reach of one another. FOOD: If I could give this zero I would. I was soooo looking forward to the oysters. That is the only reason I did not turn away after opening the door to this a place originally. I thought "how can so many people have this all wrong...it's got to be good." But NO! The oysters unlike the floor were cleaned and washed sooo well that they literally tasted like water. They had absolutely no flavor! None! We ordered, oysters, stuffed crap, jalapeños, shrimp, crab fingers and fried fish. The only thing I can say was ok...was the fish, french fries and jalapeños. None of which, they are actually suppose to be known for. This place is limited on space and taste! I would not ever recommend or step foot into this restaurant again. I always say to each their own but there are far more superior places to get your seafood fix in this area.

Place is small and everyone want to sit around the bar! We always trying to beat the Crowd but you know what .. It is what it is! Seafood Gumbo and Fish and Shrimps! Oysters!!! "Ostras" In Spanish all just seem to Hit Right!! Soo take a chance and come and enjoy a Bowl of Gumbo and Texas Mini is my personal favorite!! Wknds will be super busy! Lunch time during wk too! Come early during wk before the yard crews and men come get their Michelle's!!

THE FOODS ARE SALTY. This place used to be super packed all the time. It doesn't matter what time of the day you go to, it's always a long line. After the pandemic, everything is different. They are not busy like it used to be. The price is expensive. If you look at the menu on google, the price is completely different. One dozen oysters used to be $7 or $8 now it is $18 to $20. The foods are extremely salty. The gumbo and the stuffed crab are nothing but salt. My friend and I were there 2 times recently and we couldn't eat them. Too too salty

Been wanting to try this place for a long while. Finally made it in today. Was told to grab a seat. So sat down, never acknowledged after that. No menu. Nobody to take my drink or food order. Got up and asked someone behind the counter how do I order and they say again, have a seat. Well after waiting for 10 minutes I got up and left. Disappointed.

Always fresh! Great bunch and entertaining to watch them behind the counter doing their thing!

We love this place... the atmosphere, the food the people!! I didn't get a picture of the food because we ate it too fast! The Michelada is the best! Everyone is friendly and you get to know your neighbor because the seats are stuffed at the bar but it's fun and we love it!

Whether you're getting raw oysters, fried shrimp, crab claws, crab stuffed jalapeños or anything on the menu; it will always be served and cooked to perfection. It's always a great experience at "the boat" when we go get seafood and drinks. The staff is always there to re supply you with whatever you need extremely fast and always will have the most fresh seafood to offer. I have not once had an issue with eating and drinking here and will probably not come across one in the years I will continue to go!

Food is to die for! The food came out so quick and the pricing was very reasonable for the good quality of the food itself.

Cold food. Wasn't able to put my fork in the stuffed crab. The hush puppies were like hard marbles. I've been going to the location in Katy. Found Myself near 1960. Won't be going back there! Rude also. AND when I ordered my 2nd dozen oysters. They ran out! Blammed it on the weather. FYI. The weather was clear for several days. Excuses!

This place is disgusting the only good thing is the michelada mix which I tried asking for the ingredients because I have a say and dairy allergy and they refused to tell me and kept hanging up on me.

Came here on Wednesday for lunch and it had been years since we had eaten here. We were so excited to be back and have some beer and seafood. We started with gumbo which was just as delicious as we had remembered and also some stuffed shrimp which came out piping hot and super yummy. We also enjoyed the crab fingers (my personal favorite) as well as a fried platter. We had loads of food and left completely stuffed. The prices can not be beat for the quality of the food and fast service!

Crowded and very Mexican vibe. I love this place but I don't recommend it for a date night. It's the perfect place for some great seafood at a reasonable price and to have a few cold ones.

I've waited years to eat here! Literally! Every time I fly to Houston to see my sister I beg her to bring me to this place, and for the last four years I've been unable to eat there because it is such a popular place that getting seats for four people is very difficult without waiting a long time. I was finally lucky enough to score some seats. I loved my meal. The oysters were huge and not briny, and the fried flounder is something that everybody should try!It was meaty and delicious. We had Michelada's to drink, which were really good and a little unique from typical Michelada's in Mexican places. I'm hoping I can get lucky next year when I go back and eat there again!