The Point

My father and I would come here every morning for tacos. When we swapped to night shift, every dinner for tacos. I know a good taco and these…. We’re hands down the best. I stopped by recently in 2023 and noticed the menu was a bit different and the taco choices were limited. I didn’t think anything of it and ordered anyways. Probably one of the worst tacos I ever had. I didn’t even finish them. The old operation really had it going on and it’s sad knowing it’ll remain a memory from here on out. This is not the same Point from 2019, visitors beware.

Well...we were disappointed to find out that the Vietnamese food is not served Sundays. We ordered off the Mexican Food menu. The owner of the place took our food order and was very personable. It took a long time to get the food to us. They weren't particularly slammed. It looked to me like this is where there is one TOO many cooks in the kitchen. One cook can get overwhelmed. Two cooks make a great team. Three cooks cannot play together. They did not communicate and the whole place seemed to be on a downer emotional jag. It's hard to put a finger on it, but it was off putting. The food was good and fresh. I don't think we will be going out of our way to eat here again. Shame becsuse we wanted to try the Vietnamese food.

There's no way I would have discovered this place if it wasn't for Bourdain. I was quickly greeted by owner Yen Tran, who quickly surmised that I wasn't a local... I told her I wanted the Combo Pho, just like Tony had... But I also wanted a Pork Banh Mi and a Vietnamese coffee because I haven't had much Vietnamese food since my trip to Vietnam last year. This convince store, bait shop, general store, restaurant put down some legit pho! The Banh Mi hit the spot as well! More importantly what made my visit special was how friendly and warm Mrs. Tran was, she wanted to hear about all that I ate and saw when I visited Vietnam. She also discussed Anthony's day in Palacios. "He was a great storyteller, but more importantly, he made you feel welcome enough to tell your own story to him" I grabbed a few drinks for the road, thanked Mrs Tran (in Vietnamese... The only phrase I know) and told her I would definitely be back!

Great banh mi and fresh spring rolls! I had the chargrilled pork banh mi and it was extremely flavorful, paired with crispy cukes, shredded carrots, a zesty mayo sauce, and fresh cilantro. Next time I'll order extra jalapenos. The store was clean and staff were friendly. We ate at a picnic table across the street by the waterfront, and enjoyed the seagull's antics, watching the boats go by, and kids throwing cast nets from a nearby pier. My only regret is that I didn't get pho to go for supper tonight! We'll visit again.

The best restaurant in town is hiding in a bait shop/convenience store. You can get a Bhan Mi for $3.50 and the Pho 🍜 is soul nurturing. You can buy a fishing license, bait, cold drinks and have a wonderful lunch all in one spot.

Unfortunately the new owners of The Point have caused the food and service to decline drastically. This place was once the place to go to for some morning coffee, breakfast taco, Vietnamese food, fishing license, bait and tackle all in one place. However, the new owners who took over the place last year have ruined it. No food in the morning, no choices of decaf vs. regular coffee and the Vietnamese coffee that used to be delightful is now absolutely awful! They have some food that has been sitting around for god knows how long. No active cooks while I was there. Not to mention that the current owner is rude and sexist towards women. Allowing male customers to cut the line in front of females who are already waiting to be helped. If The Point is your only option then it works, however in a little town like Palacios, I would use your money to support other local businesses who treat their customers equally regardless of gender.

Who ever the cook is needs a raise. A chicken fried chicken plate with mash potatoes, green beans, gravy and biscuit was a little more than a burger basket at DQ. It was so damn delicious. Tasted like real home cooking. I never finish my food however I ate the entire plate wanting more.

Always great food! We love taking our tacos or Vietnamese food across to the picnic tables at the park. Today we watched the porpoise swimming in the bay 💙

This was our first time being in Palacios so we had to stop here!!! Anthony Bourdain has been here on his show Parts Unknown. This place is a convenience store that caters to a variety of folks. You can buy tackle, bait, lottery, get your hunting or fishing licenses here, chips, get some Vietnamese or Mexican food here. This place has it all!!! They have tables where you can sit and enjoy your meal. Look for Anthony Bourdain's signature carved in the table. We started with the spring rolls and shrimp wraps. Unfortunately after we put in our order and sit down they let us know they were sold out of the shrimp wraps. Awwww... I saw them and they look so good. Too bad! Maybe next time. The chicken bahn mi was delicious and the chargrilled chicken over steamed rice. Definitely different than what I have had before and very tasty. Full of flavor and I liked the chargrilled pieces. Service was awesome. The people working here were very friendly and patient. It took me a while to decide on what to get and they didn't get upset. She waited while I decided. I didn't try anything on the Mexican side of the menu. Bbbooooooo. Sorry couldn't fit anymore in my belly. This place is pretty amazing. Can't wait to try something else if I'm in town.

I always look forward to eating here every year on my travels to Palcious. The pho is as good as the tacos. But the lovely service and smiling faces of the owners make these visits even more special. I'll be back!

Welcome to town Casper! Man this guy can cook and whatever he throws on a plate; I want one! Good, NO, Great food and awesome atmosphere. They have a whole new menu and it is all good. Friendly and local.

We had seen The Point on the Daytripper, and knew we wanted to stop in on our trip to/from Corpus to check out this corner store/bait shop that happened to have a diner. (Had no idea Anthony Bourdain had also featured them until we got there 8/17/21!) We were not disappointed as the Pho and vermicelli were outstanding. We've had a lot of Pho in Houston - including the "trailer" - and The Point was awesome in flavor! Only disappointment was they had no bread and could not make banh mi, so maybe next time... And the woman that owns the place is one of the nicest people on the planet. The Mexican items we saw coming out from the kitchen looked pretty great, too. Folks from Houston cruising Hwy 59 down to Corpus have no clue. Take Hwy 35 which is only a few minutes longer, and stop in Palacios to check out The Point!

The food area is closed. They are not serving meals but a good place to get your favorite drink and snacks.

It's a must stop in Palacios. The foods is outstanding and all home made. You get from bánh mì to menudo here. The establishment is very well organized and clean. The restroom is clean and spacious. Try the Vietnamese iced coffee. It's refreshing. Definitely will be back again n again.

This place is a combination of Vietnamese, Mexican, tackle shop and grocery store. The bahn mi sandwiches, egg rolls, and pho were all awesome! Definitely a great place to stop when looking for a quick lunch.

The last time we were in town I stopped in to buy some water and use their facilities. I instantly smelled the lemongrass and spice combo so familiar to me - the smell of Vietnamese foodz. Cut to a couple of weeks ago when the bf tagged me in a post about Anthony Bourdain visiting little ol' Palacios, TX to do a story on their Vietnamese Community for his show, 'Parts Unknown.' And lo' and behold, he enjoyed a meal at The Point. So as all foodie groupies do, I made a point to try it out this past weekend. They were crazy busy on a Monday early afternoon, for the 4th of July no less! Orders were coming in from everywhere so the wait was a bit much, but they were very apologetic. I ordered two Vietnamese iced coffees, a Grilled Pork Banh Mi, Pork Vermicelli and two egg rolls. I also scooped up a slice of their peanut butter chocolate chip cookie cake (to die for). All this for under $18! Inconceivable! The egg rolls and the coffee were fantastic. The other two items were okay, for a small town on the coast I suppose. The flavors didn't punch me in the face as much like the fare I've had here in town. But I suppose it's unfair to compare them to a place like Thanh Nhi who has achieved legendary status among Austinites. Still, for a tiny town on the Texas Coast, I can appreciate the diversity in flavors this place has to offer- especially at the super budget-friendly price point.

I LOVE this place!!!! The food is AMAZING! If you travel down along the gulf coast stop at The Point! If it's busy get a drink and just relax, cause it's worth the wait!

Their food compares to the best Vietnamese I've had in Austin/RR. Super friendly owners and most important... VERY CLEAN !!!

The lady that runs this place was very sweet! We stopped here for breakfast while camping in the area. The breakfast tacos were DELICIOUS . They were great size , hot and fresh with homemade tortillas! This will have to be a go to from now on when we visit here .

My wife and I have tried Phó & fresh spring rolls every where you can think of & coming to "THE POINT" was worth the drive! Great food & friendly service...

I'm a super fan of the egg rolls. We never leave town without having a least a dozen ..and they are delish.

Very disappointed. We stopped in six months ago and while back in the area I figured it would be great for a drive and a little Pho. I got there and was told it would take thirty minutes. I ordered Chorizo & eggs instead. That also took about twenty minutes. The food was good but the service and getting customers in and out sucked. I damn near went through every App on my phone waiting. Better yet was I offered plastic ware or pico de Gallo? No. I had to ask. Don't waste your time even for a soda.

We stayed in town 4 nights and got food to go 4 x's! The banh mi was awesome (but skip the pulled pork - go with grilled pork or chicken). The staff is so nice! The only thing missing at the market is soy sauce and sesame oil. Hard to believe these are not stocked!

If you watch Anthony Bourdains episode on Houston, it probably peaked your interest as it did mine. Next time we went to see my Abuelita Conrada we stopped for a bite! Wow. The Mexican breakfast is authentic. The Vietnamese is wonderful. I had spring rolls that were fresh and delicious. Now we stop by every time we go.

The best Bahn mi sandwiches, and spring rolls I have ever had, I had to get some to go before heading back to San Antonio. I would everyday if I lived in Palacios.

I'd give them 5 stars if it didn't take so long to get any food! Even when no one is in there, it takes so ridiculously long! Plan on 30 minutes to get food served. Food is good, some of the best in town. Best idea might be to call in order ahead of time.

Don't expect the food to be fast. I waited 45 mins for 3 breakfast tacos. Luckily the breakfast tacos were amazing. The homemade corn tortillas are a must try. I ordered 1 potato and egg with cheese and 2 carne guisada with cheese. Me and my sister shared. I also had their iced Vietnamese coffee but it tasted kinda funny. Not sure if it's because it was pre-made and old already or what but it didn't taste that good after a few sips. The prices for breakfast tacos are a little more pricey than I am used to, but it is a small shop in a small town instead of a small shop in a huge city like Houston. Trying to support the small shops.

We got Vietnamese food delivered to us from this restaurant while we were working for FEMA in Palacios after Hurricane Harvey. The shrimp rolls were crisp, fresh and full and the egg rolls were the best I have ever had. Full of flavor and crispy but not dry. The fried rice was excellent too. We will be going there to try the Mexican food because I am sure it is the same high quality!

Stopped here to grab a quick bite to eat. The convenient store/restaurant combo was confusing. There was no one to tell you where to order and where to pay. The order took 30 minutes to make. We ordered two banh mi sandwiches. The chicken and the pulled pork banh mi were ok. They didn't have the fat spread and used mayonnaise instead of the traditional Vietnamese way. It wasn't seasoned well and the chicken was dry. It's a cute concept.

Came here after seeing on Anthony Bourdain. Disappointing. I'm a big fan of Vietnamese food, and was shocked there was no shrimp options on the menu--in Palacios, and in season! Just pork and chicken. Service was slow and unfriendly. One dish twenty minutes later than the others and one completely wrong. Food was good but not worth it. Seriously, no shrimp? Better on TV than as restaurant. No vegetarian options either.

I would give this place 15 stars if i could. I grew up in this store. Way back when it was just a store/bait shop. These guys turned it into one of the best places to eat in the entire county, maybe the whole area. I could eat the pho every single day of my life and just be happy to never eat anything else ever again. Its that good.

Don't waste your money.We were the only customers when we arrived.I ordered the large PHO with chicken(unseasoned dish water) and also ordered the combo fried rice ...the rice was glued together.. shrimp was so SMALL I could hardly find them ...chicken?? ...never found the chicken or whatever it is they add as a third meat. Arrived from Corpus in great anticipation did not eat breakfast because was looking forward to great lunch that the great Bourdain has eaten at.....Great shows I've watched that he has promoted...this one was not a pleasant experience should have gone to Dairy Queen!!

I had been waiting to come here for a while. Just like many other folks, the Bourdain episode got my attention. I had researched it a bit as I was planning my weekend of solitude to Palacios, Texas. Since it's advertised as Vietnamese/Mexican, I figured pho and spring rolls for dinner and menudo for breakfast. First red flag, two guys manning the order counter and the kitchen are arguing over who will do what. I place my order..small chicken pho and one order of spring rolls. Then I waited.. and waited.. then waited some more. The lady at cash register told me the pho was ready but they were still preparing the egg rolls, but I could pay now to speed things up. Sure, I say. "Oh by the way, we don't do small pho to go, only for dine in." OK I didn't order large, want the small. The guy that took my order never told me. Well, no compromise. So give me just spring rolls. 15 mins later..it's been over 30 by now..egg rolls are ready. Packed loosely and the skin breaks apart. Mind you this is a general store that sells beer, food, soda, fishing rods, tackle and bait. But still..BOURDAIN WAS HERE!! He must be turning over in his grave. I'm passing on the menudo in the morning.

Love the breakfast tacos! Perfect for the family when we're not in the cooking mood. Also love going in there to buy new lures to try.

Excellent migas and breakfast tacos! Can't beat the fried rice and eggrolls. Locally owned and operated! So nice to see the restaurant added to convenience store and fishing retail opened up again right on our beautiful bay!

I come down to Palacios to fish some times and the last time I went it was cold so I figured I would get a bowl of pho. My partner got a burger with fries. The wait time was 40 minutes. Call me privileged for living in Houston where it only takes five minutes for a bowl of pho and ten/fifteen minutes for a burger but I was shocked. I paid and then got my bowl. I realized the reason it took so long is cause they were still defrosting the meat for the pho. It was ice cold when I bit into it. The pho broth was not as rich and flavorful and before I put a lime in it, it was already sour. This may be harsh of a review but I tried pho at another place in Palacios and it was much more flavorful. My partner's burger tasted funky and the fries were just unseasoned frozen fries. I'm slightly disappointed and lost my faith in Anthony Bourdain, may he Rest In Peace. Maybe it was a bad day maybe I can blame it on Covid or 2020. I hope so.

I can't believe I almost missed this place. My family got a few Vietnamese dishes and a breakfast plate. All the food is amazing.

I've given this place 3 tries hoping the next time would be better and I was disappointed once again. I ordered 2 orders of spring rolls and requested them to be fresh because I had seen pre-made orders by the counters and I didn't want spring rolls that had been sitting out for who knows how long. I see that the kitchen lady picks up 2 pre-made orders and placed the spring rolls on a plate. When the cashier brings out my order, I told him I watched the kitchen staff grab the pre-made ones and place them on a plate and that I had specifically requested FRESH because I knew they were going to do that. The refused to make me a fresh batch because "the pre-made ones were fresh". BS. I didn't eat my order so I just ate my pho. While I waited for the cashier to pick up the spring rolls, flys kept landing on the rolls. I expected them to throw the spring rolls away and TELL ME WHY THEY RE-PACKAGED THEM AND GAVE THEM TO ANOTHER CUSTOMER. That's disgusting after I touched them AND flys kept landing on them.

Food and service were excellent clean and good decor. Would like to try more items and see more seafood n the menu Beer and wine would be an addition

This place is terrible. I'm sorry. I NEVER give bad ratings but the girls at the counter were rude and didn't communicate well when I first went to order. Then I waited about 45-60 minutes for my food. Mind you I ordered four tacos. Small tacos. 8 other people got their food before me. People that were eating in AND dining out so I know it wasn't just that. Idk if it was a race thing or why they waited so long to give me my food but it wa sa ridiculous wait and embarrassing to have eight people get their food before you. Mine was a TAKE OUT order I shouldn't be waiting an hour. Also , they clearly don't use gloves when preparing the food. They also made one of my burritos wrong. I'm vegetarian so ordered just a bean potato and egg taco , but instead of beans I got bacon. So after a 45 minute wait with no addressing or assurance from the staff, I got a burrito I couldn't eat. Luckily the other two burritos were made right for my dad and the third one was right. I do not recommend this place to anyone ! As much hype as it gets , it's the worst place I've been to in a while

The food is exceptional. The prices are noteworthy. The owners are phenomenal. Keep in mind that this is a locally owned and operated business with a small sized staff. It can get very busy at times (lunch hour, weekends, holidays, etc.). So if you plan on going here on say, a Sunday morning, my advice to you is to order half an hour ahead of time, and go pick it up to eat in the store or take out. You can always ask on the phone what your estimated wait time is as well. Definitely go in and look around if you have time.

The chicken Banh Mi is absolutely delicious. I'll be eating at least one everyday while I'm in Palacios!

My wife and I are in Palacios about once a month and we always go by The Point at least twice each trip. Their breakfast tacos are awesome in the morning, and the pho is awesome in the evening. So the typical plan is - breakfast tacos, fishing, then back for pho in the evening. Also, the owners are really good people and got to know us after only a couple visits.

We stayed down the street and were pleasantly surprised to find an excellent pho place in a small town . Pho was great with fresh veg and nice meats. They were also very helpful getting us set up to do some fishing.

As a kid I would go into this place for bait/snacks to go fishing, as it was just a convenience store. But this has now got to be the best place to eat in Palacios. You can go in for either authentic Mexican or Vietnamese food. The tortillas are excellent and big! The pho was wonderful. And the owners were so helpful and attentive. Such a delightful couple! Great place.

This establishment is outstanding. Food is great and the friendliest folks you can do business with. If your ever in Palacios make sure you stop by.