The Spring Branch area is all abuzz about its new restaurants, including Bayou Seafood and Wings-Spring Branch at 10123 Hammerly. On the seasonal seafood list, this family-oriented eatery serves up the best crawfish I have ever had.
Co-owner Tony Le relied on his more than 20 years of restaurant experience to open this location.
“This area is booming,” he said. “I knew that there was no one in this area doing what we are doing or serving the kind of food that we have on the menu.”
Le developed his admiration for Spring Branch when he lived in the area some 20 years ago: “I always loved this area. This is a great community, and it continues to grow.”
The dining area is a large open space with a variety of tabletop seating and large-screen televisions to watch your favorite sporting event.
This is the second location for Le and his business partners. The original, Bayou Seafood and More, is in the Veterans -Memorial/FM 249 area and opened in 2018.
The Spring Branch location added the specialty wings to the name and is twice the size of the original. At both, Le combines his restaurant roots from Vietnamese cuisine with his love for fried seafood for a menu that contains a wide variety of food favorites.
According to neighborhood social media pages, Bayou Seafood and Wings-Spring Branch scores high reviews of its crawfish.
The Ooh La La Spicy is my favorite, a perfect blend of garlic and spice. Post-crawfish season, you can still enjoy some of the other items, including crab, shrimp (fried and boiled), wings (16 available sauces), fried seafood, and appetizers like boudain balls, jalapeño poppers and chicharrones.
Le’s favorite item on the menu is the fried rice, which has a little bit of a kick and a recipe that he is not willing to share, and he smiles when asked.
My love of the food did not stop at crawfish. In our first week, my husband and I had been to the place three times — each time ordering something different and never being disappointed by any one of our selections. The buffalo wings were just the perfect blend of fried and spice. The fried rice adds just the right touch of signature spice.
The one item we order every time is the beignet strips. The sweet treat is like a funnel cake-meets-french fries and is my family’s favorite treat.
The beverage menu has the same variety as the food menu, with fruit flavored green teas, fruit smoothies and even mango-nadas. Customers are allowed to bring their beer and wine of choice to enjoy with their meal.
As I sat with my family enjoying my food, I could not help but notice the owner and his brother David greeting customers. The waitstaff is friendly and helpful, greeting each customer as they walked in.
“We strive for quality in all of our dishes. When people see and taste my food, I want them to say, ‘Wow, money well spent,’ ” adds Le. Understanding that it can get expensive to take a family out to enjoy a meal, Le has created family packs that include wings and sides at a discount, perfect for-dine in or take out. And one of the best deals on the menu is the current crawfish special, a steal at just $5.99 a pound.
Customers can order take-out by visiting the website www.bayouseafoodwings.com. They will receive a text when their order is ready for pick up. For those that prefer delivery, the restaurant is working with Uber Eats, Grub Hub and Door Dash to offer delivery service soon.
Bayou Seafood and Wings-Spring Branch also plans on offering daily and lunch specials. They also look forward to creating opportunities for partnerships and sponsorships with community organizations and businesses.
While word of mouth and social media posts, have let our area know about this new area favorite, Le adds his appreciation for the support he has received thus far.
“Three things I want customers to know about our restaurant; we are committed to creating a family friendly atmosphere, providing excellence in customer service, and offering the highest quality of food,” he said.
Bayou Seafood
10123 Hammerly
Open Sunday – Thursday 11 a.m. – 9 p.m., Friday- Saturday 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
www.bayouseafoodwings.com
— By Jessika Leal
