I had an oyster earlier this year for the first time, after I finished my shift bartending at Mezquite. My coworker got some from the ceviche counter–and I was hooked.
I was also reading Anthony Bourdain’s Kitchen Confidential earlier this year, where Mr. Bourdain describes having an oyster for the first time and how that basically launched his culinary career. He might’ve been eight, I’m 24. But whatever. We all have our oyster moment at some point.
Supposedly, the “R” months (November, December, January…you get it) are the best months to eat oysters. It’s the time of year when they’re the most flavorful, and also least likely to kill you. So, naturally, it follows that this time of year is the best time to stuff yourself with the cheapest oysters possible.
Why eat a lot of oysters?
I’m also thinking about that one TikTok story about the girl who ate 48 oysters. And the San Antonio Reddit thread on oysters, which mentions that TikTok. Put simply, they’re delicious, full of vitamins and protein, lean, and you can still feel indulgent doing it all.
Is it ethical to eat oysters?
Oysters are bottom-dwelling filterers, who survive by sucking up all the gunk out of the ocean water–some may call them little boogers of filth. They don’t feel pain, since they lack a central nervous system. Sustainably farming oysters is actually good for the environment, since they improve water quality.
Does that make it ethical to eat oysters? Is it ethical to eat anything? Is it ethical to exist? Ask yourself that first.
In my opinion, eating oysters is probably one of the most ethical consumerist things you could do.
Gulf coast oysters vs. East coast oysters
What’s the different between the East Coast cold water bivalves versus their warm water Southern varieties? I’ll break it down for you. East coast oysters, which are served by most of the restaurants and wine bars listed here, are crispy and briny. Gulf coast oysters are milder and creamier, and are typically charbroiled, though the ones on this list are served like their yuppy cousins–raw on the half shell.
Here’s where to find the cheapest oysters in San Antonio, every day of the week. I went for quality–and also avoided fast casual chains because, like, you can find those anywhere.
Everywhere you can get oysters for $1
This is justifiably the best price for an oyster.
Double Standard
Every day, 11:30 AM-6 PM (Happy Hour) | $1 each | doublestandardsatx.com
Double Standard has–by far–the longest happy hour serving one dollar oysters in San Antonio. You could throw back dozens upon dozens of East Coast oysters here all day long. I will admit, however, parking can be–as we colloquially call it–a bitch. However, if you park in Rand Garage, they validate for two hour parking–that’s a lot less time than the length of their happy hour, but I’m pretty sure I remember them giving some sort of discount on the validation ticket for the next time you’re there. I’m also pretty sure they serve the same oysters here as they serve at Little Death–another spot owned by Empty Stomach Group (a.k.a. Mr. Chad Carey).
Little Death
Wednesdays, 5-9 PM (Dollar oyster night) | $1 each | littledeathwine.com
This is my favorite wine bar in all of San Antonio. I had my birthday here once. It also used to be about a block and a half from my apartment. They also serve the best cheese I’ve ever eaten in my life, and also the best sourdough bread. All that being said, can you believe I’ve never been here for dollar oyster night? It almost feels criminal at this point. Especially when they’re dishing out East Coast oysters for a dollar. I usually go to stare at the grungey, stylistic graffiti and to inhale the smell of the inside bar, which reminds me of my grandma’s house.
Southerleigh Haute South
Monday through Friday, 3-6 PM (Happy Hour) | $1 each | southerleighhautesouth.com
I’m not exactly sure how to pronounce this one. South-er-lay? Suth-er-lee? Whatever. The point is, they serve one dollar oysters. But get this.
They’re gulf oysters.
Unlike every other restaurant on the one dollar tier list serving the East Coast variety, Southerleigh is embracing the creamiest of the little bivalves.
Also on their Happy Hour menu? Fried honey butter biscuits. I can feel myself salivating.
Go Fish Wine Bar
Wednesday through Sunday, 6-9 PM (Happy Hour) | $1 each | gofishwinebar.com
From the hearts and minds of Carpenter Carpenter Hospitality (the brains behind Nineteen Hyaku and Little Em’s, which we’ll get to soon), comes Go Fish Wine & Oyster Bar. While it used to be called Go Fish Wine Bar, and before that Go Fish Market, the little space rebranded again late this year–toward oysters, after rebranding earlier this year away from fish to also-no-fish to appeal to San Antonio clientele (which apparently means steak and less fish?). Also, their logo is so cute. A fish on a bike!
These East Coast oysters are typically $3.95 each, but for Happy Hour, they slash that price down to one dollar.
This is the only place I’ve seen in my life where Happy Hour is literally only an hour. Go placidly amid the noise and the haste.
Oysters that are a little pricier but also high quality
These places are damn good for the price and quality.
Little Em’s
Every day, 3-5 PM (Happy Hour) | $2 each | littleemsoysterbar.com
For double the price of the cheapest San Antonio oyster, you’ll get a much-expanded variety of oysters to choose from. I think it’s worth it. We’ve got Uncle Willy’s, Duxbury, Eastham Select, and several other kinds of oysters to choose from–and they come with individual flavor profiles listed on the menu. I haven’t seen another spot list their East Coast oyster varieties online.
Rebelle
Sunday through Thursday, 5-6 PM | $2.50 each | rebellesa.com
Here, we get into the territory where most fast-casual chains price their oysters (hello Pappadeaux). Now, you can get a dozen oysters for $24 at plenty of fast casual spots, I will admit. But, the quality? The ambiance? It can’t be beat. Inside the St. Anthony Hotel, Rebelle is a luxury seafood spot that feels quite fancy. Hearsay is Rebelle used to have $1 East Coast oysters before 2020, but $2.50 will have to do.
Pretty good places for oysters by the half-dozen or dozen
Bourbon Street
Open every day till 10 PM (except for Sunday when they close at 9) | $12 for a half-dozen, $22 for a dozen | bourbonstseafood.com
At this New Orleans-style restaurant, not only can you get fresh oysters, but you can get steak & oysters. And fried frog legs. Honestly, I’d rather go try the frog legs.
Dry Dock
Open Tuesday through Sunday, 11 AM-9 PM (except for Sunday when they open at noon) | $13.95 for a half-dozen, $23.95 for a dozen | drydockoysterbarsa.com
Dry Dock is a boat-shaped restaurant. That’s fun enough on its own. Add oyster that average to around $2 each, and that sounds like a boat party to me. I’ve always wanted to go to a boat party. This is close enough for now.
So there you have it, the cheapest oysters in San Antonio. Will we ever get more oyster bars to compete with these low-low prices? Maybe.