TEXAS is a big state... so we thank you for your interest in the Port Isabel area as your vacation destination, relocation or retirement home. Port Isabel has everything you need to create vacation memories or a new home for your family or business!
As one of the oldest cities in extreme south Texas, Port Isabel has a long and interesting history dating back to 1519 when it was charted by Spanish explorer Alonzo de Pineda. There are tales of pirate's treasures still buried on South Padre Island. Port Isabel is home to three world class museums which bring our history to life. The Port Isabel Historic Museum, the Treasures of the Gulf Museum, and the 1852 Port Isabel Lighthouse are monuments to our rich past. The Lighthouse Keeper’s Cottage, on the grounds of the Port Isabel lighthouse also highlights the maritime history of the Laguna Madre area.
Port Isabel enjoys mild weather year around, world class fishing, events and festivals, lots of great food and friendly faces. Visit our blog, then visit us!
CANCELLED:City of Port Isabel Announces Annual Christmas Hometown Holiday Parade
Due to COVID-19, the Port Isabel Annual Christmas Hometown has been cancelled. The City of Port Isabel reminds everybody to stay safe, wear your mask and sanitize. #PortIsabelCares.
WHEN: Saturday, December 12 at 6 p.m.
The City of Port Isabel will kick off the 2020 holiday season with their 13th Annual Hometown Christmas Holiday Parade on Saturday, December 12.
Participants and spectators will be asked to follow all COVID-19 safety precautions for this event. Attendees should socially distant themselves. Float participants will be asked to keep their numbers to a minimum so they may socially distant themselves on parade floats.
Staging for the parade will take place at 4:30 p.m. in front of the Laguna Madre Youth Center on Port Road. The parade will begin at 6:00 p.m. The parade route will head east on Queen Isabella Blvd. (Hwy. 100) and end at the Port Isabel Events & Cultural Center (309 E. Railroad Ave.).
Parade applications [Parade Application, Rules & Waiver] must be in by Friday, December 11, 2020. Any application received after Friday, December 11th will be inserted at the end of the parade line-up in the order it is received.
Parade line up begins at 4:30 p.m., and the parade begins at 6:00 p.m. Cash prizes for 1st and 2nd place. Winners will be notified and announced on social media. Awards can be picked up at the Port Isabel City Hall beginning on Monday, December 14.
Applications [Parade Application, Rules & Waiver] can be mailed to 305 E. Maxan Street, Port Isabel, TX 78578, emailed to salcocer@copitx.com or faxed to (956) 943-2029. Applications can also be dropped off at the Port Isabel City Hall (305 E. Maxan Street). For more information call (956) 943-2682.
The City of Port Isabel’s Public Works Department will also be decorating the Highway 100 medians with festive holiday lights and more. A longtime tradition, the City of Port Isabel adds new and exciting features each year.
Historic Port Isabel Lighthouse. Built in 1852. Open to the public.
We apologize for the inconvenience. The Port Isabel Lighthouse is temporarily closed. See information below for hours of operation and ticket sales when the Lighthouse reopens.
Weather permitting, hours of operation will be Wednesday – Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Last ticket sold: 3:30 p.m.
Tickets may only be purchased at the Lighthouse or the Visitors Center. Debit or credit card only.
Tours of the Lighthouse will be self-guided, will be limited to 15 minutes and to parties traveling as a family of six (6) persons or less. One party at a time will be allowed access. Masks or face coverings are required inside the Lighthouse park, Keeper’s Cottage and in the Lighthouse. Temperatures will be taken. Hand sanitizer will be available at the Lighthouse and all ticket holders are advised to sanitize their hands before and after the tour.
Ticket prices are $5.00 (adults); $4.00 (seniors 55+); $3.00 (children* under 5.)
Here’s a few Shrimp Cook-Off FAQs, like WHEN to eat, WHERE to eat, how much it will COST and how to VOTE for your favorite! Or watch on YouTube!
WHEN:
November 3 – 8, Tuesday – Saturday. The first 5 days are for eating during participating restaurant hours. Sunday is online awards and The Agency performs.
WHERE:
The Shrimp Cook-Off will be curbside and / or dine in at each participating restaurant. See map or ballot card for locations. Restaurants will offer cook-off sized samplings of their cook-off shrimp dish and some may also offer a cook-off sized seafood dish.
COST:
$5.00, tax included, per shrimp cook-off or seafood sampling. Payable at each participating restaurant.
Starting on October 20th, ballot cards can be picked up at the Port Isabel Chamber of Commerce, 421 E. Queen Isabella Blvd. Tuesday-Friday 9 am to 5 pm. and Saturday 10 am to 6-pm. Ballots for Peoples’ Choice may also be picked up at participating restaurants. One ballot per diner.
HOW TO VOTE:
Visit as many participating restaurants as you like between 11/3 – 7, Tuesday through Saturday, and then indicate your favorite restaurant on the ballot card. Drop your ballot off at the Port Isabel Chamber of Commerce, 421 E. Queen Isabella Blvd., before November 7, 6 p.m. Top 3 will be announced on Sunday, November 8th, on Facebook and Twitter and websites: http://www.portisabelchamber.com and http://www.portisabel-texas.com. Hours: Tuesday – Friday 9 am to 5 pm and Saturday 10 am to 6 pm.
To qualify for a chance to win the Gift Basket, turn your peoples’ choice ballot in at the Port Isabel Chamber by November 7, 6 p.m. Winner will be announced on social media and by email on Sunday 11/8.
RESTAURANTS– Restaurants participating in the 27th Annual Shrimp Cook-Off and Seafood Festival will prepare cook-off sized shrimp samples. They may also offer seafood samples that can be offered for curbside pickup or dine-in enjoyment. The expansion of the schedule allows ample time to take advantage of the $5 (tax included) sample offerings during the participating restaurant’s open hours. The Cook-off is self-guided and diners can schedule stops at their leisure.
Daddy’s Seafood & Cajun Kitchen 1808 Padre Blvd. South Padre Island http://daddysrestaurant.com/ (956)761-1975 Hours: Su-Th 11a-9p, F-Sa 11a-10p Serving: Shrimp Fondue / New Orleans Shrimp
Dirty Al’s 33396 State Park Rd. 100 South Padre Island https://dirtyalspi.com/ (956)761-4901 Hours: Su-Th 11a-9p, F-Sa 11a-10p Serving: Fried Shrimp / Stuffed Jalapenos
Dirty Al’s at Pelican Station 201 S. Garcia St. Port Isabel https://pelicanstation.co/ (956)943-3344 Hours: Su-Th 11a-9p, F-Sa 11a-10p Serving: Stuffed Shrimp / Coconut Shrimp
Into the Blue 313 E. Queen Isabella Blvd. Port Isabel https://portisabelseafood.com/ (956) 524-8044 Hours: M-Th 8:30a-7p, F-Sa 8a-8p, Su 8a-6 Serving: Garlic-Chipotle Shrimp / Shrimp Chiltepin
Josephine’s Kitchen 3409 Padre Blvd. South Padre Island https://josephineskitchenspi.com (956)299-4910 Hours: Daily 8a-2p Serving: Blackened Shrimp & Grits / Fruit Crepes
Liam’s Steakhouse and Oyster Bar 202 W. Tarpon St. South Padre Island https://liamssteakhouse.com/ (956)772-4700 Hours: Su-Th 5-10p, F-Sa 5-11p Serving: Tequila Lime Shrimp / Award Winning Orange Shrimp
Pirates Landing Restaurant 110 N. Garcia St. Port Isabel https://www.pirateslandingrestaurant.com/ (956)943-3663 Hours: Su-Th 11a-9p, F-Sa 11a-10p Serving: The Landing Shrimp / Shrimp Ceviche
Senor Donkey 4215 Padre Blvd. South Padre Island https://senordonkey.com (956)761-4843 Hours: Su-Th 11a-9p, F-Sa 11a-10p Serving: Tropical Bacon Wrapped Shrimp / Grilled Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Jalapenos
The Shrimp Cook-Off and Seafood Festival is hosted by the Port Isabel Chamber of Commerce. For more information on being a sponsor or a participating restaurant, call 956-943-2262 or email director@portisabel.org.
Congratulations to the 2020 Shrimp Cook-Off PEOPLE’S CHOICE WINNERS! First Place: Pirates Landing Restaurant (PI) The Landing Shrimp / Shrimp Ceviche Second Place: Dirty Al’s at Pelican Station (PI) Stuffed Shrimp / Coconut Shrimp Third Place: Senor Donkey Mexican Restaurant & Cantina (SPI) Tropical Bacon Wrapped Shrimp / Grilled Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Jalapenos
Below: Watch our 2020 Shrimp Cook-Off Awards & performance by The AGENCY!
Thanks to everybody who dined at all the participating restaurants and then dropped their ballots off at the Port Isabel Chamber! Gift Basket winners: South Padre Island gift basket, Joan Zuhlsdorf. H-E-B gift basket, Donna Haga. Port Isabel Grand Prize Basket winner, Primitivo Zavala.
And now, time to sit back and enjoy or get up and dance to a virtual live concert by The Agency! Hosted by the Port Isabel Chamber of Commerce.
2020 Shrimp Cook-Off
EAT. VOTE People’s Choice. CURBSIDE!
The 27th Annual Shrimp Cook-Off & Seafood Festival announces an exciting new format. Retooled as a five day curbside, culinary crawl, the Shrimp Cook-Off will feature shrimp and seafood fares of participating restaurants during the first week in November.
NOVEMBER 3 – 7: Participating restaurants will prepare cook-off sized shrimp samples. They may also offer seafood samples that can be offered for curbside pickup or dine-in enjoyment. The expansion of the schedule allows ample time to take advantage of the $5 (tax included) sample offerings during the participating restaurant’s open hours. The Cook-off is self-guided and diners can schedule stops at their leisure.
The top three professional winners will be determined by the votes of participating diners. Diners will be able to pick up Ballots for People’s Choice at the Port Isabel Chamber of Commerce starting on October 20th. Or ballots can be printed from our online links. Vote for your favorite starting on November 3. Ballots must be turned in at the Port Isabel Chamber office November 3 – 6 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Or before 6 p.m. on Saturday, November 7th. The top 3 winners will be declared on Sunday, November 8 during a Facebook Premier concert by The Agency. Ballots are restricted to one per diner. Diners must have ordered the Shrimp Cook-Off sample or Seafood sample.
The Agency Performs Online
The Agency will perform ONLINE on Sunday, November 8. People’s Choice Winner announced.
NOVEMBER 8: For nearly two decades, The Agency has been the soundtrack for the Shrimp Cook-Off. Thousands have gathered to munch on shrimp delights and dance and sing along. This year’s performance will be available on Facebook @portisabeltx and on the Port Isabel Chamber’s Facebook page @portisabelchamber. Alan Hollander and the band will be putting together a selection of crowd favorites. On Sunday, November 8th, viewers can dance and sing along. Link will be posted here.
Hosted by the Port Isabel Chamber
“Covid-19 has forced all of us to become more creative in how we live our lives,” says Port Isabel Chamber of Commerce Board Chairperson Laura Caudillo. “We wanted to continue our 27-year tradition of celebrating our outstanding seafood and to also support our local restaurants during these challenging times. The curbside concept allows everyone to participate in a safe and healthy manner. We invite the public to enjoy this unique dining experience. With the new concept, the Chamber will literally be driving traffic to the restaurants’ front doors.”
The Shrimp Cook-Off and Seafood Festival is hosted by the Port Isabel Chamber of Commerce. For more information on being a sponsor or a participating restaurant, call 956-943-2262 or email director@portisabel.org.
The Shrimp Cook-Off and Seafood Festival is hosted by the Port Isabel Chamber of Commerce. For more information on being a sponsor or a participating restaurant, call 956-943-2262 or email director@portisabel.org.
Shrimp Cook-Off Gift Basket Giveaway! Winner will be announced on Facebook, 11/8 5:30 p.m.
To qualify, dine at your choice of participating restaurants, fill out the ballot card. DINERS: don’t forget to turn your in AT the Port Isabel Chamber office by 11/7 6pm. 421 E. Queen Isabella Blvd.
Thanks to the Gift Basket Donors: Port Isabel Business Community, South Padre Island CVB & H-E-B!
Gift basket contents:
PORT ISABEL: iPad donated by Archer Business Systems Inc. Original painting of the Lighthouse by artist Kathy Stieglitz Rinearson 5# Box of Large Fresh Caught Wild Gulf Shrimp donated by Quik Stop Award winning historical signed book “Shrimp Tales”, by Rudy H. Garcia & Pat McGrath Avery with print of the original cover artwork by Risa Garcia Signed copy of “Images of America Port Isabel” by Valerie Bates Signed advance copy of novel by Dianne May Vicars “Factor-7” with custom canvas bag Laguna Madre Art Gallery Hand poured Soy Wax candle “Beach Access No. 5” from the Lighthouse Candles at ArtSea Gallery & Goods Sea One of- a kind Jewelry by LunaSumacq Four tickets aboard the Black Dragon Cruises Four Shrimp Cook-Off & Seafood Festival T-shirts Pirate’s Landing Restaurant & Bar Gift Certificate Dirty Al’s at Pelican Station Gift Certificate Into The Blue Restaurant Certificate Doubleday Bar of Champions Gift Certificate
H-E-B: Assorted cheese wedges, Assorted chips, crackers, bagels, Wine- White wine, Red wine, Rose, Packaged seafood- Whole oysters, Smoked oysters, Smoked clams, Mackerel Fillets Anchovies Pickles And more…
South Padre Island Tropical Travel: South Padre Island Wine Opener, South Padre Island Apron, Set of 4: South Padre Island Wooden Coasters, Set of 4: Nautical Napkins Set of 3: Simply Bamboo Cutting Boards, Set of 8: Corn on the Cob holders, Wooden Decorative Tray, Char-Broil Flavor Chamber, Chiocciole Artisan Pasta, Infused Olive Oil, Dirty Al’s Grill Seasoning
DINERS: Don’t forget to turn your Shrimp Cook-Off ballots in AT the Port Isabel Chamber of Commerce. 421 E. Queen Isabella Blvd. by Saturday, 11/7 6 p.m.
Socialization during
the Covid-19 pandemic is just as important for four legged friends as it is for
people. The Isabel Y. Garcia Animal Shelter in Port Isabel is offering a foster
program that can help both.
According to Lexus
Martinez, Administrative Assistant at the Shelter, fostering a dog during these
difficult times will bring “joy and happiness to your life” and will give you
something positive to focus on. Applications for the Foster Program can be found
on the Shelter’s Facebook page as well as information about the program and
photos of the almost 30 dogs that are available through the program. The
animals are also available for adoption if the matches between people and dogs
are successful.
Martinez says that
all animals will have up-to-date vaccinations and those older than six months
will be spayed or neutered at no cost. Younger puppies or those who have not
had the procedures yet will be scheduled with the Shelter’s veterinarian as
soon as the facility reopens. Flea and tick medication, heartworm medication,
and microchipping are also included.
“Socialization for
animals is just as important as it is for humans”, says Martinez. Recent staff reductions and loss of funding have
necessarily limited the amount of time employees can spend with each animal. “I
love these dogs just as much as I love my own dogs,” she said and expressed her
hope that the foster program will uplift not just the dogs, but their foster
parents as well. The animals can give unconditional love and the same level of
emotional support you might hope for from your best friend.
To view the photos
and stories of the animals available, please visit the shelter at
facebook.com/isabelygarcia262. An online application to foster an animal can be
found by clicking the “Learn More” button at the top of the page. Once your
application has been received, you may contact Martinez by messenger, email to lmartinez@copitx.com, or by phone at (956) 346-4330 to schedule a
personal appointment. Reach out today to help a friend in need and together, we
will get through this.
Fred- Fred is a 6-month-old
terrier mix. He was abandoned outside the shelter gates along with 5 of his
siblings. They were left packed into a small crate where they barely had room
to move around. All of Fred’s brothers and sisters have found their forever
homes and little Fred is hoping to do the same. He is great with other dogs and
is a total goof ball. He would be a great addition to any family. He is up to
date on his vaccines and pending his neuter surgery.
Buddy- Buddy was brought
into the shelter as an owner surrender. His previous family was relocating and
could not take him with them. Buddy is a 1-year old Australian Cattle Dog mix
who is full of energy and would love to have a nice yard to run around in.
Buddy would do best in a home without cats and would do well with other dogs
once he is introduced. He is up to date on his vaccines and pending his neuter
surgery.
Jesse- Jesse is a 2-3-year-old
Doberman mix who has been at the shelter for almost a year. Jesse is a very
sweet girl and loves to spend her time at the shelter hanging out with her dog
friends in our dog park. Jessie was brought into the shelter with her companion
as an owner surrender in June of last year. Her partner was adopted not too
long after he arrived, and Jessie has been waiting patiently for her chance to
find her forever home. Jessie is up to date on vaccinations and is spayed.
Chippie- Chippie is a 5-6-month-old
husky Labrador mix. He was turned into the shelter with 7 of his littermates
earlier this year. Chippie is a fun puppy who loves attention. He gets along
with other dogs and children. He is up to date on his vaccines and pending his
neuter surgery.
