Plan a Seafood Birthday Party in San Antonio

How to Plan a Birthday Party at J. Anthony's Seafood Café in San Antonio

Planning a birthday for a big group usually comes down to three questions. Where will everyone fit? What will everyone eat? And how much is it going to cost?

At J. Anthony's Seafood Café, those answers are easier than you might think. Three of our San Antonio locations have private party rooms that hold 40 to 50 guests, and reserving one is free. You bring the people, and the cake if you'd like. We'll bring the fried fish, shrimp, caldos, and ceviche that San Antonio families have gathered around for more than 40 years. Our owner has been running J. Anthony's for more than 30 of those years.

Here's how to plan a birthday party at J. Anthony's, from booking the room to choosing the food.

Step 1: Choose the Location That Works for Your Guests

Party rooms are available at three J. Anthony's locations:

• Northwest Loop 410: 7210 Northwest Loop 410, San Antonio, TX 78245 · (210) 647-8681
• Military Drive: 3702 SE Military Dr., San Antonio, TX 78223 · (210) 570-9999
• General McMullen: 847 S. General McMullen Dr., San Antonio, TX 78237 · (210) 438-1992

When you have relatives coming from across town, pick the location closest to most of your guests. A shorter drive means more people show up on time, and fewer people leave early.

Our S. Presa location doesn't have a party room, but it's a great spot for a smaller birthday lunch or dinner in the dining room.

Step 2: Call Ahead to Reserve the Room

Booking a party room is simple. Call the location where you'd like to celebrate and ask to speak with a manager about reserving the back room. All reservations need to be made in advance, so call as soon as you have a date in mind, especially for weekend parties.

There's no complicated paperwork and no booking fee. The only requirement is that all food and drinks are purchased from our menu.

When you call, have these details ready:

• Your date and preferred time
• About how many guests you're expecting, since the rooms hold 40 to 50 people
• Any questions about decorations or how long you'll have the room. The manager can walk you through what works at that location.
• Whether you'd like to place a large food order ahead of time. We accept large orders by phone and through our online ordering.

Step 3: Plan a Menu Everyone Will Enjoy

One reason families keep choosing J. Anthony's for birthdays is that nobody has to compromise. Grandpa can order his fried fish, the birthday girl can get her shrimp tacos, and the kids can stick with what they know and love.

Start with something to share.
Appetizers give the table something to enjoy while everyone arrives and settles in. Good options include:

• Ceviche
• Shrimp cocktail
• Oysters on the shell
• Jalapeño hushpuppies
• Popcorn shrimp

Let the birthday guest go big.
A birthday is a good excuse to order the biggest plate on the menu. The Admiral's Dinner comes with three fish, three jumbo shrimp, two jumbo oysters, a crab cake, and a bowl of caldo de pescado. Other celebration-worthy picks include the Seafood Platter, the Grilled Sampler Plate, and Shrimp a la Diabla smothered in our homemade Diabla sauce.

Keep the kids happy.
Our kids' menu includes shrimp, fish nuggets, quesadillas, grilled cheese, and chicken tenders, so younger guests have plenty of choices.

Feeding a crowd?
Family orders like the 20 Piece Fish, 20 Piece Shrimp, and Family Fish N Shrimp are an easy way to put plenty of food on the table at once. For more ideas, see our guide to family meals at J. Anthony's.

Step 4: Don't Forget the Cake

For birthday parties, you're welcome to bring in your own cake. Whether it's a custom cake from your favorite bakery or a family recipe, it will fit right in.

If you'd rather keep it simple, finish the meal with one of our homemade cakes:

• Tres Leches, traditional or chocolate
• Strawberry Shortcake
• Chocolate Cake
• Strawberry Cake
• Pineapple Cake
• White Cake

Celebrating at Home Instead?

Not every birthday needs a party room. If you're hosting at home or at the park, J. Anthony's can still take care of the food. We don't offer catering, but we do take bulk orders for pickup. Place your order by phone or online, pick it up on the way, and skip an afternoon of frying fish in your own kitchen.

Our Family Fish N Shrimp order is a popular choice for gatherings. It comes with 10 fish, 10 shrimp, family fries, a quart of any side, tartar sauce, red sauce, bread, lemon, and a gallon of tea.

Birthday Party FAQs

Does it cost anything to reserve a party room?
No. Party rooms are free to reserve. We just ask that all food and drinks be purchased from our menu.

How many guests can the party rooms hold?
Each party room holds 40 to 50 guests.

Which J. Anthony's locations have party rooms?
Northwest Loop 410, Military Drive, and General McMullen.

How do I book a party room?
Call the location where you'd like to host your party and speak with a manager. Reservations must be made in advance.

Can I bring my own birthday cake?
Yes. Outside cakes are welcome for birthday parties.

Can I decorate the party room?
Ask the manager when you call to reserve. They can tell you what works for that location.

Do you offer catering?
We don't offer catering, but we do take large orders for pickup, by phone or through online ordering.

Can I use the party room for other events?
Yes. Our party rooms also host baby showers, graduation parties, church groups, and work lunches. Learn more on our Private Events page.

Celebrate Your Next Birthday at J. Anthony's

For more than 40 years, J. Anthony's has served "la comida de la gente" to San Antonio families, and our owner has been at the helm for more than 30 of them. Along the way, we've seen countless birthdays: first birthdays, 50th birthdays, and every one in between. You can read more about our history or learn about us.

Pick your location, give us a call, and let us handle the food. All you need to bring is your family, your friends, and maybe a cake.