What to Order Your First Time at J. Anthony’s Seafood Café

Choosing what to eat at a seafood restaurant should be easy. But when the menu includes fried fish, grilled shrimp, seafood soups, Mexican-style cocktails, and combination platters, deciding what to order can take longer than expected.

J. Anthony’s has been serving “la comida de la gente” to San Antonio for more than 40 years, so the menu has had plenty of time to grow. The best option depends on your taste, your appetite, and whether you want to stick with the usual seafood or try something new. Here’s a first-timer’s guide to finding the right fit.

Know How a Visit Works

J. Anthony’s is a family-friendly, fast-casual restaurant, so you can expect a relaxed meal without a long wait. There are four San Antonio locations: Northwest Loop, Military Drive, S. Presa, and General McMullen.

If you’re in a hurry, the Northwest Loop and Military Drive locations also have a drive-thru. You can also order for pickup or delivery and enjoy your first J. Anthony’s meal at home.

Start With the Seafood You Already Enjoy

The easiest way to narrow your choices is to think about the seafood you normally order. You do not have to try something unfamiliar just because you are visiting for the first time.

If fried fish is your go-to, start with the Fish Plate: three pieces of fish served with jalapeño hushpuppies. If you prefer catfish, there’s the Catfish Plate. And if you can’t choose between fish and shrimp, the Fish N Shrimp Plate gives you two of each.

Shrimp lovers also have several options. The Shrimp Platter includes eight jumbo shrimp, while the Oyster N Shrimp Dinner combines three jumbo oysters with three jumbo shrimp. For something a little different, try the Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp: three jumbo shrimp stuffed with Monterey Jack cheese and crab meat.

Starting with a familiar ingredient makes ordering easier because you already know what you like. From there, you can decide whether you want a simple entrée or a more varied plate.

Decide Between a Single Entrée and a Combination Plate

Sometimes you know what you want but cannot decide how much variety to get. That is where comparing individual entrées and combination plates helps.

A single-item meal makes sense when you have a clear favorite. The Shrimp Platter, for example, keeps shrimp at the center of your order. The Grilled Salmon is another focused choice if you prefer fish prepared with lemon pepper and served over rice.

Combination plates work better when you want to sample different seafood in one sitting:

• The Seafood Platter brings together two pieces of fish, two jumbo shrimp, and two jumbo oysters.
• The 1 & 10 pairs one piece of fish with ten shrimp. It’s a longtime favorite for shrimp lovers.
• The San Antonio Special combines two fish, two jumbo shrimp, and two chicken tenders. It’s a smart pick if you’re still warming up to seafood.
• For the biggest appetites, the Admiral’s Dinner includes three pieces of fish, three jumbo shrimp, two jumbo oysters, a crab cake, and caldo de pescado.

If oysters aren’t your thing, a platter built around fish and shrimp may be a better fit.

First-Timer Tip: Some Plates Come With Caldo

Several dinners at J. Anthony’s come with a bowl of caldo de pescado, a fish and vegetable soup. It’s an easy way to try one of our most popular dishes without ordering a full bowl separately. Look for:

• Admiral’s Dinner
• Red Snapper, a whole red snapper
• Mojarra, a whole mojarra
• Baked Fish
• Baked Fish N Shrimp

A whole fried fish like the Mojarra or Red Snapper is a classic Mexican seafood order. If you’ve never tried one, your first visit is a great time to start.

Choose Grilled or Baked Seafood for a Different Preparation

Fried seafood is a familiar choice, but it’s not the only way to enjoy a meal at J. Anthony’s. The baked and grilled section offers alternatives for diners who prefer different textures or flavors.

• Grilled Salmon: seasoned with lemon pepper and served over rice
• Grilled Red Snapper Filet: a good pick if you want a different type of fish
• Grilled Sampler Plate: three pieces of fish and four jumbo shrimp
• Tilapia Mojo de Ajo: marinated in our homemade garlic sauce
• Veracruz Tilapia: served on a bed of rice and corn

Each one has its own personality. Choose the lemon pepper salmon for something simple, the Mojo de Ajo if you love garlic, or the Veracruz Tilapia for a heartier plate.

For a closer look at the differences between preparation styles, read our guide to enjoying Mexican seafood grilled, fried, or raw.

Explore Mexican Seafood Beyond the Traditional Plate

If you’re interested in trying something different from a standard fish dinner, look at the Mexican seafood dishes.

Tacos de Pescado include three grilled fish tacos with pico de gallo, avocado slices, and rice. Tacos de Camarón feature grilled shrimp tacos with the same accompaniments. Both offer a familiar way to enjoy seafood without ordering a full platter. Find out why locals love our fish tacos.

For a little heat, Shrimp Tostadas a la Diabla are made with shrimp sautéed in homemade Diablo sauce and served on two tostadas with Cajun rice. Shrimp a la Diabla combines shrimp, onion, and bell peppers smothered in our homemade Diabla sauce. If you’re not sure how spicy you like it, ask when you order.

You can also explore ceviche, shrimp cocktail, and Campechana, a seafood cocktail made with fish, shrimp, oysters, crabmeat, and octopus. These chilled dishes offer a different experience from hot, cooked entrées. For more background, see Mexico’s Best Seafood Dishes: Ceviche to Coctel de Camarón.

Consider Caldo for a Soup-Based Meal

A seafood meal doesn’t always have to come on a platter. J. Anthony’s offers several caldos if you prefer seafood in a broth with vegetables.

The Caldo de Pescado is made with fish and vegetables, while the Caldo de Camarón is made with shrimp and vegetables. Caldo de Marisco includes fish, crab meat, oysters, shrimp, and octopus.

If shrimp is your favorite, Caldo de Camarón is a natural option. If you prefer a wider mix, Caldo de Marisco offers more variety in one bowl. To learn more, read what makes a perfect bowl of caldo.

Choose Sides That Work With Your Main Dish

Most fish, shrimp, baked, and grilled entrées come with two sides, so you’ll want to pick a couple that complement your meal. J. Anthony’s offers Cajun rice, mashed potatoes, corn, stewed vegetables, and coleslaw.

If you order grilled fish or shrimp, rice pairs easily. Coleslaw offers a cool contrast to a fried entrée, while stewed vegetables add something hearty alongside your seafood.

Not in the Mood for Seafood?

Not everyone at the table has to order seafood. The Burgers & More section includes hamburgers, a chicken burger, a grilled chicken sandwich, a Chicken Tender Dinner, and Chicken Fried Steak.

Seafood fans who want something casual can try the Fish Burger, Shrimp Burger, or Oyster Burger, which comes jumbo-sized with fries. Younger diners have their own kids’ menu. Feeding the whole family? See our guide to family meals at J. Anthony’s.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I order at J. Anthony’s Seafood Cafe for the first time?
Start with a Fish Plate or Shrimp Platter if you prefer a familiar seafood meal. To sample a variety, consider the Fish N Shrimp Plate, the Seafood Platter, or the 1 & 10.

Which J. Anthony’s dishes come with caldo?
The Admiral’s Dinner, Red Snapper, Mojarra, Baked Fish, and Baked Fish N Shrimp all come with caldo de pescado.

Does J. Anthony’s Seafood Cafe offer grilled seafood?
Yes. The menu includes Grilled Salmon, Grilled Red Snapper Filet, a Grilled Sampler Plate, and grilled fish and shrimp tacos.

What is the difference between the seafood platters at J. Anthony’s?
The Fish N Shrimp Plate combines fish and shrimp, while the Seafood Platter adds jumbo oysters. The Admiral’s Dinner offers a broader selection that also includes a crab cake and caldo de pescado.

What if someone in my group doesn’t eat seafood?
The menu includes burgers, chicken tenders, chicken fried steak, and a full kids’ menu.

Does J. Anthony’s have a drive-thru?
Yes. The Northwest Loop and Military Drive locations have a drive-thru. All four locations offer pickup and delivery.

Find Your Next Meal at J. Anthony’s

The best order depends on your appetite and your favorite kind of seafood. You can choose a classic fish plate, a combination platter, or something new like grilled seafood, tacos, or caldo.

Ready to decide? Browse the full menu, find the location nearest you, and see why San Antonio families have been coming back for more than 40 years.