Little Em's Oyster Bar

Little Em's Oyster Bar reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Review summary

1. M

   M VIP

   San Antonio39 reviews

   5.0

   Dined 6 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 5

   First time for happy hour and it was worth it! Highly recommend the cucumber martini.
   

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2. k

   kyle VIP

   Dallas1 review

   1.0

   Dined 7 days ago

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 4

   Our server did her best with what she had. An open kitchen allowed us to see the issue. Kitchen staff had no sense of pick up time or service flow
   

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3. T

   Taylor VIP

   San Antonio4 reviews

   2.0

   Dined on April 18, 2025

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 1

   Having enjoyed Little Em’s several times in the past, I’m sad to say that the restaurant and its new location are best avoided for dinner now. It was a beautiful Thursday night before a holiday weekend and other restaurants in Southtown were packed, but we arrived for our 9 o’clock reservation to a completely empty restaurant— like, not another guest in sight, floors being mopped, hostess nowhere to be found empty. The restaurant closes at 10 o’clock. We were seated outside on the patio, which is a nice area and much preferred to the now spartan interior. The new location lacks the charm of the original Little Em’s across the street. Our server was professional, attentive, and kind, but was clearly rushing us from the moment we were seated. This is unnecessary given that Little Em’s is pretty casual and one can very easily be in and out in an hour. I’m sure she was frustrated at a slow night and ready to go home, but it did make us feel like an imposition rather than welcome guests. In fact, other patrons arrived to have a drink at the bar at 9:25 and were turned away, so it was very clear that the staff was not in the mood to welcome any customers last night. The bright point is that the food was quite good and prepared as ordered. Both the burger and salmon were as tasty as we remembered from past visits. We live in the neighborhood and feel strongly about patronizing local establishments, so I would consider visiting again for lunch or happy hour on the patio. Unfortunately, the overall experience for dinner is lacking, though. This is sad to see because Little Em’s was once a neighborhood gem that was full most evenings.
   

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4. T

   Travis

   San Antonio1 review

   1.0

   Dined on April 13, 2025

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 3

   The service was incredibly slow (2 hours for an appetizer to come out). But why should the server bring food out quickly if there’s an automatic 20% gratuity.
   

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5. S

   Susan

   Unspecified1 review

   5.0

   Dined on April 13, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   This was my second time dining there. I’ve only dined outdoors and loved it. Great atmosphere!
   

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6. L

   Leonard

   Denver34 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on April 12, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Great setting of beautiful day. Fish tacos were excellent
   

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7. J

   Jeffrey VIP

   New York City28 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on April 12, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Absolutely delicious as always . Oysters are sublime
   

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8. J

   Jill

   San Diego5 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on April 9, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 4

   It was a beautiful afternoon & the food was delicious!
   

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9. L

   Lillia

   Austin5 reviews

   4.0

   Dined on April 8, 2025

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 5

   Went for my 21st birthday and spent nearly $160 for two people, and they didn’t even offer any birthday complimentary dessert. This is the third year i’ve come for a birthday and first time this has happened, you’d think a nice establishment that costs an arm and a leg would at least be able to put a candle in something? I’ll be breaking the tradition next year and taking my buisiness somewhere else sadly, I didn’t feel special or like a valued customer whatsoever.
   

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10. J

    Jenny

    Tampa1 review

    2.0

    Dined on April 7, 2025

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 1

    It was incredibly loud. We could not have a conversation at our own table. Took over an hour to receive food after we ordered. Food was decent, but would not go back.
    

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