American Cuisine Sponsored by Monument Inn Reviews /  Profile Menus Website Monument Inn Tasty waterfront dining, fresh Gulf Coast seafood, pastas, steaks Banquet facilities, coordination and catering Hours: See Profile   4406 Battleground Rd La Porte TX 77571 281.479.1521   Add Review PROFILE   Website  Menu MY REVIEW: I love the food, I love the food, I love the food. But I've never seen a place in more need of a waiting room!!! Must have been fifty, seventy-five people waiting on a table tonight. Fortunately, I was ording out! I called in my order on the other side of the Ship Channel waiting for the Lynchburg Ferry and by the time I was in their parking lot my order was ready. Up the stairs, past the throng, to the bar, pay the bill, grab the bag and go! Did I mention we drove nearly 30 miles each way for dinner tonight? That's how much we love the food. For one's first experience I recommend an odd hour, on any day other than Fri, Sat, Sun, or any holiday at all. You know, go at Tues, at 3pm for a late lunch. Go on Thurs at 4pm for an early dinner. DO NOT go on the weekend unless you want to wait! M.I. has been around since before I was born and I expect they'll be around after I'm gone. They're a mainstay for the Pasadena/Deer Park/LaPorte crowd and guess the folk from Crosby and Highland come from across the channel as well. HIGHLY recommend the stuffed jalepenoes (Stuffed with crab dressing), warning though, they're hand made and every now and then you get one that wasn't seeded with quite the care one would hope... you pay for it, but it's a good pain. NAME: TDR SUBMITTED: 2/23/2008   LAST VISIT WAS: 02/2008 FREQUENCY: Everybody here knows my name... MY REVIEW: I have to say, this is my favorite place to go. My husband and I have been going here for almost as long as we've been together. I have to say that my husband and I are serious foodies. We like culinary adventure, same as any serious gastrinome. We've eaten foods around the world, and around the country. I LOVE caviar and sushi. He LOVES wild game and serious demi glace. BUT -- if you ask us where we want to go for a good night with good food and a good experience, it's going to be the Monument Inn. The food is always good; the service is always good; the view is always interesting; the ambiance is always comfortable. No pretenses, no need to dress up, no need to pronounce French. From the appetizers of stuffed jalapenos or alligator to the entres of fish, shrimp, or oysters, you can count on well prepared food served promptly and with a smile. I am not sure how they do it given that there are always parties of 20 or more on the floor. My favories are the etouffe and the oysters. My husband gets the shrimp platter with fried and stuffed shrimp. I've had thier steaks, and they are always tasty. I really enjoy their old school salads. No fussy mixed baby field greens here, just good crisp iceberg lettuce, romaine, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes and croutons that will not break your teeth. Another great thing is when you order your drinks, they bring them to you with a full carafe of whatever you're having. I really LOVE their iced tea. I wonder what brand they use. Lastly, their rolls and cinnamon rolls are wonderful. They make them there and they are a treat in and of themselves. So I hope this review helps you decide to try the place out. It's not going to get a high Michelin rating and you're not going to see their celebrity chef on the Food Network (TM) but if you go there, you'll love it and you'll keep coming back. I'm sure you'll understand why we now consider it "our place". NAME: SwissSushi SUBMITTED: 2/23/2008   LAST VISIT WAS: 2/2008 FREQUENCY: Everybody here knows my name... MY REVIEW: With out a doubt, the best seafood restaurant in this area. Now with that said, my wife and I have been eathing there for years. The decor was just updated since just before Christmas, and the place looks great now. I agree the stairs are too steep, the chair lift has been replaced and looks better now. However nobody wants to ride the chair, because it is too public and too slow. The elevator is available,you just have to have someone go upstairs and request to use it. The food over the past 8 to 10 years has been improved and now rates the best with both my wife and my family when they come into town. We have also had wonderful service, we have had about 4 to 5 Christmas parties there too. Our favorite waiter is now Brian, with a star for excellance. He came from a competitors restaurant and has been a very strong addition to the lineup of "all being very good at their service." The owner is just about always there, and he does not try to look like an owner, he is waiting on customers himself, and does a wonderful job. I can not express just how much we "Love" to eat there and we usually eat there 3 to 4 times a month. Say hello to Brian and mention my name and he will no who we are, and believe me, he will give you the same Greeeeat service! NAME: zydecorich SUBMITTED: 1/28/2008   LAST VISIT WAS: January 2008 FREQUENCY: Visited 4-6 times MY REVIEW: I went here w/ a good friend of mine from work just to enjoy a nice quiet evening by the Ship Channel - I know it sounds crazy, but it really is pretty out there at night by the San Jacinto Monument, especially w/ the clear, cool weather. We got there around 8:30 p.m., and after just a few minutes of waiting in the bar, we got to our table. The calamari was great (we wanted the en brochette, but they had sold out), as was our seafood. Our waiter, Allen, was great and super w/ the timing of bringing the food out at the right time (i.e. not rushing us through the calamari, the salad, etc.). It had been a couple of years since I'd been, but it's nice to see that the quality hasn't changed. I'll definately keep coming back. NAME: kytxan SUBMITTED: 1/27/2008   LAST VISIT WAS: January 2008 FREQUENCY: Visited 4-6 times MY REVIEW: LOVE the renovated restaurant! I would always tell friends how good & affordable the seafood was as this restaurant, but it was old and stinky inside. The re-decorated version is perfect. Service is always great no matter how busy they are. And the view is pure Houston... a very busy section of the ship channel and the San Jacinto Monument. Fun for kids of all ages to watch the tankers, tugs and ferries. And speaking of ferries, if you live in the NE, E or SE part of town, come to the restaurant via Lynchburg ferry. It's probably the smallest car ferry and shortest ferry ride known to man, but it's great fun nonetheless. NAME: clptexan - native Houstonian SUBMITTED: 1/6/2008   LAST VISIT WAS: 12/29/07 FREQUENCY: Visited 4-6 times MY REVIEW: I live in La Porte so this is a regular restaurant for us. We absolutely love the Monumental. We always ask for it blackened and the sauce on top is scrumptious. The stuffed jalapenos are the best I have EVER tasted. The cinnamon rolls are a must. The service has been excellent and wait staff very friendly. I have never had a bad experience and plan to continue enjoying their food! NAME: Seafood Lover SUBMITTED: 1/5/2008   LAST VISIT WAS: 8/07 FREQUENCY: Everybody here knows my name... MY REVIEW: I found and reviewed this website B4 we went to the Monument Inn. I had read about the Monument Inn and my wife and myself had talked about going there to eat "one of these days". Well, New Years Eve was that "one of these days". My Dad lives with us, (88 YEars Old), so naturally he came too. He was able to climb up (and down) the stairs. The chair was available to transport him up or down, but he managed. We were more than impressed with the food and service. We started out with the fried calamari, and the dipping sauce was wonderful. My wife had the Shrimp Jamboree and was pleased with it. My Dad and myself had the Combination Platter with shrimp, catfish and oysters with rice pilaf. All were really good. One thing that I noticed was that all there fishes were of different color. The coating for the shrimp, fish and oysters were all different. The next time that you order mixed fried fish, look at them to see if you notice any color/texture differences. You probably won't. The Monument Inn knows how to coat shrimp, fish and oysters! NAME: 7th Generation Texan SUBMITTED: 1/1/2008   LAST VISIT WAS: December, 2007 FREQUENCY: Visited once MY REVIEW: The resturant was very busy but did not stop the wonderful service given. Our waiter name was Casey and he was acceptional. The food quality and quanity was also amazing, one of the better seafood resturants in town. I will difentily be back with more people on my next visit, which will be soon. P.S The view from our seating table was very romnatic. NAME: Tami SUBMITTED: 10/3/2007   LAST VISIT WAS: 09/30/07 FREQUENCY: Visited once MY REVIEW: Every visit to the Monument Inn is a treat. I usually end-up with the All You Can Eat dinner, dut I usually can't ever eat more than what they bring on the first round. The Stuffed Crab, Stuffed Shrimp and Fried Shrimp are incredible, but it's not all about fried foods; their grilled foods are great too. The staff is always courteous and attentive and the bar is a great place to wait for a table. All I can say is, if you like seafood and lots of it, you must try the Monument Inn! NAME: AndrewGS SUBMITTED: 8/24/2007   LAST VISIT WAS: 07/07 FREQUENCY: Everybody here knows my name... MY REVIEW: We had out of town relatives so 11 of us went on a Sunday afternoon. Got there at 5:30 to avoid the big crowd. They were already busy, but we were seated in just a few minutes. Service was very competent. Fried and grilled selections were excellent. Only dissapointment was crawfish bisque---way too thick with way too much flour. Saw where a previuos reviewer bragged on the bisque, so maybe I just hit them on a bad day. Also glad to hear they have an elevator. Did not know that. Going down those stairs there is no handrail because the chair lift is on that side, so a potentially dangerous situation can be averted by taking the elevator down. NAME: Sandy SUBMITTED: 8/24/2007   LAST VISIT WAS: 8/07 FREQUENCY: Visited 4-6 times MY REVIEW: We were there on Aug 11,2007 for my mother's 80th Birthday. I had to get my mother and two of her elderly friends upstairs and was concerned about navigating the steep stairs. I asked if I could take them by elevator and they were more than accommodating. The young man that assisted us was very nice and didn't seem bothered at all. Looking back now I'm sure that the lift chair would've worked just fine, but I was a little hesitant about it. We had 13 in our party and everything turned out wonderfully. The food was served in a timely manner and our waiter was perfect. Even though they were very busy that night, everyone was impressed by the excellent service and the great food. Thanks for making a very "special occasion" even more special. NAME: Barbara W. SUBMITTED: 8/14/2007   LAST VISIT WAS: 08/11/07 FREQUENCY: Visited 4-6 times MY REVIEW: I love eating here! I'm not a culinary genius, but I do like watching a few cooking shows and know quality food when I eat it. Every time I come to the Monument Inn, I love it. Yes, sometimes there's a wait if it's closer to evening or on the weekends, but the food is well worth it. From their steaks to their catfish to their salmon---and their crawfish bisque is my all-time favorite. I could eat that stuff morning, noon and night (and would probably be as big as a house if I did...) The atmosphere is great and you can watch all of the ship activity on the outside thanks to many wonderful windows to look out of. It's always a treat to catch the small Lynchburg Ferry to shuttle us over and before we even drive off the ferry our mouths are watering. It doesn't matter if it's lunch in the afternoon or an intimate dinner for two---this place has always been a fave and will continue to be. :) NAME: Thierry from Liberty, TX SUBMITTED: 7/10/2007   LAST VISIT WAS: July 2007 FREQUENCY: Visited 2-3 times MY REVIEW: The evening was a 41st anniversary casual celebration for us and also a first time visit for two members of our party of 5. I arrived at 5:15 and asked if we could be seated near the windows. The hostess told me that only 4 could sit there but she would place us as close as possible. She told me to wait for the rest of the group in the bar where I should order a drink. In a few minutes everyone arrived and she sat us off to the side in probably the worst spot available. My husband suggested that she place us at another table. On the other hand our waiter, Brian, and the food were great. Hostess training is BADLY needed. NAME: Margie SUBMITTED: 6/6/2007   LAST VISIT WAS: June 6. 2007 FREQUENCY: Visited 4-6 times MY REVIEW: Have been there many times, even before the fire. Seafood of any kind is good. View is great and I like to eat in the bar, even though we no longer smoke. Our last visit for some reason I didn't want seafood, she wanted seafood, so as you guys know that's why we were there, and I had a steak in mind. I ordered the filet mignon, yea I know, in a seafood restaurant. I have had filet from N.Y. to L.A. and Dayton Texas, but I must say it, and there were two filets on the plate, was as good as any where. Very tender and full flavor. Always great service. I think we are going to make the drive Wed.. NAME: Dandee-Dayton Tex. SUBMITTED: 5/21/2007   LAST VISIT WAS: 07/2006 FREQUENCY: Visited 4-6 times MY REVIEW: Everthing is great. Go during the week, around 3pm and you can have the entire place to yourself. Stay away on Fri and Sat night, crowded and the service suffers a little. But weeknight are fine. If you have company from out of town and want to impress them without fighting the Kehma area, this is it. Beats P*appadeux hands down! NAME: menefreghista SUBMITTED: 5/4/2007   LAST VISIT WAS: March 07 FREQUENCY: Visited 4-6 times MY REVIEW: What a delightful surprise! Not a "posh" place by any means (plastic tablecloths, nondescript decor) but friendly staff, obviously popular, great views and utterly fantastic seafood. We had blackened salmon (huge portion) smothered in a scrumptious seafood diablo sauce and crabmeat-suffed fried shrimp (5 shrimp each the size of a lamb chop), perfectly breaded and crisply fried. Even the vegetable medley was a well-prepared al dente blend in a light butter sauce. We were sort of on diets and trying to eat healthy, but the cinnamon rolls were irresistible! A short drive and mini-vacation from Houston. Just down the road from (and perfect ending for a visit to) the USS Texas and San Jacinto battlefield monument. NAME: Michelle Braverman SUBMITTED: 4/3/2007   LAST VISIT WAS: 4/07 FREQUENCY: Visited once MY REVIEW: You already know the food is great, the view is breath taking, and the cinnamon rolls are to die for, But I have to give credit where credit is due....Our waiter Casey. He was the friendliest server my wife and i had ever had. My wife wanted to take him home with us. I encourage everyone who is visting the Monument Inn to request Casey, he makes things happen. NAME: nohottea SUBMITTED: 2/14/2007   LAST VISIT WAS: 02/2007 FREQUENCY: Visited 4-6 times MY REVIEW: I am one of the volunteers aboard the Battleship Texas and every year we have our banquet here. They never fail to provide great food and a great atmosphere for us! I have been back twice since last years' banquet and the teriyaki chicken is my favorite but the shrimp is just as awesome. They make a hell of a meal here! NAME: Chrispy SUBMITTED: 1/14/2007   LAST VISIT WAS: Nov 2006 FREQUENCY: Visited 2-3 times MY REVIEW: Only someone who doesn't know what seafood should taste like could find fault with the quality and taste of the seafood. Everything i've ever tried their was better than I could have hoped for. The catfish Ponchatrain was heavenly. Delicious complimentary homemade cinnamon rolls and yeast rolls.... The weakest point is you have to walk up a flight of stairs to the eating area, however, the upper level gives you a real good view of the water (San Jacinto River). They do provide a whellchair lift for those in need. NAME: 60 year veteran seafood eater SUBMITTED: 12/2/2006   LAST VISIT WAS: 11/06 FREQUENCY: Visited 4-6 times MY REVIEW: We have been vistiting this establishment way before the original place burned down. I can honestly say we have NEVER had a bad experience here. We do recomend the Pan Fried Shrimp Dinner. Prices and portions have always been great. Be sure and ask for a water front table, there is every kind of ship you can imagine that travels the ship channel. NAME: Don & Sandy SUBMITTED: 11/8/2006   LAST VISIT WAS: 06/06 FREQUENCY: Everybody here knows my name... MY REVIEW: I never done an online review before but feeled compelled to respond to the review from BIG TROUT. We only come here occassionally because we live on the west side of town, but if we lived closer we would definately become "regulars". The food, service and awesome views are the keys to Monument Inn's success and have been since we've been coming here in 1991. The seafood is always super fresh, the portions are large and delicious, AND they are way cheaper than their "name brand' competitors...This place is a no brainer people!! Big trout must be delusional.. :) NAME: Bigger Trout SUBMITTED: 10/22/2006   LAST VISIT WAS: 10-06 FREQUENCY: Everybody here knows my name... MY REVIEW: As a recommendation to "Big Trout" - give Monument Inn one more chance and try the Buttermilk Fried Shrimp. This is one of my favorites and they have never been greasey. Other family members have ordered the Fried Oysters and they have been excellent. The stuffed jalepenos are fresh and good. NAME: Hooked SUBMITTED: 9/27/2006   LAST VISIT WAS: 07/2006 FREQUENCY: Visited 4-6 times MY REVIEW: This was my second visit in a couple of months. The first time I was not impressed with the food, but after reading all of the good reviews I decided to try it again before knocking the place since everyone can have an off day occasionally. On both visits I really enjoyed the view, very good service and delicious rolls. I found the prices less than what I am used to paying for seafood. Unforunately I have to rate the seafood only fair. Each time I had a simple dinner salad which was quite good. I had the Snack Attack and a bowl of Crawfish Bisque on my first visit. The servings were very generous, but the Crawfish Bisque had a taste like it had way too much flour--sort of reminiscent of eating paste when I was a kid. The Snack Attack was a large serving but the fried items were very greasy and had excessive batter while the stuffed crab didn't have any discernable crab taste. The second visit I had fish and chips which were greasy. I am not a nut about demanding no grease taste in my fried seafood, but this was really not acceptable. My wife had the Baked Potato Soup as an entree which she liked very much. She ordered the Bananas Foster for dessert but what was served was not Bananas Foster; it was like a piece of cheesecake which had a taste of being institutionally prepared and sold by a restaurant supply house. Coffee was fair. I am afraid that it will be back to P*appadeaux's when I eat seafood again. I'm sad because I really like the location. NAME: Big Trout SUBMITTED: 9/25/2006   LAST VISIT WAS: 9/2006 FREQUENCY: Visited 2-3 times MY REVIEW: We came in with a party of 14 to show off our favorite restaurant to our out of town friends. We all had a blast! Our server Crystal was awesome. We were lucky enough to get a table close to the window to see those huge ships that glide up the channel. Everyones food was perfect. They recently added alot of fresh fish /seafood entrees to the menu which alot of my friends enjoyed. I myself like the fishermans platter. The prices are in line for what you get... large portions... and don't forget the cinnamon rolls... the only way to end your meal. "Two thumbs up" NAME: michael SUBMITTED: 7/3/2006   LAST VISIT WAS: 6-29 FREQUENCY: Everybody here knows my name... MY REVIEW: Ambiance was nice. No waiting. OK waitress. But, overpriced for fried food. It's ok. My hubby likes it better than I ever will. NAME: TW SUBMITTED: 6/23/2006   LAST VISIT WAS: 5/2006 FREQUENCY: Visited 4-6 times More reviews If you don't agree with these comments, agree with them or have additional comments, click here to Add Your Review. Restaurant Owners & Managers Curious about your Activity and Ranking on b4-u-eat? Want to Create or Update your Free Profile Page? Click here to Login. ©Copyright 1991 - 2008 B4-U-EAT.COM. All rights reserved. Design and database by B4-U-BUY