At Seafood & Spaghetti Works, Gulf seafood meets Italian comfort food in one unforgettable Port Aransas experience.
Located at 910 Texas 361, this family-owned restaurant has spent more than four decades giving beachgoers, vacationers, and longtime residents plenty of reasons to gather around the table.
Its broad menu includes fresh seafood, handmade pasta, pizza, burgers, steaks, and other family favorites. 🦐
How Seafood & Spaghetti Works won Port Aransas hearts
The story began in 1978, when Jay Kenigsberg was developing a water slide complex called Texas Twister in Port Aransas, an ambitious project that eventually led him in an entirely different direction when the business struggled to attract enough customers.
After the project failed to gain momentum, Kenigsberg opened Spaghetti Works in October 1979, transforming an unexpected setback into the foundation of a restaurant that would become part of Port Aransas’s dining history.
Five years later, the restaurant expanded beyond its original pasta focus by adding seafood to the concept and becoming Jay’s Seafood and Spaghetti Works, a name that reflected the broader menu and the community’s growing appetite for coastal favorites.
That unexpected change of direction created a Port Aransas dining tradition that has continued for more than four decades, allowing the restaurant to welcome generations of residents, vacationers, beachgoers, and families searching for a relaxed meal.
Today, the family-operated restaurant remains known for bringing fresh Gulf seafood together with Italian comfort food, generous portions, and a menu broad enough to satisfy guests with very different ideas about what dinner should be.
Its wide-ranging selection allows one diner to enjoy a seafood entrée, another to order pasta, and someone else to choose pizza, a burger, or steak, making the restaurant an especially practical choice for families and larger groups.
A spacious, casual setting adds to that appeal by giving vacation groups, celebrations, and hungry visitors a comfortable place to unwind after a day near the beach without requiring a formal or overly complicated dining experience.
That blend of history, menu variety, generous servings, and welcoming hospitality has helped Seafood & Spaghetti Works earn a lasting place in Port Aransas dining while continuing to feel like a dependable gathering spot for locals and travelers alike. 🌴
Food Highlights
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Richard’s Fish: Sautéed mahi mahi is served with blue crab, bacon, avocado, tomato, green onion, almonds, and wild rice, creating a generous seafood entrée filled with contrasting textures and savory coastal flavors. This specialty is a memorable choice for guests who want a hearty fish dish with plenty of toppings. 🐟
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Joe’s Fish: Grilled mahi mahi comes with blue cheese sauce, shrimp, bacon, asparagus, and spaghetti, bringing together smoky seafood, creamy richness, and a satisfying pasta side. It is a bold option for diners who enjoy indulgent combinations with plenty of flavor. 🍝🦐
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Robert’s Fish: Sautéed fish filet is paired with dill sauce, avocado, green onion, fresh tomato, and wild rice, giving the dish a fresh finish while keeping it filling and substantial. The combination is well suited to diners who prefer seafood with bright toppings and a smooth herb sauce. 🐟
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The Giant Pasta: This oversized pasta combination includes fettuccine Alfredo, lasagna, manicotti, and two house-made meatballs, allowing guests to enjoy several Italian favorites in one order. It is an ideal choice for hungry pasta lovers who want a filling and varied entrée. 🍝
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The Works: Shrimp, scallops, mussels, clams, and gigantic shrimp are served over fettuccine with a choice of Alfredo or marinara sauce. With several types of seafood in one plate, this specialty offers an impressive way to experience the restaurant’s signature seafood-and-pasta combination. 🦐🦀
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Seafood Feast: Fried shrimp, grilled or blackened mahi mahi, fried fish, grilled shrimp, a crab cake, boiled shrimp, French fries, and sautéed vegetables make up this substantial platter. It is a must-try for diners who want to sample several popular seafood preparations in one generous meal. 🦀🐟
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Jumbo Lump Crab-Stuffed Avocado: This appetizer combines jumbo lump crab with avocado for a rich yet refreshing beginning to the meal. It has been highlighted by local dining coverage as a favorite selection for guests seeking a creative seafood starter. 🥑🦀
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Shrimp Tacos: Guests can enjoy shrimp tucked into tacos with avocado, cilantro dressing, and pico de gallo, creating a colorful option with fresh toppings and coastal flavor. The tacos are a popular choice for a lighter meal or a casual Port Aransas lunch. 🌮🦐
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Shrimp and Oyster Po’ Boy: This sandwich option brings fried seafood into a classic po’ boy format, making it a satisfying choice for diners who want something casual and flavorful. It is especially appealing after a beach day when a handheld meal sounds just right. 🦪🥖
Atmosphere
Seafood & Spaghetti Works has a casual, spacious, and family-friendly vibe suited to both vacation meals and local get-togethers.
The menu’s variety means a table can comfortably mix seafood, pasta, pizza, burgers, and steak without anyone feeling left out.
After a beach day, the relaxed setting and generous choices make it an easy place to settle in and refuel.
Handcrafted drinks, including selections such as the Port A Sea Breeze and Italian Margarita, add a festive note for adults. 🍹
Bottom Line
Visit for the restaurant’s long Port Aransas history, wide-ranging menu, signature seafood dishes, generous pasta offerings, relaxed atmosphere, and family-friendly appeal.
It is a practical choice for groups with different cravings—and a delicious one for anyone ready to explore the meeting point between Gulf seafood and Italian comfort food. 🌴
Address:
910 Texas 361, Port Aransas, TX 78373
📞 (361) 749-5666
🕔 Open Sun–Thu , 11 AM–9 PM | Fri–Sat, 11 AM–9:40 PM