This was my second visit to the Icehouse and again, I was thoroughly disappointed. Â To start with, the "manager" asked us to move because a bigger party was coming in and she had forgotten to save them a table. Â Not my problem. Â Secondly, I was using a gift card, THAT I PURCHASED, and they wouldn't honor that in conjunction with the free parking, because they were both considered "coupons". Â The food was horrible and appeared to be frozen food that was thawed out several hours earlier. Â The last straw for me was when they wouldn't let me take my WATER out of the restaurant. Â I can understand not bringing drinks IN, but not getting to take WATER out is ridiculous. Â I've never been to a restaurant in BCS where I felt so unwelcomed. Â I'll be back at the lake, but I can't wait for new ownership to snap up the Icehouse.
BTW, to those who said you don't have to pay for parking - you do. Â They are supposed to reimburse you the $5 at the restaurant, but as you can see above - there are exception.
I'd give this three and a half or four stars, but to be honest, we haven't eaten here yet. Â The atmosphere is fun if you go during the day, and the drink prices are fantastic...a well-Bloody Mary (double shot) for something like $1.75? Â Same for margaritas.
The people watching is unparalleled. Â We sit outside at the (non-working during the day) bar, so we can watch the beach across the way, with families and dogs running around getting their crazy on. Â It's really relaxing, even when it's hot out.
We'll go back soon for a night concert, and we just missed crawfish season, for which they do a weekly boil. Â Like to try that, too...
Tell the guard shack lady you're headed to the Icehouse and you can skip the park's entry fee.
As Shah mentioned you do not have to pay an entry fee to the Lake if telling the guard shack that you are going here. Â And we actually -were- going here. Â It also appears as if a lot of other people do that and this place knows it, and in my opinion the prices are on the high side due to this fact. Â $8 for Quesadillas? Â Â Don't think so. Â The atmosphere is nice yet people are smoking (outside) and when we were there the music was too loud to have a conversation. Â It would probably be great to see an outdoor concert here. Â We just were not up for beer and overpriced bar food at the time. Â So in fairness we will give a 3 and try it another time. Â (We had actually gone for the catfish but they were out.)
Review Source:Great location - friendly service - cold beers
The restaurant is right on the Lake Bryan. Tell the person at the guard booth that you are going to the icehouse and you will avoid paying the fee to enter park.
We sat outside on the decks and ordered some beers, burgers and nachos. The burgers were pretty good. The nachos were so-so. The meat on the nachos was actually cold/frozen. They took the nachos and fixed the order right away. I would have given the place 4 stars if not for the nachos snafu.
The deck is partially covered and has fans. It was nice sitting out and having some cold brews watching folks water skiing on the lake.
They have small stage and seemed to have a decent list of concerts planned for the summer. Will definitely have to go back when they have a good band.