Turbo pina colada's were alright, but a cup of sugar and a shot of rum can be had for less than $9 elsewhere. They're cute, but I really wouldn't bother.
The cocktail sauce served with the peel & eat shrimp was actually the highlight of our visit. It was basically gelatinized when served, but the flavor was great.
The crowd was the same odd mix as you can find on the beach: mostly an odd mix of drunk college kids, soccer mom's and screaming kids.
All I can say is, " I wanna wanna go back!"
This review is for two businesses- one for the wanna wanna bar & grill and then the Wanna Wanna Inn.
1. Wanna Wanna Bar & Grill
I ordered the shrimp & oyster basket along with the wanna wanna signature cocktail.
The oysters were delicious- excellent batter, spices and  large, fresh oysters. The shrimp also did not disappoint- generous sized shrimp and the batter was just right.
The fries and hushpuppy also hit the spot.
My drink was the perfect afternoon cocktail. It contained a multitude of spirits (read "strong", but the bartender blended into a delicious, fruity (and not overly sweet) concoction that packed a punch.
The view was great too- you're right on the beach.
It was wonderful- I highly suggest it!
2. Â Wanna Wanna Inn
I loved the inn. The staff is incredible- Junior was extremely helpful and courteous for checking in and for any questions that I had. Kim was also great to work with- very friendly and helpful. The prices can't be beat in the area. Highlight for me- they allow pets. I love being able to take my dog on short trips, and they allow pets. It's a 15.00 fee per pet, but well worth it.
The room was spotless- and very charming. It had a mini fridge, coffee maker, toaster, and microwave. They give you a large container of coffee, sugar and creamer packets. I found it to be very helpful and a wonderful addition to the room. I also think housekeeping does a better job here than at some of the ritzier/fancier hotels on the island.
The location is also great. You're right on the beach- walk out the front door of your room, down a short path and voila! the beach.
You've also got the bar & grill located on the property. They have great drinks and tasty food combos. It gets busy there during lunch, so get there early.
I'll definitely head back down to the wanna wanna inn.
I love this place. Â When I arrive in South Padre, I haven't arrived until I sit at the bar, have a burger and a beer and watch the Gulf side waves and the entertainment on the beach. It is all about location here. Â On the beach with a volleyball court in front. Â I come here every time I visit. Â Burgers are healthy sized and good but I have always asked for no pickles and I always get them. Â I hate the pickle juice on my food.
Review Source:This place is right on the beach and is what you would invasion a vacation beach bar to be. They were playing great music and the bar staff was extremely friendly. The menu was simple and the two items we ordered were very good.
Ceviche- This was very fresh and it seemed to be the right amount of every ingredient to make this an excellent dish. This was my first time having this and was an excellent introduction to it! Great job.
Fried Shrimp and Oysters- Well it was exactly what is says. I think fresh is what makes it here and it definitely was fresh. Also great job here.
Pina Colada- You gotta get one of these. Very yummy, all the flavours of the traditional Pina colada except it's all jacked up!! A must try
Officially my favorite place in Padre Island. This one tops the other places I've been to. Food was great. More affordable than the other restaurants, and right on the beach! (So you have a great view of the ocean while you enjoy your lunch, it'd be too dark during dinner to see anything on the beach). I love this place! Would definitely recommend them!
Review Source:If we could hang out somewhere everyday, it would be the Wanna Wanna in SPI. This bar is our absolute favorite spot to watch the ocean and have a cold beer. Great ceviche and wonderful burgers. We sit here for hours when we are on the island and highly recommend that you do the same. You will be hooked for life!
Review Source:This is one of the few restaurants right on the beach, where you can sip on a Modelo and watch the waves. Â Here are a few things to keep in mind if you visit...
- The wind blows right through the place... we ordered Oysters which came with crackers. Â The cracker wrappers and napkins blew away... and the paper plate had the same problem once we ate enough off of it.
- The oysters were huge... too big to bite. Â We needed to cut them to eat them, but no knife was provided. Â The sauce was spicy which I like, but my GF did not.
- Order at the bar... I had to repeat my 2 drink order 3 times before he got it... very Spicoli.
- The restrooms are around the corner, but the sink is outside in view of the tables. Â It's very easy to identify those that don't wash their hands after hitting the head... people are gross.
Don't let my warnings detract you from going here. Â This place is unpretentions, simple, and a great place to have a drink.
I really like this place! Right off the beach and good prices. As soon as we arrived in Padre we headed here to quench our thirst. We had to wait until we were able to check in to our condo. We had the fish and shrimp basket and it was a healthy portion. Beer was reasonably priced and the view is great!! This was our 2nd time back and will be back for more!
Review Source:Watch the Gulf in the shade at 90degrees, with a cold beer  at hand, watching a band on a giant patio facing the ocean.  Cool breezes,  people playing volleyball on the sand , choices of alcoholic beverage and bar food to go.  There are burgers, dogs, and fried bivalve mollusks of the oyster variety. Oh Tia Juanna, I don't wanna wanna go homma.
Review Source:Since these are two separate businesses (hotel/bar) I'll review them as such.
Hotel:
I was looking for a place to stay with my dog (60 lbs) and Wanna Wanna came up as being pet friendly. Most important to me after pet friendly was a place on the beach so I wouldn't have to walk too far with my dog or take a wet, sandy dog in my car! Wanna Wanna is on the beach...I think from my door to the sand is about 10 feet. It is a two-story, 15 room hotel so it is very small. The room: clean and functional. I read a bunch of online reviews before I came and many were critical of the rooms, so I had pretty low expectations. I was pleasantly surprised. The beds are comfortable, there were no bugs, the tile floors were clean. Included a fridge and microwave. Again, I have pretty low standards but it was far from being the worst place I've stayed in my lifetime and again, you are right on the beach. Now as for the potential for noise, please see bar review...
Bar:
It's exactly what all the other reviews say: a place to get out of the sun and watch the ocean and drink and eat. No table service so be prepared to stand in line for a drink. It says no dogs, but I did see some people with dogs on the patio side. The drinks are strong (tried a frozen Rita and a Turbo Piña, the famous piña colada with a floater of rum) and quite good. The live entertainment wasn't great but what can I say, I'm from Austin so a bit spoiled.
I was there on the motorcycle weekend (by accident) and on Saturday night, the noise was very loud. This did not bother me as I sleep with ear plugs and I don't mind hearing people listening to music and enjoying themselves. I could see how someone looking to "escape it all" might not like the noise. Sunday, after the motorcyclists left, I had the place to myself. It was peaceful and serene. I enjoyed a Corona while watching the moon rise over the ocean. Perfect. So I would recommend that anyone looking to stay at Wanna Wanna and have a quiet evening stay through Monday, as you get that nice atmosphere on Sunday night.
All in all, I thought this place was awesome and way better than I expected it to be. I had a great weekend. My only regret was that they were sold out of t-shirts when I wanted to buy one as I left. Oh well, I will be back!!
Wanna Wanna is a great place just to sit back with a nice Wanna Wanna drink in your hand and listen to the waves. I have been going here for years, and every time I go to visit South Padre Island, I always have to stop by Wanna Wanna my first night. It has some little music acts that are sometimes fun to watch, they have your typical burgers and shrimp, and the drinks are really good. If you are going to South Padre Island, I highly recommend you go and relax at this place.
Review Source:Ummm. Overpriced drinks, overpriced food, in a dingy open-bar type thing that leads to a beach space. We were told to go here because it was supposed to be "beautiful" but honestly there were a hundred other places that would have been better on Padre than this place.
If you do want to enjoy the view, bring your own beer in a cooler and just sit on the beach, play volleyball, and eat somewhere else.
I've now decided that while it might be impossible to track, I'm definitely due for at least one train wreck sipping experience every three years or so if I'm hanging out in either South Padre or Port A. Much like the Salty Dog in Port Aransas (official motto: Yes, You Really Saw That), Wanna-Wanna had all sorts of imbibing disaster going down (at one point, literally, and I'll get to that) last night.
The place sits right on the beach, about fifty yards from the water, and between those on the beach hunting for crabs (there's a joke in there somewhere) and the crashing waves beyond, the pervasive casualness of the patio made for easy time killing. So too, in fact, did the looming disaster who was in waaay past her limit at the (slightly upstairs) bar. She was commenting on anything and everything that crossed her line of blurred vision: she asked a gaggle of younger girls if they were beer models and got into some sort of hugging match with a friend, ultimately teetering like a giant hammered defective Weeble until the two of them toppled over backward, together, landing on the sandy ground three steps below.
I've never seen someone fall down a flight of (three) stairs before, but lemme just say, it was quite something to see. From there they didn't move, really, except to talk with one another, horizontal and blotto. The rest of the bar just stared, mostly, with the possible exception of the bar staff, who vacillated between amused and trying to keep from making eye contact. It was, as you might imagine, awesome.
Eventually someone did help her drunky-ness up (sorta), and off she went to get a ride home. I can only imagine how much fun that must have been for all involved. Come for the beach and beers (and "turbo" pina coladas!), stay for the people watching.
Bar has nice seats that view the beach.
Restrooms might as well be holes in the ground.
Drinks were expensive, as per south padre I suppose, 18 for 2 frozen margaritas. They were just 'ok'. Their signature drink, I forgot the name, was a bit tastier, and probably a better 'deal' as far as amount of booze. If that's what you're in to...
Bar is terribly under staffed on a weekend. Expect to wait to get the counter, or if you sit at the outdoor bar, expect to be ignored. They're really squeezing the profit margin at this place.
My boyfriend and I stayed in south padre for a week and got a pretty good feel for the local food (aka fried fish). The food here was average. I got the fish and chips and my boyfriend got the chicken tenders basket. Typical fried food plates. But the french fries were very good!
The best part of my meal was the piña colada---- delicious!! It goes by a slightly different name at the bar which I can't quite remember...but it is one of their specials.
In terms of atmosphere, hands down my favorite place on the island. Since arriving, all I wanted was to have a drink at a bar on the beach. Wanna-wanna gave me just that! I could have sat there for hours under the sun and sipping my frozen beverage. It was fantastic and so very relaxing.
Went here for some drinks. The margaritas were okay. I had a Wanna-Wanna. Sweet, but not too. This place would be great in the summer. RIght on the beach with their own volleyball court (bring your own ball). Not gourmet, but the drinks were reasonably priced and the location is okay too. They even have clear plastic wind breaks to fight off those pesky winds out of the south.
I hear they have live music on weekends, but we were there on a weekday. All in all, I would recommend it for happy hour and people watching.
This is the beat place on the gulf coast hands down! Â My favorite place ever! Â There is a limited menu and this place isn't for fine dining, but if you are looking for a fun place with all age groups, then this is the place. Â
I'd have to say that this is the most tropical place I've been to in Texas. Â Amazing view, good tropical drinks, decent burger = awesomeness. Â There is even a small hotel on the property, so you could drink all you want and crawl to your room. Â Beach access is right there by the beachside bar.
This is the perfect bar/grill when you think of such joints at a beach. Â The food may not be the best, but it doesn't matter, you are at the beach and you need to eat so you dont fall down drunk. Â Good house band, good drinks and ok food (dont get the queso) ... Plus it is on the beach!! You can't go wrong is all I am saying ....
Review Source:BAR ON THE BEACH SIDE!
okay, something that hasn't been mentioned is that its one of the few rare bars you will find at SPI that are BEACH SIDE. A lot of restaurants and bars are on the bay side.
The awesome thing about this, is bar next to a beach. Not common at SPI, you might have bars next to beach but not with access right on the shoreline. This is as close and as good as it gets. And since it is beach  side they only serve canned Beer. They have your regular beer choices, or Land Shark.
When I last went to Wanna Wanna, I was being indecisive about having a beer or drink. I most definitely will have drinks next time, the beer choices are not enough for me. I like my beer drinking to be an experience not a routine. Â
They have live bands, and beach volleyball. You can hang out at the beach all day then kick back at wanna wanna for some entertainment at night. Its a very lively place and the bar food is eatable. Try the shrimp and fries.
I am reviewing Wanna-Wanna as a MOTEL, not the bar and grill.
$200 a night bunker. Â Seriously, I felt like we were staying in a bomb shelter. Â Highlights include: Â small beetles in the bathroom that love to come out at night, the smell of bleach, dim lighting, non-working phone, horribly thin blankets on bed, a sticky floor, stripped top lock, and it is TINY. Â The bar and grill are also right outside your door, so it is busy and noisey.
I'll give it more than 1 star because there are worse motels out there, and it is on the beach. Â Like...a one minute walk will get you into the water.
As a bar and grill, I'll say my Bacardi and coke was way short on the rum, as was my mother's Seven and Seven. I wish I would've ordered a house specialty drink.  I do give them total props on their fried shrimp and  fries.
When my grandfather was alive, this was his favorite place. Â It still holds true.
Right on the beach. Â You can eat the amazing burgers while overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. Â Right after your meal, take a walk on the beach or go swimming. Â Have a beer and watch the sunset. Â
Very good food at a fair price, especially for being in such a great location.
I gotta hand it to them... this place gets better and better. What was once a palm frond covered dive bar right on the beach is now a palm frond convered dive bar with a huge patio, great food and a drink selection.
Its always a toss up between this and Boomerang Billys for a day on the beach with some frosty bevvies.
This beach front, laid back tiki bar is perfect for whittling away the day on SPI. Â Be forewarned: you shouldn't have any where to be once you settle in to your seat here. Â The fruity cocktails and relaxed atmosphere will melt away the hours.
The key to success is starting with a Wanna Wanna cocktail. Â It's got four kinds of booze and two kinds of juices yet the alcohol is not overpowering nor is it overly sweet. Â And another thing - Wanna Wannas are served in souvenir cups which makes your vacation gift shopping a breeze.
Follow-up a WW with a Turbo Pina Colada if you're into coconut. Â The drink is a typical PC made with coconut cream and an extra shot of dark rum floating on top.
Insider tips: 1. eventually you'll need to go to the bathroom. Â Guys should know that the a strong wind will keep the exterior door to the first bathroom open. Â This is one of two ladies restrooms. Â Too many Wanna Wannas and you'll end up in there like I did. Â Remain calm. Â 2. The beach volleyball court is BYO Ball so don't forget that iff'n you're interested.
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