Last month, we wrote about the $2-per-oyster happy hour in the Proper Eats food hall at Aria. At the conclusion of that review, we lamented the rising price of oysters, even in specials (what happened to the $1-oyster specials that were ubiquitous not so long ago?), and said we’d look around.
Our first check was the Big Sur Oyster Bar at South Point, where its long-running “What the Shuck” lunch specials include half-price oysters and clams on the half shell every day from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The bar had ample open seating when we walked up at noon on a Sunday. We ordered a dozen oysters. These are the large Louisiana gulfs (“Eastern oysters”), served with lemon, cocktail sauce, and horseradish. After discount, they’re $14.50 per dozen, or 1.21¢ apiece. Not bad at all these days. They’re shucked fresh right in front of you and come with a roll. You can find fancier blue points, kumaias, etc. in other places, but not at this price. Add a beer for $4.50.
If you’re with non-oyster-lovers, several other seafood choices on the lunch menu might tempt their taste buds or you can send them off to the sports book hot dog cart and meet later at one of South Point’s good video poker machines.
You didn’t catch the REAL deal. If you’re over 50 yo and you go to Big Sur Oyster Bar on Mondays between 1-4pm, not only are the oysters $14.50/doz but if you pay with comp points you get them half price…$7.25/doz! I’m there every Monday when I’m in town, lol.