C.R. Surf and Turf

C.R. Surf and Turf

Written by Amy Stansbury Thursday, 17 April 2008

After owning an Asian food restaurant called Sea Dragon Two for 12 years, Hal Lien saw his business crumble when the Toll 45 flyover at US 183 opened, rerouting traffic to bypass the shopping center where his restaurant was located. But rather than feel frustrated or sad, Lien said he saw the situation as an opportunity. He had been interested in opening a restaurant that served Southern and Cajun food for many years, but never could find a way to do so while still owning Sea Dragon Two.

“I was going to do it six or seven years ago, but I still had the lease at the Sea Dragon Two,” Lien said. “It was really tying me up so that I couldn’t go out and do another business.”

So when Lien closed Sea Dragon Two, he decided it was time for him to do something he had wanted to do for a long time. In October 2007, Lien opened a seafood, steak and oyster bar called C.R. Surf and Turf. The C.R. stands for Cody and Randy, his 6- and 3-year-old sons.

“I thought this was the type of restaurant I could really grow,” he said.

The menu features a wide selection of entrées ranging from fish, shrimp and oysters to steaks, chicken and hamburgers. Lien said his diverse menu is great for large groups.

“If there’s 10 people and three don’t eat seafood, I have that choice for them, too,” he said. “They can come here, and no one has to compromise because I have a little bit of everything.”

Lien said one of his most popular plates is the shrimp platter. The jumbo butterflied, battered and fried shrimp come six for $8.99, nine for $11.99 or 12 for $14.99. The meal includes French fries, garlic bread and hush puppies, which are light and crispy.

Shrimp lovers might also enjoy the spicy Shrimp Diablo appetizer. Six shrimp and jalapeño slices are wrapped with bacon for $5.99, but the server also offered jumbo shrimp for $8.99.

The fried oyster plate comes with the same side items as the shrimp platter and is served on a large round tray covered with foil. Another popular menu item is the Surf & Turf Platter ($15.99), which has “turf” options of an 8-ounce flat iron steak, grilled chicken breast, grilled pork loin or steak kabob and “surf” choices of jumbo shrimp, stuffed crab, scallops, a 7-ounce fried or broiled catfish, or a shrimp-and-crab-stuffed catfish. The meal comes with two of the following sides: grilled asparagus, a house salad, steamed vegetables, mashed potatoes, a baked potato, green beans, coleslaw, garlic bread or hush puppies.

While there are several fried items on the menu, the food does not seem too greasy. Lien said he uses a breadcrumb batter rather than corn meal, and it makes a difference.

“Corn meal is just ground up corn and when you fry it, it soaks up a lot of oil,” he said. “With the breadcrumb batter, it is lighter and not as greasy.”

Lien makes his own seasonings and said the only items served in the restaurant that are not homemade are the condiments on each table.

Lunch Specials

• Served 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday, 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
• Fried platters (served with fries, garlic bread and hush puppies $5.99-$8.99): cod and jumbo shrimp, catfish strips, jumbo shrimp, clam strips, catfish and jumbo shrimp, fresh cod, chicken tenders, popcorn shrimp and a combo platter
• Sandwiches and burgers (served with fries $3.99-$7.99): bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich, chicken fried chicken sandwich, grilled chicken sandwich, pork loin sandwich, Texas cheese steak sandwich, chicken fried steak sandwich, C.R.’s Fish Sandwich with fried cod, lettuce, tomatoes, American cheese and tartar sauce, or build your own burger

C.R. Surf and Turf, 601 E. Whitestone Blvd., Ste. 200., The Railyard Shopping Center, Cedar Park, TX 78613, 260-0600