OUR HISTORY
Awards & Recognition

On The River Restaurant opened in May 1988. Owner and operator, Drew Ryder, and former business associate, Rick Clark, came to Freeport from southwest Louisiana with the restaurant’s concept. The original location over-looked the Old Brazos River, giving the restaurant it’s name. The original facility was built in 1983, and operated under three different names before On The River opened its doors in ‘88.

Our current location was previously the home of three other restaurants as well. David’s Café, the last one, had some success as an 80 seat café that primarily served the lunch crowd. Drew and Rick took over David’s in 1990, and moved On The River to the current location in 1992, combining the two concepts under the name On The River. Over the next few years, the business grew to the current seating capacity of about 275 seats.

Our current facility is comprised of several WWII era homes that were either built on the property, or moved from other Freeport locations. As the business grew, these old homes were moved, renovated, and made to work as part of the business. The historical value and appearance was preserved as we moved forward with expansion, and the buildings have a nostalgic and comfortable “home” feel to this day! The main entrance to On The River was originally the “Red and White Store”, which was once a general store located on West First Street in downtown Freeport. Three of the old homes from this property now make up On The River’s sister location in Lake Jackson, named “River Point Restaurant”, a steakhouse and seafood restaurant similar to On The River (www.riverpointrestaurant.com).

The original facility has since been converted to a beautiful private residence, and featured on HGTV’s “Building Character” program. Drew and On The River were featured in the story, as well, for having been the last operator in the building before the residential conversion. The HGTV crew was enamored with On The River, and was especially enthralled with our famous fried dill pickles. They even had the film crew go into our kitchen and shoot the entire cooking and serving process from pail to table, just for kicks.

Awards and Recognition

In the December 2008 edition of Texas Monthly Magazine, On The River was named one of the “Top 40 Best Small Town Cafes in Texas”, stating that On The River is “the real deal”. (Click magazine cover to the right to read the full article)

In a reader’s survey by our local newspaper, On The River was voted the number one seafood restaurant in the area. In addition, we were honored for having the best appetizer (fried dill pickles), and best lunch buffet (we only offer table service now). We were also honored in the best burger, best steak, best sandwich (chicken fried steak), and best dessert categories (blackberry cobbler with ice cream, YUM!).

On the River was featured on HGTV’s “Building Character” program.

On the River was the chosen caterer for Six Flags Astroworld & Waterworld for all of their employee functions. This relationship began in 1984, and lasted until the parks closed in 2005.

We have catered for and/or hosted banquets for numerous local companies, such as Dow Chemical, BASF Corp., Schlitterbahn of Galveston, SI Group, (formerly Schenectady), Rhodia, American Rice, Port of Freeport, Air Liquide, Brazosport Independent School District, Gulf Chemical, Texas Dow Employees Credit Union, Merit Medical Group, Brazosport and Angleton Chambers of Commerce, Associated Builders and Contractors, Freeport LNG, Brazosport Rotary and Lions Clubs, Boys and Girls Club, Cities of Freeport, Lake Jackson, Clute, Richwood, and various Police and Fire Departments.

On the River is a “destination location” for many organizations visiting the Brazosport area, including Texas A&M University’s Marine Biology Dept., and many state wide schools that visit our area for academic and athletic competitions.