Childhood Chef Pals Are Reuniting at a New San Leon Restaurant

joe cervantez and chris loftis

Executive chef Joe Cervantez and Chris Loftis, a former executive chef at Number 13 in Galveston, The Pearl at Sam Houston Hotel and other restaurants, have not only worked together on and off for years, but grew up together in Pearland. Now, the team is back together at Pier 6 Seafood & Oyster House at 113 6th Street in San Leon, which Cervantez recently opened with Raz Halili of Prestige Oysters, and specializes in processing oysters harvested from the Gulf Coast.

As chef de cuisine, Loftis is second-in-command of the kitchen. His most recent roles was as executive chef at the Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille location in Baybrook.

Cervantez and Loftis have known each other since third grade. Both attended the Art Institute of Houston and even started their careers at the same restaurant: Skyline on the top floor of the Hilton Americas downtown, which has long been closed. At overlapping times, each have worked for chef and owner Ronnie Killen at Killen’s Steakhouse, too.

Pier 6 executive chef Joe Cervantez (center) with owner Raz Halili (right) and chef de cuisine Chris Loftis (left). Photo by Kimberly Park.

“Chris is a hard worker, super talented, super-creative and happy to jump in to help ensure consistency and take things off my plate,” says Cervantez via a press release. “Our management styles complement each other. He builds a great friendship with the staff and is the one who likes to have fun. I’m a little more serious  — he breaks that up. It’s a good balance and a great reminder to me that work should be fun.”

Cervantez left a high-profile role as executive chef of Brennan’s of Houston for the opportunity to open Pier 6, the first restaurant he’s owned. “I’ve seen so much growth from Joe over the years,” said Loftis. “I’m proud of him. He’s a people person, he just loves making people happy. And I’m here to help make his life easier.”

With his prior experience at restaurants such as Number 13, The Pearl at The Sam Houston Hotel, the now-closed Peska, Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille and Killen’s Steakhouse, you can practically call Loftis the surf-and-turf chef. He has plenty of experience with both seafood and steak. With the former, Loftis’ approach is to let the natural flavors shine with little glorification. “I try to keep it simple. Let the fish speak for itself. Don’t overthink it, don’t overcook it, and you’ll be fine,” he said.

Pier 6 Restaurant exterior
Pier 6 in San Leon, Texas. Photo by Kimberly Park

The hours at Pier 6 Seafood & Oyster House are from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays and Tuesdays through Thursdays and from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

Comments (5)

Leave a Reply to Geri WadsworthCancel reply

  • January 12, 2021 at 12:08 amTietje

    Best oysters ever. Chili shrimp were great too. I love the new setup and I wish you guys the best luck and success for many many years.

    Reply
  • January 11, 2021 at 10:25 pmNun'ya O'Brien

    They better both watch out for the longstanding illicit drug trade of San Leon…it’ll ruin the best of intentions and people.

    The police out there are corrupt AF, always have been, prlby always will be. Sry, not my problem anymore!

    Reply
  • January 11, 2021 at 6:22 pmGeri Wadsworth

    My husband and I love this place! Excellent food and atmosphere. If you havent tried it your missing out and when you do you will want to go back!!

    Reply
  • January 11, 2021 at 2:37 pmLisa

    Wow! Love the article gives the public a little history on how small what a small world it is even in the world of oysters 🦪

    Reply
    • January 11, 2021 at 2:41 pmPhaedra Cook

      It really is a small world. I feel like I met these guys when they were just baby-chefs. 😉 Glad to see them both doing well.

      Reply