Gulf Coast Classics, No Surprises, Decent Pours
East El Paso · El Paso · Seafood, Steakhouse · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed April 24, 2026
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Landry's reads like a greatest hits album you've heard a hundred times — Caymus, Franciscan, Lohr — dependable names that chain restaurant managers know will move. It's not trying to be anything other than what it is: a crowd-pleasing list built for guests who want something recognizable with their crab legs. That's fine, but don't come here hoping to discover anything new.
The list pulls from the usual suspects across California (Napa, Paso Robles, Sonoma), with some welcome detours into Rioja, Mendoza, Tuscany, and even McLaren Vale. Names like El Coto Crianza, Bodegas Breca Brega Old Vine Garnacha, and Prunotto Barbaresco suggest someone at corporate at least glanced at a map of Europe before signing the order sheet. The top end features Caymus Special Selection and Nickel & Nickel State Ranch Vineyard — solid heavy hitters, though they're priced accordingly with chain-level markups that'll make your wallet wince. There's a noticeable gap in coastal whites and lighter styles that would actually complement seafood, which feels like a missed opportunity given the menu focus.
Twelve-plus by-the-glass options priced at $6–$8 is genuinely generous for this part of El Paso, and the range covers whites, reds, and even a Luccio Moscato d'Asti for the dessert wine crowd. Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling and Banfi La Pettegola Vermentino are the standouts — both seafood-friendly and priced at a level where the glass pour doesn't feel like a shakedown. Don't expect rotation or seasonal updates; what's on the list is likely what's been on the list.
Bodegas Breca Brega Old Vine Garnacha — $39
Old vine Garnacha from Aragón on a chain seafood list in El Paso? This is genuinely unexpected, and at the low end of the bottle pricing it's the most interesting pour on the list by a mile.
Banfi La Pettegola Vermentino Tuscany
Most people at a seafood house go straight for the Chardonnay out of habit — don't. This Tuscan Vermentino is bright, coastal, and was practically built to drink next to a plate of broiled fish. Most guests will walk right past it.
Caymus Special Selection
At chain restaurant markup, you're paying a significant premium over retail for a wine that's genuinely fine but has become a brand more than a wine experience. Save it for somewhere that treats it with more care.
Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling + Pecan Crusted Catfish with cornbread
The slight sweetness and crisp acidity in the Riesling cuts right through the richness of the pecan crust and softens the cornbread's density — it's the most food-friendly pairing on the menu and it costs you almost nothing by the glass.
✔️ The Bottom Line
Landry's wine list does exactly what a mid-tier chain seafood house needs it to do — keeps the table happy without embarrassing anyone. Just don't show up expecting inspiration; show up expecting a cold glass of Vermentino and a solid piece of fish.
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