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Phillippi Creek Oyster Bar, click here.
Anonymous party of 2 had lunch at Phillippi Creek
Oyster Bar and rated the fried oysters poor because, "extremely
dry and tasted like it was fried in last weeks oil." and writes
on May 4, 2010, "I researched this restaurant on line and was
informed that it has a 5 star rating.
I had a gumbo stew and my wife had New England Clam chowder. My
stew was ok by my wife's chowder was not to her liking. We both
had fried oyster for our entry and both meals were over cooked
and extremely dry.
I do not recall the name of the waiter but his service was good
to vr good.
Overall rating for this meal experience was 5 with 5 being
lowest.
The waiter did offer us another entry but by this time our taste
buds had diminished and my mind told my stomach I was
satisfied."
Service Rating: 2
Wine List Rating: 3
Cleanliness Rating: 3
Value Rating: 5
Overall Experience: 5
Anonymous party of 6 had dinner at Phillippi Creek
Oyster Bar and rated the steamed oysters, shrimp, scallops fair
because, "very ordinary for the price. Absolutely nothing
special." and writes on July 21, 2009, "We have been going to
this restaurant for over 25 years, since it was just a tiny hole
in the wall. We always had such wonderful meals there, however,
this time it was terrible. The food was just so-so, once it
finally came. The wait staff was so slow and unfriendly, the
restaurant was hot and uncomfortable. They have turned this into
such a tourist trap that I will never go back. We have
recommended it to many friends and relatives there when in the
area, but no more. We spent over $150.00 on our dinner and it
was not worth half that. So disappointing after all the dinners
we've enjoyed there."
Service Rating: 5
Ambience Rating: 5
Cleanliness Rating: 4
Value Rating: 5
Overall Experience: 5
Times At Restaurant: 20+
Murray Hynd had dinner at Phillippi Creek Oyster
Bar and ordered mahi mahi, oysters, lobster, prawns and rated
the food excellent because, "Good quality, cooked to perfection,
and plenty of it" and writes on 2/2/2009: "In the sunshine state
but away from Orlando, opting for the Gulf of Mexico instead of
Disney: as in Sarasota. Advised at the airport to use local
suntan lotion as its more suited than your European stuff; and
its waterproof. We hit the beach and slapped it on (our European
*stuff* sat in the luggage). Great thing about US beaches is
that you have plenty of room. Fine white sand, sizzling hot day,
gentle breeze wafting in from the Gulf - exquisite.
Chilled out reading our books, hit the water once in a while to
cool off, re-applying suntan lotion after each dip. Three hours
later, a bit parched, and in need of refreshment. Packed up the
gear and walked further along to find a small beach bar serving
burgers and cold beer on tap; just what the Doctor ordered. Back
at the motel later on, after a quick shower.. ohmigod, you are
so-o-o burnt. Felt nothing during the day. Only then the skin
start to sing. Ouch.
Out to dinner nonetheless - off to Phillippi Creek Oyster Bar,
where boats actually do saunter in off the bay, and tie up at
the dock outside the restaurant - cool; its not just a name.
Seafood restaurant where a boat docks at? - just gotta try it.
Looking forward to a huge feast of seafood. Black vinyl seating,
oh no... every slight movement tore at sun burnt flesh.
Ok, just relax and concentrate on the food. They have a menu
that requires a napkin prior to eating, as it will have you
salivating before it arrives on the table. Two dozen oysters, a
bucket of monster prawns, mahi-mahi, lobster, french fries, an
onion stack and a huge salad. The prices were very reasonable,
and we were a little hungry after the day on the beach. The
pitcher of Bud helped. I think we even had room for key lime
pie. Its amazing what a high-quality meal at a good price will
do. Sunburnt flesh on vinyl seating? Didn't feel a thing.
It's now 2009 and we're happy to report that Phillippi Creek is
still going strong. Can't wait to go back."
Service Rating: 1
Ambience Rating: 1
Wine List Rating: 2
Cleanliness Rating: 1
Kid Friendly Rating: 2
Value Rating: 1
Overall Experience: 1
Phil party of 4 had dinner at Phillippi Creek
Oyster Bar and rated the food fair because, "Okay" and writes on
March 1, 2008, "seating is extrememly uncomfortable.. as you sit
on backless benches."
Service Rating: 4
Ambience Rating: 3
Wine List Rating: 4
Cleanliness Rating: 4
Kid Friendly Rating: 3
Value Rating: 3
Overall Experience: 3
Mandy Worsham rated the food excellent because,
"Everything is wonderful!!!" and writes on June 21, 2004, "I
rate this restaurant excellent because it is overall a great
place. I visit Sarasota every summer from West Virginia and we
go to Phillippi Creek Oyster Bar at least 3 times every visit. I
ALWAYS get the Gator and the chicken teriyaki sandwich. The
drinks are GREAT! Fun bar and a great environment. I have never
had a bad experience at Phillippi Creek. And the view of the
creek is beautiful!!"
Anonymous rated the food excellent because, "food
was excellent and an adequate amount for the money." Anonymous
ordered raw oysters, clam chowder, oysters Rockefeller, grouper
sandwich, shrimp salad, fried shrimp and writes on 5/8/2004: "It
has a pleasant atmosphere and the food is excellent. We met two
of our friends from Ft Myers there for lunch. We did the same
thing last year with the same couple and another couple (6 of
us). We enjoyed the meals both times. We (2 of us) plan on
spending a week at Siesta Key in November, and we plan on eating
here during our stay. Today was the third time that we have
eaten there, and we have enjoyed the meal each time. Would
highly recommend it to others. We do not live in the Sarasota
area, otherwise we would frequent it more often. (It's about 1
hr 45 min drive from our home) The oysters Rockefeller were
excellent. The fried shrimp were of good size and taste. The
clam chowder had chunks of potatoes, ham, clams and other
ingredients and was thick consistency and tasted great."
Jeff H. visited Phillippi Creek Oyster Bar and
ordered alligator and oysters in a bucket and rates the food
excellent because, "we had a great experience," and writes, "As
a Canadian in Sarasota in February, we wanted a restaurant were
we could eat outside. The benches outside gave us the rustic
(bit hard) seating but the view was incredible. We chose to eat
a meal of many appetizers instead of ordering a meal. This was a
good choice for us. Our favorite was the oysters in the bucket.
We had to work for our food but we had the time and it was fun.
Overall we enjoyed this place. It is not your white linen table
cloth restaurant so do not go there if that is what you want.
Otherwise it is as I said rustic, fun and good food."
Ed: Bring a seat cushion.
Anonymous party of 6 visited the Oyster Bar on
5/5/2003 and rated the food excellent because, "preparation and
taste was great and service great," and writes on 5/14/2003:
"Absolutely loved our visit to Phillippi Oyster Bar. We loved
the food we ordered and the shrimp were fresh and tasted
awesome. Ate some bisque and the flavor was fantastic. The
atmosphere was pleasant and our server was cute as a button. Ask
for "Jessica" as this was our first time with her as a server
and she was fun and entertaining as she took great pride in her
job and explaining the food we questioned as she explained she
had eaten herself. Great with the kids too."
Anonymous visited the Oyster Bar on 5/6/2003 and
rated the food only fair because, "Our meals were very fair, the
quality of preparation and taste was disappointing. Parts of the
meal were quite greasy and rather bland." Anonymous and a party
of 4 ordered lobster, shrimp and grouper and says, "I am a
Sarasota local and have been to the Phillippi Creek Oyster Bar
restaurant five times, and it had always been OK. However, my
opinion of the restaurant went from OK to poor on my fifth
visit. The managers, hosts, and many waiters were providing
terrible and even downright rude service to customers both at my
table and other tables in my area. The food quality was the
worst I have ever experienced at the restaurant. I would highly
recommend that any tourists or newcomers in the area try one of
Sarasota's many other great restaurants. Do not waste your time
or money at this establishment."
Todd Verity writes on 3/29/2003: "The atmosphere
is excellent, and the owner and managers were on their "A" game.
Didn't have to wait long for a table, and the the food was
outstanding!"
Irwin Singer writes on 1/4/2003, "The waitress
made me feel I was doing here a favor by being there. They throw
the food at you. I sat outside-the last bench. It was very
uncomfortable for my wife and I. It appears the back to the
bench was straight-up and terrible to sit at. This really made
our visit to the restaurant our final. The atmosphere and view
is fabulous, but the benches can kill your back. The grouper was
very good, but the stone crabs were just OK. Sorry, but I just
had to tell the truth."
The Lindsay party of 4 dined on Raw Oysters,
shrimp and writes on 12/3/2002: "My in-laws discovered this
place when they were wintering in the area about 10 years ago.
Dad doesn't eat any fish or seafood except cooked oysters, and
he lover theirs. Mom loves all seafood, so takes advantage of
the variety. My husband can not get enough raw oysters, so we
usually visit several times on every trip down. The view from
the deck is great, and the value is really a big plus for us. We
can eat there several times, without blowing our budget."
Adrienne Hines writes on 10/29/2002: "My husband
and I were visiting Casey Key with our twin 1 year old children.
We took his parents up Route 41 to Phillippi for lunch and it
was a nice, enjoyable, casual lunch. The wooden "picnic" tables
were just perfect for a couple dozen oysters, some shrimp and
some beer. The fact that the restaurant sits right on the water
was perfect for this northerner who gets quite hot in 90 degree
weather. I was quite comfortable.
The shrimp could've used a tad more coconut and the French fries
were only average. But the oysters were fantastic and the wait
staff went out of their way to accommodate an ailing grandfather
and two high chairs for the twins."
Carla Birnbaum who says she has been to Phillippi
Creek more than 50 times writes on 5/9/2002: "I have been coming
to this restaurant since I could walk. We always went for the
fresh seafood, especially the steamed muscles. Between my mom,
two sisters and myself, I always used to think they would run
out of them we ate so many. It provides the perfect "happy hour"
with drink and seafood specials. Throughout my life, going to
the "Creek" has been a highlight of coming home from college and
now visiting my family in Sarasota. Introducing this restaurant
to my husband and his family made me realize what a special
place the Phillippi Creek Oyster Bar is to me and my family.
Even now, I still can't wait to go to this restaurant every time
I visit. It is a MUST for anyone who visits Sarasota!"
M.B. Writes: "The first time my friends and I
visited was in 1993, on a recommendation from a local dive shop.
We were impressed with the beautiful scenery from the deck, as
well as the casual "dockside" atmosphere. We all had extremely
delicious meals back in '93, and when other friends and I
visited in 2000, we had a similarly wonderful dinner. Highly
recommended."
Charlie Inman writes: "I just moved to Sarasota and I took my
parents out to Phillippi Creek Oyster Bar because I liked the
funky Florida style ambience. My family is from Florida so I
knew we would all have a good time. I had shrimp tempura and it
was great; really crisp. My Dad had the boiled shrimp, awesome,
and Mom had the King Crab claws. We all shared and it was great.
We split a pitcher of beer to wash it all down. I have found my
favorite seafood joint."
E. Tonda writes: "For the 15th consecutive year,
our Xmas family reunion always ends up for at least on meal at
Philippi's. And each year we swear to never come back again. The
service is arrogant to the hilt when you arrive with children
and when you add on a person in a wheelchair it reaches levels
of terrifying injustice. As if the handicapped person in our
party was an embarrassment to the owner of the restaurant. Why
do we always go back? Namely because Philippi's has the best
seafood in Sarasota. Raw oysters that are always excellent along
with their price. Peel and eat shrimp with garlic or spices or
butter or just plain boiled which are outstanding and numerous.
The grouper sandwich is always great along with the spicy
seafood chowder and various other soups. The quality, quantity
and prices cannot be met by the other restaurants in town.
But...beware. Since they are so popular, I feel the restaurant
knows and takes advantage of that. The line is always outside
the door and since they don't take reservations a wait is always
in our plans. What is not in our plans, and we hope always will
change, is the way they treat big parties of people who have
specific needs (i.e. highchairs, a chair with a back, two nearby
tables so our large party can communicate). I do highly
recommend this place to anyone, as it is memorable, but please
keep in mind the disadvantages stated above. My sister and
husband had a wonderful meal. The next evening we went with 4
children and one handicapped relative and we were treated
terribly."
Joy K. writes: "Stuffed grouper was out of this
world and huge! The seafood kabobs were skewers of grouper,
lobster, and shrimp, marinated in a teriyaki-type sauce, then
smothered in crushed pineapple. Both made excellent choices.
Their creamy dill salad dressing is outstanding!""
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