Charm City Seafood — Restaurant in Bartow

I usually am big on checking reviews out before I go to a new spot. I checked this one out and they seemed great! Usually a great indicator of fresh, wholesome food. I took my family. However, I am very disappointed. Even my youngest, who is usually one to devour anything, didn’t eat more than two bites of his smoked ribs. My picky eater didn’t eat a bite. My wife enjoyed her Greek bowl for the most part, but also only ate a few bites.

I got the super grouper sandwich, which I was so excited about because I LOVE grouper! My favorite fish, but unfortunately, I couldn’t eat it, and what I did eat, made me feel sick! It was like eating pure salt. It was gross! By the end of the meal, my youngest son felt sick and went to the bathroom to throw up, and man did he throw up! Even after only eating a small bit. I think it was the salt… just so much salt!

We also ordered the Calamari app, which was $15, but was mostly fried banana peppers… and there was barely any Calamari in it, mostly deep fried breading. Just not good. The sauce was decent, but I would have preferred something less sweet.

They didn’t have any gluten free options, and they weren’t willing to replace a bun with lettuce which was inconvenient, but I was willing to work around.

Over all the portions were big for the adults, small for the kids, and the food was way overly salty, and just unfortunately not good. Over $105 for a family of 5, two small kids, my 16 year old, and my wife and myself. So it’s not “cheap” either. The atmosphere is beautiful. And the service was spectacular. The waitress checked in on us several times, and refilled our drinks several times, so I’ll give them credit where it’s due. The cooks need to step it up in a major way, if they plan on maintaining their star rating.

I wouldn’t return, because the food was just not it.

Also, when I complained I wasn’t offered anything but “We’re sorry...

Charm City hasn't quite charmed me yet, but they're well on their way. The staff is pleasant, and since the location changed hands, the interior is far more inviting. The woman at the register was going for extra credit, and was extremely upbeat. Gone is the soda/drink machine that assaulted you as you entered the place, and replaced with a pretty open inviting atmosphere. The colors have been changed to more gray/ocean style coloring, and as soon as you walk in you notice just how open it's become vs the old restaurant it replaced.

I ordered the blackened grouper sandwich today with fries/slaw. The grouper itself was pretty strong tasting and especially so for grouper. Grouper typically doesn't have a strong fishy taste to it, but this particular piece did. I'm thinking I probably got a less fresh piece, or just a bad cut. As far as blackened grouper goes, it's on the mild side from a spices perspective. Maybe a little more mild than I'd have expected. The fish was extremely moist and the bun had begun to get a bit soggy. I did have a bone in mine, but, it's fish, and that happens.

The fries though man. Good fries are hard to come by in Bartow or at most places. Usually you get the frozen variety, and possibly with a bit of extra seasoning tossed on. Here, they are sort of like small home style fries, and well seasoned. I loved them. They reminded me a lot of what you'd get with fish and chips elsewhere.

The slaw was good. I don't usually like slaw, but I did like theirs. I'm no connoisseur of fine coleslaw, so I couldn't really critique further.

I'm giving this one 3 stars for now. I wish 3.5 was possible on Google, but it's not sadly. It's hard for me to judge a place on one visit and meal alone and I'd still like to try other things on the menu regardless. They do smoked meats too, and those are high on my list...

Let me start by saying that I’ve been to charm city many of times, but this was by far the worst experience ever!!

It started as I walked in with my children. There was a customer with three large dogs at the outside tables. The dogs attempted to break away from their owner as they barked and growled AGGRESSIVELY! My kids and I literally had to scurry in as we feared of being attacked. The owner could barely hang on to them as they were trying to charge at us!!!

As the employees witnessed it all, no greeting nor apology was granted. My children were ready to leave but I attempted to dine in. We would still hear the dogs outside growling at people as they walked in. We then decided to order to go.

I was charged $8 for fries substituted on my meal! In addition the kids meal chicken “tenders” were like nuggets and were over fried. The pork sandwich was overly sauced but I did enjoy the shrimp tacos.

We then attempted to order ice cream. They were out of many flavors plus they only had one waffle cone! The ice cream came out melted and simply tastes like frozen milk.

At this point, I was ready to go…but wait the dogs!!! I literally had to ask an employee to escort my family out because of fear of the barking dogs!!!! Thank you Tyson!!!!

For my kids, this was the most traumatic dining experience ever! This was supposed to be a fun family night experience. The employees are young and not trained appropriately to handle situations! The customer with the dogs should have been immediately asked to leave as they saw how the dogs treated my family and others!!

I won’t...